Lona's Lil Eats

As I understand, this restaurant was the catalyst to revitalizing this neighborhood and they have the James Beard award and additional accolades to prove it. I opted for a tofu noodle bowl with sesame and perhaps the sesame had too much of a vinegar quality to it, making my food tangy and acidic. It didn't balance well with the spice of the dish but overall I can tell there's some quality happening here, I just didn't order the right thing on my first go around. My friend gets the shrimp fried rice with the spicy eggplant and doesn't order anything else. I wish I'd asked for a taste but he scarfed it down like a ravenous animal. One bathroom available as the other in the 2nd dining area was locked and our table had the fried rice leftovers on my seat. They reserve tables of four for three or more people but we couldn't find a spot otherwise so our party of two sat there, we got a few looks but oh well. And they use non plastic silverware here which is a bonus. I also appreciate the Excel soda selection although I didn't get a chance to partake.

Stopped by here after a massage at Soma Therapeutic nearby and was highly satisfied. Food was great, customer service was superb, wait time was very minimal, and it gave good and laid back vibes! Would visit again; thanks Lona’s

Great food and clean ingredients. Flavor profile was 10/10. I had a Thai chicken rice paper wrap with spicy cucumbers on the side. Will be back!

I had heard good things about this place from several people and so I had high hopes for this place. I was sorely disappointed. Firstly, you have to wait in a rather slow line to make your order. This could all be done online (for dining in) and would be way easier. The line was likely slow because the menu is difficult to read. As first timers here, I had to look at the menu for a solid 5 minutes before I could really figure out what I was even ordering. Additionally, the letters are way too small for the menu behind the register. After ordering, the seating situation is awful. There is nowhere you can sit where people wont be constantly walking around you. It’s rather annoying to not have enough personal space. Small nitpick but I thought it was weird the bathroom’s doorknob is at an adult’s knee height. So on to the food: it was healthy but unimpressive. My partner and I each ordered a wrap and this was probably a mistake. We got the thai chicken and the steak wraps. They both heavily lacked dressing and were much too dry. It was frankly unacceptable. I mean the steak wrap basically had zero dressing. Just felt like eating a rice-wrapped undressed salad. Really disappointing. The service was good. We had a cookie for desert and that was actually pretty good as well. Overall, I was unimpressed. Glad to see another healthy food establishment but you guys have got to do better.

Food is fantastic, unexpectedly I loved the Bamboo stew a lot. The tables are a little crowded, but I like the vibe of the restaurant as a whole.

Lona's Lil Eats is definitely worth visiting. The overall atmosphere is upbeat and homey. It definitely feels locally owned. The service was quick and portions were large. I loved how well seasoned the food was. Definitely didn't regret checking it out!

Lona's is Such a Treasure!! Corner Neighborhood joint Vibe with Healthy Fresh and Delicious Food!! One of St Louis' Best hidden Gems!!

Lona’s Lil Eats is a must-visit – the food is amazing with a great selection of plates and wraps that you can customize. The eggplant side is incredible. I can't wait to try the Thai chicken wrap on my next visit. With plenty of options, I will definitely be back!

A Go To Spot My wife and I love Lona's. It's been a go to for years. Amazing flavor combinations and food that leaves you feeling good ...like healthy lol. This place is always friendly and has a great dive feel. We love the patio especially on a beautiful evening! It's hard to make a bad move with the menu but I will advise that the spicy items build on each other and can really get you if you're not ready for it. I'm not saying don't order spicy items I'm just saying I got the spicy sauce, spicy egg plant and spicy something... lol and I needed a little water. Also, I will order those again! So good!

Everything was so incredibly fresh, flavorful, and delicious. Definitely be sure to ask for their spicy peanut sauce when ordering. Favorite dishes: Big Thai wrap, dumplings

Very yummy food, was happy to have vegetarian options THOUGH would like to see more proteins than tofu. Enjoyed the flexibility in choosing each ingredient. Atmosphere was cute, 2 floors with some tables and picnic tables outside. Staff was super friendly and welcoming

We came here on a cold winter day, and I am still thinking about the village bamboo stew which warmed me right up. I built my own rice paper wrap with grilled chicken, stir fried glass noodles, and Lona-q sauce. I like that it was a huge portion and also includes a side--I got the village bamboo stew which was so flavorful, tangy, and hearty. I would totally order a big bowl of that stew. My cousin got a spicy tofu noodle rice paper wrap and the spicy eggplant side. I tried some of the spicy eggplant and it was delicious, had a great texture, and wasn't too spicy. Lona's always has great flavors in the wraps and stir-fried noodles. We will be back when we're in the area!

