Eleven Mile House, Kirkwood

Eleven Mile House is as much a piece of living history as it is a dining establishment. The original Eleven Mile House stood as one of many 'mile' houses that marked the route west from St. Louis. In the 1940s, it was converted into a restaurant and beer garden, and people have been convening at this spot—in all of its various iterations—ever since. Today, the restaurant specializes in American cuisine, packing its menu with chicken sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, and pork chop dinners. Eggs take the spotlight at breakfast, where they fold into omelets and sandwiches. Eleven Mile House's extensive drink list includes classic martinis and other cocktails, bottled beers from around the world, craft beer on draft, and an assortment of red and white wines.