Fountain on Locust: eclectic eats in a retro eatery
Located on Locust Street in the heart of St. Louis' historic Automobile Row, the Fountain on Locust oozes historic charm from the outside. But it's only once inside, that you get a blast from the Art Deco past that demonstrates why the restaurant/soda shop's one of the most popular spots in St. Louis.
Built in 1916, the building began life as a showroom for Stutz Blackhawks and Bearcats, one of the finest luxury sports cars of their day. The restaurant is lovingly painted and decorated in the eye-catching Art Deco style of that period. (The Stutz history lives on, if only in paint: You can't miss the lemon-yellow Stutz racing across the wall as you dine!)
The menu is as eclectic as the décor. Start your meal off with the Fountain's signature Polish Dill Pickle Soup ($3.50 for a cup, $5.25 for a bowl). This dill-infused, potato-based soup relies on a family recipe.
Follow that with one of the Fountain's many scrumptious salads, such as the Famous Birdseed Salad, which consists of sunflower and pepita seeds, mixed nuts, Fuji apple bits and a brûléed apple slice showered on mixed lettuces with a creamy citrus vinaigrette ($6.99), or a St. Louis Salad, a hearty blend of mixed lettuces, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, red onion and Parmesan cheese, tossed with a house-made fresh vinaigrette ($6.29).
The Fountain's sandwiches are just as creative. Select from such offerings such as the Basilico Chicken, which is grilled chicken, onions, lettuce, tomato and fresh basil spread on focaccia ($7.59); a cheddar and vegetable sandwich ($5.99), an egg salad-and-spinach sandwich ($7.29) or a Blackhawk, which consists of roast beef, roasted red pepper, lettuce, tomato and a blend of goat cheese, olive oil, garlic and fresh basil on Vienna rolls ($7.99).
The Fountain also serves three types of pizza ($6.99–$8.59). You can add chicken to your pizza for an extra $1.99.
The Fountain on Locust serves ice cream and such soda fountain favorites as sundaes, ice cream sodas, milkshakes, phosphates, fountain sodas, real lemonade and even that New York staple, an egg cream! Flavors range from the common chocolate, vanilla and strawberry to the exotic pomegranate and Cherry Baby. The Fountain on Locust makes its own ice cream sauces and chocolates.
The Fountain serves cocktails as retro as the décor, all priced at $5: Pink Ladies, Rob Roys, Old-Fashions, Manhattans, Cuba Libres and more. Or better yet: Indulge in the Fountain on Locust's signature ice cream martinis ($6.99–$8): Espresso, Toblerone, Orange Dreamsicle, Mississippi Mudslide, Grasshopper, Chocolate-Covered Cherry and more flavors.
Hand-made chocolates at the Fountain cost $19 per pound.
Have your private party at the Fountain as an ice cream social or the more adult ice cream martini party. The Fountain can accommodate 10 to 110. Click here for details. You can book a party online, by calling (314) 535–7800 or e-mailing FountainOnLocust@yahoo.com.
Posted by Ivonne Rovira
