It's really fun to go here. Â The food is awesome and it's not too terribly far away. Â I prefer the more "off-times". Â If it's summer and it's below 90 degrees on a weekend, you have to deal with an 'interesting' crowd. Â There's a lot of normal people but there's just as many that could be seen on a people of Walmart page. Â There really should be a people of Fast Eddie's page as well. If you're 60 years old and weigh 300 pounds, I don't want to see you in a leather studded halter top. Â It seems to make the excellent food taste worse.
Review Source:I finally did it. Â I went to Fast Eddies.I am only giving it two stars because unfortunately- it wasn't for me. Â
Not to say I had a bad time, I had an excellent time. Â Contrary to other reviews the waitress was beyond nice and gave us a lot of attention. Â The food is as expected given the price and we didn't have to wait too long to get the food. Â The band was nice and played a variety of 80s, 90s 00s and current songs.
It feels bad to only give it two stars for just being too far away, because to be honest- I'd probably give it 4 if it was closer to the city. Â However, I am a city-body (much like a home-body but my home is the city) and it is hard for me to cross 170 or Lindbergh often- let alone a river. Â So for me, it gets two stars.
You have to go at least once, get the experience and decide if its worth the drive yourself. Â Unfortunately for me, it isn't.
For starters, despite being referred to as a classic St Louis spot, its quite far outside the city. Its a good 20+ miles and will take you upwards of 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.
That being said, its certainly a unique spot to check out. It is huge with large covered patio, as well as an indoor area. They always have live music going and there is always a wide variety of people there (Ages borderline 21 to 60+).
The premiere appeal of fast eddies seems to be absurdly cheap food (which they emphasize you cannot take-out, its for dine in only). When I say absurdly cheap I mean $0.99 everything (burgers, steak sandwich, fries, hot dog etc) and the bizarre $0.29 shrimp. Be advised this place is cash only
For food, you have to go to a counter where you will order and get a number. There is a large screen on the patio and an announcer who calls out when various chunks of numbers are ready, at which time you can return to pick up your food at the counter.
For drinks, there are waitresses who very diligently scour the bar and patio. Service is very fast and very cheap.
Overall, its definitely worth the drive and can be a fun place to go for a large group on occasion. I definitely wouldn't say its worth heading out here on the regular, but once in a while, can be a cool spot.
Today I was feeling a bit nostalgic for my time in Saint Louis, so I decided to do a review of Fast Eddie's Bon Air, in Alton, IL.
This place is a true old style road house. Â The history of the building (when it was built, who it was built by, how it survived prohibition, etc.) is cool in and of itself. Â It's located about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown Saint Louis (and about 8 to 10 hours from downtown Toledo.) Â But, this place is certainly worth the drive from Saint Louis (and MAYBE worth the drive from Toledo!!!)
CLIENTELE: Â Remember Theo's Taverna (Toledo) in the late 80's when the Organics (later known as the Griswolds) were the house band? Â It's like that. Â The crowd is well mixed in every possible way. Â It's more than just "White kids and Black kids playing together nicely," although it certainly is that, too. Â The crowd is composed of college kids, bikers, truckers, tourists, town folk, and apparently people of all income levels and sexual orientations. Â The only people who aren't there are people under 21. Â It's really cool, and it makes for some great people watching.
LIVE MUSIC: Â The music varies from Pop to Blues to Rock to Funk to Country. Â Nobody who plays there ever won a Grammy (I don't think), but the thought: Â "God this band sucks, let's get out of here," never crossed my mind, either.
FINALLY, FOOD!!!: Â If you want to talk about really inexpensive yet GREAT bar food, the conversation starts and ends at Fast Eddie's. Â They have a limited menu of simple items (home made brats, beef tenderloin kabobs, wings, 99 cent burgers (big ones, too), fries, peel and eat shrimp, etc) that are prepared very well. Â Given the prices, I can't see how they could make a penny from the food itself. Â Good thing they serve alcohol.
I doubt if we'll make the drive from Toledo just to go to Fast Eddie's, but the next time we're passing through, you can bet we'll stop. Â I don't know what well do about the kids, but we'll figure something out.
