The Hwy 61 Southern Flavor Tour: 5 Must-Try Authentic Dishes
Taste the Blues Highway Without Leaving St. Louis
Good Southern food hits you with bold flavor, a little heat, and a lot of heart. That mix is what people crave when they search for Southern food in St. Louis, and it is exactly what we aim to serve every day at our roadhouse in Webster Groves.
Think cold drink in hand, a plate of smoky meat or spicy seafood on the table, and live blues rolling in the background. That is the spirit of the Blues Highway, the stretch of road that runs from the Midwest down through the Mississippi Delta to New Orleans. Our menu is built around that road, with dishes that feel like real stops along the way, not just copies.
We call it our Southern Flavor Tour, and it is made up of five must-try plates that carry real Southern roots. Each one has a story, a style, and a cooking method that keeps it true to where it came from, while still fitting right into St. Louis plates and St. Louis taste buds.
Smoked Meats and Memphis Heat
A proper Southern flavor tour has to start with barbecue. For us, that often means ribs or pulled pork that lean into Memphis-style smoke and spice.
What makes it feel real and not just another plate of sauce and meat?
Slow smoking over hardwood
A dry rub that hits salty, sweet, and a little hot
Meat that is tender enough to pull, but not mushy
Sauces that add to the flavor, not cover it up
We give our meats time. The smoke has a chance to work all the way through, the rub forms a crust on the outside, and the fat slowly melts into the meat. That long cook is what brings out that deep, backyard-barbecue smell when the plate hits your table.
Memphis sits right on the river, and barbecue there is about balance. It is not just heavy smoke or just sticky sauce. It is:
Smoke you can taste but that does not burn your tongue
Spice that warms you up without knocking you out
A little sweetness that keeps you going back for the next bite
When late summer rolls around and people want smoked meat with a cold beer, this kind of barbecue sets itself apart from quick-grilled plates. It feels like it belongs by the Mississippi, even though you are right here in the middle of St. Louis.
New Orleans on a Plate: Cajun and Creole Classics
Head farther south down the Blues Highway and you get into New Orleans territory, with food that is rich, layered, and full of history. On our menu, that spirit shows up in dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and étouffée.
These plates start with the “holy trinity” of Louisiana cooking: onions, celery, and bell peppers. Those three go into a hot pot with fat and flour to build a roux, which is the base that gives these dishes their deep color and flavor. From there, we add stock, spices, and proteins, then let everything simmer until it all comes together.
Cajun and Creole food are cousins, but they are not the same:
Cajun: country-style, rustic, a little more smoky and spicy
Creole: city-style, with tomatoes, herbs, and more seafood
Cajun: thick, hearty, great over rice
Creole: bright, saucy, and often a bit lighter on the tongue
We respect both styles by keeping the details right. Stocks are made from scratch. Roux is cooked low and slow until it hits the perfect shade. Spices are layered, not dumped in all at once. Timing matters, because a few minutes too long can change the whole pot.
For anyone in Webster Groves or the wider St. Louis area who wants more adventurous Southern food in St. Louis, these plates bring a French Quarter feel to a local table, without needing plane tickets or hotel reservations.
Comfort Food That Feels Like Sunday Supper
Of course, not every stop on the Southern Flavor Tour has heat and spice. Some of the most-loved Southern dishes are simple comfort plates that feel like Sunday supper at home.
Think crispy fried chicken, chicken and waffles, or a big country-style plate with gravy and all the fixings. The magic is in the details:
Buttermilk marinades that keep meat juicy
Seasoned flour that brings crunch and flavor
Cast-iron cooking that builds a perfect crust
Resting the meat so it stays crisp, not soggy
Sides matter just as much as the main dish. Around the South, you judge a plate by the company it keeps, so we give classics the same care as the star of the show. That might mean:
Creamy mac and cheese with real body
Slow-cooked greens with layers of seasoning
Cornbread with a hint of sweetness and a tender crumb
Red beans and rice that taste like they simmered all day
When you sit down with a plate like that, plus live blues in the room and friendly faces at the bar, it feels less like a quick meal out and more like a full experience. On warm nights, these dishes hit that sweet spot: filling and familiar, but still fun enough for a night out before life gets busy again.
Seafood, Po’boys, and the Gulf Coast Vibe
Farther down the Blues Highway, you reach the Gulf Coast, where seafood and sandwiches rule. That spirit shows up on our Southern Flavor Tour in the form of fried shrimp, catfish, and overstuffed po’boys.
A real Southern po’boy is all about texture and build:
Bread with a thin crust and a soft, airy center
Crispy, seasoned seafood that stays crunchy
Cool lettuce, juicy tomato, and tangy pickles
House-made remoulade or tartar that ties it together
Seasoning is key. Seafood should taste fresh and clean, with a coating that is light but still full of flavor. It should snap when you bite it, not fall apart in a greasy mess. The sauce adds a bit of kick and creaminess so you get brightness in every bite.
Plates like blackened fish or seafood platters keep that Gulf Coast vibe going. Spices are rubbed right onto the fish, then cooked hot so you get a charred edge and juicy center. Paired with a cold beer or a cocktail, it is the kind of food that makes a hot night feel like a little vacation.
Make Your Own Southern Flavor Tour Tonight
The best part of a Southern Flavor Tour is mixing and matching. On your next visit, you can build your own road trip right at the table by sharing plates like:
Memphis-style smoked ribs or pulled pork
A bowl of gumbo, jambalaya, or étouffée
Crispy fried chicken with classic sides
A Gulf Coast seafood platter or po’boy
Split dishes with friends, pass plates around, and try a little bit from each “stop” on the Blues Highway. Whether you are in the mood for smoky, spicy, crunchy, or comforting, there is a Southern flavor waiting for you, right here in Webster Groves.
Savor Authentic Southern Comfort Flavors Tonight
Craving bold flavors, slow-smoked meats, and classic sides that taste like home cooking should? At Hwy 61 Roadhouse, our menu is packed with the kind of southern food in St. Louis that keeps friends and families coming back. Explore our dishes, pick your favorites, and let us handle the cooking for your next meal or gathering. If you have questions about reservations, catering, or special requests, just contact us and we will be glad to help.