The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show
For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond.
Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.
The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show
John Pessoni & Bill Reiter – El Monstero
Every December, El Monstero turns The Pageant into a full-blown Pink Floyd universe, complete with soaring guitar solos, aerial performers, and a loyal St. Louis crowd that treats it like a holiday rite of passage.
In this episode of The Sauce, Lauren sits down with John Pessoni and Bill Reiter of El Monstero to talk about what it takes to keep a tradition like this going for nearly three decades.
In this week’s episode of The Sauce:
- How El Monstero grew from a tribute idea into a seven-night holiday run at The Pageant
- The rehearsal process, set lists, and why they always tweak the show for repeat fans
- Building a true rock spectacle, from aerialists and dancers to video walls, pyro, and helicopters at the summer amphitheater show
- The difference between the winter Pageant run and the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre show
- Juggling El Monstero with The Urge, tribute bands, cover bands, and life outside of music
- Their love of St. Louis’ food scene, from pre-show spots on The Loop to Italian icons on The Hill
- The story behind their “gardening” tins collaboration with High Rule and how social media rules shaped the language
Sponsored this week by LHM, with festive holiday pop ups at 360 Downtown, 360 Westport, and plenty of cheer at Union Station, including the Polar Express Train Ride and the Sleigh Shed inside Train Shed.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
🔗 Learn More & Buy Tickets: elmonstero.com