The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show

Lauren Healey
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Food

For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond. Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.

  1. Fred Burmer – Lions Choice

    1d ago

    Fred Burmer – Lions Choice

    On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Fred Burmer, CEO of Lion’s Choice, for a conversation about one of St. Louis’ most iconic restaurant brands, the loyal customers who have sustained it for nearly six decades, and the challenge of honoring tradition while continuing to innovate. Fred shares the story behind Lion’s Choice, from its founding in 1967 by a former Monsanto chemist looking to create something different from the typical fast-food burger concept, to its growth into a beloved St. Louis institution with 24 locations across the region. He explains what makes the restaurant’s signature roast beef unique, why quality remains at the center of every menu item, and how customer feedback continues to shape the brand today. The conversation explores the passionate fan base that has made Lion’s Choice a local favorite, including the now-famous story of the cheese sauce customers demanded be brought back after a recipe change. Fred also discusses menu innovation, the creation of popular sandwiches like the Remix, plans for future product launches, and how Lion’s Choice balances nostalgia with new ideas. Along the way, Fred reflects on his journey from leading major restaurant brands across the country to becoming CEO of Lion’s Choice, the company’s expansion plans beyond St. Louis, the importance of team culture, and what exciting developments customers can expect in the years ahead. In this episode: • The history of Lion’s Choice and its founding in 1967 • Why the brand’s roast beef stands apart from competitors • The secret behind Lion’s Choice’s fiercely loyal customer base • The famous cheese sauce controversy and customer reaction • How menu innovation led to sandwiches like the Remix • The role employees and customers play in developing new products • Custard, mini-dipped cones, and other fan favorites • Fred Burmer’s path to becoming CEO of Lion’s Choice • Building a culture that spans generations of employees • Plans for expansion beyond the St. Louis market • Upcoming menu items and customer-driven initiatives • The future of Lion’s Choice and what's next for the brand Come for the roast beef. Stay for the stories. 🦁🥪 ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    16 min
  2. Qui Tran & Marie-Anne Velasco - Nudu House

    Jun 16

    Qui Tran & Marie-Anne Velasco - Nudu House

    On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Qui Tran, founder of Mai Lee and co-owner of Nudo House, alongside chef and business partner Marie-Anne Velasco, for a conversation about food, community, resilience, and the stories behind two of St. Louis’ most beloved restaurant concepts. Qui shares the remarkable journey of Mai Lee, from its humble beginnings as a small family-run Vietnamese restaurant founded by his mother in 1985 to becoming a cornerstone of the St. Louis dining scene. Marie-Anne reflects on her path from studying languages and working in some of the world’s top kitchens to helping launch Nudo House and bringing her passion for ramen and culinary history to the city. Together, they discuss the partnership that led to the creation of Nudo House, the inspiration behind their popular Sonic the Hedgehog pop-up experience, and how creativity, collaboration, and a deep connection to St. Louis have fueled their success. The conversation also explores the challenges of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting healthcare workers and tornado relief efforts, the realities of running restaurants during rising food costs, and why giving back to the community remains central to everything they do. Along the way, Qui and Marie-Anne share stories about their backgrounds, friendship, family life, favorite aspects of restaurant culture, and what exciting projects may be next for Mai Lee and Nudo House. In this episode: • The origins of Mai Lee and its growth over four decades • Qui Tran’s family story and Vietnamese roots in St. Louis • Marie-Anne Velasco’s culinary journey through world-class kitchens • How a friendship turned into the partnership behind Nudo House • The rise of ramen culture in St. Louis • Creating the Sonic the Hedgehog pop-up experience at Nudo House • Building restaurants centered on hospitality and community • Navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and supporting healthcare workers • Organizing relief efforts after the St. Louis tornado • The importance of collaboration within the local restaurant industry • Rising food costs and the realities of operating restaurants today • Family, mentorship, and life outside the kitchen • Future plans, new collaborations, and what’s next for the restaurants • Why St. Louis continues to be one of the most supportive food communities in the country Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    32 min
  3. Vince Valenza — Blues City Deli

