Soul food restaurant Tootie’s on Washington Ave. is now open in Downtown West in St. Louis

Tootie’s on Washington Ave., a Southern barbecue restaurant, opened at 1933 Washington Ave. in St. Louis in early April. Mike Green and his wife Bernadette co-own the restaurant with Dominique Coburn, also known as Tootie.

During the week, the menu includes classic grilled and smoked foods like fish and burgers. On Saturday and Sunday, they serve brunch foods like chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits as well as soul food like fried turkey, ribs and smothered chicken. They also offer a variety of sides such as green beans, macaroni and cheese with a cornbread crust, sweet potatoes, and coleslaw. All the foods can be topped with the “Tootie sauce” which Coburn described as “sweet, savory and spicy all at the same time.” While they’re still awaiting their liquor license, they’re currently serving up virgin daiquiris in rotating flavors. 

The space has gold walls, plates and table runners and decorative pillows and wicker baskets along the windowsills. The owners designed it to be a relaxed, family-oriented environment with a nightlife feel on weekend nights. They’ll occasionally have live music and also have karaoke machines. At around 2,000 square feet, the restaurant can accommodate about 55 people indoors and another 30 on the patio.

Tootie’s is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight or 1 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. To stay up to date, follow Tootie’s on Facebook or Instagram.