A pot pie with mashed potatoes hiding in the middle sounds like a dare. One Missouri kitchen bakes it anyway, stuffing short rib and pot roast under a flaky crust.
I like how sneaky that is. You crack the top expecting gravy and beef, and then a creamy potato center shows up like a bonus prize.
The building behind this dish dates back to 1901. One family has run the place for generations, and it still feels like a neighborhood living room with a cheerful yellow face.
I believe the best comfort food comes with a story attached. This one has more than a century of them, plus fried chicken, blackberry cobbler, and a porch with string lights.
That potato-filled pot pie got my attention, but the family keeping this century-old kitchen going gives me a reason to look beyond the crust.
A Pot Pie With A Secret You Won’t See Coming
Most pot pies play it safe. The Short Rib Pot Pie at The Piccadilly at Manhattan does not.
Under a flaky crust sits a hearty filling of short rib and pot roast. Then comes the twist, because a mashed potato center waits right in the middle.
Think of it as a full dinner tucked under one lid. You get the beef, the gravy, and the potatoes without needing a second plate.
I love how this dish solves a real problem. Who wants to choose between pot roast and mashed potatoes when both can share the same crust?
The idea feels playful, but the flavors are pure Sunday supper. Short rib brings rich, slow-cooked depth to the party.
Pot roast adds that familiar, homey flavor many of us grew up with. The potatoes soak up everything around them like a sponge with good manners.
This pie shows up again and again when people talk about the menu. It earns that attention by being both clever and comforting.
Here’s a smart tip for first-timers. Dig straight down the middle with your fork so every bite gets a little of everything.
Your future self will thank you for that strategy.
More Than A Century Of Serving Up Neighborhood Dinners
Back in 1901, this building started its long life on a quiet St. Louis corner. That’s older than sliced bread, and older than most of the houses you’ll drive past to get here.
The Piccadilly at Manhattan is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in St. Louis. That’s a big title for a small spot.
The Collida family has owned it for three generations. Today, the third, fourth, and fifth generations of the family help keep it running.
That kind of family chain is rare in the restaurant world. Many places struggle to last five years, let alone five generations of the same family.
In 2007, grandson Nick Collida and his wife Maggie reopened the restaurant. They did it after a major restoration that gave the old building a fresh start.
I can’t imagine the pressure of carrying on something your grandparents built. Yet they managed to keep the old spirit while making it ready for modern diners.
That history matters when you sit down here. You’re not just grabbing a meal in Missouri.
You’re joining a long line of neighbors who have done the same thing for well over a hundred years.
That Sunny Yellow Building Is Impossible To Miss
Bright yellow walls. Black and white striped awnings.
Good luck driving past without slowing down for a second look.
The outside of this restaurant gives off an almost European cafe vibe. It looks like it wandered over from a little square in Paris and decided to stay in Missouri.
That cheerful paint job does a lot of work. On a gray winter afternoon, it practically glows against the quiet neighborhood around it.
The striped awnings add a touch of old-fashioned fun. They frame the windows like the brim of a fancy summer hat.
I like that the building doesn’t try to look trendy or sleek. It feels confident in its own sunny personality, and that confidence is charming.
The setting helps too, since the restaurant sits in a residential area. Homes surround it, so the yellow building pops even more against the regular houses nearby.
Bring your phone camera, because this front is very photo friendly. The colors and stripes make a cute backdrop before you head inside to eat.
Just remember to look both ways while snapping pictures. Those charming side streets still have neighbors coming and going all day long.
Inside, It Feels Like Dinner At A Favorite Aunt’s House
Wagon wheel chandeliers hang overhead, and they set the tone right away. The dining room has old-school charm with decor that feels timeless instead of dated.
The whole space is snug and laid-back. It feels warm and inviting, a lot like eating in someone’s home.
That homey feeling is no accident. The mid-2000s restoration added new drywall, windows, and floors while keeping the building’s original character.
So you get the best of both worlds. The bones are old and full of history, but the room feels clean, fresh, and cared for.
The indoor dining area is on the small side. That means tables sit close together, which adds to the cozy mood but can feel a bit tight at busy times.
I believe smaller rooms often make meals feel more personal. You hear the friendly chatter, smell the fried chicken, and feel part of the action.
A full bar sits inside too. Solo diners are made to feel welcome there, which is great news if you’re flying solo on a lunch break.
Grab a seat, look up at those chandeliers, and settle into the easy pace of the place.
The Porch And Patio Might Steal Your Heart
Terrazzo floors and string lights make the enclosed porch feel like a sunroom. It’s the kind of spot where lunch could easily stretch into the afternoon.