I love their burgers and meat on stick. The food was great and it was cheap. The only problems is they would not allow you to take out food and their drinks are expensive $2.50 for a regular sized bottled water. It is a bar anyway. i would love to go back here again but the place is an hour away from St Louis.
Review Source:Fast Eddie's Bon Air is an alright place for drinks and food but it's never really a place I choose to go.
I live close enough to Fast Eddie's that I can pretty much go any time I want but it's just not my kind of joint.
The Good:
1.Cold Beer
They don't lie when they say they have the coldest beer around. When I get a draft Coors Light it is easily the coldest beer I have ever drank. I freaking LOVE that.
2.The Food
Their food is good and the price of the food makes it taste that much better. I usually go with a cheeseburger and either a big elwood on a stick or a pork kabob. (The pork kabobs are more consistent as far as being tender, as opposed to the big elwood. Sometimes the beef is a little too well done for me but I'm not complaining. The workers who run that food line do a great job.)
3.The wait for food.
This could be a downfall but I think its a plus. If this place is busy (which it usually is) don't expect to get your food quick but that's not the point of the place. Like I said above, they do a great job of getting orders out in a timely manner even if the place is jam packed and the line for food is wrapped around the bar.
4.The patio
The patio here is really great. Its a large area with the building on one side and tall walls on the other 3. It almost feels like you are in an open air room. They have some covered areas in case its nice out but sprinkling a little bit. I was here one time when it was drizzling out and the patio was still full of people and no one seemed to be getting wet. They also have heaters for the chilly days/night and fans and misters for the summer heat.
5.Free T-shirt on your 21st birthday!
That's right, they give every 21 year old a free tshirt when you walk in the door as long as its your actually birthday that day. How cool is that?!
The Not-So-Good:
1.The Service
I haven't had any "bad" experiences here but I wouldn't say that I have had any good ones either. I understand the waitresses are usually very busy but overall I think they could be a little nicer.
2.The Crowd
Now, this might actually be "your" type of crowd, its just not mine. People come from all over Illinois, Missouri, and beyond to visit Fast Eddies. I guess it's kind of a tourist destination. That's cool, i like to meet new people but I haven't found that it's a place to easily break the ice with other people there. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong.
3.Friday and Saturday nights.
It gets extremely crowded on Friday and Saturday nights. So much so that its difficult to find a parking place. I'm not big on crowds so I stay away when its that busy. However, that might be your thing, so if so, this is the place for you!
I guess that about sums up my personal experiences with Fast Eddies. Not my kind of hang out but I definitely recommend checking it out at least once!
Fast Eddie's ain't fancy, but it's an awesome place for delicious and cheap bar food and reasonably priced drinks. Â If you haven't been here, you need to experience just once. Â You won't be disappointed, unless you into frills and smancy stuff for every meal. Â Did I mention cheap? Â I bought lunch for 6 people for around 20 bucks (drinks not included) . But, THE greatest thing about Fast Eddie's (besides delicious food and cheap beer) is that it attracts the most eclectic group of people to one establishment. Â I'm positive you will find nearly every type of person in America in this place.
A few tips:
1. Fast Eddie's is CASH ONLY.
2. You order your food at the counter, not with your waitress.
3. Â You pay your waitress for drinks as you order them (i.e. no running tabs/forgetting your credit card at the bar)
4. Â The burgers and fries are AWESOME, but try a Big Elwood too, which is a very flavorful grilled kabob.
Go and have a good time!
It's almost always a good time at Fast Eddie's. They have the nice outdoor area for people to be able to smoke and watch TV without freezing, live bands all the time, and great prices on good bar food. Any time in New York when I tell a Missouri/Illinois native that I'm from Alton, the first thing they mention is, "Oh yeah, Fast Eddie's!" It would be annoying, except I take it in stride because it's a fun place.
Review Source:Fast Eddie's is a great place for good and inexpensive food, good drinks an a nice atmosphere.
They are famous for the Big Elwood and this is great, but try the Hot Chick on a Stick. Â Love the cajun flavor of that.
They are a cash only establishment and do not run a tab - but the entertainment and service were very good.
This place is amazing!
