Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based quick-service family of restaurants, announced the launch of Crafted Loaded Fries created by Gerard Craft, the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Niche Food Group. The new side is the second menu item to be developed for Lion’s Choice by Chef Craft throughout 2018. The limited-time-only side will be available beginning October 1 at all 28 St. Louis-area Lion’s Choice restaurants.

“We’ve had a great time working with Gerard to create signature menu items for our restaurants,” says Mike Kupstas, CEO of Lion’s Choice. “Following the success of his signature sandwich, Gerard has topped himself – and our natural-cut fries – by creating a unique side that we are sure will be a special treat for long-time Lion’s Choice customers and Gerard Craft fans alike.”

Crafted Loaded Fries start with Lion’s Choice’s natural-cut fries and are topped with its famous roast beef, along with a hearty beef n’ cheese gravy, giardiniera peppers, chives and a horseradish-based sauce with a kick. The Crafted Loaded Fries are priced at $3.79 per order and will be available for a limited time at all 28 St. Louis-area Lion’s Choice restaurants. 

“We took some of the favorite elements of the classic Lion’s Choice sandwich and put them atop fries; it’s kind of everything that we love in one dish,” adds Craft. “Our priority is to develop a dish that can be executed with consistency and quality across multiple locations. Working closely with the Lion’s Choice team, I admire their expertise in rolling out these limited-time specials for customers for more than 50 years, and I am proud to play a role in their ongoing success.”

The launch of Crafted Loaded Fries will be followed by the introduction of two additional limited-time-only sides created Lion’s Choice team members: Loaded Bacon Chili-Mac, offered at $4.29, and Loaded Pulled-Pork Nachos, offered at $3.59. These sides will be available at all 28 St. Louis-area Lion’s Choice restaurants starting October 10.