Sirros Family Restaurant

Sirros – Nearly Three Decades of Familiar Faces, Good Service, and Homemade Onion Rings in Downtown Ste. Genevieve

At 261 Merchant Street in the heart of historic downtown Ste. Genevieve, Sirros delivers what a family restaurant should: consistently good food, friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, and the sense that you’re eating somewhere deeply embedded in the community. Since opening in 1989, this casual ninety-seat restaurant has built devoted following among locals and wine country tourists by specializing in what they call “samiches” (yes, deliberately spelled that way), hand-tossed pizzas, hearty pasta dishes, and those legendary homemade made-to-order onion rings that customers describe as “munching crunchy mouthfuls of heaven.” Open daily (Monday-Thursday 11 AM-8 PM, Friday-Saturday 11 AM-9 PM, Sunday 11 AM-8 PM) with dine-in and carryout options, Sirros occupies a building with remarkable history—the 1930s soda fountain here once served as the lone bus stop between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau. Now, under longtime manager Lauren Smothers’ leadership, Sirros continues three-decade tradition of making visitors “feel at home, feel comfortable, and leave with a smile on your face.”

The Name: Orris Spelled Backward (Plus an “S”)

Sirros “began life backward”—literally. The restaurant’s unusual name comes from spelling “Orris” backward with an added “s”—Orris being both the neighboring Orris Theater and the historic Orris Cafe that first occupied this building decades earlier.

The Building’s Journey:

1934: The Orris Cafe opens at 261 Merchant Street, serving a seventy-five-cent, three-course chicken dinner

1930s: The building houses a soda fountain that becomes “the lone bus stop between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau”—imagine travelers waiting on benches, sipping sodas, watching for the bus that would carry them north toward the city or south toward the river towns. This wasn’t just restaurant—it was transportation hub, community gathering place, connection point for rural Missouri.

Following decades: The space evolves through various incarnations—pizza parlor, TV repair shop, other uses—before sitting vacant for many years

1984: Richard Greminger, who owns the neighboring Orris Theater, purchases the building

1989: Greminger opens Sirros—the name honoring the building’s heritage while signaling fresh start

1989-present: Sirros becomes beloved fixture in downtown Ste. Genevieve dining scene

This backstory matters because it explains why Sirros feels so embedded in Ste. Genevieve—the building has been serving the community for ninety years, with Sirros representing latest chapter in long hospitality tradition.

The Philosophy: “Good Service, Good Food” and Familiar Faces

Longtime manager Lauren Smothers identifies consistency as Sirros’ secret: “Good service, good food. You just know when you go there, it’s going to be familiar faces and good service.”

That phrase—”familiar faces”—captures something essential about family restaurants in small towns. Sirros isn’t corporate chain with rotating staff and scripted interactions. It’s place where:

• Servers remember regular customers
• Families celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations
• Travelers returning annually for French colonial heritage tourism make Sirros part of their ritual
• Locals grab lunch between errands, knowing exactly what they’ll order

Reviews repeatedly mention this warmth: “The servers were so friendly and helpful! We were traveling and they answered all our questions.” Another visitor notes attending grandmother visits to Ste. Genevieve: “Sirros is always on the food agenda!”

Lauren’s hospitality philosophy: “We hope that when you do come in, it’s a good experience. You don’t just get some food thrown at you and, you know, see you later. We want you to feel at home, feel comfortable, and leave with a smile on your face.”

This isn’t marketing copy—it’s genuine commitment to making dining personal rather than transactional.

The Menu: “Samiches,” Pizza, Pasta, and More

Sirros specializes in American casual dining comfort food—generous portions, robust flavors, broad appeal across age groups and tastes.

“Samiches” – Yes, It’s Spelled That Way:

Sirros uses deliberate phonetic spelling “samiches” rather than “sandwiches”—playful touch reflecting casual, unpretentious atmosphere. The menu offers “a wide variety of basketed samiches”—meaning sandwiches served in baskets with sides (typically fries or chips).

