The man behind Belleville’s Beast Craft BBQ to launch new restaurant concept in O’Fallon

For those of you missing the Friday night fish fry at the KC Club & Event Center in O’Fallon, there’s exciting news.

The KC Club announced on its Facebook page that Smoke & Kettle, a new concept by David Sandusky, is bringing fish back to the venue starting Friday, Feb. 9.

Just in time for Lent.

Sandusky is the owner of Beast Craft BBQ in Belleville.

He’s also “the man who beat Bobby Flay,” said bar manager Brad Cason.

In addition to being a restaurateur, chef and pitmaster, Sandusky participated in the televised cooking shows “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “BBQ Brawl.”

In looking for a replacement for the Swansea Fish Stand, which closed earlier this month, the club also considered teaming up with Takozz, the “fast casual” restaurant and food truck.

Cason said Takozz came in at a very close second. They’re “just a fantastic bunch of people.”

Sandusky has had great business plans over the years and shares core values with the KC Club. He’s a good match, Cason said.

“No one’s more excited than us at the KC Club,” he said.

In a separate interview, Sandusky said he sees the new partnership “as a wonderful opportunity to do more for our community, to expand what we’re capable of … meet new people.”

A press release from Smoke & Kettle states that the new brand will feature “fish & chicken-forward dishes, with some BBQ on the menu for good measure.”

Sandusky said while the new concept will offer barbecue, it won’t be the same barbecue folks can get at Beast.

The new kitchen at the KC Club could be a test kitchen for new recipes, he said.

One of the biggest benefits to working in the KC Club kitchen, said Sandusky, is the opportunity to book the banquet hall for the catering side of their business.

They’ll be able to accommodate large groups in the 300-seat banquet hall and feature all of their brands, according to the press release.

But to start, Smoke & Kettle will focus on Lent, starting on Fridays, with a fish menu that will include “handmade recipes for catfish, cod & shrimp, as well as other Lenten favorites,” stated the release.

After Lent, Smoke & Kettle plans to open for evenings, Wednesday-Saturday, with a bigger menu that will be announced soon.

As business progresses, said Sandusky, they could add more days, open earlier for lunch, things of that nature.

Smoke & Kettle is inside the KC Club & Event Center located at 5420 Old Collinsville Road in O’Fallon.

For more information or updates, follow Smoke & Kettle or the KC Club & Event Center on Facebook.