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Check out this post's sequel: Even More Restaurants in Old Fast-Food Buildings.
As I posted a few days ago, a new Vietnamese restaurant is opening at 3737 South Grand Boulevard, inside a former McDonald's. I'll admit that whenever I see a locally owned business taking over a chain restaurant's location, I smile. After the jump, in no particular order, five of my favorite examples of this phenomenon.
Ian Froeb
2336 Woodson Road
Used to Be: Taco Bell
You couldn't come up with a more appropriate repurposing: The chain that has done more than any other to dumb down Mexican and Tex-Mex food is supplanted by a joint selling the real, um, enchilada. Or, to be more exact, goodies like tacos with chicharrónes and the best tamales I've had in St. Louis.
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Laganini Pizzeria & Restaurant
4625 Gravois Avenue
Used to Be: Captain D's
The pizza at Laganini, which features the cuisines of Bosnia, Italy, Greece and more, is so tasty it has successfuly vanquished the ghost of popcorn shrimp past.
