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Posted: 8/10/2016 10:29:20 PM EDT
Heading to East St. Louis for an event Friday. Technically Collinsville IL. Never been through there before. Is the area pretty safe there? Will my pickup still be there in the morning?
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Thanks! |
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Posted: 8/10/2016 11:06:11 PM EDT
[#1]
What to avoid in East St. Louis.....easy......EAST ST LOUIS. I see you're from Colorado, so I guess you're coming in on 70? Take the new bridge across the river and you avoid East Saint altogether. You'll be on I-55/70 until to get to Collinsville.
Collinsville isn't bad, but it's not perfect. Ramone's Mexican restaurant is really good, as is Kruta's Bakery.......both have been there for many decades. Code 3 BBQ Supply is downtown. Not much else to suggest, except brag when you get home that you have been to the horseradish capital of the world AND the home of the world's largest catsup bottle (actually a water tower). |
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Posted: 8/10/2016 11:41:02 PM EDT
[#2]
no CCW over there....be safe.....make sure you really, really want to cross that bridge
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Posted: 8/11/2016 12:11:08 AM EDT
[#3]
There are signs along the highway near East St. Louis that say *no stopping*, and *don't pick up hitchhikers.* There is a very good reason for that, and you should heed those warnings.
Compared to that, Collinsville is a major step up (even though it isn't very far away). |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 12:14:07 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Ramone's Mexican restaurant is really good... Have you been there lately? I've never been, but I know someone who worked there. I have no idea if she still does, as I haven't been in touch with her or her husband in several years. (Her name is Verna). |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 1:43:45 AM EDT
[#5]
If you have time about a half hour away is Fast Eddies in Alton,Il.
Take cash though if you go. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 9:46:46 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What to avoid in East St. Louis.....easy......EAST ST LOUIS. THIS ^^^ Ever watched the movie "Escape From New York"? In the credits it states "Filmed on location in East St. Louis". 
Visualize the worst shithole you can imagine, then multiply it by 100 and you MIGHT be close. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 10:29:15 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Have you been there lately? I've never been, but I know someone who worked there. I have no idea if she still does, as I haven't been in touch with her or her husband in several years. (Her name is Verna). Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Ramone's Mexican restaurant is really good... Have you been there lately? I've never been, but I know someone who worked there. I have no idea if she still does, as I haven't been in touch with her or her husband in several years. (Her name is Verna). No, not in 10+ years. The owner just dies about 6 months ago. He was a hell of a guy and had the American dream story. He borrowed $5 to buy groceries in the 50s, made tacos, they sold the leftovers at the bar next door. He started filling his trunk with Mexican food in steam trays and selling it bars around Collinsville. He would always feed or take in anyone at the restaurant. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 10:49:25 AM EDT
[#8]
Collinsville isn't ESTL. It by no means is great, but it isn't the same. I go to investigative meetings once a month in Collinsville and other than being in IL, its not that big of a deal.
When I go to ESTL (did two days ago for an active investigation), well that's a whole different chimichanga. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 12:27:08 PM EDT
[#9]
Collinsville is home to one of the regional Highway Patrol headquarters. Watch your speeds on the interstates.
Ramone's is decent. Fast Eddies is overrated and not worth the extra time to go there IMHO. Edwardsville, IL is closer and has many decent restaurants. If you stay on the interstate you won't have any issues with East St. Louis. Avoid the temptation to go to the Brooklyn or Washington Park strip clubs. Rough neighborhoods with almost no law enforcement. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 4:04:12 PM EDT
[#10]
Collinsville is ok.
East St. Louis is hell on earth. Keep out unless you really have to see the seediest titty bars around. Nothing good comes from E. StL. Fast Eddies in Alton is good, Back in StL there are some good places to visit like the Busch Brewery, StL Zoon, Science Center (esp for kids) Grants farm and a few more. Stay the hell out of all of the EStl, Brooklyn, Granite City etc. Double damn be sure to stay out of North StL, home of the Ferguson riots. West county StL is good and most of S StL county too. Downtown StL is ok just be out by dark. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 4:32:03 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Heading to East St. Louis for an event Friday. Technically Collinsville IL. Never been through there before. Is the area pretty safe there? Will my pickup still be there in the morning? .
Thanks! Whoa whoa whoa now Collinsville isn't East St. Louis. Sure, it's on the "east side" but East St. Louis it is not. Collisville itself is fine, you shouldn't have any problems there. DO NOT go into East St. Louis other than to drive through on the interstate. DO NOT get off the interstate in - -East St. Louis -Alorton -Washington Park -Centreville -Brookyn -Venice Avoid the north side of St. Louis City as well, it's just as bad. South St. Louis City varies from really nice to poor but none of it is as bad as East St. Louis. South and West county areas are fine. |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 7:09:30 PM EDT
[#12]
You'd be better off to stay in Fairview Heights, IL, which is Exit 12 on I-64. There are several nice hotels along the interstate, along with every restaurant you can imagine, from fast food to fine dining. Not to mention the St. Clair Square Mall.
Collinsville is about 10 minutes up Hwy 159 (Exit 12). |
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Posted: 8/11/2016 8:45:28 PM EDT
[#13]
If you haven't figured it out yet.... DON'T GO THERE!
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Posted: 8/11/2016 11:44:10 PM EDT
[#14]
Worked in FVH (Fairview Heights) for several years and it isn't bad. Attended those same "lawn-mower" meetings in Collinsville ISP HQ.