    Jun 9

    Vince Valenza — Blues City Deli

    On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Vince Valenza, founder and owner of Blues City Deli, for a conversation about family, food, blues music, and the journey of building one of St. Louis’ most beloved sandwich shops. Vince shares the story behind Blues City Deli and how what began as an idea for an Italian market evolved into a neighborhood institution known for its authentic sandwiches, welcoming atmosphere, and deep connection to music and community. Drawing inspiration from his Sicilian heritage and a lifelong love of blues, soul, and R&B, Vince explains how both food and music helped shape the identity of the deli. He reflects on more than two decades in business, navigating industry challenges, surviving the pandemic, working alongside his children, and maintaining the consistency that has kept customers coming back year after year. The conversation also explores the history of the historic Benton Park building that houses Blues City Deli, the return of live music through the deli’s patio concert series, the realities of running a restaurant during inflation, and what’s next for the future of the business. Along the way, Vince shares stories about family, travel, favorite local restaurants, New Orleans influences, and why supporting small businesses remains more important than ever. In this episode: • The origins of Blues City Deli and its evolution from market to sandwich shop • Vince’s Sicilian heritage and love of food • How blues music inspired the deli’s name and identity • Building a loyal customer base over 22 years • The importance of consistency and hospitality in restaurants • Popular menu favorites, including the Big Tommy and Sally's Spicy Italian • Working alongside his sons and creating a family business • The history of the Blues City Deli building in Benton Park • Patio music series and the deli’s live music legacy • St. Louis’ restaurant scene and supporting local businesses • Navigating inflation, food costs, and industry challenges • Future plans, including new smoked chicken offerings and expanded seating • Favorite local restaurants and dining around St. Louis • Family, travel, and life outside the restaurant Come for the sandwiches. Stay for the stories. 🎶🥪 ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    23 min
  4. Eddie Hsia - Saigon Café

    Jun 2

    Eddie Hsia - Saigon Café

    On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Eddie Hsia, general manager and bar manager at Saigon Café, for a conversation about cocktail creativity, Vietnamese cuisine, Asian food culture, and the growing hospitality community in St. Louis. Eddie shares how he helped develop Saigon Café’s evolving cocktail program — from clarified cocktails and bottled drinks to presentation-driven creations inspired by travel, flavor, and visual storytelling. He explains the clarification process behind one of the restaurant’s most popular cocktails and why aroma, appearance, and balance are just as important as taste. The conversation also dives into the food side of Saigon Café, including the restaurant’s fan-favorite papaya salad, shaking beef, spring rolls, and the care that goes into sourcing ingredients and building flavor. Along the way, Eddie opens up about his Taiwanese background, growing up connected to his family’s legendary restaurant Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, and how returning to Taiwan later in life reshaped his perspective on food, culture, and hospitality. Lauren and Eddie also talk about travel, Asian nightlife and cocktail culture, pickleball, local restaurant favorites, and the community-driven energy behind the Central West End’s Red Lantern Festival. In this episode:  Building Saigon Café’s cocktail program  Clarified cocktails and bottled drinks  Vietnamese cuisine and fan-favorite dishes  Taiwanese roots and family restaurant history  Returning to Taiwan and traveling through Asia  Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems  Pickleball, community, and hospitality culture  The story behind Red Lantern Festival  Cocktail presentation and creative inspiration Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    26 min

  5. May 26

    Amy Guo - Sando Shack

    On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Amy Guo, co-owner of Sando Shack and Hello Poké, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, Japanese comfort food, food halls, and the unexpected path that brought her family back to St. Louis. Amy shares the story behind Sando Shack — the Japanese-inspired sandwich concept known for its katsu sandos, fruit sandos, and creative flavors — and how what started as small pop-ups during the pandemic eventually grew into a food truck, a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and a new home in Maplewood. She also reflects on launching Hello Poké inside City Foundry and how a move from Seattle to St. Louis unexpectedly changed the direction of their lives and careers. From operating inside one of the city’s biggest food destinations to navigating entrepreneurship for the first time, Amy opens up about the realities of restaurant ownership, learning to lead, and adapting to constant change. The conversation also explores St. Louis’ growing food scene, Maplewood’s supportive small business community, authentic Asian cuisine in the city, and some favorite local spots around town. Along the way, Amy shares stories about food trucks, festivals, balancing multiple concepts, and why she believes St. Louis continues to evolve in exciting ways. In this episode:  The story behind Sando Shack and Japanese-style sandwiches  Building Hello Poké at City Foundry  Moving from Seattle back to St. Louis  Launching restaurants during the pandemic  Pop-ups, food trucks, and early entrepreneurship  Expanding into a brick-and-mortar space  The move from Morganford to Maplewood  Challenges of restaurant ownership and leadership  City Foundry’s growth and St. Louis food halls  Maplewood’s business community and local support  Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems  Exploring authentic Asian food in St. Louis  Festivals, food trucks, and future plans  Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    32 min
  6. Dave Glover - The Dave Glover Show