I love this place. I used to live close by and order more regularly but since moving away it's become more of a treat. Was in the area and ordered pick-up. I ordered their half/half dumpling order, shrimp plate with eggplant, and the brisket wrap with village bamboo stew. It was so good! Loved the portions, quality and flavor. The service was great and we were greeted very kindly. Although we didn't eat inside it was just a welcoming and beautiful as I remember. The front/entrance looked so good.

I struggle to find a single thing negative to say about Lona's. The people and food here are both amazing. The brisket wrap will forever live in the back of my head for being the perfect mix of fresh and hearty. The spicy eggplant is a 10/10 for me, just know it can have a bit of a kick. The patio is solid and the interior is fun. If you're in the area this should be at the top of your list.

I have had this spot on my list for what feels like forever and I am so glad that I was finally able to try it! The rice spicy tofu wrap was truly phenomenal. The staff were unbelievably kind while I picked up my take out and the patio looked like it would be amazing to sit out on tonight! I will absolutely be back soon!!

I tried the brisket fried rice and went with the larger portion, as recommended by the cashier. It was a good-sized meal, and adding the spicy sauce really elevated the dish--that's what made it stand out. The brisket itself was decent, and the overall experience was solid for a quick local bite. While it didn't blow me away, I wasn't disappointed either. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area!

I got a rice paper wrap with chicken, stir fry glass noodles, and spicy sesame sauce, as well as a side of spicy cucumber. It was all so spicy and wonderful! Total came out to $17 (including tip), and portion was decently sized, like a normal burrito size. Cashier was helpful in helping me select what to order - always appreciated!

Used to be a pretty solid place. Was on my classic dinner rotation to go to atleast once a month. I have gone 3 times the past few months and quality has really dipped. Takes longer to get food and portions are laughably small. They are really emphasizing the lil in Lona's lil eats. Almost about half the portion they used to be. Here is a picture of my $25 meal this week. Normal spoon size for reference.

Love the food here . It's so flavorful and adaptable . The rice paper rolls ( spring rolls ) and the bowls are fantastic. Also the eggplant, so spicy and delicious !! The ambience is casual with outdoor and indoor seating . Service is quick and casual . Have eaten here forever and will 100% continue to do so !

We love Lona's. You will love Lona's. I promise. Be brave and try a new taste combo, but sample the spiciness before, or get it on the side. Really delicious and spicy!

Lona's Lil Eats: I love stopping in here for lunch, very close to Fox Park. They normally to get busy between takeout and dine in orders so be patient - the food is all very fresh and made to order, so it does take some time (or at least did for us this time). My friend and I both got the build your own options - they have an option for spicy and non-spicy tofu, the stir fried noodles are not super spicy but very flavorful, and the glass burritos are packed with fresh greens/salad. I got the Lime-Ginger Peanut Sauce - VERY good! Usually I get the spicy sesame, but I am glad I branched out this time! I also got a side of the spicy cucumber which was delicious - refreshing and not too spicy. Lona's is counter serve and then you can find a spot to sit, we love it!

After a very long flight from California my cousin who's been raving about this place suggested we pick up some Wraps. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Wrap (size of a burrito) which included a side of Glass Noodles. I also ordered 3 Steak SpringRolls. We picked up the order curbside. As soon as I got settled in at home I dug into my meal. My goodness EVERYTHING was so delicious even the that peanut sauce. Before I return back to California I will definitely order another Wrap to take back California

We came by here for a quick dinner. The restaurant was a little cute place, and while we had a park a few blocks away to walk over, it wasn't bad of a walk. I got the 5-star sampler, and overall, was left feeling pretty disappointed. I tried 5 different proteins, but none of them seemed to hit right. The chicken was slightly dry, the beef wasn't as tender as it could've been, and the turkey was also dry and not as smokey as I hoped. None of the flavor balances really was blending as well together as it could've been. I felt like every flavor was trying to fight for the spotlight, leaving a very disharmonious experience in my mouth. Usually, while sometimes, I can let that go, none of the flavors that did win out over the others seemed to be spectacular in my opinion, more average tasting. While usually I can let this go if there are other redeem qualities, I really couldn't find any with this place. There was no texture contrast throughout the whole dish. The sauces themselves didn't really help improve the experience at all. Overall, while the vibes here were good and the waitstaff were very nice, the food itself was subpar. I likely won't return. Overall 2/5 stars.