My first trip to Fast Eddies was last summer and I have gone four more times this summer. Â Most weekends are extremely busy so you need to get there early if you are looking for a table. Â Usually it also takes a while to get food which is understandable with the extremely large amount of people ordering. Â However if you go right in line and order then just grab a beer or two while you wait it doesn't seem too bad at all. Â Fast Eddies is also pretty easy to get to as its just across the river for St. Louis commuters and there is plenty of parking.
The best thing about Fast Eddies are their prices. You can't do better than a huge burger for 99 cents and the big elwood (steak and green peeper kabob) for 2.99 the big elwood has some of the most delicious steak on it as well. In addition the drinks there are pretty decently priced. Â You spend about three bucks on a beer four or five on a well. Â Altogether you can have a really good night for under 20 bucks as long as you have a ride. Â I love the place and will be returning!
Had my first Fast Eddies experience this weekend and was absolutely blown away by the place. Seriously one of the coolest places in the St. Louis area. How can you beat the price of their food?!?! Its impossible! I figured since the food was so cheap the beer would have be priced higher than normal but it was fairly priced.
The food was fantastic, beer was ice cold and their were plenty of tables available (this was on Memorial Day weekend!).
I will more than likely be making my way back across the river to party at Fast Eddies.
Hey, if Alton Brown likes it, it's gotta be worth checking out, right?
Met a good friend here as a good in-between spot, me being in St Louis for work and him living in Springfield. Â Turned out to be a great spot to hang out and get a bite to eat.
This place is much larger than I expected thanks to the 'outdoor' area. Â We were there on a Wednesday night, so finding parking and a table wasn't hard even though they were busy. Â They had a reasonably good band playing, my only complaint was that they were a bit too loud to allow conversation so we moved inside. Â No big deal.
The food was ridiculously cheap so I wasn't expecting it to be good, but I was pleasantly surprised. Â I had the brat and the pork-on-a-stick. Â Both were extremely tasty, perfectly seasoned.
Usually cheap food means expensive beer, but they pricing there wasn't bad. Â $3.75 for a large Blue Moon on draft is quite reasonable.
If I lived in the area I'd be back, and on a regular basis.
I'm just going to cut to the chase. Customer service is non-existant.
I've been to Fast Eddie's six times in the four years that I have lived in St. Louis. Every single time, every employee has given me an attitude, been a b*tch or just acted as if they could have cared less about me being there.
Sure, the waitresses hover and always ask about refilling your drink, but they always give you an attitude and demand that you get as many drinks through them as possible.
I get the food is likely a loss leader, and the waitresses are probably pushed to move as many drinks as possible to turn a profit, but acting as if they are Gods' gift to the world is not the way to operate.
The last few times I have been there, I gave the waitress one chance at being civil towards me, she failed every time, then I blew her off (basically telling her to get lost) and dealt with the bartender directly. It was not much better, but at least I could get a new drink without much of an attitude.
Speaking of the drinks, anything involving liquor is pretty weak. Watch the pours...not too much liquor comes out of the bottles when they make your drink. Get a beer out of the tap or bottle if you want to get your money's worth.
In addition, the quality of the food has noticeably declined over this period. This is likely due to food costs rising dramatically over the last few years (and going to keep increasing into the future), so they need to cut corners wherever they can. Plus, my burgers on my last visit were red, not pink, in the middle.
Look, I get that it is a dive, and I need to turn my expectations way down. But, I am still a person. I don't need to be treated like dirt.
I drank the Kool-Aid when I heard about the place and visited for the first or second time. But upon further review, the way they treat their customers is just not worth the trip for low quality food and weak drinks.
Want cheap but good food, cold beer and a great place for you and your friends to hang out?? Â Then Fast Eddie's is the place to go.
I have gone here on many occasions, for friends birthdays to Cardinals games and have never been disappointed. Â If you are not a people person and don't do well in crowds, this wouldn't be the place for you but get a table, get some drinks and enjoy the ambiance and live music.
Location being in Alton, yes its a bit of a drive for those in Missouri but its worth it for at least one trip...but I guarantee you'll probably be back at some point in your life.
