Cherokee Street has added a little bit of everything in the past decade, but one type of establishment that’s still missing is a sports bar—until this year.
Ojos Crazy Restaurant and Bar is slated to open at 2737 Cherokee in December. It marks the second venue from La Crazy Margarita’s Benito Rodriguez and Nayelith Gama. The new restaurant will serve up American and Tex-Mex bar food under the glow of flat-screen TVs showing all of the most popular sporting events.
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Once its liquor license is approved, Ojos Crazy will be open daily from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Here’s what to expect.
The Menu
On a street known for its authentic Latin American eateries, Ojos Crazy will set itself apart by serving American burgers, chicken tenders, wings, fries, cheese steak sandwiches, onion rings, and toasted ravioli—along with the requisite tacos, nachos, fajitas, and quesadillas.
Rodriguez is focusing on typical Mexican and American bar snacks that are easy to munch while customers’ attention is elsewhere. But as an experienced restaurateur, Rodriguez (who co-owns La Crazy Margarita on South Grand) also knows he’ll need to match the quality of other nearby restaurants where hungry fans could easily grab a bite before or during a game.
On the beverage side, Ojos Crazy will serve mixed drinks such as margaritas, palomas, and micheladas, as well as Mexican and American beers. Unlike La Crazy Margarita, where the cocktails are intentionally bold and creative, the focus will be on drinks that will quench customers’ thirst over the course of a few quarters, periods, or halves.
The Atmosphere
There’s not a seat in the house without a view of one of the seven large TVs. Rodriguez and Gama say they’ll tune in to whatever sports are in season, whether it’s soccer, baseball, football, hockey, or basketball—especially major events such as World Cup qualifiers and the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. “My favorite is boxing,” adds Gama, “and it’s on the upswing.”
They plan to attract Spanish-speaking fans of the Blues, Cardinals, and CITY SC, with promotions and specials posted in advance on social media. But above all, Gama says, “the service and food are most important. We want people to feel comfortable watching their sports in a good social environment.”
Ojos Crazy is just down the block from longtime Cherokee Street institutions such as El Torito and Carnicería Latinoamericano grocery stores and around the corner from the Casa Loma Ballroom. The shotgun-style storefront has a dozen tables around the sides and two bars where customers can congregate seated or standing, depending on their level of anxiety about their teams’ performance.
For those whose primary interest is socializing rather than watching sports, the simple black, white, and gray décor offers a refreshing alternative to the paraphernalia-draped walls of other similar establishments.
The Team
Gama and Rodriguez started talking about the Ojos Crazy concept two years ago, and he eventually convinced her to join him in a partnership where he’ll run the back of the house while she manages the front. This is Gama’s first venture into the restaurant realm; she currently works in insurance. “Everything is new for me, so I’m enjoying learning from the beginning,” she says.
Both Gama and Rodriguez are longtime St. Louisans. Gama, who was born in the U.S., lived extensively in Mexico City before moving to St. Louis 15 years ago. Rodriguez, originally from Tlaxcala, has lived here for 16 years. While they are excited to honor their Mexican heritage, they emphasize that Ojos Crazy isn’t exclusively for the Latin American community. “Anyone who loves sports from anywhere in the world can come and enjoy the atmosphere,” Gama says.
