dining around town: crushed red



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My friends will tell you that when we go out to eat, I rarely order something just the way it comes on the menu.  I'm often found substituting fish for chicken, asking my waiter to hold the black olives and asking for dressing on the side.  What can I say--I'm a customizer.  Enter a new restaurant made with people like me in mind.



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 I was first introduced to Crushed Red, a new fast-casual restaurant in downtown Clayton, when I read a review by Maddie from City in a Jar.  The restaurant offers delicious made-to-order salad and pizzas that you can customize with toppings including carmelized onions, beef brisket, avocado, goat cheese and everything in between.  Salivating at my desk, I took a look at their website (note: do not read their menu before you've eaten lunch) and determined I would have to check this place out.



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I visited Crushed Red with a friend last week and it definitely lived up to my expectations.  While the restaurant considers itself fast-casual, the comfortable but classy booths, the staff member greeting you as you walk through the door, and the general decor and ambiance suggest that Crushed Red is brings a more sophisticated flair to quick dining than its competitors.  This flair, however, is not reflected in their prices.  I found the cost of my meal on par with or even slightly lower than what I pay when I eat at St. Louis Bread Company.



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My friend and I split two pizzas and enjoyed the flavors of both.  Crushed Red has several sauces and cheeses to choose from, making every pizza unique.  Later in the week I dropped by to grab a salad and found it to be just as delicious.  It actually reminded me a little bit of the Sizzling Salad nights that my college used to host a few Friday nights a quarter, but with more options.  

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If you live in the area and haven't visited Crushed Red yet, stop by and give them a try.  The customizer in you will be glad you did.  You can find their menu here.