Signature Sandwich Options:

French Dip:

One of Sirros’ most popular items—thinly sliced roast beef piled on hoagie roll, served with au jus for dipping. Reviews consistently praise this classic preparation. (Note: The au jus contains spice packet, so gluten-sensitive diners should inquire.)

Parmesan Peppercorn Roast Beef:

Au jus-infused roast beef with Monterey Jack cheese and parmesan peppercorn dressing—elevated take on traditional roast beef sandwich

Reuben:

Classic deli favorite with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing on rye

Burgers:

Multiple preparations including Bacon Cheeseburger, Double Cheeseburger, standard Cheeseburger—”messy and delicious” according to reviews. One gluten-free diner reported “best burger he’s had since he had to go GF.”

Patty Melt:

Grilled burger patty with cheese and caramelized onions on toasted bread—diner classic done right

Southwest Chicken Wrap:

Grilled chicken with bold flavors wrapped in flour tortilla with zesty chipotle ranch

Grilled Chicken Options:

Various preparations including Grilled Chicken, Bacon, and Swiss on gluten-free buns for dietary needs

All sandwiches come with choice of sides—and those sides deserve attention.

The Famous Homemade Onion Rings:

“Cut and fried and made to order,” Sirros’ onion rings are “by far” the restaurant’s most popular item. Reviews use phrases like “munching crunchy mouthfuls of heaven,” “fantastic, light and crispy,” and “delicious.”

What makes them special? They’re not frozen, pre-battered rings reheated from industrial food service suppliers. These are fresh onions, hand-cut, battered, fried to order—meaning they take a bit longer but arrive hot, crispy, with that just-cooked quality impossible to achieve with frozen product.

Other Sides:

• Sidewinders: Seasoned spiral-cut fries
• Sweet potato fries: Can be oven-baked to avoid cross-contamination for gluten-sensitive guests
• Regular fries
• Mac & Cheese: Creamy comfort food classic
• Potato skins
• Bacon Cheese Chips: Fried potato chips loaded with mozzarella, cheddar, bacon, cool ranch dressing

Pizza – “The Only Local Pizza in Town”:

Sirros takes pride in being Ste. Genevieve’s only locally-owned pizza restaurant (as opposed to national chains). They offer hand-tossed pizzas in various sizes with extensive topping options.

Popular Pizza Varieties:

Large Cheese Pizza: $14.99 (15-inch)

Large Hawaiian: Ham, pineapple, cheese ($18.99)—sweet and savory combination

Large All Meat: Pepperoni, beef, Italian sausage, bacon, sausage ($18.49)—carnivore’s delight

Cheeseburger Pizza: Creative fusion bringing burger toppings to pizza format

Black Olive Pizza: For olive enthusiasts

Supreme Pizza: Loaded with multiple toppings

Pizzas feature quality ingredients and generous portions. Reviews note the pizzas are “really liked it a lot,” “have enjoyed both the pizza and several of the sandwiches.”

Pasta – Including Saturday Night Specials:

Sirros is “well known for its…Saturday night pasta specials”—rotating preparations that bring Italian-American comfort food to the menu.

Standard Pasta Offerings:

Fresh-made pasta dishes with various sauces—marinara, Alfredo, meat sauces, seasonal preparations

The pasta menu complements the sandwich and pizza offerings, giving diners Italian-American options beyond the typical pub food.

The Local Specialty: Ribley Soup (Rively, Rivelies)

Among locals, Sirros is known for serving ribley soup (also spelled rively, rivelie, rivelies, rebilies, rivels)—a traditional German soup featuring tiny flour-and-egg dumplings added to chicken broth.

The German Heritage:

Ste. Genevieve’s German immigrants (primarily from Baden and Swabia, arriving 1832-1870) brought numerous culinary traditions, including various German pasta shapes. Rivelies are small crumbles of flour and beaten egg mixed with fingers until they form tiny bits, then added to boiling soup and cooked briefly. The first-time you see them, you might wonder “what the floaters are”—hence one family’s nickname “floaters.”

