Vinnie's Italian Beef & Gyros — Restaurant in St. Louis

Vinnie's Italian Beef & Gyros (Oct. 5, 2023 ~3 p.m.)

Vinnie’s store is roughly 10 years old. It is still a work-in-progress, but I can imagine the spectacular results down the road when the innovations finally take hold. In my discussion with Vinnie while dining, I found out that he quit his corporate job after much frustration at work, and decided to start a food business instead. His store is a few blocks from his residence, and in an environment he is thoroughly familiar with. The reason why he started an Italian Beef business in a state that is not known for it was because he went to Chicago for a sports event (Bears!) once and ate this sandwich there. He was very impressed. Wanting to be something different, he decided that he wanted to start the business with something different. To be more different from others, he does not offer regular french fries for example, but something called Vinnies fries. According to the man, the potatoes are first baked, then fried, ….., with a hearty dose of parmesan cheese sprinkled on the dish (Get the whole story from him, it is very entertaining and I cannot do justice to the story here!) In the end, the food offerings are very unique, and deserve notice both for the innovation and the taste. The foods I have tasted I guess can be called established experimental, but they were definitely very good.

The store is nestled in a suburban environment, and is a converted old school hairdressing place. The front nook area next to the window is where the hairdryers used to be located. At my arrival, after getting lost along the way while walking (wrong turn), there was only a customer waiting for her take-out. The environment is very casual with 70s-80s rock music blasting out of the sound system. I settled down and ordered the combo of Italian beef and sausage. Saw the Vinnie’s fries on the menu board, and ordered that to add another texture alternative.The meal arrived shortly, and it was a huge sandwich. Vinnie uses his own blend of Giardenera as one of the toppings. Being accustomed to the traditional Italian beef/sausage sandwiches, it was not the usual fare I was used to from Chicago. While the combo sandwich was good. It was very different. Overall, I found the beef less tender than the norm, and the sausage lacked flavor. The green pepper slices in there needed to be more tender (My preference). I feel strongly that the meats (both beef and sausage) need more salt during the preparation. The ingredient that intrigued me most was the house Giardinera. It tends toward the sweeter side, and adds a refreshing crunch and freshness (The norm is pickled and tasted so.) to the sandwich. Overall, the sandwich was good, but it is not quite there yet. The Vinnie fries, however, are most unique, and must be ordered when you are there. There is so much character to that side that I have not found in any other place to date. Overall, the combo with the Vinnie’s fries rate a solid 4.5/5 stars.

Wanted to get something for dinner, and perhaps another meal later. Given Gyros is in the name of the place, the obvious choice is that, and the 2nd item was the Thursday special - Chicken Philly. The Gyros sandwich was very good the same evening I ate it. The Chicken Philly, however, is excellent. That sandwich I ate 3 days later, after being in and out of the refrigerator several times and after a long plane ride from St Louis to Charlotte, and to Seattle. The basic ingredients of philly remain similar to the rest, but I find that the ingredients were chopped pretty fine. In truth, I really cannot tell since the sandwich was covered with loads of cheese. After heating that 3 day old sandwich in the air fryer oven at low temps extendedly, the sandwich tasted EXCELLENT. The bread somehow still tasted fresh, and was even crispy after being in the air fryer. The sandwich apparently had a sauce drenched over the chicken that made the sandwich outstanding. Just for this sandwich alone, I would have rated Vinnie’s 5 out of 5 stars.

Visit Vinnie's, you will not regret that decision...

Vinnie's might be one of the best kept secrets in South St Louis. Having discovered this place quite by accident. Vinnie's has an old school charm with a real neighborhood feel to it. We Sandwichclubstl decided to meet here for lunch on a Saturday around 1pm. Some of our members were regulars some were not. I myself have only been once before. This is the place for authentic Chicago style Italian beef. Having only been to Chicago once and sampling the local delicacies (Portillo's) I'd have to say that Vinnie's is as good if not better. We ordered a sandwich each ranging from Italian beef to a Philly cheesesteak a shrimp poboy and a gyro & a two meat (Italian beef & Salsiccia). Our sandwiches came out promptly and with a smile. It's clear that the people working here love what they do and it shows. Our sandwiches were of good portion sizes and very flavorful. My Italian beef had to be eaten with a fork due to it being dipped and nearly impossible to pick up but that is the joy of it. Delicious in my world. Overall everything was great. If you are looking for a unique neighborhood Sandwich shop that's good come to Vinnie's. We are sure you will love it as much as we do. For the love of sandwiches...

So went in today to get some food it was pretty good. On the other hand When I entered nobody greeted me. The girl behind the counter acted like she was annoyed that I was there or even ordering. Rolled her eyes and everything. Which was weird because I was the only one there. Food came and I asked if the dressing was on the salad. I assumed it would be on the side. My fault. Asked if they could make one without dressing because i drove an hour and a half and didn't want soggy lettuce. Said she couldn't help me and proceeded to ask if I needed forks knives and napkins. So I asked again.The owner im assuming came up and fixed the salad for me. Very nice of him. In the meantime I gave her money for a water bottle. Instead of getting my water she went to wash her hands after I handed her the money. Very odd but I know why she did it.My black hands must be contagious right. Had to ask the owner for my water. For these reasons I wont be returning. Customer service is everything. To sum it up my skin color turned them off. Very sad and shameful. Treat people how you want...