Fitz's
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Fitz's Bottling Company is a root beer microbrewery and restaurant located in University City, Missouri, on the historic Delmar Loop near both Washington University in Saint Louis and Saint Louis University.
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[edit] History
The root beer was first produced in 1947 and sold alongside hamburgers and fries. Beverage production was discontinued when the original eatery shut down in 1970, but fifteen years later, the root beer was brought back. In the early 1990s, a new location was purchased and vintage bottling equipment installed. [1]
[edit] Beverage line
In addition to root beer, Fitz's produces other soft drink flavors including diet root beer, cream soda, diet cream soda, grape pop, orange pop, strawberry pop, and ginger ale. The labels feature the locally-familiar logo; its classic colors are red, white, and blue, but these colors change from one variety to the next to indicate and complement whatever flavor is in the bottle.
[edit] Dining experience
The restaurant, which boasts a blend of the "old-fashioned" and the modern, is designed in the 1950's art deco style and painted in bold colors. The interior features bar, booth, and table seating, with a connected patio for outdoor dining. The two-floor building was originally a bank, with the bottling equipment in the space where the vault was located. Food preparation and general dining take place on the first floor, with the second floor geared more towards an adult atmosphere, offering alcoholic beverages and various games.
Along with their full line of soft drink flavors, the heart of Fitz's menu is classic American-style cuisine such as hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads, as well as a full line of fountain drinks such as shakes and malts. Children's meals are served in boxes designed to resemble 1950s cars, a throwback to the dining experience of the original Fitz's drive-in. Also reflecting the diverse client demographics and current cultural trends, the menu has been expanded past the classics to include entrées influenced by Italian, Chinese, and Mexican cuisines, and numerous vegetarian dishes can be ordered. The local press consistently praises the restaurant in reviews and dining guides, and on occasion Fitz's receives attention on the national level, most recently in USA Today and by Rachael Ray of the Food Network. Fitz's donates all its used crayons to St. Louis Children's Hospital and is active in the community.
