The Original Caruso’s, Saint Louis

The green-trimmed brick façade gives Crusoe’s a retro allure. The interior follows suit: antique Pepsi-Cola signs and vintage artwork pop against the backdrop of burnt-orange walls. Here, chefs prepare a menu of hearty American comfort food. They serve fried chicken with bowls of thick gravy, for instance, and slowly smoke barbecued pork. Additionally, they pile burgers with toppings such as fried pickles and sautéed mushrooms and showcase sandwiches such as the Reuben, philly cheesesteak, and roast beef au jus. The restaurant’s bar is open until 3 a.m. seven nights a week, allowing customers to drink, socialize, and listen to bedtime tales from wise old olives.