Until recently I had not been to Weber Grill located on the north side of the Galleria.  I’d seen the big, red grill atop the store when I drove by, but figured it was an accessory store for backyard cooks. True, there’s many a grill, gas and charcoal, to select from, but the place is also a restaurant chain, one of five located in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, but St. Louis is the only one with a grill academy.

Lunch at Weber Grill Restaurant

I checked the Yelp reviews before joining my friend for lunch.  It seems they had a rough opening last month. Critics spoke of the poor service, cold food, and long waits, etc., so I was interested to know if they had ironed out the wrinkles.

At the entrance, a pleasant young man said there would be a five minute wait, which was fine since my friend had not yet arrived.  When I inquired about where to sit, he ushered me into an adjoining lounge with a television and overstuffed chairs next to a fireplace and asked if I wanted a beverage.

Later an equally charming server guided us through the menu, offering comments and suggestions.  We both ordered the Smokey Joe—brisket burnt ends that were shredded, sauced and stacked to overflowing on a grilled bun ($10). He said it was a customer favorite.

It was about 12:45, but the place was still full.  Even so, it didn’t seem loud or crowded.  (I know Millennials like “loud and crowded,” but we Baby Boomer are still into “relaxed and cozy.”  And we like parking, lots of parking.)

I was astonished when our order appeared quickly.  The hot tea was hot (as it should be) and the tea chest selection to my liking and the desserts attractively presented. Obviously, something had happened between grand opening and now that had really made a difference.  Good work, Weber Man!

 

Weber Grill Academy

From my Google search, I found that Weber Grill also offers classes on outdoor cooking.  After lunch, I wandered into the teaching area and talked with Chef Keith Brockman. He was preparing for a session on steak and twice-baked potatoes, all cooked at the same time on the grill.  He was eager to tell me about their catering service, took time to show me his kitchen, pose for photos, and tell me about the upcoming classes.  (Schedule and details at the Weber Grill site.)  This is a great concept for Weber and a one-stop shop for budding outdoor cooks: taste, test, try, train.  All under one roof.  It couldn’t be easier.

If you have a griller in your family or if you aspire to better and easier barbecue, this is the place to kick start your summer cookouts.  A class would be a fun for a couple or a great gift for anyone who enjoys cooking.  I’m looking at some of those classes for myself and the outdoor cooks in the family.  I also have my eye on one of those grills. . . .and I’ve heard good things about the Summit Burger . . . .

 

Weber Grill Restaurant & Academy: 1147 St. Louis Galleria.  Open: Mon-Thu 11a-10p; Fri-Sat 11a-11p; Sun 11a-9p.