Frida's Deli Owner Talks About Restaurant Expansion, Sauerkraut Pizza

U City's vegetarian cafe owner told RFT she was once an 'unhealthy vegan.'

Frida's Deli, 622 North and South Rd., is expanding their dining space. "Look for expanded seating and Frida's Farm in the future! Thanks for squeezing in to our tiny place; we wouldn't be able to grow without your support!" the restaurant announced via their Facebook page. Owner Natasha Kwan told Sauce Magazine they've acquired 618 North and South Rd.  Kwan also sat down with Riverfront Times' Gut Check for a two-part profile. In addition to her cooking experience, Kwan discusses her fluctating diet (including vegetarian, vegan, raw foodist and pescetarian) and her favorite foods (like sauerkraut and jalapeno pizza). Customers can anticipate some new menu items with the expansion, she told Gut Check. Click through to read part 1 and part …

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Meet the U City Woman Who Opened a Vegetarian Deli

A local foodie decided there weren't enough healthy restaurants for vegetarians—so she opened her own.

Natasha Kwan decided to go vegetarian when she was just nine years old. She made the decision after spending the night with a friend whose family raised dairy cows. “I came home and said I’m never eating meat again. They flipped out. My mom didn’t know what to do with me,” Kwan said. Growing up in the country as the sole vegetarian in a meat-eating family wasn’t easy. She said she ate a lot potatoes and lentils—and put on too much weight. Her childhood of unhealthy vegetarian cuisine colors Kwan’s business—Frida’s Deli, on 622 North and South Road in University City. Her deli is full of healthy vegetarian choices with recipes not only prepared fresh and in house, but without sugar. She uses raw agave nectar, maple syrup and stevia, which …

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The Sweets Life

Eating My Way Through University City: Frida's Deli

Resident foodie Natalie McLaury checks out Frida's Deli, the newest restaurant in University City

There’s a new restaurant in University City, off of the Loop and on North and South Road, a few doors down from Momo’s Ouzario Taverna. I stopped in at Frida’s Deli (622 North and South Rd) when it was less than a week old. The restaurant itself is tiny—if you come with a party more than two, don’t expect to find a table. With only five tabletops and a small counter, there’s little room for anything more than ordering. Even the bathroom requires a walk behind the counter and through the kitchen. The space is more about grabbing and going—perfect for the lunch crowd in and around U City. The deli brings something that Snarf’s and Meshuggah Café do not: a completely vegetarian menu. Not only is their menu strictly vegetarian, but it also …

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PatchCast

Daily PatchCast: Pratzel's Bakery to Reopen in St. Louis, Wentzville Won't Pursue Compressed Natural Gas Facility and More

A roundup of St. Louis news headlines for Monday.

Here are the top stories from Patch sites in your area:

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"Everything's Gone But The Crumbs,"; Pratzel's Closes Down

Owners leave open the possibility of reopening in some form, or at least passing on recipes.

Ron Pratzel called Sunday surreal. He said his wife Elaine described it as being "like the Jewish New Year holiday and Christmas rolled into one." From a business perspective, you would definitely have to call Sunday busy at Pratzel's, as the family owned and operated bakery closed up shop after 98 years serving the greater St. Louis area, the last three and a half years out of retail space at Kohn's Deli in Creve Coeur. For many years the business was located in University City. The family cited a drop in wholesale business for the move to close, and since that decision went public, the bakery has been flooded by calls, emails and customers. Sunday morning, one employee estimated there were 50 people waiting outside at 7 a.m. The store …

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