St. Louis' diverse neighborhoods are one of the city's points of pride. While a trip to Italy may not be possible, a visit to The Hill, St. Louis' Italian neighborhood, is the next best thing. Wander the streets of this quaint neighborhood, and enjoy its numerous Italian bakeries, restaurants and other attractions along the way.
The Hill
The Hill’s roots are interspersed with the history of St. Louis, generating two of the region’s proudest exports – world-class athletes and Italian cuisine. Baseball’s Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up here, and today it maintains a traditional collection of authentic Italian bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants and mom-and-pop trattorias.
Everything is colorful here – even the fire hydrants are painted red, white and green. Twenty-first century additions include coffee houses, studios, retail and small businesses that create additional energy in the cozy enclave. Its epicenter is one intersection that sums it up perfectly, with St. Ambrose Catholic Church on one corner, an Italian bakery/restaurant on another, an import shop across the street, and a neighborhood tavern/bocce garden on the fourth corner.
The Hill is famous for its Italian markets and restaurants. Visitors and locals alike flock to this historic part of the city to explore the family-friendly, tight-knit neighborhood and feast on the flavors of Italy right here at home.
–Explore St. Louis
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Milo's Bocce Garden
The family in “The Italian Immigrants” sculpture outside St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church on the Hill seems to curiously peer across Marconi into authentic, bonafide St. Louis: Milo’s Bocce Garden. Perhaps “Immigrants” sculptor Rudolph Torrini wanted his representation of new St. Louis Italians grounded in the holy, yet looking toward the worldly. Then again, maybe Milo’s just has that charm.
Milo’s epitomizes not so much a St. Louis bar, or St. Louis beer garden, but the now-dwindling city tavern - the common neighborhood drinking hole that welcomes patrons of all ages to socialize more than imbibe.
The building, at the northwest corner of Wilson and Marconi, has been a tavern in various incarnations for a century. Interestingly, 5201 Wilson preceded the construction of the new St. Ambrose, giving the Hill one of the few locations in St. Louis with an altar and bar within 100 feet (…good or bad?). Twenty-five years ago, Tom Savio purchased the Wil-Mar Lounge and renamed it Milo’s. Twelve years later, Savio welcomed partner Joe Vollmer, who promptly added the bocce courts in 1989.
–Sauce
READ MORE: Review: Milo's Bocce Garden
DiGregorio's Italian Market
Salvatore “Sam” DiGregorio was born in Lercara Friddi, Sicily on March 3, 1932, to Francesco and Guiseppa DiGregorio. The DiGregorio’s had eight children. Due to World War II, work was scarce and the family moved to Liege, Belgium when Sam was 14 years old. He married Theodora (Dora) on September 15, 1951. In June 1954, Sam and Dora moved to St. Louis with their two small children, Guiseppa and Francesco.
In June of 1971, Sam seized an opportunity and started a small corner grocery store on “The Hill”. He worked long, hard hours with his family, now including Antonia and Giovanni, by his side. For 29 years, Sam distinguished himself as the proud owner of DiGregorio’s Italian Market where he earned a glowing reputation. DiGregorio’s Market became well-known for delightful Salsiccia and other Italian products, and Sam became deeply respected and admired by all those who patronized his store for his honesty, integrity and excellent service.
DiGregorio’s Market became known for their Italian Salsiccia and patrons came not only from St. Louis, but from all over the country for specialty meats, such as different cuts of veal, Braciole, Spiedini, and more. Restaurant owners began purchasing DiGregorio’s products. As the business grew, the company expanded their product line with items such as precooked sauces, frozen pastas, imported vinegars, wines, oils and pasta.
–DiGregorio's Italian Market
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Restaurants
No visit to The Hill is complete without a proper Italian meal! It's tough to choose just one restaurant among the many stellar options, but you can't go wrong with Anthonino's Taverna, Adriana's or Gian-Tony's. There's no shortage of crispy thin St. Louis-style pizza, addicting toasted ravioli, handmade pasta and Steak Modiga.