For decades, Lion’s Choice has been a beloved St. Louis staple, famous for its roast beef sandwiches, frozen custard, and that signature seasoning. But how does an iconic brand stay fresh while honoring tradition? In this episode, CEO Fred Burmer joins us to talk about what makes Lion’s Choice such a hometown favorite, how they’re introducing new menu items and innovations, and what it takes to keep a classic thriving in today’s competitive food scene.

For more than three decades, Chef Lou Rook III has been the creative force behind one of St. Louis’s most celebrated restaurants, Annie Gunn’s. Early on, Lou found himself choosing between two passions, football coaching and cooking, ultimately trading the field for the kitchen. But his love of coaching never went away. Today, he channels that same passion into mentoring and inspiring the next generation of chefs. In this episode, we talk about his journey from joining Annie Gunn’s after the Great Flood of ’93 to earning multiple James Beard Award nominations, the stories from the kitchen, and how he keeps a St. Louis classic fresh and relevant for new generations of diners.

Old Bakery Beer Company is more than a craft brewery, it’s a community hub. This year they are celebrating 10 years in Alton, Illinois. Co-owner Lauren Patten joins us on What's New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos to talk about the journey of creating one of the nation’s only certified organic breweries, the challenges and wins of sustainable brewing, and how OBB has grown into a family-friendly space loved by locals and visitors alike. We chat about their fall favorites like Oktoberfest, the shifting landscape of craft beer and why their restaurant is just as important as their brewery.

This podcast is presented by Kaldi's Coffee and recorded at Bucketlist Podcast studio.