Between finding a date and what to wear, sometimes where you eat before homecoming can get lost in the mix. Although most places are prepared to accommodate large homecoming crowds, those who are indecisive will get left behind. So here is a list of restaurants, starting with the Chesterfield Valley and ending up on Manchester Road, that are probably more fun than eating with your date’s awkward parents.

Oishi –100 Chesterfield Valley Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005-1161 (636) 530-1198

Oishi is a place that everyone should go to at least once in their life; Oishi’s specialty is preparing meats, fishs, vegetables, and rice right in front of your face, hibachi style. The standard size table on Oishi’s hibachi side can fit 8 to 12 people, with each table getting their own chef to cook right there at the table. Their menu offers a large mix of red meat, seafood, and poultry items, each served with an enormous amount of side-dishes; however, if that is not your style, Oishi also offers a considerable assortment of sushi options, although that is all a-la-carte. They also have a regualr sit down side to their restuarant. Really, the only way to describe Oishi is with the word “Oishi”, which is Japanese for “delicious”.

Seth’s Suggestions: The chicken and salmon combo is what I tend to get, as the noodles, rice, soup, salad, and vegetables they also give you can become quite a lot of food, and red meat just seems too heavy. No matter what you get, make sure you order the fried rice, which, in my opinion, is the best in the city.
Price Range: $10-15 per entrée

Babbo’s Spaghetteria 17402 Chesterfield Airport Road Chesterfield, MO 63005-1307 (636) 536-0000

Although Babbo’s was the last of the list to open, its roots run deep. The baby of the “Michael Del Pietro Restaurant Group”, Babbo’s menu is heavily influenced bythe restaurants Sugo’s and Del Pietro’s.The menu doesn’t flood a person with choices, but offers enough of the standard Itilian entrées to make sure everyone finds something they want.

Seth’s Suggestion: Spaghetti is staple in Italian restaurants, and Babbo doesn’t disappoint.
Price Range: Almost all the entrées are either $9 or $10, with salads costing about $5.

Cheesecake Factory – 2028 Chesterfield Mall, Chesterfield – (636) 536-9662

Heading towards Marquette, we make our way to the Cheesecake Factory. Located at the Chesterfield Mall, Cheesecake first opened its doors in the Spring of 2006. Some may be turned off by its nationwide chain status, but C.F. offers an incredible variety of food (with each dish being large enough to spilt), offering any dish you can imagine. If you have been living under a rock for this whole review, Cheesecake also offers an insane amount of cheesecakes, ranging from the simple Original to the luxurious Godiva® Chocolate Cheesecake.

Seth’s Suggestions: I am a huge fan of the California Cheesesteak, but the onions and green peppers that complement the sandwich may not be the best idea for homecoming evening.
Price Range:$10-15
Note: If you can’t resist ordering a piece of Cheesecake, I would recommend ordering a whole one if you are in a group. Prices of individual slices run from $6 to $9 , but 7-inches (serving six eight) and 10-inches (serving 12) usually cost the price of 4 individual slices and seven individual slices respectively.

Massa’s Restaurant-15310 Manchester Rd Ellisville, MO 63011-3027 (636) 391-3700

Massa’s Restaurant is similar to Babbo’s, as it is an Italian restaurant with many related dining bistros; however, rather than having one owner with multiple establishments under different names, Massa’s has three different locations (with the others located in Bridgeton and Kirkwood). Massa’s features a dark, romantic atmosphere that is surrounded by delectable food.

Seth Suggestions: Although I have never been to Massa’s, you can never go wrong with the classic fettuccine alfredo.
Price Range: Pizzas flirt with the $9 range, and pasta are around $13.

Sapporo- 15583 Manchester Road Ballwin, MO 63011-3001(636) 527-6684

Sapporo is similar to Oishi in that it features an incredible selection of sushi, but they decided to excel in it rather than also have steakhouse. In addition to their sushi dishes, which utilize any under-the-sea animal you could think of, Sapporo provides a quiet but relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a homecoming group of any size.

Seth Suggestions: Rather than settling on one items, I suggest that you try a variety of different rolls, each with its own fish.
Price Range: $3 to $5 per a roll, other entrées range from $12 to $20.