Renderings courtesy of JGA
Kingside Diner, the chess-themed diner concept, is upping its game once again. As first reported in the Riverfront Times, an offshoot of the locally owned chain will debut next March in Terminal 1 of St. Louis Lambert International Airport between gates C8 and C9.
The Concept
Courtesy of Kingside Diner
Kingside Diner's Damn Delicious - two scrambled eggs with bacon on a croissant with sausage gravy, shredded cheddar, and snipped chives
Kingside owner Aaron Teitelbaum says the airport originally approached him with the idea. Instead of trying to operate in a location where he had “zero experience,” he says, he sought out Paradies Lagardère, a leading travel retail and foodservice company with operations throughout the United States and Canada.
“I was excited that so few airports offer anything resembling a diner experience," he says, "and both of us knew that travelers are familiar with the concept and the comfort foods they offer.”
When Teitelbaum learned that Paradies operates large chains, locally owned concepts, and "is known for staying true to each and every brand, that became an important part of our decision-making process,” he says. “To that end, their chefs have been working with ours to select and streamline items that work best in an airport setting and that can be prepared in five to eight minutes. Their team will be training in our restaurants and will be blessed by us before the doors ever open.
“Part of the beauty of Kingside is that [executive chef Eric Prophete] created our recipes to be executed by anyone” Teitelbaum adds. “I call it ‘fail-safe prep,’ especially since Paradies is using our vendors."
Renderings courtesy of JGA
The Atmosphere
In terms of the interior, "the designers at JGA nailed it,” says Teitelbaum. "The open kitchen, the subtle chess theme, the lure of the bar...which I expect will sell its fair share of coffee drinks, bloodies, and mimosas to thirsty travelers. I didn’t make one change to what was presented. It’ll be the best-looking restaurant in the entire airport.”
Renderings courtesy of JGA
In addition, there’s a window where guests can order and pick up, allowing travelers to grab items on the way to their gates. “In bigger airports, you can order food on apps and have it delivered to your gate,” Teitelbaum says. “We’re not there yet, but it gives us something to shoot for.”
The Background
Courtesy of Kingside Diner
The airport location is the fourth spot for Kingside Diner. The flagship location opened in the Central West End in 2015 across from the World Chess Hall of Fame and moved to the more visible corner of Maryland and Euclid (the former Gamlin Whiskey House space) in 2020. In the interim, a sister location opened in the Clayton on the Park Building in 2018. Kingside Express, offering items tailored for pickup and delivery, opened in September in the Delmar Loop.
Teitelbaum admits that he has bigger hopes and aspirations for the Kingside model. “Part of my purpose in taking this step is to grow the concept in airports and hotels,” he says. “My dream and my goal is to make Kingside a well-known, powerful brand.”
Renderings courtesy of JGA
