The city of Ellisville has recently had two new additions to its restaurants and eateries downtown.
Harp and Hound, a restaurant that opened in September 2023, has been busy serving eager customers. The restaurant is located in the Bosun Joe’s building, under Hotel Alice. This building has been in Ellisville since 1902. Since the restaurant’s opening, the building has added new booths and a fresh coat of paint.
“The restaurant still has some of the historical elements, but with a more traditional feel to it,” said Braden Yarber, a staff member at Harp and Hound. “In addition to the new wall colors, we’ve also added tons of historical pictures from Fine Arts Magazine.”
They offer pizzas, salads, specialty burgers, and a handful of seafood items. The establishment also has a butchery that offers cuts of beef, pork, seafood and other specialties, such as jalapeno poppers, armadillo eggs, smoked cheddar cheese and more.
“We are personable and friendly. We have history within the building and the town itself,” said Yarber.
On the sweet side of the spectrum, a new ice cream parlor has made its way downtown. The family-friendly Bennie and Mae’s opened June 2023. The location offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors, milkshakes, lemonades, cobblers and sundaes. This business has a warm and welcoming environment with bright colors and friendly smiles as customers enter the door. Customers have the opportunity to grab a board game, have a treat and fellowship.
“We’re different from other places because we are simple, but good,” said Greg Guerra, an employee at Bennie and Mae’s.
The parlor also offers different theme days for the customers, such as a Golden Girls theme night, 90’s till 9, and even a mother/son date night for Valentine’s Day. The friendly and involved staff at Bennie and Mae’s make customers want to keep coming back.
Bennie and Mae’s, located at 100 N. Court Street, is open at noon Monday-Saturdays and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays. Closing times during the week vary with 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Harp and Hound, located at 110 Front Street, offers its menu on its website at harpandhound.us. It’s open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Thursdays – Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
by Kaitlynn Huddleston
