Crown Candy Kitchen opened in 1913 in the then-thriving immigrant neighbourhood of Old North St Louis and has been run by the same family ever since. It is the oldest operating soda fountain in St Louis and one of the last classic confectionaries in the country, complete with the original marble counter, ceramic Coca-Cola lights, and tin ceilings.
The menu is what you'd expect: malts, milkshakes, banana splits, sandwiches. The BLT here is famous — overstuffed and grilled — as is the Heart Attack milkshake challenge (drink five malts in 30 minutes for a free t-shirt). The neighbourhood around Crown has been rough for decades but is gradually rebuilding, partly on the strength of the restaurant pulling people back.