Iconic metro-east restaurant hopes to branch out with casual dining at planned food hall

Max Kenison, who is a third-generation restaurateur, is hoping to build on his family’s legacy and branch out with a new casual dining concept under the Andria Family Restaurant banner.

Kenison, general manager of Andria’s Steakhouse at 6805 Old Collinsville Road in O’Fallon, Ill., has pitched an idea for Max and Muggs, which would offer burgers, gourmet sandwiches and craft beers, among other menu items.

He recently announced that they’d like to be considered for the Old Base Factory food hall that is currently in the works in O’Fallon. It will be located on 2.5 acres near the Family Sports Park’s east entrance at 230 Oberneufemann Road.

“It’s a great idea, and we want to be a part of it. We wanted to express our interest,” Kenison said. “We have had email exchanges with the Wallace brothers, but know they are in the preliminary stages of planning.”

He said they are open to other proposals too.

Andria’s will continue to be the traditional “Supper Club” that it’s been known for the past 46 years.

“Food brings people together, and this is what I like to do,” he said. “I started bussing tables here when I was 10, and I have had every job in the place. I love the atmosphere and the connection that we have built at Andria’s over the last several decades. It’s special and honestly it is what keeps me coming to work every day.”

Since 1978, when his grandparents, Sam and Muggs Andria, opened their home to the public, the restaurant has grown from a quaint farmhouse with music jam sessions in the basement to a white-tablecloth, fine-dining destination for special occasions.

“They treated everyone like family, so did my mom and dad (Maureen and Larry Kenison), and that’s what we do. This has been a place where memories are made, which won’t change,” he said.

Maintaining their roots and keeping traditions is important to him, but so is expansion in other markets.

“As the business turns the page into the next generation, the family is ready to position a new concept that will pull from our rich history while maintaining our commitment and deep roots in Southwestern Illinois,” Kenison said.

“Now, is the perfect time for us to take on a new venture outside of our traditional roots, as our loyal staff has positioned us to be well-suited for additional responsibilities,” Kenison said.

“This vision would tie to our family’s history by including my Grandma Muggs in the naming of our restaurant, and it would offer a variety of casual food options and local brews,” he said.

Kenison, who said his children play at the O’Fallon Sports Park, was intrigued by the Wallaces’ plans announced in April.

“Now that I am a father myself, I tend to get pulled into the kids’ competing sporting events, which makes this idea even more appealing,” he added.

While hand-cut steaks are what Andria’s is known for, Kenison said they have added more fish and seafood items over the years and have introduced different appetizers for variety. They have started Friday night specials under $20 to offer something different.

“The kitchen staff likes to try some new things. They made Korean chicken and waffles one Friday,” he said. Grilled Chicken with pan-seared gnocchi served with basil pesto sauce was last week’s special.

A popular bar menu item is a cheeseburger that’s made with ground strip steak, ribeye and filet. Chicken wings, duck wings, meatball sliders, and a salmon Caesar salad, are among the items available in the bar or on the patio.

Andria’s is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Live music is available in the bar on Fridays and Saturdays, with renowned flamenco guitarist Lliam Christy playing. For reservations call 618-632-4866 or visit our website at https://www.andrias.com/

Their original family recipe steak sauce is available throughout the U.S. and can be ordered online.

The Old Base Factory

Eric Wallace said he and his brother Mike are currently developing plans for the food hall, which they hope to open in spring 2025.

“We are making no commitments to any potential food vendors until we have plans, costs, expectations, and so forth,” Wallace said. “We love Andria’s and plan to consider their concept. We are early in the process. We hope to be able to have meaningful discussions with vendors this fall.”

The Wallaces were granted a zoning use variance from agricultural to commercial last spring to convert a former tool and die shop into a space for indoor and outdoor dining.

The Old Base Factory may include five to eight food vendors inside and have a dog-friendly outdoor space that can accommodate large groups and sports teams. Plans include a 3,000-square foot covered patio.

Eric Wallace said they want to be an incubator for up-and-coming culinary artists in the area to test their concepts but said they are also open to established restaurants wanting to expand their reach.

The project will not have late hours, closing at 10 p.m., or loud outdoor music, and Wallace said they are working on improved drainage and addressing traffic flow, with added turn lanes, crosswalks and additional parking.

“We are committed to the community and our neighbors both for and against the project. We promise to keep the communication lines open and not finalize plans or break ground until we feel we have considered all practical options to address concerns,” Wallace said after the May 20 city council meeting.

“We hope to transition the old factory into a special place with local vendors our community will be proud to show off to the visitors to our town and a convenient place for visitors to the park to enjoy high quality food and beverages from local vendors,” he said.

The Wallaces would like to tie the site’s history into the new place, with its special connection to Major League Baseball, and hope to honor it with a mural and artifacts.

The site had always been industrial, when Ray Oberneufemann started AAA Tool & Machine Company, in 1968, before O’Fallon had zoning.

Such custom metal fabrication services as oven handles, roller skate wheels, truck and tractor parts, and other items were made there.

Beginning in 1973, they made all the metal base assemblies for Major League Baseball, and now make over 60,000 a year. These are shipped to Rawlings to install the final padding and logos, and then sold to the MLB.

MLB uses nine bases per game, switching them out in third and sixth innings, he said.

The O’Fallon business was in operation for over 50 years, and Ray’s two sons joined him in the business. After retirement, they sold the company to Brian Wort in 2014. He also started Velocity Metalworks, operating under one roof, and moved to a larger site in Belleville in February. They also have a facility in Hoffman, Ill.

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