NCJWSTL’s next Coffee Talk is serving a slice of St. Louis restaurant history—topped with broasted chicken, dough balls and a side of pizza pride.
The guest this time is Dr. Harley Hammerman, whose “Lost Tables” podcast and website have become a go-to source for anyone hungry to remember St. Louis eateries of the past. On Tuesday, April 22, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Hammerman will take viewers back in time to revisit the stories behind Frank & Helen’s, Tony’s and one surviving icon: Imo’s Pizza.
Hammerman digs deep—not just into recipes and menus, but into the people behind the plates. At this virtual Coffee Talk, he’ll share audio clips and personal interviews with the families who made these restaurants beloved community staples.
Coffee Talk, hosted monthly by Susan Katzman and Lisa Gubernik of NCJWSTL, has earned a loyal following thanks to its intimate, breezy format. Every episode opens with a baby photo of the guest, closes with a Q&A—and often includes a fun giveaway. This time, it’s an Imo’s gift card.
For Hammerman, whose University City upbringing inspired this passion project, the memories are still fresh. “Some restaurants stay with you because of the food. Others because of who you were with,” he says. “I just try to capture it all before it fades.”
To join the conversation and get a taste of St. Louis history, register at ncjwstl.org.
