The name Elijah P. Lovejoy is familiar to history buffs and journalism students, and it will soon be well-known to customers at the Elijah P.’s Burgers & Brews in Alton, Illinois. The new pub slated to open at 401 Piasa St., is a project by Russ Smith, who named it for the Alton newspaper editor and abolitionist murdered by a pro-slavery mob in 1837.
Smith, who also owns Bossanova Restaurant & Lounge, said burgers will feature prominently on the menu. Elijah P.’s will source its proprietary blend from nearby Hansen Packaging Co. in Jerseyville and buns will be made in-house. The menu will also include salads and soups, and Ross hopes to make use of local ingredients. Jarvis Putnam, executive chef at Bossanova, is developing the menu at Smith’s newest restaurant.
Beer lovers will find 60 choices on tap and another 40 in bottles, with cicerones on staff to help decide. Expect local brews from both sides of the river, including Alton nanobrewery Templar and Excel Brewing in Breese. Smith also hopes to have draft beer by Scratch Brewing.
Located in a former furniture store, the space has been rehabbed to offer seating for 200 and a warm ambiance with an historic feel. Seating capacity will double when a patio with a pavilion opens in warm weather. Smith said Elijah P.’s Burgers & Brews will open as early mid-March with a grand opening slated for mid-April.
This article appears in Guide to Beer 2015.