Some St. Louis traditions survive because people refuse to let them go. In South County, there is a neighborhood bar and grill where families have been eating since the early 1970s, and some grandkids now bring their own kids.
It serves a cod sandwich at lunch, a rare old-school city classic, and thin pizza that sparks loyal debates. Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes it special, and how to plan a smart first visit.
A South County Corner With a Long Memory
Every city has a handful of spots that locals mention with a knowing nod, and this is one of them. The place is Schottzie’s Bar & Grill, found at 11428 Concord Village Ave, St. Louis, MO 63123, in the South County part of the metro.
It is a bar and grill in the most straightforward sense. The kitchen turns out pizza, burgers, wings, sandwiches, and a long list of pub favorites in a setting that keeps things simple.
There are no fancy frills here, and that is part of the charm. The room is pared down, the menu is big, and the focus stays on feeding people well at fair prices.
The location is easy to reach for anyone in South County. The building sits close to Lindbergh Boulevard, which makes it a handy stop on the way home or a quick lunch break during a workday.
Most newcomers arrive expecting an ordinary neighborhood joint. What they find is a spot with decades of loyalty behind it, a menu with a few rare St. Louis classics, and a crowd that treats the place like a second living room.
So how did a modest bar and grill earn that kind of following? The answer starts with its history.
Five Decades of Family Habits
Loyalty like this does not happen overnight. Some couples have been coming here since the early 1970s, and they still show up for lunch on a regular basis.
That kind of track record says a lot about consistency. A restaurant does not keep the same customers for fifty years by changing its personality every few seasons.
Plenty of families have their own Schottzie’s stories. Some remember being brought here by a grandparent back in the 1990s, and they now return to find the food just as good as they remember.
Others drift away for a decade or more, then come back and wonder why they ever stayed gone. The menu still feels familiar, and the welcome still feels warm.
The owners are often around too. They tend to move through the dining room, chatting with tables and checking in on regulars, which helps explain why so many people feel known here.
Friendships with the lunch staff are common among longtime fans. When the same faces greet you week after week, a meal starts to feel more like a visit with neighbors than a trip to a restaurant.
History is nice, but people really talk about this place because of a certain sandwich question. That mystery comes next.
Settling the Fish Sandwich Mix-Up
Here is a fun bit of St. Louis confusion. Many locals connect fried fish sandwiches with old drive-ins and corner diners, and names like Carl’s Drive-In often come up in those conversations.
Schottzie’s has its own entry in that tradition. A Cod Sandwich appears on the lunch menu, and some longtime regulars name it as their pick when they order from the midday lineup.
To keep things honest, the available details do not confirm exactly how it is served, including the bread. Anyone set on rye should simply ask the staff when ordering.
What is clear is that the sandwich has its fans. It sits on the lunch menu alongside a set of budget-friendly specials, which makes it a solid choice for a weekday break.
A fish sandwich at a neighborhood bar and grill fits the South City and South County style perfectly. It is unpretentious, filling, and the kind of order that regulars repeat without even looking at the menu.
For first-timers, it is a good way to test the kitchen without committing to a full pizza. Pair it with a side and you have a classic St. Louis lunch.
Of course, the fish is not the only old-school order with a following here. The next one is far more unusual.
A Rare St. Louis Classic Still on the Menu
Fair warning, this one is not for everyone. Schottzie’s is one of the few places in town that still serves a fried brain sandwich, a true piece of old St. Louis food history.
Decades ago, this sandwich was far more common around the city. Today, finding it takes some effort, which is exactly why curious eaters make the drive.
The version here is deep-fried and topped with onions and brown mustard. It also comes in a surprisingly large size, so nobody should expect a dainty little bite.
Adventurous diners often treat it as a bucket-list order. Some plan birthday outings around it, and many leave saying they would happily order it again.
It is also a favorite among people who grew up in the area. For them, it brings back memories of family dinners and older relatives who swore by it.
Not into adventurous eating? No problem at all.
The sandwich is a fun conversation piece, but the menu has plenty of familiar choices for people who prefer to play it safe.
And speaking of the menu stars, there is one item that gets more attention than anything else in the building.
Thin Crust That Starts Arguments
Ask a group of St. Louisans about pizza and stand back. Schottzie’s has earned a spot in that lively debate, with fans placing it among the best in the metro.
The pizza follows the St. Louis style. The crust is thin, hand rolled, and crisp, and provel cheese is part of the picture, though mozzarella is available for those who prefer it.
