Cheddars

5302 N. Belt Highway

671-1636

When Cheddars first opened in St. Joseph last year, there were lines of people out the door to get in.

That can still be the case if you come during the lunch hour or on Friday and Saturday night. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, but it also may be because Cheddars fills a niche in town.

Christopher Enright, president of the Shamrock Restaurant Group LLC, a group that owns the restaurant, says the goal is to offer upscale dining at below market prices.

The spacious, 300-seat interior has amenities you might see at a restaurant on the Plaza in Kansas City: slate floors, granite counters in the bar, live plants, original art (photos of St. Joseph landmarks by Jim Fly) and an aquarium wall divider. Cheddars makes most of its food from scratch, unlike many of the larger chain restaurants. The chicken tenders recommended by a News-Press reader as a Best Bite are freshly cut and breaded by hand.

One of the signature dishes is the barbecue ribs at $12.99 for a full rack. Other big sellers are the spinach dip, steaks and hand-battered onion rings. There's also a wine list for special occasions. And for those times when you really need to indulge, try the legendary Cookie Monster, a fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookie cooked in a skillet and topped with vanilla ice cream, homemade hot fudge, fresh whipped cream, chopped nuts and a cherry. The full menu can be viewed at www.cheddars.com.

Cheddars is a non-smoking establishment, but you can have a smoke on the patio. They are open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. And if you want to come for lunch during the week without a wait, try 11:30 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m.