Maybe you go to Cherokee Street for Mexican cuisine. Or perhaps for the vibrant bar scene or tasty baked goods. Soon, you’ll be able to hit the main business district of this bustling neighborhood for healthy drinks, snacks and meals.
Athlete Eats is opening in early February at 2837 Cherokee St. The company was founded two years ago by Simon Lusky, currently the team chef and nutrition specialist for the St. Louis Cardinals. At the time, Lusky held a similar position for the St. Louis Rams. What began as a small business cooking for players in the off-season has grown into prepared meals sold at area gyms such as some CrossFit locations and Nutraformance in Frontenac. Some six months ago, Lusky connected with local chef Bob Brazell (whose resume includes kitchen time at Mosaic, Niche, Monarch, Prime 1000, Pi at the MX, Gringo and most recently with chef John Perkins’ pop-up Agrarian and catering arm Entre). “We realized we both have the same belief in food and what we want to do locally,” Brazell said. So the pair decided to expand Athlete Eats with a sit-down location.
The tiny, 11-seat cafe will offer made-to-order juices and smoothies and even house-made kombucha on tap at its juice bar. Artisan coffees and loose teas also will be available. The food menu will rotate with a mere five items on the chalkboard at one time. Customers on the go can stop in and grab prepared snacks and meals.
When doors are unlocked, Athlete Eats will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This article appears in January 2014.