The beautiful wife and I hit Fast Eddie's on Labor Day because, well, nothing says celebrating labor with cheap food and drink.
I'm on the fence about Fast Eddie's:
The good:
1) As previously noted 70+ times, the food is cheap. You can get stuffed for under $10.
2) The burger -- while it has such mixed reviews, I've enjoyed it each time we've been there. It's cooked medium well, but still have a decent amount of juice and flavor to it.
3) The fries -- McDonald's-esque. Depending on your worldview, it's either a pro or a con.
4) The Elwood -- the $2.99 is worth it. The best quality (tenderloin and peppers) and they're pretty huge.
5) Service -- if our drinks never got below 1/4 remaining without our waitress asking if we wanted another round. It's the art of anticipation.
6) Seating -- never have had a problem finding a table
7) Parking -- never have had a problem finding parking
The bad:
1) Apparently bar food nyotaimori is available but the "plate" is Lot's wife*. This is some salty, salty, salty food.
2) It ain't as cheap as you'd like it to be. Sure, as noted above, you can eat lots for $10, but with that great service and all the salt, if you're a couple of professional drinkers, it's quite easy to rack up round after round after round after round of drinks. And of course, if you're drinking "nicer" beer and/or cocktails, well, part of it is our own fault.
3) The background music -- both times, they've had some horrific Sirius station on, playing the worst crap ever. And I don't even mean "oh I listen to such awesome music" crap. I mean, crap that I don't even know what it was, but it was light and Sacchariny. If you're a place with attitude, have attitude.
Overall, I'd give them 3 1/2 stars, but I'm being nice and rounding it up to 4 because we've had good times there. I suspect if somebody else was driving, I'd like it even more though.
*Yes, I'm sort of stealing a joke from a nearly 20 year old SNL skit (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymotion.com%2Fvideo%2Fxa83fg_snl-seinfeld-passover-sketch_fun&s=af327ac01c56ba183d8c38ac04f21b0d92228e9272293f36b77e5deba5c0e359" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.dailymotion.c…</a>). But seriously, Fast Eddie's food is really freaking salty.
Fast Eddie's is perfect for a sunny Sunday afternoon, but last night in honor of one of my best friend's 25th birthday, we rode an obnoxiously large party bus to the land of meat and beer. Yup, we were "that group." She somehow found a party bus that had a real DJ in it, and we managed to fit 40 people inside. Bob the bus driver drove us out to Alton and we filed off one by one.
Realizing it was 10:57pm and the kitchen closes at 11pm, we literally ran to the food counter to order everything they had. No, seriously. 3 of us together ordered three cheeseburgers, three big elroys, three fries, pork kabobs, and hot chicken on a stick. The timing of this is pretty awesome considering my last review was about healthy living, but I will say that I just tried everything and let the boys wolf all of it down. It was a sight. But the food at Fast Eddie's is, well... fantastic! I don't know what they do to that beef, but seriously, those cheeseburgers are out of this world and the beef/green pepper combo on the elroys makes you want to bring it to bed and cuddle with it.
We sat outside on the patio (which is still closed in right now) and watched a band of 5-6 older men who were blaring on the sax, bangin' on a piano and singing familiar tunes so the crowd could get down! There is such a wide variety of people that hang out there and it's just nice to see everyone so happy and having a ball. Places like this really make me love America & the Midwest even more. Good food, good beer, smiling faces...
The free popcorn rocks and we decided to take some back on the bus to eat while traveling to our next destination and a girl, who I'm not quite sure was invited by, told us we were gross for eating it. She said that people come out of the bathroom and reach their hands in there. We had even more fun after that comment because we kept eating it and called it "coochie corn" as we watched her roll her eyes and cringe in disgust. Don't make the trip if you can't hang with the big boys.
Epic night, great food, lots of memories! Very much in agreement with Jen J. that this is a 2-3 times a year spot and not a weekly hangout... but bring a camera. And wash your hands before you eat the popcorn, will ya?!
Well, here I was trip 3 in 5 years. I do not eat meat, don't really care for beer and in fact a bar like this usually doesn't even come to mind.
But since being introduced to Fast Eddie's it's a place that for some reason or another I tend to visit when the friends send out the evites!