The sauce gets plenty of attention. It leans sweet, and while some people adore that, a few others wish it had a bit less sugar or more seasoning.
A popular tip from regulars is to order it extra crispy. That small request seems to win over a lot of first-time guests.
There is also a famous claim floating around. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky reportedly called it his favorite pizza, a story fans love to repeat.
Some even compare the bacon pizza to a grown-up version of a well-known local chain. It is a big compliment in a city where pizza loyalty runs deep.
Leftovers hold up well too, with some saying it reheats nicely a day or two later. Next up is the part fans really brag about: the toppings.
Toppings Stacked Without Holding Back
Six full pieces of bacon on a 9-inch pizza. That detail alone tells you how this kitchen thinks about toppings.
Generosity is the theme here. Pies arrive loaded, and the house specialty, the Schottzie’s Deluxe, comes piled high with a big mix of toppings.
Picky eaters are welcome. Plenty of guests order the Deluxe with tweaks, such as no olives or no onions on half, and the kitchen works with those requests.
The Veggie Delight is another favorite. Longtime fans say it carries about twice the toppings you would find at other pizza places.
There is also a buffalo chicken pizza for people who like a little kick. It is a popular to-go order for family members who stayed home.
Personal-size pizzas show up on the menu as well. They are handy for solo diners or anyone who wants pizza plus another dish without overdoing it.
Not every pie is perfect, and some find certain toppings could use more seasoning. Still, nobody here walks away saying they were shorted on quantity.
Pizza is the headliner, but the opening act deserves its own spotlight. The appetizer list is long, and a few items have their own fan clubs.
Starters Built for Sharing
Wings are the most talked-about item on the entire menu, which is saying something at a pizza-focused spot. The Trashed Wings in particular have a reputation for being some of the crispiest around.
The rest of the starter list reads like a St. Louis pub sampler. Toasted ravioli, a hometown classic, is a frequent order, and fans call it a must with pizza.
Tavern eggs are another fun pick. They are the house version of scotch eggs, and they make a strong start to a meal.
Fried mushrooms, potato skins, and chicken livers round out the lineup. Chicken livers in particular are a nod to old-fashioned tavern menus that are getting harder to find.
Salads earn attention too, especially the chef salad. The house salad comes with a pretzel on the side, and the house dressing has its own loyal following.
Side salads come with plenty of cheese. A few people think they run a little pricey, but most agree they are good.
Groups tend to order several starters and pass them around. It turns dinner into a casual feast, which suits the room perfectly.
Want those flavors at a lower cost? The lunch hour is where the best deals hide.
Midday Deals Worth Clocking Out For
Lunch is a big deal at Schottzie’s, and the specials are a major reason why. The midday crowd shows up early and often.
A few years back, a main course with two sides cost $6.99. Around the same time, a 9-inch pizza with a side salad went for about $7.
Prices may have changed since then, so it is smart to check before you go. Even so, the lunch menu has long had a reputation for being very reasonable.
The choices cover a wide range. Chicken fried steak, personal pizzas, the Cod Sandwich, burgers, and wraps have all been popular lunch orders.
Burgers and chicken wraps get especially warm praise. One small note is that burgers may not include fries or sides, which can mean an extra charge.
A strong lunch crowd, including many older locals, says a lot. People who eat out often tend to know where the value is.
There has also been a happy hour deal with appetizers for around $5. Like other prices, it is worth confirming with the staff.
Lunch is calm compared to game nights, though. When the local teams play, the whole room changes.
Seven Screens and a Hometown Crowd
When the Blues drop the puck, every screen in the place follows along. With seven TVs on the walls, there is hardly a seat without a view.
It is not just hockey, either. Cardinals baseball, St. Louis City soccer, and Battlehawks football all take over the screens when they are on.
That makes the spot a favorite for local sports fans. People come to eat, cheer, and enjoy the game with a crowd that cares just as much as they do.
The menu helps a lot on game days. Wings, pizza, and shareable starters are made for passing around a table during a tight third period.
Plan ahead on big nights. The place gets busy, and a full room means pizza orders can stack up in the kitchen.
Still, the energy is part of the fun. A neighborhood joint packed with fans in team colors is a classic St. Louis scene.
For people who just want a quiet meal, a weekday lunch or an off-night dinner might be a better fit. Timing matters here.
All those games happen inside a room with plenty of personality. That setting deserves a closer look.
