Frenchtown Connection: Local Business Spotlight

By Deb Sanders

This month, we are highlighting two businesses new to the Frenchtown community. You will notice a wonderful aroma coming from Big Mo’s BBQ (in the old Frenchtown Deli building). And, there is a new and unique food truck park, Bench Racers, that recently opened at the old Texaco station on North Second Street.

Big Mo's BBQ and Bench Racers in Frenchtown

From Street Corners to Frenchtown: The Heart and Heat of Big Mo’s BBQ

If you follow the sweet, smoky scent of homemade sauce wafting through St. Charles, it’ll lead you right to a hidden gem in Frenchtown. Tucked away behind the Bike Stop Bakery on Second Street, Big Mo’s BBQ is the culmination of a 25-year culinary journey, a leap of faith, and a whole lot of family pressure.

A Family Affair

Owners Maurice and Claudette Robinson aren't just business partners; they are a team that has been side-by-side for 23 years. While Maurice brings a quarter-century of restaurant experience—having cut his teeth at heavyweights like LongHorn Steakhouse and Outback—it was a 2012 family reunion that truly sparked the flame.

"I wasn’t a BBQ person," Maurice laughs. But when his family from the BBQ meccas of Memphis and Kansas City tasted his cooking, the verdict was unanimous: it was the best they’d ever had. They pushed him to go pro, and Big Mo’s was born.

The Gritty Beginnings

The road to a brick-and-mortar location wasn't paved with gold; it was paved with snow and 100° heat. Maurice started with nothing but a canopy and two tables on the street.

"We were out there when it was freezing and when it was over 100 degrees," he recalls. "In the heat, customers were bringing us water because they wanted to make sure they were going to get their BBQ that night."

After a stint with a massive 46-foot converted RV trailer that Maurice admits was "too ugly" for some properties, the couple set their sights on a permanent home. They had eyed the old Frenchtown Deli building five years ago, but the timing wasn't right. Fate finally stepped in recently when a chance conversation at the Bike Stop Bakery revealed the previous tenant was ready to retire. By the end of that day, the building was theirs.

The St. Louis Soul

The menu at Big Mo’s is a love letter to St. Louis. You’ll find the essentials done right: tender rib tips and classic pork steaks. But the real secret weapon? The potato salad and the sauce.

"You gotta have the right ingredients—the right mustard, the right pickle relish," Maurice explains. "They have to complement each other. I’m not trying to win a competition; I just want to win customers’ stomachs."

The sauce, a recipe developed for that fateful 2012 reunion, adds that "pizzazz" that store-bought bottles simply can't match.

More Than Just Food

For the Robinsons, Big Mo’s is about the "vibe." After 23 years with the USPS, Claudette now provides the operation's emotional backbone—and its retail flair, managing a selection of consigned tote bags, hats, and purses. Together, they’ve created a space where strangers walk in alone and leave as friends, bonding over plates of smoked meat.

While the shop is currently working on increasing its visibility with a new sign, the word of mouth is already spreading. "I want coming to Big Mo’s to be like when you’re going to see your favorite auntie," Maurice says.

  • Big Mo’s BBQ
  • Location: 1312 N. Second St. (Behind Bike Stop Bakery)
  • Hours: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Bench Racers Brings Cars, Canines, and Community to Frenchtown

There’s a special kind of magic that happens when a historic building finds its perfect second act. For years, Andy Stark drove past the old 1940s-era service station on North Second Street on his way to work, imagining the possibilities.

Initially, the goal was a simple investment to lease out. But as Andy and wife Stephanie Lai dug into the project, the vision shifted to something much more vibrant. Last month, that vision officially crossed the finish line as Bench Racers opened its doors to the Frenchtown community.

More Than a Pit Stop

In car culture, "bench racing" is the art of the story. It’s the tall tales, the friendly exaggerations, and the shared history that happens after the tools are put away. At Bench Racers, that spirit is built into the floorboards.

"It’s about coming down and telling stories," Andy explains. The interior reflects local automotive history, "littered" with memorabilia from the legendary St. Charles Speedway. Every photo on the wall has a connection to the local racing scene and the building itself.

The "Mixed Model" Menu

Navigating city codes in the historic district requires some creativity. Since Frenchtown requires establishments serving alcohol to operate as restaurants, Bench Racers has partnered with Sugarfire Smokehouse to serve a signature sandwich. This "anchor" menu item will be combined with a rotating fleet of up to five food trucks, along with pop-up vendors.

The opening weekend last month provided visitors several food truck options, including Mexican, Mediterranean, Philly Cheesesteaks and desserts.

The drink philosophy is "simple and social." Bench Racers will serve aluminum beer bottles and seltzers, along "straight-shot" liquor service where you can grab a soda and mix it to your liking. "The idea is: come in, grab your stuff, and go outside and enjoy the day," says Andy.

A Family (and Furry) Affair

When you stop in, you’ll notice Bench Racers is truly a grassroots operation. While Andy and Stephanie are the engines behind the business, the "pit crew" includes Andy’s mother-in-law and volunteers from their local car club. But the real VIPs have four legs. Bench Racers is passionately dog-friendly, a tribute to their own pups, Homer and Lisa.

"Lisa was a garage dog," Andy reminisces. "She spent all her time in the garage when I was in there."

Keep an eye out for "Easter eggs" dedicated to Lisa and Homer hidden throughout the decor, as well as vintage Texaco advertisements featuring Dalmatians. There may even be a dedicated food truck for dogs.

Come Sit, Stay Awhile

From the cheeky construction signs ("Grass is not for sale") to the "Come Sit Stay Awhile" suggestion on their website, the vibe at Bench Racers is intentionally unhurried. It’s a place designed to slow down the pace of modern life in favor of a cold drink and a good story.

As Andy and Stephanie find their rhythm in these first few months, they invite the neighborhood to join the journey. Whether you’re arriving in a vintage hot rod or just walking the dog, there’s a spot on the bench waiting for you.

  • Bench Racers
  • Location: 1801 N. Second St., Frenchtown
  • Online: benchracers-stc.com or Facebook