Sirros’ Tradition:

“Sirros restaurant has been serving their rively soup during the winter for 30 years”—making this comfort food available when cold weather demands hearty, warming meals. This connects Sirros to deeper Ste. Genevieve culinary heritage, honoring German traditions alongside French colonial history.

Salads – “Extremely Fresh” Salad Bar:

Reviews repeatedly praise Sirros’ salad bar: “The salad bar was extremely fresh and several offerings of dressings that I just couldn’t choose just one!”

Salad Options:

Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken: Fresh greens, vegetables, grilled chicken, choice of dressings

Fresh Salad Bar: Self-serve with multiple vegetables, toppings, dressing options

The salad bar provides lighter option for those seeking balance or vegetables to accompany heartier entrées.

Kids’ Menu – Family-Friendly Options:

Sirros maintains dedicated children’s menu with age-appropriate portions and kid-favorite items—chicken fingers, smaller burgers, pizza slices, pasta, standard offerings that let families dine together without kids feeling forced into adult menu.

Beverages:

Local Beers and Wines:

“They serve a variety of local beers and wines as well!”—connecting diners to Missouri craft beverage scene, particularly relevant given Ste. Genevieve County’s wine country status. Sirros stocks Route du Vin wines, Missouri craft beers, regional selections.

Also Featured:

“A crafty NA beer”—non-alcoholic craft beer option for designated drivers, non-drinkers, or those who want beer flavor without alcohol

Standard Beverages:

Soft drinks, iced tea, coffee, water

The Atmosphere: Casual, Fun, Family-Friendly

Indoor Décor:

“Indoor fun décor”—Sirros embraces casual, unpretentious vibe with playful decorative touches creating relaxed environment. This isn’t white-tablecloth formal; it’s comfortable, welcoming space where families, tourists, business groups, friends all feel at ease.

Capacity:

Ninety-seat dining room provides substantial capacity without overwhelming intimacy. Space accommodates:

• Families with children
• Couples seeking casual lunch/dinner
• Groups of friends
• Tour groups stopping during heritage tourism visits
• Business lunches

Outdoor Tables:

Two pet-friendly outdoor tables welcome canine companions—Sirros even provides doggie water bowls. For travelers exploring Ste. Genevieve with dogs, this outdoor option means furry friends join the meal.

Cleanliness:

Multiple reviews note “clean environment”—the kind of detail guests notice and appreciate. Consistent cleanliness signals respect for customers and pride in establishment.

Community Atmosphere:

One review mentions: “Was surprised we ran into friends we haven’t seen for a while, so visited with them while we were having pizza.”

Dietary Accommodations: Gluten-Free Options with Knowledge and Care

For guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, Sirros demonstrates unusual attentiveness:

Available Options:

• Gluten-free buns for sandwiches/burgers
• Gluten-free pizza crusts
• Sweet potato fries oven-baked separately to avoid cross-contamination
• Staff knowledgeable about ingredients and preparation

Guest Experience:

One celiac guest reported: “I was very pleased with the accommodation that Sirros gave me…They baked my sweet potato fries in the oven and I even got a gf pizza. I’m very sensitive to cross-contamination and I was perfectly fine. I was very impressed with their knowledge of celiac and willingness to bake the fries for me.”

Another: “My son said best burger he’s had since he had to go GF. Staff super friendly.”

The Caveat:

Sirros is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility—cross-contamination remains possible. Staff honestly communicate ingredients (noting, for example, that French dip au jus contains spice packet with potential gluten). This transparency lets guests make informed decisions.

Why Travelers Make Sirros Part of Their Ste. Genevieve Ritual

“We make it to Ste. Gen at least once a year to visit my grandmother, and Sirros is always on the food agenda!”

