Classics Bar & Grill is a Hazelwood Neighborhood Favorite

When I first pulled in the parking lot of , I wasn't expecting much. This local bar and grill shares its space with a handful of other businesses, including , in a small strip mall. The red, block letters that spelled out its name were obviously worn, as was the exterior of the small business.

I, however, am not one to judge a book by its cover--and I was hungry--so I walked right in.

While I never watched the popular television show Cheers, I am familiar with its catchy tagline, "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name." If there was a modern day Cheers bar, I think Classics might come close to fitting that bill.

As I walked into the dimly lit establishment, I noticed a handful of customers, who were obviously regulars, chatting it up with the bartender. Although the place had definitely seen better days--everything from the chairs and tables to the dart boards seemed to be more than a little worn--there was clearly something that kept the place full, even on a quiet weekday afternoon.

I sat down at a high-top table, eager to find out what made Classics so, well, classic. The friendly bartender immediately brought out water and a menu for me to peruse.

The menu at Classics is pretty standard for an establishment of its type. There is plenty of "bar food" dotted the menu. Toasted ravioli ($5.25), french fries ($2.50), and chicken strips ($3.99) filled the appetizer menu. Soups, salads and sandwiches rounded out the remainder of the menu. The fried buffalo chicken salad ($7) caught my eye. With lettuce, cheddar, parmesan, onions, tomatoes, bacon bits, and breaded chicken, it appeared to be the ideal choice for those looking to watch their diet. The Texas BBQ burger ($7.25), a thick, juicy burger topped with onion rings and barbecue saucealso sounded appetizing.

However, I decided to go with my gut and order the item that caught my eye initially, the sweet and spicy chicken sandwich ($6.75). This sandwich was composed of breaded chicken strips dipped in homemade sauce, served on a fluffy bun. Accompanied with hot crinkle cut fries, this seemed like the perfect treat.

And it was. The chicken rang true to its name, the pieces were sweet with just a little kick of spiciness. The fries were hot and delicious.

While the interior of Classics is a little too smoky for my tastes, for someone looking for a quick bite to eat or a happy hour hangout, Classics definitely fits the bill. 

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