I will kick back enjoy the outside area listening to music, sipping ICY COLD BLUE MOON and enjoying the Big Elwood on a stick. Occasionally I'll be bold and go for a cheeseburger.
This place is cheap, the crowd is a solid mix of you young bucks to old heads and everything in between. People who are trendy and those lacking sophistication, really who cares! We all have one common goal cheap food, cold drinks and a chillaxed environment!
Note: BRING CASH!! no credit cards here, however there is an ATM.
Parking is always a playful game of stalking the innocent customers on their way out and the line it tends to be long so grab popcorn and a beer and hang tight for the grub! As for the seating, well on our last visit a couple wrapping up kindly allowed us to join them until they left, then our group swarmed the table like bees on a honey comb. Just ask people if they are headed out, it tends to be a friends environment.
How do you not love this place. Good, cheap food. Their peel-and-eat shrimp always hit the spot. Their hot dogs and burgers taste like what you would get at an afternoon BBQ at a friends house. The beer is cold. Service is prompt, and there is live music many times.
A few tips...
- Grab some free popcorn at the machine in the back as you enter the patio.
- Get cash, this place is credit card unfriendly.
- Go with a group... It's a spectacle best enjoyed with a group.
- Figure out who's driving. It's a ways from home.
Foreward for those not wanting to read the whole thing:
Atmosphere: 5 stars
Staff: 3 stars - nothing stellar, but they get the job done and are attentive.
Drinks: 1-2 stars for mixed drinks. Â I don't do beer.
Food: Burger - 1 star for taste, but 3 stars in consideration of the price tag; Fries - 3 stars; Pork Kebab - 4 stars; Big Elwood (beef kabob) - 4 stars
Cool points awarded for free popcorn and atmosphere. Â Cool points deducted for cash only and no bar tabs allowed.
The full review:
First time visit. Â Fast Eddie's is ok, but I don't think it's ridiculously amazing like most people seem to. Â If we lived close, yes, I'd probably go back again. Â Alas, we live almost an hour away, so unless there's another work "Happy Hour" for which I was there this time, I probably won't be back.
Like I said, I was there for an after work gathering. Â It was a Thursday evening, and I was sent there at 4PM to grab tables in the ultimate people watching areas. Â Traffic already sucked at 3:30 when I had to leave the 270 and McDonnell Blvd area to get there. Â I'd subtract cool points, but I guess it's not Fast Eddie's fault that we chose to go there on a weeknight evening. Â At least the place wasn't as crowded as I hear it gets on the weekends.
When I got there, it really wasn't too busy at all. Â It was a nice day, and the patio was probably only 1/3 full. Â The atmosphere is pretty cool for an old/dive style bar, which I don't mind at all. Â The patio area is really nice, though, since I heard it's "retractable", I didn't understand why they didn't have the roof open. Â Maybe it's too big of a hassle. Â
I was greeted quickly by a waitress, leading to my review of drinks...
This is my main beef with Fast Eddie's. Â It's known as a great place to drink, but I'd say that's only if you drink beer. Â I ordered a vodka and diet. Â It was strong (bonus points), but made with crappy liquor. Â I expected that, so whatever. Â I then ordered a frozen pina colada, because why not? Â Ok, if you're not going to give me ANY alcohol, it better taste damn good. Â The flavor was sub par, and I didn't taste or feel even a half ounce of alcohol. Â Lame. Â I finished up with another vodka and diet, and that didn't seem to have much alcohol in it either. Â I guess they think they can put less in there as the night goes on and no one will notice?
The food: pretty decent in general, great if you consider the price. Â I had a cheeseburger, and I thought it was really bland but for $1.29, you can't complain much. Â I just would opt for other items instead. Â The fries were...fries. Â Nothing bad, nothing great. Â Lots of salt, so if you're not a fan, beware. Â I had a taste of the pork kebab, which was really well seasoned, except that my co-worker put freaking hot sauce on it. Â Ugh, I do NOT like spicy. Â The beef kebab was also really well seasoned, so two thumbs up in the meat on a stick category.
