They opened a Famous Dave's here, but it hasn't really gotten too many good reviews. I think what we are used to over here in CA is a lot different.
Lucille's is really popular here, but quite frankly I don't think they are that great. Their ribs are expensive and usu come out dry and not very meaty. There is the Mrs Knott's restaurant at Knott's Berry Farm that is famous for their fried chicken, but really their ribs are good! I don't know the style, but the cook it with the sauce on. I know certain styles bbq with just the wood chips and sauce is on the side, if needed at all.
I make some good cheater ribs. You steam them in the oven at 350 for about 3 hours for one rack of baby backs and they are soooo tender. I salt and pepper them and put in a few cloves of garlic beforehand. Put in a 1/2 cup of water (or enough to fill the bottom of the pan) and cover tightly with foil. After 3 hrs I smash the garlic onto the ribs and then put on Sweet Baby Ray's hickory bbq sauce and broil with no foil for another 15 mins or until the sauce starts to thicken. I serve these with my famous red skin garlic mashed potatoes.
I haven't traveled much to the any of the bbq capitals, so I don't know much about it, just know I love to eat it!
I found I don't like spare ribs as much though. Even though they have more meat, the meat tends to be tougher. I tried both kinds with my steaming method.
What is St Louis style, Rachel? You should know right? Your neck of the woods.