Lester's Goes for the Home Run

Walking into Lester’s Sports Bar & Grill, 9606 Clayton Rd., one knows that this is not an ordinary sports bar.

Maybe it's walking by the statue of the iconic Stan Musial out front. Maybe it’s the 62 flat screen televisions that adorn the walls of the bar and restaurant area, including the ones over the urinals in the men’s room to insure no play goes unnoticed. 

Built in 2007 by St. Louis entrepreneur Lester Miller, Lester’s could make a sports fan out of a non-believer, probably because no matter where one looks, there’s a game of some sort playing. Patrons might actually believe they are attending the Big Game.  A huge four-sided stadium-style scoreboard with score updates forms the center of the bar.

 Booths in the dining room each contain “sound dogs” allowing diners to control the volume of the events.

 “We carry every available game,” said Pedro Beltranena, operating partner and vice-president of operations. “We buy all the packages, NHL, NBA, NFL, whatever is available.”

Sports are not the only draw, however.

“The only difference between our sports bar concept and a bar is that we treat our restaurant as a restaurant, not a bar,” Beltranena said.  “We pride ourselves on table maintenance and the ability to get food out quickly.

Ah, yes, the food – in all varieties and in large portions.

“We have barbecue, corned beef, pastrami, a little bit of everything,” Beltranena said. “We smoke everything in house from smoking the beef briskets to the brining process for the corn beef. Everything is homemade and made to order. We have a diverse menu and we’re not over the top on our prices”

He speaks the truth. A full slab of succulent baby back ribs is $21.95, but if that’s too much to handle, the half slab is $13.95. Both come with Texas toast and baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad. Or go for that St. Louis favorite, the pork steak platter for $13.95.

Some of the most popular items (there are so many) are the overstuffed New York Deli Sandwiches such as hot corned beef, hot pastrami (whole, $13.95 or half, $8.95) the hot smoked beef or turkey brisket (whole $12.50 or half, $8.95), and, of course, the Reuben for $11.95. All served on rye bread or a toasted roll with pickle and choice of coleslaw or potato salad. For a side with a bite, try the nacho mac and cheese ($4.95).

Toss some of that smoked beef, turkey or chicken on a bed of romaine and iceberg lettuce along with some roasted corn, black beans, cheddar cheese and spicy pecans, and you will have a tasty barbecue salad. ($10.95)

The extensive menu also includes a wide range of appetizers and homemade soups and chili, plus bulk carry out for every occasion.

West Countians can enjoy Lester’s at its Chesterfield location, 14810 Clayton Rd. Both phone numbers are 636-230-0055 or visit www.lestersrestaurant.com.