I think this is mostly a biker bar...well, at least a lot of bikers go there anyway (including a couple of friends of mine) It's an experience that I recommend everyone do at least once. Â It's a long drive, unless you live in North County or Illinois, and depending on what time you go you may have to stand in line for a long time to get your eats. Â And I do mean stand in line! Â You stand in line to place order, then go sit (if you can find a table) and eat the free popcorn and down a beer or two or three or other drink until your number is getting close. Â Then you go stand in line again!
The food is cheap (I think they make their money off the booze) and not bad. Â Hubs loved the burger and brats. Â I was gnawing happily on the chick on a stick. Â It's cool that you have to be 21 or over to get in and there are no carry-outs. They have live music, but I've never been there when it was on. Â I would say come here to experience this place, have some cheap eats, drink, and people watch. Â It's a rite of passage to come here if you live in STL.
Every year on/around Memorial Day I take a day trip to Fast Eddie's with a group of friends. And every year we have a great time! Today was no exception, either.
Going on an actual holiday was a smart move, because it was way less crowded than it normally is on a Saturday or Sunday. There were plenty of open seats and the line to order food was minimal. The people who were there were pretty relaxed, too, so it wasn't crazy party time... which was A-OK for all of us.
AND it appears as if they put a roof on the outdoor patio. It offers a little bit of shade, but if you can't handle the heat and humidity, there's always the indoor part of the restaurant.
As long as you know what you're getting yourself into with Fast Eddie's, it's a great summertime hangout!
We decided to head here for a night out. "It's Fast Eddie's!" they told me. I'm from the east coast so I have no idea what that means. Â I'm always ready to try something new so that was that.
First impressions: Crowded.
Second impressions: Cash only bar? Â Ugh.
Third impressions: Short, drunk people molesting everyone around them? Not bad.
Fourth impressions: No seats.
Fifth impressions: Where the hell is our waitress/person who brings us drinks?
All I can say is that is was crazy. Â Those might be some bad impressions above, but I'm willing to give it another chance due to the sheer fact that it was that crazy.
My one pet peeve was the cash-only bar. Â I have money but I don't carry it around with me, but I wanted to spend it. Â I always want to ask owners why they aren't cashing in on credit transactions.
This is one of my FAVORITE summer spots. I love to sit outside and listen to the live bands (when they are there.) It is always busy here and crowded so you will probably have to wait in line. It is an experience though. There are many bikers that visit here, but I have never seen any bar fights or anything like that.
Now you do have a 2 drink minimum (but it can be a soft drink instead of alcohol.) Now when you do order your drink they have you pay for it separate so expect to pay for it when she brings it to you. After you get your drinks go inside and wait in line. It reminds me of a buffet line or something. You tell them what you want.
Reviews on what to eat. I order the Big Elwood: It's a beef kabob with onions and green bell peppers. Quite taste especially for only $2.99.
They have a 1/2 lb burger for only 99 cents. It is a tasty burger, but I really prefer the kabob. Their french fries are 99 cents as well and it is a HUGE basket. I usually share with my friends. If you prefer those Peel and Eat Shrimp they are only 29 cents a piece. I like that I can order just a few because I am not THAT crazy about them. (But I am a weirdo that likes to dip fries in the cocktail sauce. Hey you can't knock it til you try it.;) After you order you get a number and pay. Go back to your table and enjoy your drinks and listen for your number. It seems to usually be 25-30 minutes when I am there. When you do go to the pick up window and take it back to your seat.
This a great hangout on the weekend. I have drove over an hour just to get here and hang out. I love this place!
Side note: They have free popcorn while you are waiting on your food so go to the popcorn stand and help yourself. (and yes I tried that with cocktail sauce too.)
A bit gimmicky, with a lot of history behind it.
Sure the burgers are cheap ($1.29), and good even maybe... But they're really probably not worth much more, and the cost of this is offset elsewhere anyway. Â And I'm sure the beef is crap despite the fact that they're cooked w/ a nice char. Â I think the kabobs are probably the best food worth ordering, from what I gather.
The drinks are regular to higher priced, and the way they serve them causes you to probably over tip... (The waitresses constantly come, so that you're more likely to order 1 drink for 1 person at a table vs several for a whole round for the table... When she comes and you pay your $3.25 in cash, are you really going to ask her to go back and get 75 cents? Probably not..). Waitress not all that friendly.
