Local Eats

Simply Delicious

Story and photos by Mabel Suen

Simply Delicious, which debuted in August in downtown St. Louis, is a new daytime dining destination featuring breakfast, lunch and brunch fare in a casual setting.

The concept comes from Brandi and Brittany Artis, who are also co-owners of 4 Hens Creole Kitchen at City Foundry. Simply Delicious originated in Brandi Artis’ hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, where she established it as her catering brand in 2010. She previously operated the company in Chicago as a pop-up taco bar. With the new brick-and-mortar space, Simply Delicious now has a permanent home.

Simply Delicious fills the approximately 1,200-square-foot building previously occupied by Good Buddy’s Tasty Soups & Sandwiches and features an interior dining area, front patio seating and a hidden back patio that can be accessed from the building’s side lot. The space is also available during non-business hours for event rental, complete with specialized catering menus.

“My personal cooking style is what feels good to my soul,” Brandi Artis says. “I create dishes that remind me of fond memories and different places I’ve been. Both of my grandmothers and their love of seafood and New Orleans-style food inspired me to create the 4 Hens concept to really demonstrate the true Creole basis of flavors in a fun quick-service format, but there’s no one basis to my cooking style here. It is quite worldly.”

Highlights include the Bad and Boujee Burger, a 6-ounce angus beef patty topped with shrimp, pepper jack cheese, spring mix, tomato, red onion and 4 Hens remoulade on a buttered brioche bun. Shakshuka is another signature dish inspired by Brandi Artis’ Lebanese heritage. Her take on the traditional dish comes with a poached egg in housemade tomato sauce topped with feta and cilantro. Salmon croquettes are also an homage to Brandi Artis’ grandmother, featuring a gluten-free version of a generations-old recipe.

A liquor license for the business is in the works, but for now guests can choose from a selection of nonalcoholic beverages like fresh-pressed orange juice, French press coffee, loose-leaf teas and Little Chicks Lemonade drinks created with the Artis’ children, Braylei and Britton.

“We want to be your new favorite brunch spot and your new Sunday fun day place to hang out,” Brandi Artis says. “We just wanted to create something a little bit different for St. Louis to be able to enjoy and experience outside of the mundane and the norm.” ln Simply Delicious, 1115 Pine St., St. Louis, 314-802-7287, facebook.com/simplydeliciousstl