Photo by David Carson (Post-Dispatch)
Sheesh Restaurant
Sheesh Restaurant joined South Grand’s vibrant restaurant scene only in late 2015 but already feels like a neighborhood fixture. Maybe that’s because now I can’t imagine South Grand or St. Louis without this Turkish restaurant’s ezogelin (a spicy tomato soup), its variety of kebabs and its mastery of grilled meats. Maybe that’s because owner Safa Marmarchi, a refugee from Iraq who lived in Turkey for several years, has imported fixtures and décor from Turkey, giving the space a timeless, traditional feel. But mostly, I suspect, it’s because Sheesh is simply that good.
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Last year's ranking: new
Opened: 2015
Must order: Adana kebab ($13.99)