New eatery aims to elevate Cahokia Heights with upscale menu, local hiring
A new restaurant in Cahokia Heights with a menu of fine dining options opened Thursday.
Cahokia Heights Fine Dining, located in a former Hardee’s at 1508 Camp Jackson Road, is owned by Zeleke Awash. Its offereings are more sophisticated than diners will find in a fast food joint.
Laverne Hagler, the restaurant’s general manager, said Awash was looking for a site to bring something nice to the area and “stumbled upon us [Cahokia Heights].”
The building was vacant for about five years, Hagler said. Awash bought it and completed repairs and updates by the time Hagler joined the restaurant team.
Images of dishes featured on the menu are on the business’ website.
“The food is just as good” as it looks, said Hagler. “We are gonna have it all.”
Dishes are prepared by lead chef Tracy Stevenson and chef Charles Monroe. Menu items include entrées like roasted chicken, pan-seared lamb chops and filet mignon. Soup and salads, appetizers, sandwiches and burgers, pasta dishes, seafood options, sides, a kids menu, and desserts are also available.
The full menu is listed on the restaurant’s website.
The week before opening, staff members were trained and final preparations for opening were made. It was the restaurant’s aim to “hire within the community first” before opening positions to everyone, said Hagler.
Hopes are to soon hire more people before operating the restaurant on a fuller schedule.
“It has been a challenge, but we’re making it work,” she said.
Hours at Cahokia Heights Fine Dining will be noon to 7 p.m. daily until further notice. For info, call 618-646-9020 or visit chfinedining.com.
A popular produce stand reopens this week
After postponing its reopening for the season, Mike & Sarah’s Produce in Collinsville will reopen Friday, April 17.
Upon closing for the season in November, owners Mike Freukes and Sarah Sadtler began a renovation project for the building at 116 N. Bluff Road. A big part of the project entailed opening the brick wall in the middle of the building.
The couple planned to reopen Feb. 1, but the renovation took longer than expected.
The store will be stocked with a variety of fresh produce and canned and frozen goods. Also on offer will be vegetable plants, bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs and fresh flowers, just in time for Mother’s Day. Succulents, tropical plants and other items will become available in the coming weeks.
Hours are Mike & Sarah’s Produce will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For more info, call 314-686-3399 or visit the business’ Facebook page.
A few recent openings & a closing
Calle 3 Tacos + Margaritas in Breese opened Monday under the ownership of Rufino Jacinto, whose family owns and operates Agavero Grill & Cantina in Collinsville and other eateries in O’Fallon, Edwardsville, Mt. Vernon and Salem.
Menu items include appetizers, chimichangas, fajitas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas, all with seafood, chicken and steak options, and a long list of specials such as pork belly tacos and the Torta Cubana, a Mexican sandwich on crispy bread filled with chicken, chorizo, frank slices, beans, jalapeño and sour cream. Lunch specials, a kids menu and combo plates are also available.
Calles 3 Tacos + Margaritas is located at 541 N. 3rd St. in Breese. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily. Call 618-526-9000 for more information.
Mango Thai, at the St. Clair Square, food court in Fairview Heights. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Olive Branch Restaurant, 204 Scott Troy Road, O’Fallon, offers Mediterranean fare such as shawarma, gyros, kabobs, hummus and more. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Sunday. 618-726-7012.
After little more than a year in business, Lucy’s Kitchen & Coffee officially closed last week.
Located at 508 S. Benton St. in New Athens, the woman-owned diner served breakfast all day, as well lunch and coffee drinks.
The closure was announced on the business’ social media. A voicemail message left at the business’ number was not immediately returned.