This porch gives you a cheerful in-between option. You get lots of light and a breezy feeling without dealing with wind or rain.
Then there’s the outdoor patio. It’s a fair-sized space, and outdoor seating ranks among the most talked-about features of the whole restaurant.
Warm evenings here sound lovely. String lights, open air, and a plate of comfort food make a pretty great combination.
Pet owners should take note too. The patio has welcomed dogs, which makes it a nice pick for a relaxed meal with your four-legged buddy.
I like having three different moods under one roof. You can choose cozy indoors, bright porch, or open-air patio based on the weather and your mood.
A quick tip: check the forecast before you go. On a mild spring or fall day, the patio might be the hottest seat in town, and you’ll want to grab it.
In the heat of summer, though, the porch could be your sweet spot.
Golden Fried Chicken And A Pot Pie Lineup Worth Sharing
Golden, crunchy, and hot from the kitchen. The fried chicken here has been a St. Louis favorite for a long time, and it’s easy to see why.
The chicken dinners come with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans. It’s a classic plate that feels like a family supper done right.
Of course, the short rib pie isn’t the only pot pie in town. The Chicken Pot Pie is one of the most popular items, with a flaky crust and creamy filling.
It usually arrives piping hot. Give it a minute before your first bite, unless you enjoy a burned tongue as a souvenir.
There’s also a Seafood Pot Pie that has shown up as a Friday special. That makes Fridays extra tempting for anyone who loves a good twist on tradition.
Here’s my honest advice for a group. Order the fried chicken and a couple of different pot pies, then share everything family style.
That way nobody suffers from menu regret. Everyone gets a taste of the crispy stuff and the flaky stuff.
Honestly, choosing just one feels a little unfair to your taste buds and their big hopes.
Meatloaf, A Famous Salad, And Cobbler For The Win
Comfort food fans, the Classic Meatloaf deserves your attention. It comes with brown gravy, and it ranks among the most mentioned dishes on the menu.
Paired with mashed potatoes, it tastes like the meatloaf you wish you made at home. No dry bricks allowed.
Want something lighter? The Mayfair Salad brings seasoned shrimp, egg, and flatbread crackers on romaine hearts.
It’s topped with Mayfair dressing, which has deep roots in St. Louis food history. The restaurant makes its own version, which is a fun local touch.
Fair warning: the seasoned shrimp can carry a little spice. If you like a gentle kick, you’ll be happy.
Now for the grand finale. The homemade blackberry cobbler is the dessert people keep bringing up, and it’s made from scratch.
I can’t imagine skipping dessert at a place with this much history. Cobbler just feels right in a building that’s over a century old.
Other cobbler flavors have rotated through too, like strawberry rhubarb and blueberry. Ask what’s available, then plan your meal so you still have room.
Trust me, saving space for cobbler is a skill worth practicing.
Finding This Off-The-Beaten-Path Corner Is Half The Fun
Here’s a fun twist for map lovers. The restaurant sits in the Greenwood subdivision, yet it’s officially inside the City of St. Louis, not Maplewood.
You’ll find The Piccadilly at Manhattan at 7201 Piccadilly Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63143. It’s part of the Ellendale neighborhood.
The area is a bit off the beaten path. That’s part of the appeal, since it feels like a local discovery instead of a tourist stop.
Homes line the streets around it. Driving up, you might wonder if your GPS has lost its mind, and then that yellow building appears.
Parking is free on the street. During busy lunch or dinner rushes, spots close to the door can fill up fast, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
The restaurant also offers gender-neutral restrooms. It’s a thoughtful detail that makes the visit easy for everyone.
I like how the location keeps the place grounded. It’s a true neighborhood spot in Missouri, not a flashy downtown showpiece.
Be kind to the neighbors when you park. They share their streets with a lot of hungry fans.
Smart Timing Makes Your Visit Even Better
Mark your calendar carefully, because Sundays and Mondays are off the table. The restaurant is closed both days.
Tuesday through Thursday, doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, you get an extra hour until 9 p.m.
Reservations are accepted but not required. Since the dining room is small, booking ahead for evenings or weekends is a smart move.
Walk-ins can still work out fine. Early lunch or a midafternoon visit is a good bet if you’d rather skip a wait.
Flying solo? Grab a seat at the bar, where single diners are made to feel right at home.
Service here is known for being friendly and welcoming. That fits the restaurant’s long role as a gathering place for its community.
The Piccadilly at Manhattan has built trust with generations of St. Louis families. It feels less like a business and more like a neighborhood tradition.
So plan your trip, pick your seat, and save room for that potato-stuffed pot pie. After more than a century, this Missouri classic still knows exactly how to make dinner feel like coming home.
