Cafe Telegraph Opens Today

It's no April Fool's joke. Cafe Telegraph opens in Mehlville today.

For more than two years, Café Affton owner Bill Cieslinski and his business partners Bill Raible and Matt Schweiss have been working to turn Cafe Telegraph into a reality. 

"We took our time, so the good thing is we're going to be in the neighborhood forever," Cieslinski said.

Previous story: New Café Telegraph to Focus on Smoked Meat

Many menu items are named for schools and landmarks in the neighborhood. Here are a few of Patch's favorites:

• Mehlville Meatball sandwich - $8.99
• Oakville Hand Breaded White Fish sandwich - $8.99
• Hancock Grinder $9.99
• Barracks Burger - $8.29
• Cor Jesu Smoked Chicken Breast - $12.99
• Blades Spaghetti with Meatballs - $10.99

The extensive American grill-style menu also boasts St. Louis favorites (including toasted ravioli for $6.99) and a pizza menu with gluten-free crust options.

If you stop by Cafe Telegraph, at 2650 Telegraph Road, today, start your tour in the parking lot, newly paved with four inches of asphalt. Builders recycled the awning from an old Blockbuster store and wrapped the building in recycled cedar. Left of the front door is the smoker, so expect to smell some bar-b-que on your way in.

Inside the first front doors are photos of the restaurant before its renovation, which included all new plumbing, electric, security, heating and cooling systems.

Everything inside the restaurant has a history. The windows dividing the bar from the dining area were salvaged from Clayton businesses, and the ones hanging on the wall originally stood in the St. Louis Arena. The tables and chairs came from Casa Gallardo, a Mexican restaurant those closed last year on S. Lindbergh Blvd. 

Did you eat at Cafe Telegraph today? How was it? Let us know in the comments!