Sunrise Superstars: Arnold's Quick Shop & Kitchen

Even amongst other mom-and-pop operations, Arnold's Quick Shop & Kitchen seems to have a quaintness and a cuteness that stands out.

Partly, it's because it's tiny. Though it's really a carry-out spot, they do have two tables with a total of four seats. The dining room practically belongs in a dollhouse.

Partly, it's because of its location. It's on a residential street in the Grove, near the corner of Choteau and South Taylor avenues, in the interzone between the artery of Manchester and the bustle of the Barnes Hospital / Washington University School of Medicine compound. It's one of those places that you may have driven by a thousand times without really seeing it.

But mostly, it's because Deborah Arnold and family open their breakfast-and-lunch grill weekdays at 5:30 a.m. to serve a cadre of devoted regulars – some of whom have been honored by having menu items named after them.

That includes the “Big Sonny” (four eggs, grits, toast, hashbrowns, choice of meat) and the “Wendell Special” (four eggs, toast, hashbrowns, choice of two meats).

Not only can you can order a hamburger with egg and cheese on toast for breakfast, you can order two split and grilled hot dogs on toast. The latter, called the “Dan/Tom Special,” is named after the regulars who order it. One of them works for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and the other for the City Forestry Division, explained Arnold.

The popular “Ghetto Platter” is a huge mound of biscuits-and-gravy, hash browns and three eggs.

Lunch items include the Grilled Cheese Supreme, with half a dozen pieces of bacon tucked inside. “Bobble Burgers” are adorable sliders served in pairs. Tripe can be prepared in the extra-crispy style, or, for those who prefer, with more “pull.” Arnold's serves a Philly cheese steak, chili cheese fries, nachos, hot wings, and that Lenten favorite, fried-cod sandwiches.

The Arnolds started the business in 2005. It was a dream of Deborah's husband John Arnold, Sr., who passed four years ago. The family lives nearby in the Grove, said Deborah, and they wanted their own business in their own neighborhood, to someday gift from parent to child.

Over the last decade, Deborah's mother, her sister and Deborah's five sons and one daughter have all worked here. Deborah's son Daron Arnold, also a chef at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, sometimes pulls a double, working first for his mom at the Quick Shop, and driving right from there to the hotel kitchen.

“It's not too bad,” he said. “I love to cook. My dad taught me how to cook.”

The business is still recovering from the I-64 rebuild that directed traffic away from so many area businesses a few years back, said Deborah.

One factor that may be slowing their bounce-back is Arnold's wallet-friendly low prices. Omelets are $5. Nachos Supreme, with ground beef, tomatoes, nacho cheese and so on, are just $5. Chicken quesadillas are $4.50. The Dan/Tom hot dog sandwich is $4. A side of French toast is $3.

But hey, it's not all about the money. The good souls at Arnold's are really proud of all the Thanksgiving dinners they hand out each year. Really, it's more like a week of dinners in a box. The walls of the small dining room are lined with photos of recipients smiling as each receives his or her box of canned goods, produce, bread, mac & cheese, eggs, dressing, cranberry sauce and chicken (it's more popular than turkey). They donated 123 dinners last year. It's a lot of giving for such a tiny operation. (And it's accomplished with help from other generous businesses like City Lighting, said Deborah.)

If you're an early riser or a real late go-to-sleeper, it's good to know Arnold's opens for breakfast a good 90 minutes before most other restaurants that serve breakfast. And it's good to know your money supports a very small family business hidden in the folds of the Grove.

Arnold's Quick Shop & Kitchen

4470 Chouteau

Mon - Fri: 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sat: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sun: Closed

314-531-5357

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