Sweetie Pie’s, a soul food restaurant chain founded by Robbie Montgomery, gained widespread recognition after being featured on the OWN reality TV series “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s.” The show, which aired from 2011 to 2018, followed the lives of Robbie and her family as they managed their restaurants in the St. Louis area and expanded to other locations, including California. However, with the show’s conclusion and the passing of time, fans have been left wondering: is Sweetie Pie’s still in California?
A Brief History of Sweetie Pie’s
Before diving into the current status of Sweetie Pie’s in California, it’s essential to understand the restaurant’s history. Robbie Montgomery, a former backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner, opened the first Sweetie Pie’s location in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1997. The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its delicious soul food and warm atmosphere. Over the years, Robbie expanded her business, opening additional locations in the St. Louis area and eventually in other states, including California.
Expansion to California
In 2014, Robbie Montgomery announced plans to open a Sweetie Pie’s location in Los Angeles, California. The restaurant, which was featured on the show, was expected to bring a taste of St. Louis-style soul food to the West Coast. However, the California location faced numerous challenges, including a difficult permitting process and high operational costs.
The Current Status of Sweetie Pie’s in California
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the California location, Sweetie Pie’s ultimately closed its doors in Los Angeles. The exact reason for the closure is unclear, but it’s likely that the restaurant struggled to maintain profitability in the competitive California market.
However, fans of Sweetie Pie’s in California can still get their fix of the restaurant’s famous soul food. While there are no longer any physical Sweetie Pie’s locations in the state, Robbie Montgomery has partnered with various food delivery services to offer her signature dishes to customers in the Los Angeles area.
Partnership with Food Delivery Services
In recent years, Robbie Montgomery has teamed up with food delivery services like Uber Eats and GrubHub to offer Sweetie Pie’s menu items to customers in California. This partnership allows fans of the restaurant to enjoy their favorite dishes, including the famous mac and cheese and fried chicken, from the comfort of their own homes.
Other Locations and Future Plans
While Sweetie Pie’s is no longer in California, the restaurant chain still maintains a strong presence in the St. Louis area and other states. Robbie Montgomery has expressed interest in expanding her business further, potentially opening new locations in the Midwest and beyond.
St. Louis Locations
Sweetie Pie’s currently operates two locations in the St. Louis area: the original restaurant on Manchester Avenue and a second location in the Grove neighborhood. Both restaurants offer a wide range of soul food dishes, including classic favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, and candied yams.
Menu Items and Pricing
The menu at Sweetie Pie’s St. Louis locations features a variety of soul food dishes, including:
- Fried chicken: $10.99 (2 pieces), $14.99 (3 pieces)
- Mac and cheese: $6.99 (side), $10.99 (entree)
- Collard greens: $5.99 (side), $9.99 (entree)
- Candied yams: $5.99 (side), $9.99 (entree)
Conclusion
While Sweetie Pie’s is no longer in California, fans of the restaurant can still enjoy its delicious soul food through partnerships with food delivery services. Robbie Montgomery’s commitment to her business and her customers is evident in her continued efforts to expand and improve her restaurants. As the restaurant chain looks to the future, one thing is clear: Sweetie Pie’s will always be a beloved destination for soul food enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The story of Sweetie Pie’s is one of perseverance and dedication. From its humble beginnings in St. Louis to its expansion across the country, the restaurant chain has remained true to its roots and its commitment to serving delicious, authentic soul food. While the California location may be closed, the spirit of Sweetie Pie’s lives on, inspiring fans and foodies alike to seek out the best soul food in the country.
| Location | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis (Original) | 3643 S. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63118 | (314) 773-9122 |
| St. Louis (The Grove) | 4270 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 | (314) 533-7425 |
Note: The phone numbers and addresses listed are subject to change and may not be up-to-date. It’s always best to check the restaurant’s website or call ahead to confirm hours and availability.
Is Sweetie Pie’s Still in California?
Sweetie Pie’s, the beloved soul food restaurant, has indeed closed its California location. The restaurant, which was featured on the OWN reality TV show “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s,” was a staple in the Los Angeles community for many years. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the restaurant was forced to shut its doors, leaving many fans and customers wondering what happened.
Although the California location is no longer in operation, the Sweetie Pie’s brand still lives on. The restaurant’s founder, Robbie Montgomery, has expressed her gratitude to the fans and customers who supported the restaurant during its time in California. While there are no current plans to reopen the California location, fans of the restaurant can still enjoy Sweetie Pie’s signature soul food dishes at their other locations or through their catering services.
What Happened to Sweetie Pie’s in California?
The closure of Sweetie Pie’s California location was a result of a combination of factors, including financial difficulties and personal challenges faced by the restaurant’s founder, Robbie Montgomery. Despite the restaurant’s popularity and success, the high cost of operating a business in California, coupled with personal health issues, made it difficult for Montgomery to keep the restaurant afloat.
Montgomery has been open about the challenges she faced, including a lawsuit filed against her by a former employee, which further exacerbated the financial struggles of the restaurant. Ultimately, the decision was made to close the California location, allowing Montgomery to focus on her health and other business ventures.
Are There Any Other Sweetie Pie’s Locations?
Yes, Sweetie Pie’s has other locations outside of California. The restaurant has locations in St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee, where fans can still enjoy their signature soul food dishes. These locations continue to thrive, and Montgomery is actively involved in their operation.
While the California location may be closed, the Sweetie Pie’s brand remains strong, and fans can still experience the warm hospitality and delicious food that the restaurant is known for. Montgomery has expressed her commitment to continuing to serve her community through her other locations and catering services.
Can I Still Get Sweetie Pie’s Food?
Absolutely! While the California location may be closed, fans of Sweetie Pie’s can still enjoy their signature soul food dishes through their catering services or by visiting one of their other locations. Montgomery has also explored other business ventures, including a food truck and online ordering, to make her food more accessible to fans.
In addition, Sweetie Pie’s has a strong online presence, and fans can stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments through their social media channels. Montgomery has also hinted at potential new business ventures, including a cookbook and food products, which would allow fans to enjoy Sweetie Pie’s food from the comfort of their own homes.
What’s Next for Robbie Montgomery?
Robbie Montgomery, the founder of Sweetie Pie’s, has been focused on her health and well-being since the closure of the California location. She has been open about her struggles with health issues and has used her platform to raise awareness and support for related causes.
Montgomery has also been exploring new business ventures, including a potential cookbook and food products. She has expressed her commitment to continuing to serve her community through her other locations and catering services. Fans can stay up-to-date on Montgomery’s latest endeavors through her social media channels and website.
How Can I Support Sweetie Pie’s?
There are several ways to support Sweetie Pie’s, despite the closure of the California location. Fans can visit one of their other locations in St. Louis or Memphis, or take advantage of their catering services. Montgomery has also encouraged fans to follow her on social media and share their favorite Sweetie Pie’s memories and experiences.
In addition, fans can support Sweetie Pie’s by purchasing merchandise or food products through their website. Montgomery has also hinted at potential new business ventures, including a cookbook, which would allow fans to support the brand and enjoy Sweetie Pie’s food from the comfort of their own homes.
Will Sweetie Pie’s Ever Return to California?
While there are no current plans to reopen the California location, Robbie Montgomery has not ruled out the possibility of returning to California in the future. Montgomery has expressed her love for the California community and has been grateful for the support she received during her time in the state.
However, any potential return to California would depend on a variety of factors, including financial considerations and personal circumstances. For now, fans can continue to enjoy Sweetie Pie’s food and hospitality at their other locations or through their catering services. Montgomery has encouraged fans to stay tuned for updates and announcements through her social media channels and website.