Vinnie's Italian Beef & Gyros

Vinnie's Italian Beef & Gyros (Oct. 5, 2023 ~3 p.m.)

Vinnie’s store is roughly 10 years old. It is still a work-in-progress, but I can imagine the spectacular results down the road when the innovations finally take hold. In my discussion with Vinnie while dining, I found out that he quit his corporate job after much frustration at work, and decided to start a food business instead. His store is a few blocks from his residence, and in an environment he is thoroughly familiar with. The reason why he started an Italian Beef business in a state that is not known for it was because he went to Chicago for a sports event (Bears!) once and ate this sandwich there. He was very impressed. Wanting to be something different, he decided that he wanted to start the business with something different. To be more different from others, he does not offer regular french fries for example, but something called Vinnies fries. According to the man, the potatoes are first baked, then fried, ….., with a hearty dose of parmesan cheese sprinkled on the dish (Get the whole story from him, it is very entertaining and I cannot do justice to the story here!) In the end, the food offerings are very unique, and deserve notice both for the innovation and the taste. The foods I have tasted I guess can be called established experimental, but they were definitely very good.

The store is nestled in a suburban environment, and is a converted old school hairdressing place. The front nook area next to the window is where the hairdryers used to be located. At my arrival, after getting lost along the way while walking (wrong turn), there was only a customer waiting for her take-out. The environment is very casual with 70s-80s rock music blasting out of the sound system. I settled down and ordered the combo of Italian beef and sausage. Saw the Vinnie’s fries on the menu board, and ordered that to add another texture alternative.The meal arrived shortly, and it was a huge sandwich. Vinnie uses his own blend of Giardenera as one of the toppings. Being accustomed to the traditional Italian beef/sausage sandwiches, it was not the usual fare I was used to from Chicago. While the combo sandwich was good. It was very different. Overall, I found the beef less tender than the norm, and the sausage lacked flavor. The green pepper slices in there needed to be more tender (My preference). I feel strongly that the meats (both beef and sausage) need more salt during the preparation. The ingredient that intrigued me most was the house Giardinera. It tends toward the sweeter side, and adds a refreshing crunch and freshness (The norm is pickled and tasted so.) to the sandwich. Overall, the sandwich was good, but it is not quite there yet. The Vinnie fries, however, are most unique, and must be ordered when you are there. There is so much character to that side that I have not found in any other place to date. Overall, the combo with the Vinnie’s fries rate a solid 4.5/5 stars.

Wanted to get something for dinner, and perhaps another meal later. Given Gyros is in the name of the place, the obvious choice is that, and the 2nd item was the Thursday special - Chicken Philly. The Gyros sandwich was very good the same evening I ate it. The Chicken Philly, however, is excellent. That sandwich I ate 3 days later, after being in and out of the refrigerator several times and after a long plane ride from St Louis to Charlotte, and to Seattle. The basic ingredients of philly remain similar to the rest, but I find that the ingredients were chopped pretty fine. In truth, I really cannot tell since the sandwich was covered with loads of cheese. After heating that 3 day old sandwich in the air fryer oven at low temps extendedly, the sandwich tasted EXCELLENT. The bread somehow still tasted fresh, and was even crispy after being in the air fryer. The sandwich apparently had a sauce drenched over the chicken that made the sandwich outstanding. Just for this sandwich alone, I would have rated Vinnie’s 5 out of 5 stars.

Visit Vinnie's, you will not regret that decision .

Happy Eating !!!

Great food and service. We had the Italian beef, Gyro and Vinnie 's potatoes. Everything was great and the potatoes are a MUST!! SO GOOD!

Quality ingredients and prep. Jumbo portions and budget-friendly. As close to a couple of Chicago classics as you'll find anywhere in the Lou. A great neighborhood spot, worth the trip. Will be back.

Great place. Was able to bring my dog out on the patio. My son enjoyed the Chicago dog and I got the original beef. Delicious

Great neighborhood place for lunch. Burgers are in my top 10 best burgers, ever, but they're only available on Tues. Gyros are phenom as well. Friendly and warm staff makes you feel at home.

Love the small neighborhood feel. The Chicago dog was fantastic and reasonably priced. Interesting and delicious baklava.

Food is fantastic, lots of it for not a lot of money. Staff is super friendly but never pushy, my drink never ran out. Atmosphere was really laid back and relaxed, a couple of games were playing on some tv's and the staff were having some friendly banter. Definitely worth going to again!

The Italian Beef Sandwich here is insanely delicious! The juiciness of the beef, the pickle mix pairing so well with the beef, and the softness of the bread. I’m so glad I came to eat here!

Great food and fast service! If you are looking for a good local sandwich shop this is the place!

The Italian Gyro melt was the best gyro I've had in 25 years! The meatball was also excellent, as were the Vinnie's potatoes. Great little neighborhood hole in the wall resteraunt. A must stop at.

Found this gem looking for a public place to meet someone off of Facebook Marketplace. I got the veggie gyro. My daughter got the hot dog and tator tots. The folks there were super friendly and funny. They got our food to us very quickly. The food was very delicious…. I was so full and still eating. I didn’t get any pics unfortunately I wasn’t thinking about it.

Great environment. Friendly family owned staff. Best beef on this part of the Mississippi. Def a favorite place to go when we visit.

I had the Two meat with the potatoes as a side, it was not good because it was great. Very delicious and one of the best sandwich shops in St Louis. A great find in the neighborhoods.

The best Italian beef sandwiches yet.. the pepper mix is awesome. Gyro quesadilla are also really good.

Excellent! Gyros and sandwiches both excellent. If they have baklava get it! Friday shrimp poboy and try the Greek quesadilla yum

(12) People Review - We all this for lunch so we had a wide variety of different sandwiches. We all commented at the value for the price. The amount of meat on these things is crazy. Tons of different tastes popping up with every bite. 5*

Unique gem type of restaurant. Small business. Stood the test of time. Really good food.

The sandwiches ate absolutely amazing! I recommend every one tries it

Comfortable welcoming and old style . When you walk in you can smell the freshness of the food . The space is calm and clean . The food was very good ! Super glad we stopped in . We are from IA but will definitely come back .

Amazing food, friendly service. Quaint. This place should be on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.