Unfussy Rooms With Neighborhood Character
Fans proudly call it a dive bar, and they mean that as a compliment. The space is simple, comfortable, and free of trendy design choices.
The room has the feel of a well-established tavern. Think booths, a long bar, and the sort of decor that builds up naturally over many years.
Many describe it as cozy and welcoming. It feels like the kind of place where lifelong St. Louis residents gather, and that is exactly who you will find there.
It can get loud, especially during busy evenings. The temperature inside can run a little cool on some nights, so a light layer is a smart idea.
The owners help set the tone. Their presence in the dining room gives the place a family-run personality that chain restaurants struggle to match.
Bartenders and servers tend to be friendly and attentive. Some staff members have built such strong bonds with regulars that guests mention them by name.
Nothing about the space tries too hard. It is a room for eating, talking, and watching the game, and it does those things well.
Of course, a setting like this suits some people more than others. So who fits best here?
Who Feels Right at Home
Retirees, sports fans, families, and curious food lovers all share the same dining room. That mix is one of the nicest things about the place.
The lunch crowd leans older. Many longtime locals treat it as their regular weekday stop, and some have been doing so for decades.
Families fit in well too. The setting is often described as family-friendly, and grandparents bringing grandkids is a common sight.
Adventurous eaters come for the old-school classics. It is a natural stop for anyone hunting down traditional St. Louis dishes.
A quiet date night may be a harder fit. The noise level on busy evenings can make conversation tricky, so an afternoon visit might work better for couples.
People with gluten restrictions should know the limits upfront. There are no gluten-free options, and staff may not be well versed on that topic.
Takeout is a strong option for anyone who prefers to eat at home. To-go orders arrive neatly packed, and even salads hold together well on the trip.
Every place has its rough spots, though. A few practical notes can help set fair expectations.
Patience Pays on Busy Nights
Good things take a little time, and that is especially true here when the dining room fills up. Wait times can stretch on busy nights.
Pizza orders are usually the main cause. When many pies are in the oven at once, everything slows down, but most people say the wait is worth it.
No kitchen is perfect. Occasionally an order comes out differently than requested, such as a topping added by mistake or a dish served at the wrong temperature.
The good news is that staff often work to make things right. Meals have been replaced or comped when something went wrong.
Some small tweaks can help. Asking for fries cooked a little longer or pizza made extra crispy can steer the meal closer to your liking.
Clear communication goes a long way. Repeating any special requests, especially topping removals, can save time later.
Overall, the misses seem to be the exception rather than the rule. The steady stream of loyal fans shows that most meals land just fine.
With expectations set, the next step is planning the actual trip. Hours, entrances, and a few handy perks come next.
Hours, Entrances, and Handy Perks
Late-night cravings are covered here. Monday through Saturday, the doors open at 10:30 am and stay open until 1 am.
Sunday runs on a slightly different schedule. Hours are 10 am to midnight, which makes it a good option for a late brunch-time meal or an evening game.
Getting in is easy. There are two entrances, one off Lindbergh and one on the side road, so check both if one lot looks full.
Pizza lovers should know about the Pizza Passport. Holders have been able to get 50% off any size pizza, a great reason for first-timers to visit.
Regulars can also earn rewards over time. Some longtime fans have built up a healthy balance and used it for family dinners.
Calling ahead or checking the website before a visit is a smart move. Specials, prices, and deals can shift, and it is better to know before you arrive.
Busy times fill up fast, especially during big games. Arriving a bit early can mean a shorter wait and a better seat.
With the plan in place, only one question remains. Is this South County staple worth the trip?
The Verdict From South County
So, was it Carl’s Drive-In or Schottzie’s? For anyone chasing a fish sandwich at a true neighborhood tavern, the cod on the lunch menu here makes a strong case.
But the real story is bigger than one sandwich. Schottzie’s Bar & Grill has stayed relevant for decades by keeping things simple and serving food that brings people back.
The thin, crispy pizza is the headliner. The wings, toasted ravioli, tavern eggs, and that famous brain sandwich add plenty of reasons to return.
It is not flawless. Busy nights mean waits, the room can get loud, and gluten-free diners will need another option.
Still, the strengths far outweigh the bumps. Friendly staff, owners who show up, fair lunch prices, and seven screens of hometown sports make for a satisfying combination.
It works best for people who want comfort over polish. If an unfussy room, a generous plate, and a crowd of loyal locals sound appealing, this spot delivers.
Generations of St. Louis families have already made up their minds. A single visit might be enough to start a new tradition of your own.
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