Baileys' Restaurants debuts new ghost kitchen concept

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Courtesy Baileys' Restaurants

At Playing Ketchup, specialty dogs include the Porky the Dog (with pulled pork, bacon, creamy slaw, caramelized onions, and onion straws), American Dog, and Chicago Dog. 

‘Tis the season for ghosts…and ghost kitchens.

In simple terms, a ghost kitchen is a restaurant without seats, a narrow-focus pivot created to cater to the burgeoning food pickup and delivery business. Ghost kitchens tend to focus on a single, popular item. Recently, KC-style ribs, sandwiches, and other chicken wing riffs have launched out of kitchens in St. Louis, and a smashburger ghost kitchen is on the way.

Courtesy Baileys' Restaurants

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Last month, Dave and Kara Bailey, owners of Baileys’ Restaurants, introduced Wing Ding Dong, a chicken-wing based ghost kitchen concept operating out of Baileys’ Range.

This Thursday, they plan to roll out a new concept: Playing Ketchup, which will feature all-beef “ripper” hot dogs and brats—specifically the Grant’s Farm brat from G&W Meat, prepared in Zwickel, onion, and seasoning. 

The name was a snap for the Baileys. "Double entendres are the name of the game in ghost kitchens, apparently," says Dave, adding that more concepts are in the works as well. "We have no shortage of ideas. Our plan is to keep layering.”

The dogs and brats menu was spearheaded by Andy White and the team at Baileys' Range. Prior to his position as director of operations and culinary development for Baileys' Restaurants, White was the executive chef for the Schlafly brewpubs (Tap Room and Bottleworks), Brew Hub Taproom, as well as the former fine dining restaurant, Harvest.

Rippers are deep-fried dogs cooked to the point that they just start to rip open to produce that sought-after snap. Both buns and toppings, including a dozen ketchups and sauces, will be made in the company commissary. The buns are butter-rolled, then grilled.

The dogs, priced from $6 to $11, range from unadorned to piled high. The toppings list is formidable, with such options as white cheddar, blue cheese, kraut, chow chow, salsa, pulled pork, bacon, pickles, sport peppers, caramelized onions, grilled sweet jalapeños, onion raws, tomato, onion, lettuce, ranch, buffalo sauce, chili, mac 'n' cheese, Rooster mayo, cream cheese, and salsa verde.

Courtesy Baileys' Restaurants

If that list is overwhelming, then opt for a classic Chicago dog, with telltale neon green relish and sport peppers. Other specialties include the Buffalo Dog (topped with buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and celery), the American Dog (with bacon, mac 'n' cheese, Rooster mayo, and green onions), and The Ripper (with chow chow and bacon). Hot dogs and brats can be ordered individually or in family meal packs. Sides include chili, chips, rings, mac 'n' cheese, and tots (plain, cheese, or loaded).

A roster of seven jugged cocktails (prepared with or without liquor) is also available for pickup and delivery. Drink options include cucumber mint lemonade, ginger peach lemonade, rasp lemonade, strawberry basil lemonade, bourbon basil ice pick, bourbon peach ice pick, and habañero margarita. Iced tea and sweet tea can be jugged as well.

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Courtesy Baileys' Restaurants

Menu items are available for third-party delivery or curbside pickup daily from noon–8 p.m. at Baileys’ Range (920 Olive). Delivery charges are waived for neighborhood parties and large orders placed in advance, so plan ahead.