[BB] What Do You Want at St. Louis Championships

[Andrew Bates]

Is there anything like the CNN center for food near the site of the championships in St. Louis. If not is there anyway FIRST could bring in cheap affordable vendors.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by corpralchee

Is there anything like the CNN center for food near the site of the championships in St. Louis. If not is there anyway FIRST could bring in cheap affordable vendors.

No and yes. Union Station is a ways away. (2 stops on the Metrolink, IIRC.)

However, don't bring in cheap affordable vendors when they're already there. $5 for a plate of good spaghetti, and that's just one of the options. Just make sure that you go to the carts, NOT the stands. (And, make sure the carts are out--if anyone in FRC operations sees this, it would be a good idea to confirm that they will be out during the event.)

There are also a large number of places within a few minutes' walk. They range from fast food/subs all the way up to T.G.I. Friday's or better. Or send someone for pizza or something like that--there are some good places in a short radius.

I've been working on a writeup on the area around the America's Center for a little while now. Guess I better finish it up pretty quickly...

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by EricH

However, don't bring in cheap affordable vendors when they're already there.

by this you mean that they dont charge you an extra $1 for cheese on your $10 hamburger?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

by this you mean that they dont charge you an extra $1 for cheese on your $10 hamburger?

If you go to one of the carts, nope. I don't know about the stands; they're more expensive than the carts. (And trust me, the one time I went to one, I got a salad instead of a more expensive sandwich.)

The carts don't have anything more than about $5, IIRC.

[gvarndell]

I would like for my mother-in-law and my son to be allowed to use elevators and/or escalators, as needed, and without suffering any indignity for needing to.
Even if it means they might have to pass through a VIP area.

[JaneYoung]

Many teams shop for groceries to make healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for their teams. It would be totally AWEsome to have information provided in advance so that teams that will be traveling to St. Louis for the Championship event will know what is available and where. Names of the businesses and maps/distances would be very helpful. If nothing is close by for teams in the way of groceries - that information is very important to know - and if possible, alternative solutions be created/provided that won't destroy already tight budgets.

It's very cool that the Robo Prom was mentioned. Now would be a great time for folks to say if they think it is valuable and an asset to the event.

Jane

[sithmonkey13]

Originally Posted by EricH

No and yes. Union Station is a ways away. (2 stops on the Metrolink, IIRC.)

I live in St. Louis and go to places repeatedly. Union Station used to be full of shops, but because of the economy, their are very few shops and vendors there nowadays, but there still a couple vendors left (like Hardrock Cafe). I will be back in the area by the end of the week, so I will try and let you guys know what is available.

[Jon236]

It would be great for a local like yourself give us an idea of what's good and reasonable in the area for the teams!

It might require some sacrifice on your part to do some serious sampling.......

[sithmonkey13]

Originally Posted by Jon236

It might require some sacrifice on your part to do some serious sampling.......

Anything to make FIRST more enjoyable for everyone else.

[EricH]

I might have to get at a handbook I was given when attending a conference last winter at the America's Center. I think there were 80+ places to eat within a short walk; it wouldn't hurt for someone to see if they're still there. Handbook's at home, I'm at school 1500 miles away... Plus it has a map of where stuff is. (Or maybe my parents could get at it and get you a list of places to check...)

Or, simple solution to food: Send someone for Imo's. That's some good pizza...

[sithmonkey13]

Just got back from Union Station. Places to eat there include: Hardrock Cafe, Panda Express, Subway, Quiznos Subs, Gateway Burgers, Tollhouse cookies and ice cream (a Tollhouse stand), and various places for pizza, burgers, philly cheese steak sandwiches, fudge and more. Definitely a variety in eating choices if you choose to take the trip away from the stadium. Although in a previous post I said that the station was empty because of the economy, several new places have opened up (like Gateway Burgers, I suggest eating there, as they serve top quality food for a fair price.)

[synth3tk]

Thanks for the intel!

[Jon236]

Where would the best rib joint be?

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Jon236

Where would the best rib joint be?

Kansas City?

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Kansas City?

Nope, Ellisville, MO. It's not downtown but...

Barney's BBQ. I should know, I worked there summers during high school and some of my college years. I would put Barney's ribs up against any anywhere including down here in Austin, TX.

http://www.barneysbbq.com/Home_Page.html

They are open weekends during the summer and I'm not sure when opening weekend is but I could send an e-mail and let them know FIRST is going to be downtown. I'm not kidding you - the BBQ is unbelievable. It has a secret sauce that they wouldn't even tell me what was in it. And their beans are amazing.

Jane