Historical March–April 2013 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Anthony Ellerson, Jr., opened The Kitchen Sink at 280 DeBaliviere for the same reason Kevin Costner built a baseball diamond in the movie Field of Dreams: An unwavering conviction that “If you build it, they will come!” And, like Costner’s character, Ellerson’s hard work and perseverance is starting to pay off. Since the restaurant opened its doors in September 2012, The Kitchen Sink has developed a devoted following within Skinker DeBaliviere and beyond. Neighborhood residents, college students, and employees citywide are drawn by Ellerson’s creative and flavorful take on American Cajun cuisine: Burgers, wings, salads, and specialty sandwiches, as well as etouffee, jambalaya, seafood gumbo, and a shrimp po’boy that one recent customer said was the best he’d ever eaten. Ellerson honed his cooking skills and his interest in owning a restaurant while working at Rigazzi’s on The Hill.
During a break in employment a couple of years ago, Ellerson was looking for a place to eat along DeBaliviere but couldn’t find one that appealed to him.
He decided then that the time was right to provide such a place himself, and The Kitchen Sink was born.
A true entrepreneur, the venture is entirely self-funded by Ellerson and his mother, an investment in the neighborhood in which he grew up and where he still lives. Ellerson renovated the restaurant himself, and the space is modern and spare. Sleek gray walls and black accents are enlivened by bright red booths, with a roll of paper towels on every table.
The Kitchen Sink has free WiFi and plenty of outlets for laptops at the counter beneath the large front windows, providing a great place to work (particularly between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.) and watch the human drama unfold on the sidewalks outside. And Ellerson acknowledges there has been some drama.
Some community members have questioned whether his location – directly next door to the busiest MetroLink station in St Louis – is a help or a hindrance. Ellerson admits it has been a challenge at times to ensure the right ambiance outside the restaurant and a “Good Manners Required” sign has been placed inside the front door.
He must be doing something right, however, because many residents and business owners have already noticed a positive impact on the DeBaliviere corridor. Ellerson is optimistic about his location, and envisions opening another restaurant nearby, possibly a sports bar, within the next five years. For now, Ellerson has his hands full with The Kitchen Sink: He has been working 15-hour days since the restaurant opened.
All of his food is made from scratch and cooked to order, and a full breakfast menu is available all day long.
The greatest rewards for all this hard work, he says, are the clean plates of satisfied customers and the gratitude expressed by residents who are glad he’s there. And he says he’s there to stay.
The Kitchen Sink 280 DeBaliviere (next to the Metro station) (314) 261-4455 Hours: M 8 am–8 pm; T-F 8 am–10 pm; Sat 12 pm–8 pm; Closed Sunday Catering available
Original photograph caption
Anthony Ellerson Jr. at The Kitchen Sink. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March–April 2013.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2013_02.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
