West Newsmagazine 3-21-18

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By BONNIE KREUGER
The long wait is over. A chilly day did
nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of opening
day on March 3 for Fritz’s West County,
which is celebrating its 25th year in 2018.
Ray and Debbie Higgins opened Fritz’s
near the intersection of Big Bend and Meramec
Station roads in 1993 and it has been a
delicious staple in West County ever since.
It is Fritz’s unwavering commitment to
the best quality custard – made in-house
and paired with their premium brandname
toppings and mix-ins – that keeps
customers coming back. Different than ice
cream, custard is lower in fat and cholesterol.
Fritz’s recipe and old-time freezing
gives the custard its clean, delicious taste
and creamy texture. Made fresh daily.
General Manager Gene Anselmo, who
has been with Fritz’s 16 years, described
the company’s chocolate as “rich and
full-bodied, a quality you won’t find
anywhere else.” If chocolate isn’t your
preference, Fritz’s also offers traditional
vanilla, low-fat vanilla and a flavor of the
day. One of those upcoming flavors is new
to the menu – Peanut Butter Oreo.
General Manager Angela Kyle, who has
been with Fritz’s from the beginning, said
often they try ingredients as toppings first
and if they find it’s a hit with customers,
will try it in the custard form.
Despite some seasonal favorites, like
Cinnamon, Pumpkin and Pumpkin Cheesecake,
it’s the Turtle sundae with caramel,
pecans and hot fudge that put Fritz’s on the
map. Love Turtle Pie? They do that, too.
The 9-inch custard pie is a graduation and
Mother’s Day favorite, but make sure to
order it a day ahead. Turtle Pie is not on the
daily menu, but don’t fret. There’s plenty
to choose from – whether it’s a concrete,
sundae, cone, shake or malt – every day.
“We have our set menu and, honestly, try
not to add to it too much,” Kyle said. “It’s
overwhelming to customers, even if it’s in
a good way.”
Gaining traction and threatening to take
over the Turtle sundae craze are the Cookie
Monster and Dough Boy offerings.
Have a hankering for fruit? Try
the Strawbana Sundae, the perfect
combination of fresh strawberries
and sliced bananas, or the Peach
Melba loaded with peaches and
raspberries. For fruit lovers, the list
of fruit favorites goes on and on.
It’s not just the custard that
counts. Fritz’s prides itself on community
involvement and excellent
customer service. The Higgins
make sure they deliver on both.
In July 2016, Fritz’s held a oneday
fundraiser for Ballwin Police
Officer Michael Flamion.
“With the help of a supportive community,
Fritz’s West County raised over
$23,000 for Mike in one night, which
included all our profits, additional donations
and some employees’ wages for the
night,” Ray shared.
It’s that personal touch that sets them
apart.
“We are not just a business. We are like
one big, extended family,”
he said.
“Our counter staff is
typically high school students
or college students
who come back and work
March 21, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
Custard never goes out of style at Fritz’s, now celebrating its 25th year
Fritz’s - West County
815 Meramec Station Road • Valley Park • (636) 225-8737
www.facebook.com/Fritzswestco
Spring hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday
I 65
General Managers Gene Anselmo and Angela Kyle
[left] with Fritz’s Owners Ray and Debbie Higgins. Not
pictured General Manager Lindsay Barnes.
during the summer. We have longevity
because there is really a family atmosphere,”
added Debbie.
With the walk-up window and customer
patio area, Fritz’s is seasonal, closing the
Sunday before Thanksgiving and reopening
the first Saturday of March. While
Anselmo knows it’s a long break for their
loyal customer base, it does give the managers
an opportunity to take care of equipment
and other managerial tasks and plan
the menu for the following year.
What’s the best advice for this season?
Hurry in! Customers will need until
November to work their way through the
menu.
3 NEW AWESOME
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THE GREEK KITCHEN
Stop by the #1 Greek
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636.686.7200
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NEW ‘Bunny Bundt’ Decorated Cake now available.
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purchase of $25 or more
St. Louis - Chesterfield
159 Lamp and Lantern Village • Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 220-6087 • NothingBundtCakes.com
Expires 3/31/18. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase.
$5 off $25 before tax. Valid only at the bakery listed. Not valid for
online orders. Valid only on baked goods; not valid on retail items.
No cash value. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or
sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. Must be claimed in
bakery during normal business hours. Not valid with any other offer.
815 Meramec
Station Road
(1 block South of Old Hwy. 141 & Big Bend)
(636) 225-8737
Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm
APRIL FLAVORS OF THE DAY!
SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT
1
2 3 4 5
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Peach Lite Cheesecake Black Raspberry Key Lime
8
9 10 11 12 Lemon
Cookie Dough Pistachio Nut Yellow Cake Choc. Malt Oreo
Custard
15
16 17 18 19
Raspberry
Black
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Snickers Cheesecake Black Cherry Berry Lite Butter Crunch Mint Chip
22
23 24 25 26
Toffee
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Reeses
Crunch Lite Brownie Batter Mint Chip White Chocolate
Brownie Bite
Lent
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$ 3
OFF
29
Pistachio Nut
30
Any Purchase of $15 or more
Valid only after 4 p.m.
One coupon per person.
Not valid with other offers.
Expires 4/30/18
Kitchen Hours:
Sunday & Monday 8am to 3pm
Tues - Thurs 8am to 9pm • Fri & Sat 8am to 9:30pm
Extended Pub Hours Daily
Happy Hour Tuesday thru Friday 2-6
Serving Breakfast ALL DAY EVERY DAY
Salted
Caramel Pecan
6 7
Butterfinger
13 Butter 14
Pecan Lite
20 21
Chocolate
Reeses
27 28
Chocolate
Cookie Dough
OPEN EASTER SUNDAY
17209 New College Ave.
Wildwood 63040
636-273-9317
See Website for Full Menu
www.LettyLousCafe.com
18-JN-0142-0219-1 Bakery #: 142