After months of renovations, St. Louis Bar and Grill finally opened today at Station Mall.
The eatery is known for its chicken wings, poutine and ribs and also licensed for customers who want a cold brew with their food.
The first St. Louis Bar and Grill location opened in Toronto in 1992 and the Canadian-owned chain now has over 80 locations across the country.
The new Sault location is co-owned by Ash Jhankharia and Jag Jadeja.
Like all chicken wing restaurants, St. Louis Bar and Grill has a secret recipe for its wings.
“We would love to keep it a secret. We don’t word to get out,” Jag said with a laugh.
“The person who started this whole brand came up with his own sauce of what we marinate wings in. It’s his own recipe,” Jag told SooToday.
“I got started in the food industry in my home country of India. I was interested in the culinary arts so I went to school for it. I learned about the beverage industry and I found that fascinating too,” Ash said.
He completed his postsecondary education in the food and beverage industry and has been working in restaurants since.
“I enjoy it a lot. Sometimes it can be a little hectic, but that’s what brings the adrenaline rush,” Ash said.
Jag was inspired to get into the food industry by his family.
“My grandfather owned a lodge in India so I’ve always been into hospitality since I was a kid. Hospitality was ingrained into me since the very beginning,” he said.
“When I came to Canada I got the chance to work in the industry and I never got tired of it, so here I am.”
“We ran into some hiccups with construction,” Jag said of the long wait for the restaurant to open.
“Everything you see here is newly constructed. This space was a clothing store and then a police station so a lot of renovations were needed and there was a wait for permits.”
“It feels exciting,” Jag said of the eatery’s opening.
“The response we have received from the city is reassuring. The Sault is excited and we are equally excited.”
“This will be the first restaurant of my own,” Ash said.
The two are managers of two St. Louis Bar and Grill locations in Sudbury and are especially excited to co-own the new Sault location.
“It will be a learning experience but it brings us joy and happiness to have something of our own, to invest our time in and see it grow,” Ash said.
Both Ash and Jag shared why they like the restaurant business.
“I like the people and the culture of the food industry. A nine-to-five job is not something that I am made for. The dynamics of this is what keeps me in the restaurant industry,” Ash said.
“I like bringing smiles to people’s faces,” Jag said.
“If they are having a bad day, there’s a chance for you to provide great service and alter that. The reactions and the feedback that I receive from great service is what keeps me going.”
St. Louis Bar and Grill is a huge part of their lives.
“When we started working for the restaurant, we loved the dynamics of the company and we loved the menu,” Jag said.
“We eat here almost every night,” he added.
Ash and Jag like their staff.
“I really like the enthusiasm of everyone who we are working with. The people are very helpful and welcoming. We are new here, so they are very accommodating and they’ve guided us. I like the welcoming nature and the warmth of the people here,” Ash said.
“I have nothing but good things to say about everyone that we have worked with in the Sault,” Jag said.
“They’ve been outstanding. They go above and beyond what’s required and they helped us get this place up and running.”
Alyssa Lavallee, a Sudbury-based St. Louis Bar and Grill management team member, is helping to launch the Sault location.
“It’s been a year coming so I’m very, very excited about the Sault restaurant opening,” Alyssa said.
“When you start to build things from scratch on the inside, putting in the wiring, putting in the floors, the walls, you run into little hiccups here and there, then there’s rewiring, wrong product, delays in shipments. It’s been delayed for that reason.”
Alyssa is pumped about the menu.
“Definitely the wings, especially when we have all you can eat wings, are our top seller but our garlic dill burger is another favourite.”
“It’s completely loaded. It has our signature garlic dill sauce with tomatoes, onions, pickles, cheese, crispy onions and bacon,” Alyssa said.
Like Ash and Jag, she enjoys the food industry.
“I really like chatting with people, making people’s day. I like that it’s different every day. I get to talk to new people but I still get my regulars coming in. I just like running around the restaurant. I like the adrenaline of it all,” Alyssa said.
The Sault’s St. Louis Bar and Grill was open to families and friends of staff members by invitation only on Tuesday and Wednesday.
After a day off, the restaurant opened its doors to the public today in a soft launch.
An official grand opening is planned for early November.