Restaurant Reviews from the City’s Finest
by Erica Colon, Break Time, St. Louis
Burnt Offerings, south St. Louis
Stepping into Burnt Offerings on a Friday night, you’re likely to be greeted by a slightly toasted bride-to-be, singing Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” off-key with a makeshift veil hanging off of her head. Karaoke Night at Burnt Offerings is a sight, but the restaurant, run by people with a gift for camp, is a blast no matter when you arrive. It’s Halloween year-round with these folks—your waiter bares his vampire fangs when he brings your meal to the table. A mummy points a wrapped finger, directing patrons to a wall dedicated to anonymous portraits of 1960s and 1970s film stars. If you can guess enough identities correctly by midnight you win a free meal.
The food is good too, but not spectacular. The Bela Lugosi burger is the biggest I’ve seen west of the Mississippi, but don’t forget to request it cooked or you may wind up with a slap of raw meat on a bun. French fries, thick cut and served with ketchup, melted cheese, or gravy, come heaped high on a huge plate and are a meal by themselves. Desserts are mediocre at best except for the warm brownie, which comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and swims in a pool of chocolate syrup. This is not a prime first date spot. But if you’re our on the town on a Friday night, you can’t beat Burnt Offerings for a good time.