‘Fast-casual’ dining flourishes in O’Fallon. Here’s where you can get good eats in a jiffy
Ready to sip a refreshing honeydew bubble tea, a lavender lemonade mimosa or a tropical tiki drink? Want to sample unicorn bark on top of your frozen custard? Craving a Bloomin’ Onion?
Whether you are hungry for your favorite treats or want to try some new flavorful food and drinks, a wider expanse of culinary options is available this summer in all corners of O’Fallon.
Community Development Director Justin Randall said that fast-casual dining is flourishing, which is key to the city bouncing back from the public health crisis restrictions after the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021.
“O’Fallon has rebounded with a tremendous level of growth,” Randall said.
While the restaurant industry still has challenges with hiring and retaining employees, reworking business models for efficiency, and setbacks because of waiting for supplies, the optimism about turnarounds and pivots is obvious.
Here are places that opened or expanded this year, several of them focusing on global cuisines:
Taste of the Tropics
Le Ono, an upscale restaurant spotlighting Pacific Island dishes served with a French flair, began new hours on July 12 after a successful soft opening in June at 101 S. Cherry St.
Located in a revamped labor hall across from Peel, they are now open from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday for dinner, and food will be served in the lounge until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Whether you want steak and potatoes or marinated octopus in a citrus vinaigrette, Le Ono, which is loosely translated as “The Delicious,” has elevated flavors and crafted cocktails in a comfortable atmosphere. A tiki drink like an Amaretto Colada and will make you feel like you are on vacation. For reservations, visit: le-ono.resos.com/booking.
O’Fallon entrepreneurs Jon and Emily Greenstreet partnered with chef Talani Moe and his wife Lisa Udasco-Moe, who operate Grit & Tonic in Lebanon, to bring a breezy ambience to the downtown district.
Grown from a Poke Bowl Restaurant Model
An Asian-influenced gem, Yummy Rice Bowls is a made-to-order fast-carryout restaurant tucked into a strip shopping center near Aberdeen Village on Scott-Troy Road.
The mom-and-pop operation has gained a following since it opened in November, and chef-owner Nicholas Parraco said he and his wife Micailah are thrilled.
“It’s been very well-received, and we are very grateful for the support,” he said.
“We specialize in serving a variety of grilled Asian style barbecue paired with rice or lettuce base and your choice of toppings — a variety of fresh, pickled, and crunchy. Then choose to top your bowl with one of our signature house sauces,” Parraco said. “It’s a healthy ‘fast food’ option. Literally thousands of combinations to try.”
His wife’s mother operates Thip’s Thai Cuisine, but they are separate entities, although they have inspired his line of Thai teas, bubble/boba teas, and Japanese sodas (the largest selection east side), he said. Soon, they are going to collaborate with Juice Heal Thrive, he said, with details to be announced.
While growing up, Parraco’s dad’s job took them to locations abroad, and that’s when he became curious about local cuisines and eager to try different foods, and then attempted to recreate dishes at home.
“Food has always inspired me,” he said.
Currently, service is only carry-out, as there is no delivery or dining inside. They are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, but the other days open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
A Taste of Italy
Aaron Hudson, who operates Papa Murphy’s Take ‘n Bake Pizza at 1407 W. Highway 50, Suite 101, said his mother’s Italian heritage and his wife Jennifer’s Sicilian family motivated him to create GiGi’s Gelato and Italian Market next door, where his former Orange Leaf frozen yogurt was for 10 years. It is named after their daughter,
They wanted to make it a one-of-a-kind experience.
“We love authentic food and beverages. We love the people who grow and make them, the places they come from and their stories,” he said.
Open for a few months, they now have a liquor license for bottled wine, and offer pasta, sauces, olive oils and vinegars, rubs and spices, a gelato parlor, and fresh and frozen prepared foods. Several kinds of self-serve gelato are available, as is a toppings bar, like Tiramisu and Lemoncello.
A limited number of sandwiches are made fresh daily, and in the refrigerated case, including an Italian sub, “Jenny” with turkey and bacon, roast beef, and on Mondays, only Muffalettas.
Bread is delivered from The Hill six days a week, and so are cannoli shells that are then stuffed with a sweet creamy ricotta filling, with or without chocolate chips, and available in a refrigerated case.
Hudson said they launched Catering by GiGi last month and have several items like sub sandwich platters, salads and half and whole pans of pasta. Orders need to be made 24 to 48 hours in advance.
They have authentic sausages and homemade chicken spiedini ready for pick up, to be finished at home on your grill.
“We’re always open to trying new things,” he said.
He plans on hosting tastings every quarter so that customers can sample what’s unique about their shop.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Authentic Mexican
Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, located at 950 Talon Drive (the former Horseshoe Lounge), held their grand opening May 31. An extensive menu includes lunch specials, make your own combos, and desserts. The hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Frida’s Cocina is the new name of Casa Maria Express in the Scott Gate Plaza at 817 Seibert Road. This spring, they were approved to sell alcoholic beverages alongside their scratch Mexican kitchen items. Owner Gary Clinton of Gasu Properties has been in business since 2019. They are open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
What’s New This Summer
July is National Ice Cream Month, and Sunday, July 16, is National Ice Cream Day, all the more reason to get out and about mid-summer.
The aptly titled I Scream U Scream ice cream shop downtown has extended hours, as does Gators Fabulous Frozen Custard, now under new management, along U.S. Highway 50.
Gators has added Flavor Bursts to the soft-serve options, and Frozen Ski soda, and is open starting at 11 a.m.to 9:30 p.m., with 10 p.m. closing time on Friday and Saturday.
Katie Bee’s Sustainable Bakery and Café downtown had added Sunday brunch (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to its schedule, and now offer items buffet-style as well as eggs Benedict, avocado toast, crepes, and other specialties from their regular menu. New this summer are lavender lemonade mimosas.
Fezziwig’s Market has opened its downtown courtyard for wine tastings and just hanging out on the patio on Saturday afternoons. This Saturday, July 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. will be live music and a wine tasting.
