Qui Tran & Marie-Anne Velasco - Nudu House

Qui Tran & Marie-Anne Velasco - Nudu House

On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Qui Tran, founder of Mai Lee and co-owner of Nudo House, alongside chef and business partner Marie-Anne Velasco, for a conversation about food, community, resilience, and the stories behind two of St. Louis’ most beloved restaurant concepts. Qui shares the remarkable journey of Mai Lee, from its humble beginnings as a small family-run Vietnamese restaurant founded by his mother in 1985 to becoming a cornerstone of the St. Louis dining scene. Marie-Anne reflects on her path from studying languages and working in some of the world’s top kitchens to helping launch Nudo House and bringing her passion for ramen and culinary history to the city. Together, they discuss the partnership that led to the creation of Nudo House, the inspiration behind their popular Sonic the Hedgehog pop-up experience, and how creativity, collaboration, and a deep connection to St. Louis have fueled their success. The conversation also explores the challenges of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting healthcare workers and tornado relief efforts, the realities of running restaurants during rising food costs, and why giving back to the community remains central to everything they do. Along the way, Qui and Marie-Anne share stories about their backgrounds, friendship, family life, favorite aspects of restaurant culture, and what exciting projects may be next for Mai Lee and Nudo House. In this episode: • The origins of Mai Lee and its growth over four decades • Qui Tran’s family story and Vietnamese roots in St. Louis • Marie-Anne Velasco’s culinary journey through world-class kitchens • How a friendship turned into the partnership behind Nudo House • The rise of ramen culture in St. Louis • Creating the Sonic the Hedgehog pop-up experience at Nudo House • Building restaurants centered on hospitality and community • Navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and supporting healthcare workers • Organizing relief efforts after the St. Louis tornado • The importance of collaboration within the local restaurant industry • Rising food costs and the realities of operating restaurants today • Family, mentorship, and life outside the kitchen • Future plans, new collaborations, and what’s next for the restaurants • Why St. Louis continues to be one of the most supportive food communities in the country Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Vince Valenza — Blues City Deli

On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Vince Valenza, founder and owner of Blues City Deli, for a conversation about family, food, blues music, and the journey of building one of St. Louis’ most beloved sandwich shops. Vince shares the story behind Blues City Deli and how what began as an idea for an Italian market evolved into a neighborhood institution known for its authentic sandwiches, welcoming atmosphere, and deep connection to music and community. Drawing inspiration from his Sicilian heritage and a lifelong love of blues, soul, and R&B, Vince explains how both food and music helped shape the identity of the deli. He reflects on more than two decades in business, navigating industry challenges, surviving the pandemic, working alongside his children, and maintaining the consistency that has kept customers coming back year after year. The conversation also explores the history of the historic Benton Park building that houses Blues City Deli, the return of live music through the deli’s patio concert series, the realities of running a restaurant during inflation, and what’s next for the future of the business. Along the way, Vince shares stories about family, travel, favorite local restaurants, New Orleans influences, and why supporting small businesses remains more important than ever. In this episode: • The origins of Blues City Deli and its evolution from market to sandwich shop • Vince’s Sicilian heritage and love of food • How blues music inspired the deli’s name and identity • Building a loyal customer base over 22 years • The importance of consistency and hospitality in restaurants • Popular menu favorites, including the Big Tommy and Sally's Spicy Italian • Working alongside his sons and creating a family business • The history of the Blues City Deli building in Benton Park • Patio music series and the deli’s live music legacy • St. Louis’ restaurant scene and supporting local businesses • Navigating inflation, food costs, and industry challenges • Future plans, including new smoked chicken offerings and expanded seating • Favorite local restaurants and dining around St. Louis • Family, travel, and life outside the restaurant Come for the sandwiches. Stay for the stories. 🎶🥪 ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Eddie Hsia - Saigon Café

On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Eddie Hsia, general manager and bar manager at Saigon Café, for a conversation about cocktail creativity, Vietnamese cuisine, Asian food culture, and the growing hospitality community in St. Louis. Eddie shares how he helped develop Saigon Café’s evolving cocktail program — from clarified cocktails and bottled drinks to presentation-driven creations inspired by travel, flavor, and visual storytelling. He explains the clarification process behind one of the restaurant’s most popular cocktails and why aroma, appearance, and balance are just as important as taste. The conversation also dives into the food side of Saigon Café, including the restaurant’s fan-favorite papaya salad, shaking beef, spring rolls, and the care that goes into sourcing ingredients and building flavor. Along the way, Eddie opens up about his Taiwanese background, growing up connected to his family’s legendary restaurant Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, and how returning to Taiwan later in life reshaped his perspective on food, culture, and hospitality. Lauren and Eddie also talk about travel, Asian nightlife and cocktail culture, pickleball, local restaurant favorites, and the community-driven energy behind the Central West End’s Red Lantern Festival. In this episode: *  Building Saigon Café’s cocktail program  *  Clarified cocktails and bottled drinks  *  Vietnamese cuisine and fan-favorite dishes  *  Taiwanese roots and family restaurant history  *  Returning to Taiwan and traveling through Asia  *  Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems  *  Pickleball, community, and hospitality culture  *  The story behind Red Lantern Festival  *  Cocktail presentation and creative inspiration Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Amy Guo - Sando Shack

