Post-Dispatch file photo
The Taco & Ice Cream Joint
Even among the Mexican restaurants on the STL 100, the Rico family’s Taco & Ice Cream Joint stands out. No matter what kind of taco you order here, you’re guaranteed a great meal. My personal favorites are the spicy, citrusy cochinita pibil and the beef barbacoa and cabeza, but I’d hear arguments for the classic al pastor or the plump grilled shrimp, too. (Whatever taco you prefer, you can amp it up further with the selection of squeeze-bottle salsas, each labeled with its own daunting spiciness warning.) The greatest challenge here, though, isn’t choosing only three or four tacos. It’s walking past the lengthy display case of ice creams and paletas on the way to the cash register without forgetting to order the savory half of your meal.
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily (closes at 7 p.m. Sunday)
Last year's ranking: Rest of the Best
Opened: 2017