Denise is a mom on a mission to share all the fun things you can do with kids in St. Louis...and beyond! Ever think about how freakin’ versatile noodles are? Need dinner quick? Noodles. Need to feed a picky toddler? Plain noodles. Need to impress your mother-in-law? Fancy noodles. Tired of Italian? Japanese noodles. Don’t want to cook at all? Noodles & Company.
I happen to be pretty fond of Noodles & Co, so when they asked me to help them celebrate their 10th Anniversary here in St. Louis, I said YES! (Psst: That means this is a sponsored post. But keep reading, because you’re not gonna want to miss this party–even if you’re not one of my local readers! Opinions? They’re mine.)
The first Noodles & Co in St. Louis opened in 2006 at South County Mall. I remember taking Ryan there when he was 7 and thinking any place where we could get a big bowl of Mac & Cheese was pure awesomeness. But what I really love about Noodles & Co is that you can have a quick, kid friendly meal while you’re out and about without having to resort to fast food. Hey, just because you’re dining with the kids doesn’t mean you have to eat with a clown.
Noodles & Co for Everyone
Right now I’m trying to clean up my diet and drop a few pounds. Thank goodness Noodles & Co still has my back! Have you tried their Buff Bowls yet? They have–gasp–no noodles. I know, I know, going to a noodle place and not having noodles seems weird, but it’s actually pretty freakin’ wonderful. They replace the noodles with extra veggies, greens and protein. Take my favorite dish: Bangkok Curry. It’s pretty healthy on it’s own. It has lots of veggies and rice noodles, and the big bowl will only set you back 550 calories–compared to the 800 calories in my usual clown burger and fries, it’s a dietary bargain. But the hubs and I are back on the diet wagon, so I should really skip the noodles. Right? Not really! I just ask for the Buff Bowl for more veggie power and my favorite dish drops to 300 calories with the same yummy flavor.
Happy 10th Anniversary Noodles and Co!
On June 13 Noodles & Company is kicking off their big 10th anniversary in St. Louis with a week of fun and freebies. They have special offers in their St. Louis area stores (which includes Columbia, MO and Shiloh, IL), a recipe contest and an Instagram giveaway featuring yours truly. 
Recipe Contest for a Year of Free Noodles
Get your noodles ready, because the Best of the Guest Recipe Contest starts on Monday! You’re invited to create a new dish by selecting a total of 10 ingredients from a menu of options. You can drop your recipe off at a physical drop box at each St. Louis area location or online at http://hamraenterprises.com/10yearsofnoodles/ You have until Thursday, June 16 to dream up your best creation. Your recipe must be completely original – not based on an existing menu item – and must feature exactly 10 ingredients from any of the five following categories: noodles, sauces, proteins, vegetables and herbs and seasonings.
If you want a refresher on their menu, check out their ingredient list here. And remember, Noodles & Co only uses fresh stuff–they don’t even OWN a freezer!
On Friday, June 17, the top three recipes – the most tasty and most creative – from each location will be selected and then cooked to order and sampled by each location’s management team. The week of June 20, one winner from each of the eight Noodles & Company St. Louis locations will be chosen to receive a Noodles & Company prize pack that includes free Noodles for a Year. All eight winners will also have their photo and “dish” on display in their local restaurant during the month of July. In addition, one lucky grand prize winner, of the eight, will also receive 10 gift cards worth $10 each to give away to friends and family.
But wait, there’s more!
- On Tuesday, June 14, guests will be able to purchase a Noodles & Company 16-ounce tumbler for $10. With the cup, guests will receive free refills (with the purchase of an entrée) now through December 31, 2016.
- On Wednesday, June 15, the first 10 guests in line between 6:00 pm and 6:16 pm, will receive a free Noodles Bowl and a Noodles & Company swag bag featuring plenty of Noodles & Company freebies.
- On Thursday, June 16, one lucky winner at three different St. Louis area locations – chosen at random – will win a Noodles & Company prize pack, including free Noodles for a Year.
- On Friday, June 17, guests at all locations will receive a free Crispy dessert, in the shape of the No. 10, while supplies last.
Instagram Giveaway Loop
I know that not everyone reading this lives in St. Louis. So listen up if you live anywhere near one of the other 492 Noodles & Co restaurants in the U.S. Noodles & Co asked five St. Louis bloggers to join in the fun and host an Instagram Giveaway Loop. We’re going to start it on Monday June 13 at 6:13pm, in honor of their 6/13/2006 South County opening date.
To play, you just have to go visit my Instagram at StlMotherhood, follow me, then like the Noodle & Co giveaway picture. Remember, I’ll post the contest pic at 6:16pm on Monday. Then go through the loop of five cool mom bloggers–like and follow everyone! The giveaway ends on Friday June 17 at 11:59 central, so you have all week to play along!
After Friday Noodles and Co will go through the entries (those likes and follows!) and randomly pick THREE WINNERS. They’ll announce the winners on Monday.
What could you win? Well, how about a year of free noodles?? The prize pack will also include some Noodles & Co swag: sunglasses, water bottle, lip balm, backpack, mini jotter & pen, and hand sanitizer to keep you looking and feeling good all year long!
The best part? Those free Noodles for a Year can be redeemed at any Noodles & Company location nationwide.