I've been here 100 times. It's definitely one of my favorite restaurants. The food is delish, the diners are colorful, and the vibe is happy

Came her for dinner last night! The place is so close and we love it here! The food is always amazing and staff are great! I get the rice, tofu plate with peanut sauce and cucumber salad as the side! It never disappoints. Serving sizes are big and it's still just as good for leftovers. Which is why we keep coming back. Laid back ambiance, great place to catch up with friends or swing by for quick dinner pick up! Never disappoints

Good food and cute location. It's perfect for before or after a trip to the Botanical Garden or Tower Grove Park.

I visited this place while visiting STL. I loved it! First time going, so I had many questions. The staff were sooo very helpful with their recommendations. They have outside and inside seating. We chose outside and with outdoors comes bugs, so be mindful. The food was very good. It came out super fast. My favorite thing I tired were the mushroom dumplings, I'd definitely recommend those. It was such a cute little vibe inside, so much art on the walls and very vibrant decor. Loved it here, will be back in my next STL visit.

What a darling local hangout! There are lots of choices from vegan to carnivore, spicy or not, glass noodles or stirfry rice. The lines can grow long, but it moves fast. This place is obviously a mecca for everyone. There are a few tables downstairs, but there is another room past a flight of steps, with more room to enjoy your meal. The cashier was incredibly kind and patient, and took time to explain things to my elderly aunt. Diners get a great deal for the price paid! Parking was free , but in a residential area. It was my first time here, and it will not be the last! I got the spicy tofu rice paper roll with glass noodles and the smoked vinaigrette. It was large, and delicious, but not spicy! It came with a salad that had a peanut dressing, also not spicy. We also shared spicy Eggplant, which was very spicy, and Mushroom dumplings. The dumplings weren't spicy, but the chili oil dipping sauce had heat!

This will always be one of my favorites! The big Thai chicken wrap is so good, the eggplant is so spicy, the meat choices are all great, the dishes can be made to order. Supporting this business is important! It's a gem!

My #1 favorite spot in St. Louis!! This place is so unique and fresh and delicious I love it so much. I live about 15 min away but get it almost every week still. It's my go to place for sure. They have such great service and the vibe is very casual. It's great for a little date night, hanging out with friends, or even picking it up to go. I get the big Thai chicken wrap every time and it never fails to hit the spot. I recommend this to anyone and everyone for sure. I've never found anything like it anywhere in the states (trust me I've looked)! Not everyone likes rice paper wraps because of their texture but I recommend giving it a shot :) The only thing is the wraps won't stay good in the fridge because the fridge dries out the rice paper so they have to be eaten fresh!!

I guess this is an update to my numerous reviews of Lona's Lil Eats. As usual the food is excellent, and the service is quick. There's usually very interesting music playing in the background that seems to change from day today. If you're a vegetarian or would like to try a little less meat in your diet, I highly recommend the spicy tofu wrap. They also, if you're lucky have coconut, pineapple cookies, and really flavorful chocolate brownies for dessert.

Wonderful, attentive staff. Super inviting and playful neighborhood spot. The dumplings, fresh rolls and main dishes were all outstanding with surprising, bright, fresh flavors. Highly recommend!!

Food was unique and delicious! Location is in a perfect little spot and you don't feel so isolated or crammed. Everyone was very nice, helpful, & patient with us, since we couldn't decide what to order.

Lona's is a top tier place. They have some of the best food in the St Louis area. I am never disappointed going there. Please is always clean. Service is fast!

First time visiting and was very satisfied with our experience. The staff was very friendly helping us order our first time and I enjoyed ordering then sitting to have our food brought out. The eggplant app was delicious and the wrap was huge! Nice cozy environment with a few outside seats. Will be returning soon!

Lona's Lil Eats was busy when we went for dinner. Located in a historic part of Saint Louis on the corner, there was ample street parking available. But be aware that the places next to the restaurant are marked for 'curb pick up.' The food was excellently prepared with an eye to flavor and freshness. I truly enjoyed all my selections. However, my mouth was on fire from the sauces to the point of tears streaming down my cheeks. A compassionate employee went and found me a dish of white rice that went far to calm the heat I was experiencing. Their website does take table reservations, however they were not necessary when we arrived as there were numerous tables available. Entry is at the front of the building and a line forms on the side of a room to a cashier. There are signs with the day's offerings. Dining can be on that same level inside, or up about five stairs to another level. There was also outside dining which looked very inviting as Lona's is located on a quiet street. I truly enjoyed the experience. Staff were wonderful, food excellent. It was unfortunate that my mouth was disagreeing with my selection. However there are a number of other sauces that do not carry the heat that I would be willing to try on a return visit.

