New O'Leary's Owner Set to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, Kyle Hamacher will take over the Irish-themed O'Leary's Restaurant, 3828 S Lindbergh Blvd., Friday with an opening under new management by about 11 a.m.

Hamacher, 24, fell in love with the restaurant business at a place called Quinton's, in Columbia, MO, where Hamacher was an assistant manager while he attended the University of Missouri to gain a food management degree.

He said current owner Kevin O'Leary has agreed to stay on as a consultant to the Sunset Hills restaurant for the next five months.

As for the restaurant's future, Hamacher says he will keep the "same great service," many of the familiar burgers and sandwiches, and especially will keep the fried pickles for which O'Leary's is known. He also said new menus will be made, eliminating the temporary menus that are currently in use at the restaurant.

Hamacher adds that he and his "kitchen guys" will make some enhancements to the menu, including featuring a variety of choices on the "lighter side."

With St. Patrick's Day this Sunday, Hamacher already is poised to pitch the familar tent over the patio for the Irish and Irish-for-a-day customers. He said the Guinness Girls will be in attendance on Sunday and bagpipers will also will be on hand. O'Leary's  was voted as the favorite place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by Patch readers.

Although Hamacher is happy with the history and lore of O'Leary's, he added that he could do without any tornadoes or fires that are part of the restaurant's history.