Listen-don't go to ESTL. I always thought that Washington Park (which is immediately adjacent) is even worse. Heed what all these other fellas tell you. Mean, mean streets. If you do-keep your head on a MFN swivel. Collinsville wont be bad. Wasn't when I ventured there. HEAR ME-go to Bully's Restaurant in Edwardsville or Columbia and get the pork steak. After you do, log onto ARFCOM and this thread and say, "Thank you MidwestJ, you're a good bro". |
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Posted: 8/12/2016 12:26:16 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What to avoid in East St. Louis.....easy......EAST ST LOUIS. I came here to post this, but obviously someone beat me to it |
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Posted: 8/12/2016 12:42:51 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If you haven't figured it out yet.... DON'T GO THERE!
What he said. Roll 'em and lock'em. Do not stop |
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Posted: 8/12/2016 3:22:23 PM EDT
[#17]
Thanks everybody made it here safe and sound. Never listened to the GPS so closely going through ST. Louis in my life.
 I could see some really nice homes in west St Louis from the Interstate. The white suspension bridge was pretty cool. Nothing like that in CO for sure.
Man there is some pretty places here in Missouri. Love the corn and soy bean fields surrounded by all the trees. The fall color must be spectacular. May have to return and check out the Katy Trail state park. That looks pretty cool. Thanks again! |
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Posted: 8/12/2016 3:47:45 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks everybody made it here safe and sound. Never listened to the GPS so closely going through ST. Louis in my life. I could see some really nice homes in west St Louis from the Interstate. The white suspension bridge was pretty cool. Nothing like that in CO for sure.
Man there is some pretty places here in Missouri. Love the corn and soy bean fields surrounded by all the trees. The fall color must be spectacular. May have to return and check out the Katy Trail state park. That looks pretty cool. Thanks again! If you decide to come back let us know! We can point you to many cool things. |
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Posted: 8/12/2016 5:58:49 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
THIS ^^^ Ever watched the movie "Escape From New York"? In the credits it states "Filmed on location in East St. Louis".
Visualize the worst shithole you can imagine, then multiply it by 100 and you MIGHT be close. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
What to avoid in East St. Louis.....easy......EAST ST LOUIS. THIS ^^^ Ever watched the movie "Escape From New York"? In the credits it states "Filmed on location in East St. Louis".
Visualize the worst shithole you can imagine, then multiply it by 100 and you MIGHT be close. I envisioned National Lampoons Vacation, when Clark got lost down there in the Family Truckster. |
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Posted: 8/12/2016 11:46:10 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks everybody made it here safe and sound. Never listened to the GPS so closely going through ST. Louis in my life. I could see some really nice homes in west St Louis from the Interstate. The white suspension bridge was pretty cool. Nothing like that in CO for sure.
Man there is some pretty places here in Missouri. Love the corn and soy bean fields surrounded by all the trees. The fall color must be spectacular. May have to return and check out the Katy Trail state park. That looks pretty cool. Thanks again! My wife and I have ridden the full length of the KATY, and parts of it are very cool. If you came through on I-70, you missed the best part south of the Missouri River. Both sides of the Missouri from about Augusta to Rocheport is some of the prettiest and wild parts of the state. |
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Posted: 8/13/2016 1:38:52 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks everybody made it here safe and sound. Never listened to the GPS so closely going through ST. Louis in my life. I could see some really nice homes in west St Louis from the Interstate. The white suspension bridge was pretty cool. Nothing like that in CO for sure.
Man there is some pretty places here in Missouri. Love the corn and soy bean fields surrounded by all the trees. The fall color must be spectacular. May have to return and check out the Katy Trail state park. That looks pretty cool. Thanks again! I live on the edge of it in Columbia, MO. Great trail. The fall is awesome as well. 
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Posted: 8/13/2016 9:51:36 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
THIS ^^^ Ever watched the movie "Escape From New York"? In the credits it states "Filmed on location in East St. Louis".
Visualize the worst shithole you can imagine, then multiply it by 100 and you MIGHT be close. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
What to avoid in East St. Louis.....easy......EAST ST LOUIS. THIS ^^^ Ever watched the movie "Escape From New York"? In the credits it states "Filmed on location in East St. Louis".
Visualize the worst shithole you can imagine, then multiply it by 100 and you MIGHT be close. 
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Posted: 8/14/2016 4:09:52 PM EDT
[#23]
Katy trail is great, well worth the visit.
Try to visit in an area that has all the kewl trail amenities like creeks, cliffs and trailside bars ;) |
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Posted: 8/16/2016 11:47:39 PM EDT
[#24]
Yep, stopping and even going there.
They also like to take man hole covers off so your car falls in and you stop. If a train comes, just stay in motion in a different direction. |
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Posted: 8/17/2016 7:37:32 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What to avoid in East St. Louis.....easy......EAST ST LOUIS. I see you're from Colorado, so I guess you're coming in on 70? Take the new bridge across the river and you avoid East Saint altogether. You'll be on I-55/70 until to get to Collinsville. Collinsville isn't bad, but it's not perfect. Ramone's Mexican restaurant is really good, as is Kruta's Bakery.......both have been there for many decades. Code 3 BBQ Supply is downtown. Not much else to suggest, except brag when you get home that you have been to the horseradish capital of the world AND the home of the world's largest catsup bottle (actually a water tower). This |
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