Contrary to what others are implying, they don't require you to buy an alcoholic drink to be here and eat. Â I ordered an ice tea while the table of 8 we had ordered drink drinks... Â I saw plenty of other people just drinking soft drinks though. Â So yes, they require you to buy a "drink" but I don't think they could even legally require you to order liquor, it could be soft or hard drink.
They have a nice outdoor area, which in the winter is enclosed with a tent but not really heated much... and they seem to be defying IL law by allowing people to smoke in the outdoor area (yes, it's illegal to allow it outdoors even).
Warning if you do not consume alcohol do not go. Â This is a place where you must buy a drink before you get the deal. Â I don't drink nor does my wife or sister. Â I think the booze alters the state of the reviewers mind. Â Yes the food is cheap. Â Is it great food I don't think so. Â The shrimp were soft and way over cooked. Â The hamburger was ok cheap but ok. Â Nothing stood out that made me say darn it this is THE place in St. Louis area and i must give it 5 stars. Â Quite the contrary. Â The food is the vehicle on which Eddie shoves the booze down your throat. Â Don't drink it is like oh heck how do can I work this table for a tip. Â Hmm there is a drunk couple over there I know they will tip me. Â Darn they are drunk and it just opened. Â How can you do that?
I also get a kick out of the "outlaw motorcycle gang" that come to this place. Â The average age of these bikers must be 65. Â If their false teeth fall out they are in big trouble. Â All in all if you are from St. Louis let the people of Alton think this is the place and go somewhere nice.
There are few restaurants where a complete lack of flexibility in the face of customer wants and a routine attitude of open hostility in signage and other collateral materials is not only not a liability but a an asset and a point of distinction.
Fast Eddie's Bon Air does NOT believe that the customer is always right. At Fast Eddie's, the customer is whatever the hell they say he is. Or get out. This homey, street cred heavy, authentic old-timey, shit kicker, backyard, industrial strength man cave, is the perfect place to go for hot, tasty food, frosty, ice cold beer, blue collar booze and whatever sporting event happens to be on the Boob Tube. And, thankfully, hold the pretension.
The indoor area of Fast Eddie's looks like it hasn't changed much since prohibition. It's the Real Dealâ„¢. It's worn and festooned with signs that range from the 5 or 6 menu items that the grill offers to admonitions about a strict no take out policy.
No take-outs you ask? Yeah, well, there's a reason. It's hard to make money on selling a fresh 1/2 pound cheeseburger for 99 cents if people just walk out the door without buying a few beers or a shot of bourbon. And that's the deal at the Bon Air.
The food is a loss leader- and a tasty loss leader at that. You can get burgers, fries, various meats on a stick and peel and eat shrimp (for 29 cents each.) That's pretty much it. You wait in line to order food and then you go sit down and order a drink while they make it. Simple. Easy. Delicious. If the inside is too crowded, Fast Eddie's has an outdoor area that's easily twice as big as the indoor. It's like a small stadium of tables and sports TV monitors.
Be prepared to eat a lot without spending very much and drink your brains out. But also bring cash. Because they don't accept anything resembling plastic at this working class gem.
Fast Eddie's Bon-Air is like no other. In 1921 Anheuser Busch decided to open a tavern in Alton, but eventually had to sell it due to a change in the statutes, which prohibited breweries from owning drinking establishments.
Fast Eddies is extremely popular. Over 4,000 half barrels of beer and thousands of cases of cans, bottles and liquor are sold at Fast Eddies each year.
They have a VERY POPULAR food bar, serving an assortment of burgers, shish-kabobs, bratwurst and boiled shrimp for the CRAZY CHEAP prices that haven't changed since the food bar was added nineteen years ago. They offer live music all day and night on weekends and they have a new beer garden with flat panel TVs that can accommodate several hundred people. Â
Fast Eddie's is a popular destination for people who start with pub stops along the Great River Road between Grafton and Alton. Â I personally think this is one of those local experiences that everyone must have at least once. Â Bring a DD though, the ride back to St. Louis is not so fun.
