Cordonnier’s Place

2221 S. Fourth St

279-0826

Cordonnier’s Place is one of St. Joseph’s long-standing hangouts for food and drink. It’s located off the Stockyards Expressway along with some other well known watering holes, Hap’s Place and Mackenzie’s Bar & Grill.

As far as the food goes, you can ask a local off the street and they will tell you Cordonnier’s is the place to go for catfish. (Seriously, when I was lost on the other side of town, a kind woman in her yard didn’t know the address, but knew it was the place for catfish.) A News-Press reader also recommended the carp for our Best Bite. In addition, their hand-cut tenderloin is very popular for lunch and dinner.

After being in business for more than 30 years, the place was sold four months ago to Bill Barber and his sons, Jeff and Craig.

They have kept most of it the same, but gave the interior a major cleanup, removing the paneling, painting the walls and replacing the deer heads on the wall with TVs.

“We have tried to make it more like a sports bar,” Craig says.

They continue to draw a big crowd on Friday and Saturday nights, which is a mix of regulars and now a younger crowd in their 30s. And bowling leagues have been really popular lately, he says. They had eight leagues compete arcade style, with the winner getting a trophy and plaque. It’s been fun for everyone.

“Everybody gets along,” Craig says. “We never have any trouble, thank God,” he laughs.

The kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The bar stays open all night, and everything is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

A side room with a pool table and TV can be rented for private parties and receptions.