Balkan Treat Box Takeaway. Treat yourself to Balkan Treat Box whenever you're in the area, and they're open. One of the best restaurants in St. Louis with a general food score of 9.3 / 10 from me. Hard to classify exactly what food type a "pide" or "doner". Not a sandwich; it's more a Mediterranean delight. The pita may be the best I've ever had, and it's definitely the best in St. Louis. I order a bag to go every time.
They even fixed the biggest downside - their hours. They're now open from 11-8 Friday and Saturday.
Still closed on Sunday and Monday. You should check availability before making the trek to Webster Groves.
Service is fine. You order at the counter, get a number, and go to your table. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to get your food; even if a long line runs, you only have fifteen minutes to wait. My favorite place to sit is outside when the weather permits. They have a dedicated lot in the back or street parking out front.
Balkan Treat Box Experience Summary
I visited Balkan Treat Box yesterday, as no list of the best restaurants in St. Louis would be complete without it.
Their spot in Webster Groves is somewhat tucked away from the main part of St. Louis. I usually only end up there if I'm on an adventure during the week because their hours have been somewhat limited. Webster Groves isn't exactly hopping, so I have to make the twenty-minute trek down consciously. Luckily, I learned from this trip that Balkan expanded their hours on Friday and Saturday into dinner times.
As the name suggests, the cuisine is Balkan, which is essentially Mediterranean, centered around pita and roasted meats like chicken and beef roasted on a spit.
The food is absolutely fantastic. A 9.3/10 overall food score puts it in the top 3 restaurants in St. Louis for me.
They use Mediterranean seasonings that give the beef and chicken so much flavor, and they pair everything with either red pepper-based or yogurt-based sauces. The star of the show, though, is their pita. Wood-fired, doughy, fluffy, every pita bite is pure perfection. You can even buy a pack of four pitas for $8, which I couldn't resist doing.
At that price, it turns out I once snagged $20 worth of pita from a friend's birthday party that had Balkan Treat Box catering. I 100% would steal it again.
My pide cost me $16, which might seem a bit steep, but it was worth every penny. I finished every last bite and was perfectly satisfied. It's the right portion size for a grown adult, though one of my friends did end up with some leftovers. While $16 per person isn't cheap, the quality makes it worth the price.
In terms of service, you can order online for pickup or dine-in, both of which I've done before. This time, we walked in at around 11:45 AM, and there was no line. You order at the counter, get a number, and they bring your food out in about 15-20 minutes, which is pretty typical. While there was no line during our visit, I've been there when the line wraps around the restaurant, and you're waiting for 20 minutes just to order.
Overall, Balkan Treat Box is hands down one of the best meals you'll find in St. Louis.
The Food At Balkan Treat Box
I've had everything from the left side of their menu. I don't do fish, and you need to get meat, so that's where I live.
This time, I ordered a pide, which is a flatbread topped with meat, herbs, and sauces. It's quite good, allowing you to experience the best flavors of Balkan cuisine in one bite.
Their pita is probably the best I've ever had. It's not the typical thin, pocket-style pita you might expect from a Greek restaurant. This pita is doughier, chewier, and wood-firerier than anything I've ever had.
I could eat the pita straight every day for the rest of my life and rest in peace. I ordered a bag to go for $8.
Most dishes come with a side of homemade chips or pickled cabbage. My pide came with pickled cabbage, which complemented the flavors perfectly. The chips are house-made, and though they're not served in overwhelming portions, they make for a nice, light side.
I've also had their doner, which is fantastic, though you have to be in the mood for a lot of beef. They give you about 10 to 15 beef sausages packed into a pita. The sausages resemble breakfast sausage links but taste like out-of-this-world seasoned ground beef.
Served with pita and sauces, it's an incredibly satisfying meal.
Another great option is the lavash, number four on their menu, which is made with shaved meat and is equally delicious.
You can't go wrong with anything on the menu flavor-wise, but get ready to spend $16 before tax on whatever you order.
Balkan Treat Box Atmosphere And Miscellaneous
The restaurant grew out of a food truck, which is still parked in the back, though I'm unsure if it's still in operation.
The ordering operation feels like a food truck. You walk into a space that looks directly into the wood-fired ovens and roasting spits. The line wraps around the outer perimeters of the restaurant with seating throughout. They have additional picnic tables in the back, which I prefer when the weather permits.
The restaurant has a small, family-friendly vibe. It kind of feels Greekish but with the wrong colors.
A "long" line snaking around the restaurant only takes 15 minutes. Add another 15 to 20 for them to get you food, and it's doable during rush hour. If you don't want to wait in line, order ahead on their website for pickup. I've done that several times, and they'll have it ready behind the counter on time.
They give you a number when you order up front that you bring to your table. They somehow manage to find your table and deliver the food. Remember to grab yourself some water before you head back to the table.
Parking At Balkan Treat Box
Parking is fairly straightforward. There's a dedicated lot in the back, but you can also find street parking right in front of the building. Just make sure to read the signs, as it sometimes feels like you're parking in the middle of the street.
I've never had an issue finding a spot.
Balkan Treat Box Receipt