One drawback, while the bar food they offer has always been OUTSTANDING (especially for the price), the last time I was there, the shrimp was not fresh. Â This has only happened to me once. Â The Big Elwood, an amazingly scrumptious beef kabob, should be ordered by anyone who eats beef. Â It is amazing
Ok- So I made the long trek to my inaugural visit to Fast Eddie's last weekend. Maybe I am just used to hop, skipping and jumping across the river to Illinois- but someone should have warned me that you should bring snacks for the road trip! And road trip it is if you live in St. Louis anywhere south of say Florissant!
But eventually after a long journey we arrived. The place was packed- with a quite interesting crowd. Lots of college age/ 20 somethings, friendly bikers, all the way up to people in their 50's and 60's. Live music that was actually really good- lots of dancing on the linoleum dance floor - who knew people my parents age know how to bump and grind (yuck!!)
Drinks were really cheap with food being even cheaper. The place started clearing out around midnight. I don't know if that is people need to get home to relieve their babysitters or if they don't want to drink too much and pay for a $150 cab ride back to the city.
All in all it was a fun night. I would give this smoke free, rundown paradise 5 stars if it didn't take 40 minutes to get there!!
This is one of my favorite stops when I am in the area. Hell, when I am even slightly in the area I can justify a trip over.
Cheap cheap cheap.
I load up! Big Elwood on a stick - perfectly cooked prefectly seasoned steak for a couple bucks, peel n eat shrimp- I could just hop up on the bin that they keep them in and go to town, burger-yummo, fries heaven in a basket for 99 cents. Hot chick on a stick-I could hang out all night and eat.
Go. Go now. Order a beer some grub and chill. Buy me a t shirt.
Alton Brown was there once. I had my picture taken at his table. hehehe
Cheap. Â Good food. Â Cheap. Â Beer. Â Cheap.
Sure Fast Eddie's isn't the hippest or cleanest froo froo bar. Â It's a biker/dive bar with awesome food with awesome customers. Â You mention Fast Eddies around any parts of the midwest and I guarantee everyone will know what you're talking about. Â
Anheuser Busch opened The Bon Air back in 1921. Â After many years and many statute issues the bar had to be taken over by other owners. (non brewery owners) Â Finally in 1981, THE Fast Eddie himself takes over....becoming Fast Eddies Bon Air. Â
They have live music on the weekends and NEVER ever is there a cover charge. Â This place seriously gets packed. Â People wake up early and line up just to eat, booze it up, and hang out here. Â
The food is the real deal sealer. Â Menu: Â tenderloin on a schtick $1.99, 1/2 pound burger $0.99, brat $0.99, pork kabob $1.29, peel n' eat shrimp $0.29 each, cajun chicken on a schtick $2.99, huge basket o fries $0.99. Â
Tons of food and the quality never changes. Â They serve up the real deal here. Â It's good food to wash down with beer....Busch beer of course.
Fast Eddie's is a treat to go to, a great place for a quick road trip away from the bustle of the city. Â On riding over there I wasn't sure what to expect. Â I was told that it was a biker bar, a dive bar, and other things, but the constant that of which I was told of the place was that the food is great and it is just a truly fun place to experience at least once. They were right.
Now it isn't what I would call a dive bar and it didn't seem like a biker bar because all the family trusksters parked outside. It seemed almost as though it was what you'd see on an Apple Bee's or TGI Friday's commercial, though, the people at Fast Eddie's aren't walking around like they're brainwashed into a mindless smiley mess. The people at Fast Eddie's are truly happy.
Fast Eddie's is crowded and loud, a great place to go for some cheap beer, food, and fun. Â The cheapness does not take anything away from the taste either. Â The food is tasty and quickly served up.
Fast Eddie's is an enjoyable place to go where anyone can enjoy themselves.
Cheapest bar food ever. Â The fact that it's now smoke free makes me want to go to this place more and more often, but it's hard to really justify going all the way out there just for 1$ brats and burgers and their amazing steak on a stick... no wait... it isn't.
29 cent shrimp? Â Are you kidding me? Â That's cheaper than getting uncooked shrimp at Sam's Club!
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