Sometimes you want to go where everybody … tells you to sit down and shut up!
That’s the idea behind Karen’s Diner, a new interactive pop-up experience that invites customers to “complain until the cows come home” but it won’t matter because the servers “literally don’t care.”
The immersive pop-up diner opened this month in South St. Louis at 5800 Gravois Ave. in the former Lemmons Restaurant space. And if you want to check it out, be sure to come prepared to give it your “full Karen,” as there’ll be plenty to complain about, from awful service and obnoxious waiters to overall bad manners.
On the “upside,” the menu – if you can get them to show it to you – has a good variety, from classic to over-the-top diner fare, including Breakfast Burgers, an “I Want to Be Manager” Karen Burger with double wagyu beef patties, a Karen’s Best Breast grilled chicken sandwich and an Oktoberfest Karen – a plant-based vegan schnitzel. Wings, hotdogs, and sides like Halloumi Fries with Sweet Chili Sauce and Loaded Cheesy Beef Brisket Fries are also on the menu. In addition, desserts include a Seasonal Waffle Bowl, shakes, floats and more. The drink menu has cocktails such as The Sour Karen (a take on the amaretto sour), The ‘90s Karen with spiced rum and an ice cream float, and The Spicy Karen with jalapeño tequila.
Oh, and we forgot about the singing waiters! There also might be an appearance or two from the manager – the biggest Karen of them all, but don’t expect special treatment.
While the dining room could get rowdy at any time, there are some house rules, including no racist, sexist, homophobic or ableist comments or slurs allowed, no sexual harassment, no body-shaming, no vandalism and absolutely no food fights.
Karen’s Diner warns it’s not for the faint-hearted – definitely not for the kids – but for those who can take it, it promises to be a “horrendously good time.” However, whatever you do, don’t ask for a refund!
The pop-up diner is open for lunch and dinner, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10:30 p.m. Reservations are required.
