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Central Newsmagazine is Central St. Louis County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Dining Spotlight |
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Big Bear Grill Is A Family AffairBy Betsy Zatkulak
 At Big Bear Grill, the overriding message is simple: Come as you are. Relax in the cozy, lodge-like dining room or unwind on the outdoor patio. Enjoy reasonably priced, high-quality comfort food, and be ready to be impressed, because the place is known to exceed customer expectations with its friendly service and big plates of food.
“It’s just about the people,” said Jeff Freed, one of Big Bear Grill’s proprietors. “We’re very family oriented. We’re the neighborhood place.” In fact, Big Bear Grill is one big family affair. Freed’s father, Arnie; his brother, David; and Ken Tracey, whom Freed described as “just like family,” opened the original Big Bear Grill nine years ago in Wildwood. Just more than a year ago, they opened a second location in Kirkwood. Big Bear Grill caters to young and old alike. Kids can turn pint-sized menus into mini pieces of art, which the owners are happy to showcase. There also is plenty of fishing and hunting memorabilia hanging around to keep young eyes and imaginations busy so the entire family can take time out to enjoy a relaxing meal. The restaurant also appeals to empty nesters, who can enjoy a satisfying lunch or dinner at pleasing prices. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Big Bear offers a comfortable atmosphere year-round. When temperatures are chilly, guests can warm up by the fireplace, cozy up to the bar for an Irish coffee or nestle into big, comfy booths. As warmer weather moves in, the patio complete with rope lighting, flower boxes, music and umbrellas invites guests to linger outdoors. Freed described Big Bear’s menu as American with burgers, homemade soups, daily specials and Sunday’s “best fried chicken in town,” served up with mashed potatoes, homemade white gravy and green bean casserole. Appetizers, sandwiches like the Ribeye Steak Sandwich with horseradish sauce and great big salads also take center stage. This spring’s Santa Barbara Summer Salad features a medley of field greens, carrots, radishes, bleu cheese crumbles, mandarin oranges, red onion and dried cranberries tossed in balsamic vinaigrette. Burgers, like the Big Bear topped with garlic cream sauce, and the Warson, crowned with Wisconsin cheddar, bacon and barbecue sauce, are big sellers. “We’re one of the few places that makes burgers medium rare because we use fresh meat and don’t bring in those frozen patties like many restaurants do,” Freed said. “We patty our own burgers. We make our own salad dressings and soups.” The dinner menu features beef, chicken, seafood dishes and rib-rubbed pork loin medallions with Big Bear Grill’s famous seven-spice rub. Standout entrees include 10- to 16-ounce hand-cut New York strip steaks, chicken spedini and grilled blackened salmon. Whatever the customer chooses, Freed said, Big Bear will “take that extra step, an extra little something so that it’s a better meal.” Big Bear Grill
Phone: (314) 821-1000
Location: 10017 Manchester Road
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
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