Three metro-east restaurants open, one closes & a remodeled café reopens
Here’s a list of recent restaurant openings and closings in areas outside of St. Clair County. Maybe some of these new places will appeal to the readers who don’t mind a bit of a drive to check out new places for good food, good drinks and good vibes.
A saucy new restaurant opens in Glen Carbon
If you’re a fan of chicken wings and are looking for a new place to sample, check out the Michigan-based chicken restaurant that recently opened on Route 159 in Glen Carbon next to Bubbakoo’s Burritos and Tropical Smoothie Café.
Wing Snob is a quick-service, fast-casual restaurant that offers a selection of chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, sides and even desserts. Loaded fries come in different flavors and are loaded with chunks of chicken.
The sauce options alone may be enough to tempt you to visit.
Sauces include chicken & waffles, lemon pepper (wet rub lemon butter with hint of pepper), awesome sauce, garlic parmesan, teriyaki, honey BBQ, Snobby Q, Buffalo, Buffalo parmesan, Buffalo lemon pepper, Cajun, sweet chili, Jamaican jerk, mango habanero, hot AF, lemon pepper (dry rub lemon citrus flavor with hint of pepper), Nashville hot and sweet heat.
Meal combos and fan packs for groups of two and more are available.
Wing Snob is located at 3901 S. State Route 159 in Glen Carbon. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
For more info or to place an order, call 618-366-9464 or visit wingsnob.com.
Chicago jerk with Caribbean soul comes to Alton
Jerked Up is a new eatery, located at 2711 Corner Court in Alton, featuring Chicago jerk with Caribbean soul.
Owner Jasmin Donlow started with a test menu that includes jerk shrimp pasta, jerk chicken pasta, wings, shrimp sticks and sides of grilled corn, sweet potatoes, cabbage and mac & cheese.
The business shared on its Facebook page that a revamped menu will be released soon.
Hours at Jerked Up are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until food is sold out, Tuesday-Sunday. Opening times may vary at first, so check out their Facebook page daily to see for sure.
Waterloo coffee shop gets new owner and a makeover
In case you haven’t already heard, The Coffee Girl is now open in Waterloo.
Now under the ownership of country singer and viral TikTok personality Alexandra Kay, the former Bean Tree Café underwent a remodel featuring a pink floral motif.
Kay recently told Sauce Magazine that she used to live in the neighboring apartment building and Bean Tree was a regular haunt.
Fans of Bean Tree’s menu can still enjoy many of the same offerings at The Coffee Girl, which opened June 19.
The Coffee Girl is located at 219 S. Main St. in Waterloo. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, and 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
For more information, visit thecoffeegirlcafe.com or the café’s Facebook page.
It’s game on in uptown Collinsville
Heritage Sports Bar & Grill is now open for business, offering a variety of appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches and other fine fare.
Notable menu items include burgers like the Dirty Jersey, Red Bird and The Power Play, the Club House (a sandwich with ham, turkey, bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on sourdough) and the Game Day Brat.
Other amenities at Heritage include games, patio seating, opportunities to watch ballgames and other sporting events, and occasional live music performances.
Located at 118 E. Main St. in uptown Collinsville, Heritage opens at 11 a.m. daily. For more info, call 618-223-1328 or visit the Facebook page.
Business offering ready-made meals calls it a day
Comfort Cuisine by Lolly owner Lori Bregenzer announced last month that she would close her eatery at 4 E. Broadway in Alton.
Specializing in takeaway home-cooked meals, Bregenzer, also known as Lolly, opened the business in fall 2023 as a way to spread her enjoyment of food. In addition, Comfort Cuisine was a healthier alternative for quick meals for people on the go.
Folks were able to pick up lunch or dinner selected from a fixed menu that changed weekly and always included a veggie-friendly option as well as dessert.
Her June 12 email announcement stated, “One of the most unexpected highlights of running the Eatery for me has been getting to know so many of my customers. It’s been great to cook for and meet so many kind and interesting people. I am truly grateful for each and every one of you!”
The business officially closed June 18.