I really wanted to love this place based on others reviews, but it didn't live up to the hype in my opinion. Customer service is excellent and everyone was friendly. My issue is the saltiness of the food. It overpowered the natural flavor. Same issue with the cucumber salad. The kids chicken and rice noodles deserve a 4/5 because it had a sweet teriyaki style sauce. If you want to try it out, I recommend not getting the spicy noodles or the spicy sauce. Again, too much salt.

Plenty of vegetarian options, I made my own spring roll with tofu, stir fried noodles, and peanut sauce on the side. The sauce was thinner than expected but very flavorful. The roll is hard to eat as it starts to fall apart so I was glad I was eating in the comfort of my own home lol, next time I might opt for a bowl. The spicy cucumber salad is amazing would definitely get again. Servers are very friendly, cute spot in the middle of a more residential area.

When my son suggested this place, I was really in doubt. Oh boy I am glad we came! This place received lots of awards and it shows in its food. The building is kind of old and not fancy at all, service was fast.

I can't believe it's taken me so long to write a review for Lona's! Whenever I'm in St. Louis, I come here at least 3 times a week. The food is fast, healthy, and delicious, served in a comfortable and colorful environment by friendly people! Lona's is such a unique place that it can be hard to describe; I've really never been anywhere like it. The food is Asian fusion with Lona's own creative twist. I usually go for the build your own plate with tofu, and the delicious mushroom dumplings. Seriously, these dumplings are off the charts. My food is always out within a few minutes of ordering, so it's a good place to go if you're short on time. There's plenty of seating both inside and out. You order at the cash register, take a number, and someone brings out your food when it's ready. It's a great system that works well even when they're busy. I can't say enough great things about Lona's-- don't miss them if you're in St. Louis!

Unique, flavor-packed bite that keeps you wanting more! Environment: We ordered takeout at this visit. Order at the counter and grab a seat and the really friendly staff will bring the food to you. They have a lot of great options to choose from and the staff is very knowledgeable about each option, catered to specific dietary needs... an aspect that made this experience a lot better. Despite the food ordering model, the staff is also evidently very attentive to other patrons dining in which was a pleasant surprise. Food: I got my go to order, the rice paper wrap with stir fried rice, spicy tofu, and spicy peanut sauce. The heat is mild to medium, definitely nothing to be shy of trying even if you don't have a good tolerance. I've tried the chicken as well, but the tofu is so much more flavorful and spiced... almost as if it is their signature. All of their sides are very good as well, it's a shame you only get to choose one. My side dish was the stirfry glass noodles which were light, but carried and authentic taste. The rice paper wrap is a stand out because of the flavors they're able to pack while mellowing it out with some fresh green creating a wonderful refreshing balance. However, it would have been nice to see the greens dressed in the sauce because it felt a little bit lacking when you get a bite of only the greens. Regardless, this place is fantastic for warm spring or a hot summer day!! Rating: 4/5, great service, and very unique, great tasting food. There's a reason why this restaurant is a STL staple and I recommend that everyone try it at least once!!! It easily falls in my top 10 in St. Louis for quick lunch bites.

Why haven't I been here sooner???! I love when the owner is present in their establishment. Shows that they really love the place and pay attention to their patrons. The person that helped me really knew what they were talking about and recommended things for me to get. A seasoned pro when it came to the menu and knew what was in everything, asked if I had any allergies or dietary restrictions. Please come here if you have allergies and dietary restrictions, they pay so much attention to detail and the menu labels everything so you know what things you can and can't get. Food is yummy. Will come back for sure.

Love this menu and service! Healthy food for everyone! Always delicious! Highly recommend for carry out too!

Had a quick lunch at this spot last week. I was surprised to see just how much indoor seating availability they have! Service counter line moves quickly & staff works swiftly to flip tables. The big wrap was absolutely delicious & I can't wait to return to try more of their menu.

Never a bad meal! Prices and atmosphere are great. Get any of their wrap and you won't be disappointed. I especially like the spicy Thai wrap.

The manager and staff were rude :( Their food is really good and I appreciate that they have a lot of vegetarian options.

Ordered takeout for the first time. They have a very organized system with instructions on their website. Our food was brought to us quickly. The staff was friendly! The food was amazing. I got the brisket wrap and my friend got the tofu wrap--both were flavorful and a generous size! The eggplant shareable is a must! Peanut salad, stir fried veg, and stir fried noodles were all delicious!!! Definitely going back!!!!

Really cute spot! We both got the rice paper wrap (i got the chicken, stir fry rice, & lona q sauce) it was flavorful but light. You get a side and a drink and I would recommend the peanut side salad. We received our food within 10-15 mins after ordering at most, even though it was slightly busy on a weekday night.

