Cugino’s has opened a second location at The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis

Florissant eatery Cugino’s has expanded to St. Charles County. The restaurant has opened a second location at 10 Meadows Circle Drive, at popular shopping center The Meadows at Lake Saint Louis. After a series of soft openings during the winter, Cugino’s Lake St. Louis recently held its grand opening event.

After operating for nearly 20 years in Florissant, Mike Scaglione, general manager at the Lake St. Louis location, told Sauce that the decision to open a second location in the area was due in part to restaurant owners Dave Beckham and Ben Goldkamp wanting to meet customers where they are.

“Some of our North County customers have moved out that way, so it made sense, and the Meadows was the perfect space and location,” Scaglione said.

The eatery draws its name from Beckham and Goldkamp’s relationship to each other, since ‘cugino’ means cousin in Italian. The new restaurant is located near Von Maur, in a space that formerly housed other eateries, including Ohio-based chain Max & Erma’s. Seating capacity for the new Cugino’s is 150 guests inside, and more seating will be available outside, when the patio opens.

The interior features a bar area, with five high-top tables in the bar space, as well as seating for 12 at the bar. With nearly 20 TVs located throughout the restaurant, guests can catch up on St. Louis sporting events, no matter where they’re seated in the eatery.

When it comes to the menu, Scaglione said that guests can expect to find a variety of smash burgers, as well as sandwiches, like a pastrami sandwich made with meat that’s cured in-house and a few elevated entrees, which are available exclusively at the new location. There are also pasta dishes to choose from, including a tagliatelle Bolognese.

Although there are new menu options at the second location, guests who have eaten at the Florissant restaurant will still be able to find some favorites on the Lake St. Louis menu, including the eatery’s popular appetizer. “Our stuffed meatballs are a best seller and they’re available at Lake St. Louis,” Scaglione said.

The signature starter consists of three large meatballs filled with Provel that are then fried and topped with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.

In terms of beverages, there are 12 taps on site, most of which are dedicated to beers made by Florissant craft brewery Narrow Gauge Brewing Co., as well as a diverse wine list. Scaglione said the cocktails have a focus on bourbon and that the eatery will carry an array of bourbons, all of which are priced to sell.