    May 19

    Dave Glover - The Dave Glover Show

    Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health struggles, paranormal themes, and substance use that some listeners may find sensitive or distressing. On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with longtime St. Louis radio personality Dave Glover for one of the wildest and most entertaining conversations yet — covering everything from his unexpected journey from lawyer to radio host, to mental health, cannabis, live music, Bigfoot encounters, ghost hunting, aliens, and the St. Louis restaurant scene. Dave reflects on celebrating 25 years on air with The Dave Glover Show and explains how he accidentally fell into radio after a career in law. He shares stories about improvising live radio for four hours a day, building authentic connections with listeners, and how personal tragedy transformed the direction of his show. The conversation also dives into mental health, therapy, and Dave’s experience using cannabis gummies to help manage anxiety and stress. From solo Cardinals games and favorite dispensary finds to live music and performing Beatles covers with his band, the episode balances heartfelt moments with hilarious stories throughout. Then things take a paranormal turn. Dave opens up about his lifelong fascination with Bigfoot, recounting a strange encounter in the Colorado mountains that left both him and a skeptical friend stunned. The conversation continues into aliens, UFOs, haunted houses, paranormal investigations, the infamous Sallie House, the Exorcist house in St. Louis, and unexplained psychic experiences that still stick with him today. Along the way, Dave also shares some of his favorite St. Louis restaurants, talks about the city’s evolving food scene, and reflects on why St. Louis deserves more credit nationally. From radio stories and live music to ghosts and cryptids — this episode truly goes everywhere. In this episode:  - Dave Glover’s accidental path from lawyer to radio host  - Celebrating 25 years of The Dave Glover Show  - Learning to improvise live radio  - Mental health, therapy, and vulnerability on-air  - Cannabis gummies and managing anxiety  - Performing live music and Beatles covers  - Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems  - St. Louis food culture and restaurant scene growth  - Bigfoot encounters in Colorado  - Aliens, UFOs, and government footage  - Paranormal investigations and haunted houses  - The Sallie House and the Exorcist house  - Psychic experiences and unexplained coincidences  - Playing baseball at 60 and staying creative Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    36 min
  7. Alex & Jeff Henry - El Molino Del Sureste

    May 12

    Alex & Jeff Henry - El Molino Del Sureste

    “The Sauce” with Jeff & Alex Henry – Bringing Yucatán Cuisine to St. Louis Through El Molino del Sureste On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with brothers Jeff and Alex Henry — the owners of El Molino del Sureste and Taqueria del Sureste — to talk about their journey from growing up between Missouri and Mexico to building one of St. Louis’ most exciting and celebrated regional Mexican restaurant concepts. The brothers share how their upbringing in Mérida, Yucatán shaped their connection to food, family, and hospitality, and how summers spent cooking with their grandparents inspired Alex’s path into the culinary world. They dive into the evolution from opening inside City Foundry STL to launching their standalone South City restaurant, where they’ve been able to fully showcase the depth and creativity of Yucatán-inspired cuisine. They also break down some of their standout dishes — from handmade masa creations and smoked sweet potatoes to traditional candied squash desserts — while explaining the techniques, ingredients, and philosophy behind their fully scratch-made kitchen. The conversation touches on seasonal menus, farm sourcing, house-grown herbs, and how their James Beard semifinalist recognition helped transform the trajectory of the business. Beyond the food, the episode explores the importance of family, cultural identity, mentorship, and staying deeply connected to both St. Louis and Mexico while building something truly personal. From Yucatán traditions to modern technique, from masa to mezcal cocktails — this episode is all about honoring heritage through food. In this episode: Growing up between St. Louis and Mérida, YucatánFamily traditions and learning to cook from their grandmotherAlex Henry’s path into the culinary worldOpening at City Foundry STL during uncertain post-pandemic timesExpanding into El Molino del Sureste in South CityRegional Mexican cuisine and Yucatán influencesScratch cooking and farm-to-table sourcingHandmade masa dishes and smoked sweet potato preparationsTraditional Mexican candying techniques and seasonal dessertsThe evolving cocktail program and bringing on beverage manager Ben BauerGardening, specialty herbs, and growing ingredients onsiteBecoming James Beard semifinalists and the impact on the restaurantFavorite St. Louis restaurants and exploring the cityWhat’s next for the future of the Sureste restaurantsCome for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    22 min
  8. Bethany Budde-Cohen – SqWires

    May 5

    Bethany Budde-Cohen – SqWires

    On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Bethany Budde-Cohen — owner of SqWires Restaurant & Market — to celebrate 25 years of one of Lafayette Square’s most beloved dining destinations and the story behind its lasting success. Bethany shares how she transformed a 130-year-old wire factory into a warm, character-filled restaurant, and the challenges that came with it — from construction setbacks and a major fire to navigating recessions and a global pandemic. Through it all, SqWires has remained rooted in its identity: elevated Midwestern comfort food, local sourcing, and a deep connection to the neighborhood. They talk about what’s kept SqWires thriving for over two decades, including house-smoked staples, a strong relationship with local farmers, and a commitment to consistency while still evolving with the times. Bethany also dives into the return and reinvention of the market concept during COVID, and how it’s become a curated, community-focused space for fresh, local goods. Beyond the food, the conversation highlights the importance of family in the business — including Bethany’s daughter stepping into a leadership role — and what it means to grow something that’s truly part of the fabric of St. Louis. From historic spaces to homemade herbs, from resilience to reinvention — this episode is all about building something that lasts. In this episode:  The story behind SqWires Restaurant & Market  Transforming a historic wire factory into a restaurant  Overcoming a fire, delays, and economic challenges  What defines “elevated Midwestern” cuisine  House-smoked meats, brunch staples, and menu favorites  Sourcing local ingredients and working with farmers  The return and evolution of the SqWires market  Adapting through COVID and changing customer needs  Running a family business with the next generation  Why Lafayette Square is such a special community  Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

    29 min
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About

For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond. Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.

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