A High Ridge diner known for its classic all-American food is back in the hands of its original owner.
The diner also has a new name.
Owner Jenny Akcay said the High Ridge Family Diner is now called Sofra Kitchen, which hearkens back to her native country of Turkey. The diner is located at 4527 Gravois Village Plaza.
Akcay first opened the diner in 2019 and sold it a little over a year ago.
She said the new owners couldn’t keep the diner going, so she stepped back in.
“When I heard from people that (the owners) couldn’t make it, I was so sad,” Akcay said. “I decided to come back, and I’m excited.”
Akcay, who lives in Ballwin, said the diner’s new name is a Turkish word for a low table or ottoman used for dining.
While the restaurant has more traditionally American booths and chairs, the new name reflects the diner’s community-centered atmosphere, she said.
Some of the diner regulars said that community feeling is a big part of why they keep going back.
Vicki Carpenter of High Ridge, who was sipping coffee and enjoying a fruit cup at the diner on Aug. 1, said she’s frequented the diner for a long time and enjoys the family atmosphere and the friendly waitresses.
“There are people who come in here regularly,” she said. “I love the food – the eggs benedict, the fresh fruit cup and the coffee are so good. They’ve got some pretty good dinners as well.”
Becky Haskins said she usually goes to the diner a few times a week with her husband, Jefferson County Councilman Brian Haskins, who represents District 1. On Aug. 1, however, she was at the diner with her grandchildren, Henley, Lane and Tripp, who were visiting from Clarksville.
“The owner – Jenny – is nice, the food is great, and they have really good waitresses,” Haskins said. “The diner has a good, local, hometown feel.”
Akcay said it feels good to be back.
“We have a lot of regulars, and they’re happy I’m back,” she said. “I’m very glad to be here.”
The diner also has new hours and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Akcay, who doubles as the cook, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the diner. Breakfast options include omelets, pancakes, French toast, and biscuits and gravy. For lunch and dinner, Sofra serves classic burgers, patty melts, pasta and fried chicken.
The diner also has daily specials, with all-you-can-eat catfish on Friday. Akcay said the catfish is breaded with a homemade mix. Other specials include a vegetable quiche on Mondays and strawberry stuffed French toast on Tuesdays. Sunday specials are “ask and find out,” according to the menu.
Akcay said she plans to add charbroiled chicken wings and more Turkish cuisine to her menu in the coming months. She intends to include kofta (kofte) – a ground beef dish akin to meatloaf with rice on the side.
Akcay said she’s been in the restaurant business since 2011 and originally owned Jenny’s Diner in Chesterfield. She sold that restaurant in 2018 and went into the car sales business, which she said wasn’t for her.
For more information about Sofra Kitchen, call 636-671-7003.