Photo by Christian K. Lee
Guerrilla Street Food
This year promises further growth for Brian Hardesty and Joel Crespo’s Guerrilla Street Food, which has already evolved from St. Louis’ best food truck into its most striking example of the democratization of dining, delivering exciting, creative cuisine in a fast-casual environment. A second brick-and-mortar Guerrilla Street Food is slated to open this spring in the new Tropical Liqueurs in the Grove, and in addition to the Filipino and Filipino-inspired dishes that have made its name — fresh lumpia, chicken adobo, the signature Flying Pig — the new location will offer some dishes specific to the site. Meanwhile, the Tower Grove East restaurant offers both those “old school” Guerrilla Street Food dishes and “new school” fare like Iron Manok (fried chicken with hoisin and mango-shrimp sauces) and, a newer addition, the excellent All-City Burger, a smashed patty with pepper Jack cheese (made in house with Thai bird’s eye chiles), pickle, onion and calamansi mustard.
Hours: Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday
Last year's ranking: No. 15
Opened: 2011 (food truck), 2015 (restaurant)
Must order: Flying Pig ($7)