Scott S.
Yelp
I am a food and entertainment critic who covers the Chicago and St Louis markets. I call it like I see and experience it. I stand by my reviews.
Farotto's has been a St Louis favorite since 1956 spanning multiple generations. The restaurant is still owned by the original family members. They've expanded it too.
Their outside patio although still under cover is fantastic. They have a large bar with several giant TVs. On a warm summer night it's fantastic.
I hold restaurants accountable. I look at their mission statement and how they describe themselves. Funny how the food and service does not back up the bold talk.
What the owner claims since he started working at the restaurant since he was 11 years old was, he discovered that people really want from a restaurant is high quality food, the best service, and fair prices.
Their mission statement boast can be assured of receiving quality meals with world class service.
Let's talk about the world class service. As we all know St Louis was just under extreme heat with heat indexes of over 100.
My first glass of water had Ice and was very cold on such a hot night. My ice had melted and when the server came around to refill, his pitcher had NO ice and the water was cool to slightly warm at best. C'mon, really! Common sense, and world class service says, get ice in the pitcher!
I order their "signature" roast beef sandwich on a garlic cheese roll with fresh Parmesan potato chips. The roast beef sandwich was juicy, but I hate to say it, tasted and had the consistency like something from Arby's. I finished it but really didn't like it. I expected the garlic cheese roll to be bursting with flavor and it wasn't. You hardly tasted the garlic cheese. Honestly, if you want the FINEST Italian roast beef sandwich and truly a signature dish, the BEST in St Louis is Grassi's in Frontenac off Lindbergh and German Blvd.
I was hesitant to try the fresh parmesan potato chips but I figured why not. Sounded good. The chips were home made which I like but there was literally no flavor. They must have really skimped on the parmesan.
To be fair, let's talk about the pizza. The Light Italian Pizza was very good. Consisting of olive oil, mozzarella, garlic, spinach, mushroom, and large chunks of tomato was very good. Even just as good the second day as a leftover. Bottom line is this, go to Farratos, order what you want but do not get the roast beef sandwich. There's better elsewhere. Make sure the server has COLD water WITH ICE. Mr Farrotto needs to look at his mission statement and his philosophy and don't rest on his laurels. The bar keeps getting raised.