On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with Amy Guo, co-owner of Sando Shack and Hello Poké, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, Japanese comfort food, food halls, and the unexpected path that brought her family back to St. Louis. Amy shares the story behind Sando Shack — the Japanese-inspired sandwich concept known for its katsu sandos, fruit sandos, and creative flavors — and how what started as small pop-ups during the pandemic eventually grew into a food truck, a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and a new home in Maplewood. She also reflects on launching Hello Poké inside City Foundry and how a move from Seattle to St. Louis unexpectedly changed the direction of their lives and careers. From operating inside one of the city’s biggest food destinations to navigating entrepreneurship for the first time, Amy opens up about the realities of restaurant ownership, learning to lead, and adapting to constant change. The conversation also explores St. Louis’ growing food scene, Maplewood’s supportive small business community, authentic Asian cuisine in the city, and some favorite local spots around town. Along the way, Amy shares stories about food trucks, festivals, balancing multiple concepts, and why she believes St. Louis continues to evolve in exciting ways. In this episode: *  The story behind Sando Shack and Japanese-style sandwiches  *  Building Hello Poké at City Foundry  *  Moving from Seattle back to St. Louis  *  Launching restaurants during the pandemic  *  Pop-ups, food trucks, and early entrepreneurship  *  Expanding into a brick-and-mortar space  *  The move from Morganford to Maplewood  *  Challenges of restaurant ownership and leadership  *  City Foundry’s growth and St. Louis food halls  *  Maplewood’s business community and local support  *  Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems  *  Exploring authentic Asian food in St. Louis  *  Festivals, food trucks, and future plans  Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Dave Glover - The Dave Glover Show

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health struggles, paranormal themes, and substance use that some listeners may find sensitive or distressing. On this episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren sits down with longtime St. Louis radio personality Dave Glover for one of the wildest and most entertaining conversations yet — covering everything from his unexpected journey from lawyer to radio host, to mental health, cannabis, live music, Bigfoot encounters, ghost hunting, aliens, and the St. Louis restaurant scene. Dave reflects on celebrating 25 years on air with The Dave Glover Show and explains how he accidentally fell into radio after a career in law. He shares stories about improvising live radio for four hours a day, building authentic connections with listeners, and how personal tragedy transformed the direction of his show. The conversation also dives into mental health, therapy, and Dave’s experience using cannabis gummies to help manage anxiety and stress. From solo Cardinals games and favorite dispensary finds to live music and performing Beatles covers with his band, the episode balances heartfelt moments with hilarious stories throughout. Then things take a paranormal turn. Dave opens up about his lifelong fascination with Bigfoot, recounting a strange encounter in the Colorado mountains that left both him and a skeptical friend stunned. The conversation continues into aliens, UFOs, haunted houses, paranormal investigations, the infamous Sallie House, the Exorcist house in St. Louis, and unexplained psychic experiences that still stick with him today. Along the way, Dave also shares some of his favorite St. Louis restaurants, talks about the city’s evolving food scene, and reflects on why St. Louis deserves more credit nationally. From radio stories and live music to ghosts and cryptids — this episode truly goes everywhere. In this episode:  - Dave Glover’s accidental path from lawyer to radio host  - Celebrating 25 years of The Dave Glover Show  - Learning to improvise live radio  - Mental health, therapy, and vulnerability on-air  - Cannabis gummies and managing anxiety  - Performing live music and Beatles covers  - Favorite St. Louis restaurants and hidden gems  - St. Louis food culture and restaurant scene growth  - Bigfoot encounters in Colorado  - Aliens, UFOs, and government footage  - Paranormal investigations and haunted houses  - The Sallie House and the Exorcist house  - Psychic experiences and unexplained coincidences  - Playing baseball at 60 and staying creative Come for the conversation. Stay for the culture. 🌿  ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 12 locations across Missouri. Learn more at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.