Have a Cow or, at Least, a Burger

My friend, Sally, suggested we lunch at Have a Cow. The unique diner just opened 4 months ago and she knew the cook. I was game, even though the Lafayette Street location is a “fer piece” from my condo. When you see the 1947 Allis-Chalmers tractor on the front porch, you know you’re there.

An Unforgettable Name

I appreciate it when a restaurant comes up with a whimsical name. I want the name to be memorable and have enough vowels to roll off the tongue nicely.

Ta-Dah! Welcome “Have a Cow” to the gastronomic landscape. According to the owner, Steve St. Pierre, the unique name is a flip on the phrase “Don’t Have a Cow.” In other words, do something crazy.

In addition to lunch, dinner, and an all-day breakfast menu, Steve encourages rural-city activities with the sale of frozen beef and honey from his farm, as well as cookies, scones, brownies, birdfeed, poultry raising supplies, pet food, gifts, soaps and coffee.

Why?

To understand Cow’s unique concept, you must first understand Steve. He’s literally a man on a mission. After spending 18 years running his three toy stores in Illinois and a brief stint in Kenya helping to feed school children, he and his wife, Lisa, decided to direct their efforts at making a difference in the world.

A Bridge Builder

Steve is a bridge builder. One with a desire to bridge the gap between rural and urban, as well as the various cultures in the city.

Today he’s creating jobs and job training in the central corridor’s Gate community. His new diner (opened January 20) means customers can enjoy one of Cow’s organic burger or brisket sandwiches from cattle raised on Steve’s Hereford farm near Owensville. At the same time, patron are helping to provide job training.

His intention is “to foster connections and provide opportunity for folks from different backgrounds to come together, break down cultural barriers, and serve one another.” Steve’s eyes light up as he admits, “I love it when someone hires away my staff at a higher salary. That means I’ve done my job in preparing them for advancement.”

Holy Cow!

You come away from Cow thinking the world would, indeed, be a better place if there were more people like Steve St. Pierre.

Owner Steve St. Pierre and daughter at Have a Cow. Steve works with Restore St. Louis, a not-for-profit group, that promotes the re-furbishing of the city’s neighborhoods. The family lives in the West End area.