ST. LOUIS — A Midtown St. Louis restaurant that's received national recognition for its fried chicken sandwiches has closed permanently.
Southern closed its doors for the last time at 4 p.m. Sunday, according to an announcement posted Monday morning on its website. The announcement took many customers by surprise.
"This was a very difficult decision," the announcement said. "We will miss our amazing staff. While small, they were dedicated and did their best every day."
Southern opened in 2015 at 3108 Olive St. as the neighborhood's first Nashville hot chicken restaurant, according to its website. The family behind Pappy's Smokehouse collaborated with Chef Rick Lewis to create the restaurant's signature marinade and breading.
Located in the same building as Pappy's, Southern's menu brought tasty soul food, such as hot chicken sandwiches, catfish po'boys, collard greens and fried green tomatoes, to a fast-casual dining setting.
In 2020, Food Network named Southern's "Firebird Chicken Sandwich" one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the U.S. The sandwich featured chicken tenders rubbed with a cayenne-habanero blend and served on a butter-toasted bun with baby spinach, tomato, pickles and "fancy ranch."
"To our valued customers and friends," the announcement said, "we are grateful for your loyalty throughout the years … We have loved sharing our food with you and encourage you to continue your support of locally owned, independent restaurants."
The restaurant did not share its reasoning behind the closure.
In addition to Pappy's Smokehouse, which opened in 2008 in Midtown, the Pappy's family operates Bogart's Smokehouse in historic Soulard and Dalie's Smokehouse in Valley Park.
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