Co-owner Adam “Tank” Tanksley behind the bar at Stone Turtle in Dogtown. The new owners installed the lovely patterned ceiling before moving in.

I don’t get into Dogtown near often enough. My daughter, Robin, lived on Louisville for more than ten years, so I got to know some of the neighbors and local pubs. And I’ve walked in the neighborh St. Patrick’s Day parade a few times. Recently I read about Stone Turtle, a bar/restaurant that opened in the area last December. Based on the splendid reviews, I added it to my culinary bucket list. This week along with a couple of friends, I headed out Clayton Avenue to take a look for myself. 

The spiffy new restaurant takes it name from nearby Turtle Playground. From the highway you can see the ferocious cement turtles, that guard the perimeter of Dogtown much like giant foo dogs at the entrance of a Chinese temple. Photo from Forest Park Statues website

An Upscale American Pub

Stone Turtle is located where Felix’s Pizza used to be before they moved across the street for more space. Like the old pubs in London, there are two separate entrances, one for the smaller bar area and another for the more spacious dining room.

Our lunch was on one of those recent warm days, when eating on a patio somewhere would’ve been pleasant. Even so, inside the dining room was bright and cheerful, its minimal, but welcoming decor accented with rustic flooring, a decorative ceiling, and colorful bar. 

Scanning the menu, I eyed the much-touted Lobster Roll. But “Tank”—one of the quartet of owners—also spoke highly of the House Burger; I succumbed. My friends went with the Spicy Chicken Penne and the Turtle Mac & Cheese. We all nibbled on a side dish of Brussels Sprout Salad that wreaked with flavor. Portions were so ample that we each needed a take-home carton.

View from the dining area into the bar. Seating includes a mix of tables, booths and old church pews. The white cloth napkins with decorative blue stripes are the size of small dish towels.  I like that.

The colorful chalkboard hawks the specials of the day.

The House Burger is amped up with beer cheese, bacon onion jam and frites. I ordered my burger cooked medium and it came juicy and served to perfection.

Turtle Mac & Cheese is made with 3 cheeses and bacon and topped with crunchy corn flakes. Hmm . . .  bacon and cornflakes . . . I wonder: Does that qualify the dish as breakfast food?

Spicy Chicken Penne includes sauteed chicken, garlic, spinach, tomatoes, and spicy tomato cream sauce.

Brussels Sprout Salad get dressed up with flavor from pork belly lardons, bleu cheese, candied walnuts and sherry bacon vinaigrette. 

I ran onto some folks who read my blog and we had a great visit. (left to right) Dan Albanello, Carol Harper Stout, me, Kenneth Graham, Kris Duvall and Patty Emerson. I also discovered we had some mutual friends; St. Louis is such a small town.

More on the Menu

There were tempting desserts, but it was mid-afternoon so we demurred. All the more reason to return for such attractions as Turtle Pie Cream Cheese Cake with chocolate, peanuts, and caramel. 

I’m thinking Stone Turtle would also be a good Sunday brunch destination, where you could enhance your weekend with such offerings as a breakfast burrito, chicken and waffles, grilled salmon with cheese grits, or the Vegetarian Breakfast in Bed.

Though I don’t have the expertise to evaluate the bar, I’m told that their signature Smoked Old Fashion is noteworthy. The mixture is shaken in a mason jar with applewood smoke and poured over ice. As a bonus, you’ll find a tiny (plastic) turtle inside the ice cube. Hmm. . . I wonder if I could get the same thing in a glass of iced tea?

Diner Alert! Stone Turtle is closed on Tuesday.

Next door is the cutest little barber shop I’ve ever seen!

Stone Turtle Restaurant and Bar. 6335 Clayton Ave. Open: Mon 11a-Midnight; Wed-Thu 11a-Midnight; Fri-Sat 11a-1a; Sun 10:30a-Midnight. Closed on Tuesday.