Chef’s Pantry

No Longer In Business

A quaint shop with a light selection of some really good beers. Granted, it doesn’t have as many beers as shops in more populated areas of the state, but even if I lived in St. Louis and this shop was close by, I would frequent this store for the essentials and the occasional surprise. Primarily a gourmet food store, you can also snag some interesting and ecclectic dishes. The staff is friendly and fairly knowledgeable about the beers they stock. Also, they have weekly beer and wine tastings. All in all, the only place in the central Ozarks to snag some good beers. Update (12/23/07): I am tempted to say that Chef’s Pantry went belly up because there aren’t enough beer people around. But this oasis did break the first three rules of business Location, Location, Location. In a small college town like rolla that maintains a packed Panera and three sushi resturants, I find it hard to believe that good beer isn’t in demand. The shop was off behind some obscure stores and involved a busy intersection and a steep, convoluted driveway. I feel for them and hope them the best.

(Yep, its closed, I feel sorry for the owners) I been to Rolla on business a few times and this is easily the best beer stop in Rolla, walk-in cooler and at least 75+ different beers, import and craft. They carry Bell’s products here, good U.K. beer selection, but like other stores from Columbia, Jeff City to here in Rolla, you need to check the best before dates. Good bread.deli and dessert selections, a good all-in-one stop for the traveler when you don’t feel like eating out, just want a simple, quality take out, a meal and beer. Husband and wife team run the place, with a very small staff, generally quite friendly with the husband being the most beer knowledgeable.

This place gets bonus points for having beers by Rogue, Unibroue, SIerra Nevada, O’Fallon, and around the world in a town where the average person can’t even pronounce the word "Hefeweissen". This place is an island in the sea, an oasis in the desert. Seriously, if you ever are traveling down I-44 in Missouri and you are between St Louis and Springfield, this is one of the only places between that is worth stopping. I found 5 beers here that I have not yet seen in the St Louis area!