The third Crushed Red location in as many years is set to open in 2015, this time in Creve Coeur. The new location at 11635 Olive Blvd., will offer the same prepared to order salads, pizzas and appetizers as the Clayton and Kirkwood locations.
“We really believe in our approach: healthy food served quickly,” said owner-partner Chris LaRocca. “Diners can see their food being chopped and tossed. We get high marks for freshness and food with a healthful slant.”
The Creve Coeur restaurant is slated to open April 7, 2015 and will boast seating for 99 inside and 32 on its patio. “We’ve been working on this location for a long time and we’re really excited,” LaRocca said.
The expansion of Crushed Red doesn’t stop in West County. LaRocca and his partner have entered into franchise agreements, which means the opening of six additional location in the metropolitan Denver area. The first Rocky Mountain restaurant is also set to open April 7.
Also expanding is San Jose Mexican Restaurante. It will take over the space formerly occupied by La Cantina in Webster Groves at 35 N. Gore Ave., and chef-owner Fernando Mesa hopes to open the week of Dec. 29. “This is a nice opportunity for us,” Mesa said. “The building is nice, the people are nice. This is a family restaurant for everybody.”
The newest San Jose Restaurante will see Mesa manning the kitchen, serving up the same variety of house-made fare available at the Crestwood location, including mole, tamales and chips.
This article appears in December 2014.