First Look: Fred and Ricky's in Maryland Heights

Grab-and-go is about to get healthier in Maryland Heights. Fred and Ricky’s opens doors tomorrow, April 8, at 64 Weldon Parkway. Co-owners Kathleen “Fred” Waidmann and Richard Waidmann have custom-built a 5,000-square-foot commissary kitchen to prepare plant-based, health-focused meals.

As Sauce reported in November 2015, Fred and Ricky’s menu features dishes without meat, dairy, eggs, refined sugar or oil. A small storefront at the commissary kitchen houses a refrigerated case displaying packaged breakfasts, salads, soups, baked goods and entrees like mushroom barley risotto and Plantsagna, a vegetarian lasagna with dairy-free cheese.

Chef Andy Harris has scaled up Kathleen Waidmann’s recipes that she developed for her husband, who follows a plant-based diet. While the Maryland Heights location is only grab-and-go, the Waidmanns are already working on another satellite location at 11252 Olive Blvd., in Creve Coeur, which will offer a handful of seats for customers. That location is slated to open at the end of the month.

Rather than operate a full-service restaurant, the Waidmanns said they opted for a grab-and-go operation to provide nutritious meals quickly for workers looking for a fast lunch or an easy dinner option. Mostly single-serving portions are packaged in recyclable, BPA-free plastic containers and include microwave reheating instructions. The Waidmanns hope to expand their concept quickly, adding more locations to be supplied from the Maryland Heights kitchen. They’re also planning a delivery service.

Fred and Ricky’s will be open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect when doors open tomorrow morning: