Ted Drewes
My wife and I are ice cream enthusiasts, and we have tried most of the places in St Louis. There are plenty! Ted Drewes isn’t necessarily the best of them all, but it’s the one we visit the most. It has been there for 80 years, it is always busy, and they have approximately infinite topping combinations to keep you coming back! In my opinion, their best items are the frozen custard (sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, etc.), and the “concretes” (which allow you to mix toppings into your custard) are hugely popular. My personal favorite topping is a crunchy Scotch oatmeal cookie made by a St. Louis company called “Dad’s” (they call the topping “tedad”). Whatever you get, Ted Drewes is a St. Louis must-visit.
— Andrew S., M1
Jeni’s Ice Cream
As someone who was familiar with the Ohio-based ice cream shop, I was thrilled to discover that not only was there a Jeni’s in St. Louis, but that it was within walking distance from the medical school! Jeni’s has some of the richest ice cream in St. Louis,
and features a huge list of interesting flavors, homemade waffle cones and ice cream sandwiches. It can be difficult to decide, so feel free to taste as much as you want! My personal recommendation would be a trio of Queen City Cayenne, Churro and Goat Cheese Cherry. If you’re not into dairy, Jeni’s has equally flavorful sorbet like Blackcurrant Lambic. With new flavors constantly being introduced, it is hard to get bored with the selection at Jeni’s. The shop itself is pretty spacious and doesn’t close until 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), which makes it a great place to stop after dinner on North Euclid, or just for a late night study break.
— Luke D., M1
Bailey’s Chocolate Bar
If you’re a chocolate lover and/or are looking for a spot for a romantic date, Bailey’s Chocolate Bar is perfect. Bailey’s has an amazing dessert menu as well as an extensive list of dessert cocktails. If you are looking for an actual meal, Bailey’s also has small savory plates. I have gotten the signature chocolate martini which was the best chocolate cocktail I have ever had. It is also a great place to split a dessert (or get your own!), and I highly recommend the Blondie. The environment is dimly lit and with red and black décor, but there are also groups of friends there, so it is not an exclusively date spot. The staff were nice and the environment was very warm and cozy. I found it to be a great place to go if you are looking to go out at night but looking for a calmer environment than a loud bar. And it’s perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!
— Lauren B., M1
Hot Box Cookies
Just because we’re on the road to becoming doctors doesn’t mean we should throw away everything sweet. And, if you’re like me, then you likely have a sweet tooth. Cookies have always been the classic dessert of choice to satisfy those cravings. Thankfully, Hot Box Cookies is a legal way to fill your room with the scent of sweetness and to fill your stomach. Hot Box Cookies is situated about two blocks away from the medical school campus allowing for easy commutes between your two passions. Also thanks to often being open ’til 2 a.m., it is there anytime you need it. This cookie shop specializes in warm, thick cookies that really sweeten up your day. It has about 12-15 different flavors, and I’ve yet to find one that I don’t like. Up for sale are cookies such as M&M, Snickerdoodles, Peanut Butter and more. Personally, I recommend the Red Velvet, but you can never go wrong with a warm classic chocolate chip. Now of course with all these sweets, Hot Box also sells cold milk to wash down the beloved snacks. The only thing that can make this deal sweeter is the fact that if you happen to be far from campus, Hot Box also delivers. At around $1 a cookie, I think these cookies are definitely worth each bite. Celebrate your Wash U acceptance and satisfy your dessert needs with a hot box of a dozen fresh cookies.
— Tarik P., M1