The Scoop: Fred and Ricky’s to serve plant-based fare in St. Louis County

  A plant-based, grab-and-go concept is coming to St. Louis, as Fred and Ricky’s prepares to open in early 2016 in Westport and Creve Coeur. Kathleen “Fred” Waidmann and husband Ricky Waidmann aim to “make plant-based food that is interesting and satisfying,” said Kathleen Waidmann, who grew up on a farm and has experience in food service. She will serve as chef, preparing a seasonal menu inspired by family recipes. Fred and Ricky's will feature vegan, plant-based dishes with no added oils like Waidmann's Plantasagna, a plant-based lasagna, the butternut squash soup and the chocolate pudding. Fred and Ricky’s will have two locations. The Westport location at 64 Weldon Parkway will have a commissary kitchen and grab-and-go service when it opens in January. A retail location with grab-and-go products and a small, sit-down space with 10 to 15 seats is set to open at 11252 Olive Blvd., in Creve Coeur in early February. Both locations will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. “Ricky is an entrepreneur by spirit, so we’re extremely sensitive to what the market wants,” Waidmann said. “If more people want to spend time sitting in the restaurant to eat, we’ll put in more tables and chairs.”