As the name implies, at Crusoe’s Legacy, legacy defines the ownership, informs the menu, and permeates the atmosphere. The restaurant and bar quietly opened August 30 at 4944 Christy, in the space formerly occupied by Keeton’s Double Play in the Bevo neighborhood. Former customers from both The Original Crusoe’s in Dutchtown and Keeton’s Double Play sat side by side at the bar, threw darts, and enjoyed bar and grill staples. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Atmosphere
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Located in a nondescript strip mall at the intersection of Christy Boulevard and South Kingshighway, the exterior lacks the architectural punch of the Original Crusoe’s handsome brick building in Dutchtown (though a parking lot is conveniently located behind the building). One step in the door, however, and the Crusoe’s legacy comes to life.
A tribute wall to the right of the front door features Crusoe’s signs, stained glass, photos, and ephemera from over the years, dating back to Crusoe’s opening in 1979. Product signs and posters from the 1920s through the 1970s pop up at the bar and in the dining room, including a staid black-and-white Wonder Bread Sign from the 1920s, Ramon’s brownie and pink pills sign from the 1930s, and a Howdy Doody fudge bars sign.
Handsome vintage mirrored beer and liquor signs and neon, mixed in with modern versions of the same, animate the space. Posters for liberty bonds from World War I and war bonds from World War II and a few versions of flag sculptures, including one made by an Original Crusoe’s customer using baseball bats for the stripes, hang around the bar and dining room.
Sports often play on the TVs. Dart boards hang near the bar, ready to host tournaments similar to the ones that Keeton’s hosted. Karaoke nights will also continue, as well as Sunday all-you-can-eat fish or fried chicken dinners. The U-shaped bar from Keeton’s is still in place, with many of the bartenders from the Original Crusoe’s behind the bar.
The Menu
The menu features appetizers, salad, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizzas, and other entrées. Among the sandwich options, the Santa Fe Chicken is topped with corn relish, soft cheddar cheese, and served with a spicy ranch sauce. The Smoke House Burger starts with a certified Angus beef patty with crispy bacon and onion strings piled on top, as well as a drizzle of sweet and smoky barbecue sauce.
The menu slimmed-down version of the Original Crusoe’s menu still includes favorites like mom’s meatloaf – as a sandwich or an entree, chicken mudega, grilled salmon, and barbecued pork steaks. “We took off some menu items, like liver and onions and roast beef that some people really liked, but they will still be able to get old favorites as specials,” Stevie says.
While the full-service bar doesn’t yet have a signature cocktail menu, Stevie says, “Every bartender has their own specialty drink, so it’s an interesting mix.” For night owls, the kitchen also stays open until 12:30 a.m.
The Concept
The Original Crusoe’s was a mainstay for more than 44 years under owner Steve Limmer and his wife, Kelly, who died in 2019. Following the pandemic and damages to the building during a storm in 2023, the family decided to close the original location, which their daughter, Stevie Limmer LaChance, had managed during the past decade.
After the announcement of the restaurant’s closing, in September 2023, there was a groundswell of support. Stevie and her husband, Elliot LaChance, decided to open Crusoe’s Legacy, drawing from their shared experiences to keep the family name and restaurant alive. When Keeton’s Double Play announced that it was closing, they quickly decided on the new space.
“We would frequent Keeton’s after work at Crusoe’s when we had sitters for our two boys,” Stevie recalls. “I think Larry and Donna Keeton started Double Play when they were close to the same age that Elliot and I are now. It’s kind of a cool transition—Larry was really happy to see us take it. He was ready to retire—he’s stopped in a million times already.”
“Elliot and I co-own Crusoe’s Legacy now,” adds Stevie, noting that her husband oversees the kitchen while she manages the bar and restaurant operations, as well as “anything else that needs to be done.” The couple also often bring their two boys, Patrick, age 4, and Nolan, age 2, to the family business.
“We want people to come in, feel welcomed, and have a good time,” says Stevie. “Everyone is welcome here.”