That quote captures something important—Sirros becomes part of Ste. Genevieve experience, not just meal but tradition.

The Appeal:

Reliable Quality:

When you visit annually, you need restaurants that maintain standards. Sirros delivers consistency—those onion rings are excellent this year and next year. That French dip satisfies every time.

Central Location:

261 Merchant Street places Sirros in historic downtown’s heart—walking distance from French colonial houses, museums, shops. Tourists exploring on foot naturally encounter Sirros.

Hours That Work:

Open daily, reasonable hours (including Friday-Saturday until 9 PM) accommodate tourist schedules. One review notes: “They were the best rated restaurant what was open when my friend and I were looking for a restaurant in Ste. Genevieve after 7:00 p.m.”

Many small-town restaurants close early or multiple days weekly—Sirros’ consistent availability serves travelers whose schedules don’t always align with local dining patterns.

Casual Atmosphere:

After day spent touring historic houses, museums, and walking downtown, tourists want comfortable, unpretentious dining—not dressy, not rushed, just good food in relaxed setting. Sirros delivers exactly that.

Good Value:

Generous portions, reasonable prices—the kind of value proposition that matters to families and travelers watching budgets without sacrificing quality.

Practical Information

Name: Sirros (originally Sirro’s Restaurant, now typically styled without apostrophe)

Location: 261 Merchant Street, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

Phone: (573) 883-5749

Website: sirrosrestaurant.com

Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Friday-Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Established: 1989 (building’s restaurant history dates to 1934)

Capacity: 90 seats

Manager: Lauren Smothers (longtime manager)

Services:

• Dine-in
• Carryout/takeout
• Online ordering available
• Reservations accepted

Seating:

• Indoor dining room
• Two pet-friendly outdoor tables (doggie water bowls provided)

Menu Specialties:

• Homemade made-to-order onion rings
• “Samiches” (basketed sandwiches)
• Hand-tossed pizzas
• Pasta dishes
• Ribley soup (winter season)
• Fresh salad bar
• Saturday night pasta specials

Signature Items:

• French Dip
• Onion rings
• Burgers
• Local pizza

Beverages:

• Local wines (Missouri, Route du Vin)
• Local beers
• Craft NA beer
• Standard soft drinks

Dietary Options:

• Gluten-free buns and pizza crusts
• Vegetarian options
• Kids’ menu
• Salad bar for lighter fare

Attire: Casual

Parking: Street parking in downtown Ste. Genevieve

Credit Cards: Accepted

Atmosphere: Casual, family-friendly, fun décor

Historical Note: Building housed 1930s soda fountain that served as lone bus stop between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau

“Keep Supporting Your Mom-and-Pop Places”

Lauren Smothers’ appeal resonates beyond Sirros: “Keep supporting your mom-and-pop places. We hope that when you do come in, it’s a good experience. You don’t just get some food thrown at you and, you know, see you later. We want you to feel at home, feel comfortable, and leave with a smile on your face. Just spread the love, be happy, embrace change.”

This philosophy—wanting guests to feel at home, leave smiling, experience warmth beyond transaction—distinguishes family restaurants from corporate operations. It’s why Sirros has thrived for nearly three decades while chains come and go.

At 261 Merchant Street in downtown Ste. Genevieve—in a building that’s fed travelers since the 1930s bus stop days, where Orris spelled backward plus an “s” creates name honoring heritage, where homemade onion rings arrive fresh and hot because they’re cut and fried to order, where ribley soup carries forward German culinary tradition, where “samiches” deliberately spelled that way signal comfortable unpretentiousness, where salad bar stays “extremely fresh,” where gluten-free guests receive knowledgeable, accommodating service, where Saturday night pasta specials draw locals, where that French dip satisfies every time.

A tradition for nearly three decades. Familiar faces. Good service. Good food.

Open daily. Online ordering available. Tell them you’re in town for the French colonial heritage—they’ll welcome you like the regular you’re about to become.