st. louis diner serving up "the classics"
a kirkwood staple since 1947
Located in downtown Kirkwood, MO, we're serving up homestyle diner food with an emphasis on local, fresh ingredients. We're known for our buttermilk pancakes, the "JUCY" LUCY burger [filled with melty cheddar cheese] and our country fried steak.
Open every day 6:30 am - 2 pm
[📍223 S. Kirkwood Rd. Kirkwood, MO 63122]
our breakfast classics
The originals you've always loved, reimagined in the best way possible. We've kept those classic flavors you crave, but incorporated local farm to table ingredients like bacon from Behrmann Meats, milk from Rolling Lawns farm, bread from Union Loafers and freshly roasted coffee beans from La Cosecha. We also use eggs from a local farm in Missouri called the Egg Basket.
With these ingredients, we're able to bring you fan favorite diner classics like french toast, scrapple, biscuits, hashbrowns, burgers, cinnamon rolls and more!
our burgers + sandwiches
Made with local ingredients and piled high with flavor.
We offer some classic burgers like the diner smashie along with some new renditions including the oklahoma smashie piled high with grilled onions, melty white cheese, and bbq sauce.
Our BEST SELLER is the "Jucy Lucy." Two beef patties smashed together with american cheese melted inside, topped with grilled onions, and served on sourdough bread.
the fan favorites
"I'll take a #11 and a #12 please!"
Oh, you mean a Spencer's Slinger and a Spencer's Slammer? -> aka the BEST SELLERS since the beginning.
A #11 -> the Slinger: 2 eggs, choice of meat, hashbrowns & toast all covered in chili, cheese, and onions
A #12 -> the Slammer: 2 eggs, choice of meat, hashbrowns & toast all covered in house made gravy
we proudly serve local
Spencer's is proud to share that we work with local vendors to continuously bring you fresh ingredients.
for the kids
Because breakfast tastes better when it's shaped like your favorite characters! Our kid's menu includes items like Minnie and Mickey shaped pancakes as well as shaped grilled cheese.
The History of Spencer's Grill
Spencer's Grill has been operating in its current location since 1947. Bill Spencer moved from Arkansas to St. Louis in the middle of the Great Depression, searching for work. He eventually found employment through Lee Morse, a restaurateur who owned 23 different Lee's Grill restaurants. It was at Lee's Grill at Gravois and Hampton that Spencer met his future wife, Irene Harlow. They married, and in 1941 the young couple bought the Lee's Grill at 303 South Kirkwood Road. They renamed it Spencer's Grill, but this original Spencer's Grill lasted just two years until Bill was drafted during World War II. He returned safely and in 1947 the Spencer's decided to reopen their diner. They bought the building at 223 South Kirkwood Road, and Spencer's Grill has stood there ever since.
The couple wanted to catch as many Route 66 travelers as possible, and keeping the restaurant open 24 hours a day was just one of their tricks. The year after opening, Bill gave the grill a personality with the famous neon sign. Bill maintained ownership of the building until 1980, when he completely retired from the Spencer's Grill operation.
The restaurant lived on through six other owners before current owners, Mike & Meredith Shadwick, and Partner Michael Kleckner took over. The group is honored to carry on the Spencer's Grill tradition by serving long time regulars and future generations.
As a little girl Meredith Shadwick's Grandpa, Michael Gibbons (pictured above), would bring her to breakfast dates at Spencer's. They would sit at the bar or in booth #4 so they could watch the cooks work the grill top. Meredith dreamed of one day owning Spencer's. When the opportunity came to purchase the restaurant she and her husband jumped at the opportunity. It's an honor to continue the tradition of pancakes and sipping coffee right where she and her grandpa did years ago.