gold99 Authentic Filipino flavors take center stage in St. Louis

Photos from thefattenedcaf/Instagram

With its cozy interiors that feel warm and welcoming, and elegantly served Filipino dishes bursting with island flavor, The Fattened Caf takes the spotlight in St. Louis, the barbecue capital of Missouri.

When Filipino American restaurateur Charlene Lopez-Young and her husband opened The Fattened Caf, they elevated the Missouri barbecue to new heights with Filipino flavors. 

Filipino Americans and Filipino immigrants have long been an integral part of St. Louis. With the growing number of Filipinos living in the area, it’s no surprise that Filipino cuisine has been making its mark in the local food scene.

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Charlene’s husband,  Darren Young, the master behind their flavorful barbecues, is a self-confessed Filipino food lover. 

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“I know Filipino food is amazing, but what’s Filipino barbecue?” Darren playfully asked in a video posted on their website. Charlene chimed in, “He started really getting into it and really liking the flavors of Filipino barbecue with banana leaves, skewers, chicken barbecue, garlic rice and vegetables.”

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Thanks to her Filipina wife, he began exploring the cuisine and together they embarked on a delectable journey, merging the best of both worlds — the traditional Missouri barbecue and diverse island flavors.

You may also like: Rooftop cocktail lounge in Chicago offers a taste of the Philippines

Friends who frequented their home loved their home-cooked Filipino dishes. Eventually, they started ordering food, which ultimately led to their first pop-up in 2019.

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Their Filipino food spot finally found a home just off Cherokee Street on Jefferson Avenue in South City.

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The Fattened Caf’s Filipino-style sausages (longganisa) and barbecue sauce have become so popular that they’re now sold in supermarkets across Missouri, including United Provisions, Fresh Thyme, Pan-Asia and Fresh Market Place in Bucktown. 

Featuring a variety of Filipino-infused meals, their best sellers include pork and chicken barbecues. They quickly became a hit, with one visitor commenting on Instagram, “Had this meal last Saturday and can’t stop thinking about it.”

Another must-try dish is their Piyanggang Chicken which originated in Southern Mindanao. This grilled chicken dish, seasoned with burnt coconut and basted in aromatic coconut gravy, is a real treat, especially for coconut lovers.

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For vegans, they offer a unique twist on the iconic adobo. Instead of using meat, they blended jackfruit and coconut milk into adobo’s traditional soy-vinegar mixture. The result? Their jackfruit adobo is richer, with thicker sauce bursting with flavor. 

The restaurant’s interior design – featuring artwork by Fil-Am artist Hope Ainsworth, rattan peacock chairs, natural wood finishes and lush plants – offers nostalgia. It makes customers feel like they’re visiting grandma’s place, where they are welcomed with warmth and good food.

For families with young children, there’s a kiddie nook where the little ones can read books while waiting for their food.

The Fattened Caf is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

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