I heard Lola's is really good for people with allergies and food sensitivity so I thought I'd check it out. I ordered a Tofu wrap and it was tasty, however they put a piece of CHICKEN in it. I said something to the staff, they did nothing. No apology, no questions asked, just shrugged at me.

Super cool neighborhood shop. Really great vegetarian options if you're into that. I'm more into meat- just saw Top Gun too- so I went with more of a chicken steak lunch. Outcome will still be the same regardless- you'll waddle away feeling Top Gun stuffed. Food comes fast Good outside dinning Staff are friendly End of list.

Located at 2199 cCalifornia Ave. In St . Louis , Mo . This is a place you might not find unless you lived or worked close by or knew someone who did . A good friends son and daughter-in-law lives close to Lonas and took us to lunch . It was a wonderful culinary delight . Lona's Little Eats specialize is Asian cuisine with a soul food flare . They use fresh ingredients , just chopped , no msg,. They make al their seasonings from scratch . They are home to the giant rice paper wrap . Everything about this place is cool . The neighborhood , the building , the decor , but most of all the delicious food .

I was pleasantly surprised by how good Lona's is. I got the spicy tofu plate with a side of stir-fried glass noodles. The addition of the vinaigrette sauce was the best part (maybe because I really like vinegar) and I really enjoyed how the spicy tofu and vinaigrette combined. The location is in the middle of a neighborhood so it's pretty peaceful and nice to eat outside. I just wish they would give bowls for rice dishes so it's easier to scoop but not a big deal.

It was 2024. A warm February. My friends and I were in St. Louis for a night, on our way from Ohio to Kansas City for a writers conference. Two of us are vegetarians, one is gluten free, the three of us are food enjoyers and looking for amazing food. Isaiah found Lona's and we walked there from our airbnb. The atmosphere is lovely and while I was sure the shrimp pesto noodles would be my order, I changed my mind as soon as I saw the rice paper wrap. I threw my plans to the wind and jumped on that wrap, ordering the Big Thai. Reader, it was the right decision. Somewhere, Taylor Swift might've been planning on running for office and announcing it during the Super Bowl or something. But me? I was eating amazing food with my friends. Isaiah ordered the veggie sampler, Kurt another veggie wrap. We also got the mushroom dumplings. We were intrigued by the awards on the walls and pulled up the article titled "The Tenacity of Lona Lou" which was so inspiring. Our server, Foster, clocked Kurt's "poems" hat and started speaking poetry. By the end of the night, we'd each (Foster included) written 2 haikus. It was a nurturing and filling and wonderful experience. Next time I'm in St. Louis I'll be sure to come back. Haiku: it feels like freedom I chew with my mouth open don't tell my mother

Tasty spot with lots of plants and a good array of veggie opts. The menu has a lot of create-your-own options so you could take it a lot of different directions and customize your meal which was a little overwhelming at first. Ended up picking from fresh options that felt healthy. Definitely some unique flavors.

I have gone to Lona's multiple times. It never fails to surprise me! Lona's is good for both take-out and dine-in. Parking is never an issue for me even during the rush hours. The environment is great - friendly staff, a nice patio, and indoor tables. Everything on the menu looks good. My personal favorite is the Thai Wrap with a side of spicy eggplant. I will definitely go back for more!

Literally a hole in the wall restaurant tucked away in a residential neighborhood. Parking is available on street and they have a cute bike rack (shaped Lonas) on the side of building. We arrived at 5pm so wasn't busy but there's a line by the time we're leaving. As other reviewers said, there're 2 seating indoor areas & an outdoor patio; self-serving soft drinks, chopsticks & other utensils. The interior is modern-hip design, clean, small groups tables & has a small bar. Very friendly service & staff. Ok, here's the food reviews: - Five-star platter: includes all proteins except beef brisket ($2 extra if you want it, we didn't this time) & 2 fillers (we picked cold glass noodle & fried rice) & a side (we did spicy eggplant). All the proteins are flavored yet able to complement any sauce provided. Our favorites are beef, pulled pork & shrimp. Chicken breast pieces were dry & a little rubbery and spicy tofu was ok. It's a good dish to try everything or share! - Beef Dumplings: mostly mixed veggies and some beef bits. Not the usual frozen types, so we enjoyed it with the spicy red sauce.

One of my favorite lunch spots. There's always something new to try! I always make my own huge spring roll (seriously you've never seen a spring roll this big) and it is always so tasty no matter what the combination. My favorite sides are the spicy eggplant and spicy cucumber salad they are so delicious I could just eat them by themselves. The inside is very cute and on a nice summer day the outdoor seating is perfect! This place is perfect if you're in a rush even when it is packed they get your food out quickly. My suggestion is if you're in the area stop by and make your own giant spring roll!