Straub's Market — Attraction in St. Louis

Straub’s Fine Grocers is the Erewhon of St. Louis—minus the overpriced smoothies, plus a chicken salad so legendary you’d think it was smuggled out of the Louvre. People here don’t just like it—they lose their minds over it. I’ve witnessed stampedes toward the deli case that would make Black Friday look like a polite book club. Mention you’ve had better and you’ll be shunned harder than someone who double-dips at a garden party.

The thing is… the chicken salad is fine. Solid, even. But I’ve made better at home, barefoot in pajama pants, with a jar of mayo that was flirting with its expiration date.

Shopping here feels like you’ve been invited into a members-only grocery lodge. The produce is flawless, the cheese selection could make a Parisian weep, and every item has a backstory worthy of a TED Talk. You’re not just buying bread—you’re procuring a “heritage grain boule, hand-shaped by sun-kissed artisans during a waxing moon.” That wedge of cheese? It’s from a small goat named Gerald who only eats lavender and listens to classical music.

Of course, this level of “curated grocery chic” comes at a cost. I left with a bag the size of a throw pillow and a receipt that looked suspiciously like my car payment. But the place is immaculate, the staff is gracious, and the people-watching is world-class—equal parts country club and culinary cult meeting.

Bottom line: Come for the spectacle, marvel at the devotion to chicken salad, and if you’re feeling dangerous… casually say, “I think I’ve had better” and watch civilization collapse in the...

This company prides itself on "quality food", yet they've forgotten their workers. This company has only kept it's head above water because of the 40% increase they put on their products in order to line the owners pockets. Cutting the time off "promised" to employees and abusing their employees by making them work 11 days in a row and not paying them an ounce of their over time. This company charges YOU the customer 40% more without fixing it's kitchen's problems and the deli problems. Habitually sides with employees in the wrong to appease them and allows others who show up and do their job to suffer. The Straub family has no real concern about providing their workers with anything but stress and broken equipment to work with. They have the balls to do any of this without any remorse or care to their customers or employees. And won't even have the guts to call an employee back to explain to them what happened. Hiding like cowards. It's amazing they've stayed in business...

I had the must disgusting experience I have ever had at a grocery store here. Specifically because of the security guard and the manager working on July 28th at around 7pm.

I walked here from my hotel after a nice afternoon swim to grab some fruits and water bottles. Everything was fine until I got tapped on the shoulder in the produce section for having my pool bag with me. I was threatened by being told that they would not “serve” me as long as the bag was on my body. When I brought to their attention two different women that had tote size bags, walking past me, they said they were “purses”. I don’t think I need to explain bag dimensions to anyone reading this. Tote/Purse/bag it’s a bag that holds things.

Honestly, I went and walked myself to Whole Foods and gave the devil Bezos my money instead. I hope he puts Straub’s out of business after the way they treated me for having the “audacity” to ignorantly walk into their store with my pool bag...