The Refuge is more than a golf club restaurant

A restaurant on a golf course has a built-in clientele. That’s certainly a good thing.

But Brad Krueger, owner of The Refuge Family Grill on The Hills Golf Club in Lebanon, wants to expand the dining horizon beyond the greens and fairways. The course is owned by McKendree University and he leases the building from the school.

“I grew up on a golf course and the college has been great support,” he said. “We have golf leagues four, five nights a week and we do all the tournaments. But we want to continue to get the word out that we’re here. We do private parties. We cater, on and off premise. We want people to come and sit and enjoy lunch or relax and have a nice dinner.”

Brad, who lives in Webster Groves and has been catering and cooking for years, took over operations of the restaurant in July 2015. He chose the name The Refuge because of the location. The restaurant is surrounded by trees and tucked away off winding Belleville Street south of town.

The front of the building is simple, but walk through the doors and the first thing you see is a great view of lush green grass through tall windows, with a big deck on the other side for sitting outside and listening to the birds — and live acoustic music from 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays.

He’s been working steadily to give the interior a family-friendly atmosphere. Almost gone is the purple trim (one of McKendree’s colors), replaced with dark wood paneling. Some animal heads hang on the walls and above the fireplace. Eventually, a wall will go up to section off the bar from the dining room.

Bob Vallina, of O’Fallon, first came to The Refuge after playing golf. Then, he was lured back by the food, he said. On a recent weekday, he had just finished a crawfish version of the daily special.

“I come every week — a couple times a week — for the po’ boys,” he said. “The variety is wonderful. ... The golf is secondary now. I come here to eat.”

Brad laughed. “He’ll call and ask what’s on the menu.”

The Po’ Boy of the Day ($11.50 with a side) is among many changes in the menu since his ownership.

“We have a little of everything on the menu, with a twist,” he said.

He pointed out that The Refuge’s version of the classic chicken club is one of the most popular items. It’s called a Pulled Chicken Club ($9 with a side) and is roasted pulled chicken topped with lettuce, tomato, applewood smoked bacon and avocado on a toasted hoagie roll with basil mayonnaise.

Sandwiches range from baby-back rib and prime rib cheesesteak to the Big Bertha, a 3/4-pound bratwurst which also comes in smaller and larger sizes.

Sides include steamed green beans, house fried potato wedges, mac and cheese, onion rings and more.

Brad says he’s surprised by how popular his burgers are.

“We did a rehearsal dinner and the bride wanted burgers,” he said with a grin.

The Griddle Burgers are two ground-chuck patties topped with your choice of cheese and served with a side for $9.25. What seems even more popular is that diners keep wanting more patties. So they can “Climb the patty ladder” and add one for $2 each to their meal. The current record of 12 patties is held by Lebanon resident “Big Jon” Plagemann.

And don’t miss the Hearty Mac & Cheese, which is made to order for $8.75 and includes a choice of toppings, such as barbecue ribs, buffalo chicken or bacon and bleu cheese.

“That has been wildly popular,” he said.

The Beer Battered (or grilled) Fish Fry lures customers in for a cod dinner that includes coleslaw, fries and homemade tartar sauce for $9.25 (two pieces) and $10.95 (three pieces).

Also on the summer menu are grilled salmon, strip steak, ribs, salads, a slew of appetizers and thin-crust pizza. Look for dinner specials on weekends and a change in menu come fall. Soup and chili, for example, will be added.

And there’s just one item on the dessert menu. Five or so flavors of Bobby’s ice cream ($3.75).

This story was originally published August 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "The Refuge is more than a golf club restaurant."