Karsyn’s Soule’ to open in former Gringo space in downtown St. Louis

JaNerra Carson-Slaughter plans to open soul food restaurant Karsyn’s Soule’ in the former Gringo space downtown (635 Washington). Carson-Slaughter, who operated the original location in Fairview Heights from 2021–2023, hopes to open the new restaurant in early May (h/t to downtown promoter Denis Beganovic for providing first details).

The Menu

Carson-Slaughter describes the menu as “soul food/comfort food.”

The menu will be built around three core items: chicken wings, pork chops, and catfish.

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

“We’re known for our catfish,” says Carson-Slaughter, but each day of the week will also have its own daily special. “Something like maybe a meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy and carrots, or maybe smoked ribs.”

To supplement the entrées, a selection of traditional, comforting sides will include mac n’ cheese, yams, collard greens, and more.

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

All Shots

Overlay

Close

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

A few additional items will also be available for lunchtime crowds. The “express lunch” menu could feature such dishes as a grilled chicken or turkey sandwich with a side. “Something that’s quick and that would allow the people to come in, grab, and get on back to work,” Carson-Slaughter says.

Carson-Slaughter also intends to secure a liquor license, which will allow the restaurant to offer a range of wine, beer, and cocktails, in addition to sweet tea and sodas. She’s working on a signature cocktail for $5—”something similar to a martini,” she says.

The Atmosphere

Measuring roughly 4,500 square feet, Karsyn’s Soule’ will have space for approximately 100 dine-in guests.

A VIP room will be used for private parties, meetings, and other events, with space for an additional 60 guests.

Karsyn’s Soule’ will be open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday and closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Backstory

Carson-Slaughter and her husband, Vernon Slaughter, launched their catering business, Karsyn’s Katering, 12 years ago. They expanded into the brick-and-mortar restaurant business in November 2021, launching the first iteration of Karsyn’s Soule’ in Fairview Heights. During the pandemic, they built out their restaurant with a smaller dining space—but the limited space turned out to be an Achilles’ heel as the pandemic eased.

“I think the smaller space killed us,” Carson-Slaughter says. “A lot of our customers liked to dine in, and that dining room only allowed for 15 people. It doesn’t give you much room to sit and eat comfortably, and then we had patrons coming in and out, as well as DoorDash and all of that.”

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

Courtesy of Karsyn's Soule'

The Fairview Heights restaurant closed in December 2023, but the owners knew they weren’t done with the dining industry. They spent almost a year searching for spaces before landing on the former Gringo space. Now, as Carson-Slaughter looks ahead to a May opening for Karsyn’s Soule’, she believes good times are ahead for downtown St. Louis.

“While we’re in there working, I’m noticing a lot of businesses that are thriving on Washington,” she says, citing nearby locations of Hi-Pointe Drive-In and Sugarfire Smoke House. “Being part of that revival [of downtown] is a wonderful thing.”