A popular Belleville restaurant is now fully open at its new location. Here’s an update

When Clara B’s Kitchen Table announced last fall that the East Main Street restaurant would close and move to a new location, people were worried.

Owner Jodie Ferguson said folks were concerned that she would move her business to Missouri.

But she had “no intention of moving across the river” and opted to stay in Belleville.

LongStory Coffee owner Erik Busch feels the same about being in the area.

People don’t have to go to St. Louis to get high-end food or coffee, according to Busch.

In December, I learned from Busch that Clara B’s would join LongStory Coffee at 732 S. Illinois St.

At the time, he said that “having (Clara B’s) with us is, like, a match made (in heaven).

Ferguson said she felt the same.

When that news was posted on the Clara B’s Facebook page, people commented on the post, many of them thrilled (and relieved?) that the business would stay in town.

On Feb. 1, Clara B’s started providing breakfast items – breakfast burrito, (regular and vegetarian); a maple griddle sandwich; bacon, egg & cheese sandwich; and an egg & cheese sandwich – at LongStory.

The food truck served lunch a couple of days a week at LongStory as well.

Gradually more brunch and lunch items were offered as Clara B’s was built inside LongStory Coffee.

Today, Clara B’s Kitchen Table is fully open and back to serving meals many already know and love.

Some of Clara B’s previous regulars are still learning of its new location, according to Ferguson.

Busch added that others are learning of Clara B’s when they stop in at LongStory for coffee.

Both Busch and Ferguson agree that customers are ecstatic that Clara B’s is open.

Clara B’s held a soft opening on Wednesday, April 26, with a grand opening two days later.

Ferguson said it wasn’t too crazy and was glad because it gave her and her crew the opportunity to fix any hiccups.

Even now, they are still adjusting and getting into the groove of things.

Fully up and running

The Clara B’s menu is loaded with the comfort foods the business is known for.

Ferguson said griddle cakes and more brisket items are now on the menu.

Here are some of the eats on offer daily:

• Cowboy Breakfast: two eggs, choice of smoked brisket, baked beans, homestyle potatoes and cornbread;

• SXSW Turkey Club: smoked turkey, local thick cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, chipotle mayo;

• Brisket Po Boy: oak and mesquite smoked brisket, lettuce, tomato, spicy pickle, black garlic mayo;

• Fried Bologna Sandwich: garlic bologna, cheese, egg, pickled mustard seed aioli;

• And many other great items that you’ll just have to go check out.

Ferguson said that shrimp & grits and biscuits & gravy are available on weekends.

Grab-and-go items from Clara B’s are also available at LongStory Coffee (at least, until they sell out).

There’s a “little bit of Clara B’s available every day,” said Busch.

There are some “Sweet Side” items that include baked French toast, Texas cinnamon rolls (which are ginormous!) and blueberry corn muffins.

Clara B’s also offers snacks and sides, Clara B’s iced tea, juice and Excel soda.

And, of course, folks can get some LongStory coffee to go with their meals.

Ferguson said that she tries not to offer specials, but “special things keep happening.”

Special limited menus were recently offered for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Cinco de Mayo.

On Cinco de Mayo, Clara B’s offered a Brisket Huevos Ranchero that Ferguson said sold very well.

Ferguson also said that more seasonal items may be added in the future.

She wants to wait until people are comfortable with current menu items before adding any new ones.

Keeping busy and keeping up

Even with Clara B’s Kitchen Table fully open on South Illinois Street, Ferguson and her crew are also busy with the food truck and catering.

In mid-March, Clara B’s served a Game Day menu at City Park in St. Louis during a city block party before the St. Louis City soccer game.

To keep the restaurant, food truck and catering running, Ferguson said she’s looking to hire more people, including a sous chef, dishwasher and part-time cooks.

Anyone interested in applying can email clarabskitchentable@gmail.com or stop by the restaurant.

About Clara B’s Kitchen Table

Clara B’s is located inside LongStory Coffee at 732 S. Illinois St. in Belleville.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

For more info about Clara B’s Kitchen Table, call 618-631-0908 or visit facebook.com/ClaraBsKitchenTable.