There's More to the Lemp Than Ghosts and Goosebumps

About.com Rating 4 Star Rating

User Rating 2 Star Rating (1 Review) Write a review

By David O'Brien, About.com Guide

There's More to the Lemp Than Ghosts and Goosebumps

Dine or Sleep in the Haunted Lemp Mansion

Photo courtesy the Lemp Mansion

The Bottom Line

The Lemp regularly tops national lists of America's most haunted places. Diners and overnight guests may come for the ghost stories, but they come back for the food or to stay again in rooms that seem unchanged from the days when the Lemps were among St. Louis' most elite families. The everyday menu has traditional fare such as Beef Wellington and Prime Rib. But locals love its all-you-can-eat Sunday dinner, where Pan Fried Chicken is the star and everything's served family style. Prices are higher than warranted by the food and service, but diners happily pay more to dine in such a unique (and notorious) home.

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Pros

Set in St. Louis' most notorious and historic home
Inn offers huge rooms with original furnishings
Broad menu of traditional classics
Eager, friendly and talkative staff

Cons

The nearby interstate can be noisy
Food is a bit pricey
Busy on weekends and in October

Description

Location: 3322 DeMenil Place, St. Louis
Phone: (314) 664-8024
Lunch Hours: Monday - Thursday
11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Dinner Hours: Tuesday - Saturday
5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. (reservations recommended)
Sunday Family Style Dinner: 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
$16.95 for all-you-can eat
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: Friday and Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
$48.95 includes four-course meal and wine with entree
Bed & Breakfast (six Suites):
Sunday - Thursday $115 - $145
Friday & Saturday $145 - $195
Holidays $170 - $245
Haunted Tours: Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
$10 per person

Guide Review - There's More to the Lemp Than Ghosts and Goosebumps

Even without its macabre history, the Lemp Mansion would rank among St. Louis' most historic homes. The Lemps once ruled over the second largest brewery in the U.S., and the family home is everything you'd expect from such a dynasty. But the Lemp history is also among the nation's most chilling. In a span of two generations, four members of the Lemp family committed suicide. It's that history, combined with hundreds of stories of ghostly encounters, that earns the Lemp a place among the nation's most haunted houses.

St. Louis' Most Unique Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast

Today, the home's reputation makes it one of St. Louis' most interesting restaurants and popular bed & breakfasts. The thirty-three room mansion still has original furnishings and a distinctive victorian and art deco decor. The restaurant is divided among four semi-formal dining rooms, but each feels like it was once your grandma's living room or parlor. The bar's tucked in a room of it's own and looks like a well-designed basement bar in South St. Louis (right down to the basic bar stools and the fish trophy above the bar). All-in-all, most visitors are very impressed with the Lemp's historic yet homey atmosphere.

Fine Dining With a Twist

The Lemp's menu doesn't stray far from classics that could just as easily have been served to the Lemps. Steaks, Italian favorites and even Wiener Schnitzel are all priced in the twenty dollar range. Most diners agree the food's well prepared, although perhaps a bit overpriced when compared to the quality at other fine dining options in town. But the quality is high enough to keep diners coming back (and paying $23.95 for a steak), especially when packaged as part of the overall "Lemp experience." In other words, you're mouth may water at the thought of eating at Tony's, but the goosebumps you'll get dining at the Lemp are just as pleasureable.

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User Reviews

2 out of 5

Disappointed in stay at Lemp Mansion, Member happyin03

First I would like to say the dinner service was wonderful. Food was not cooked as ordered....overdone and too salty but waiter was more then happy to resolve issue. As far as the spending the night in the haunted house it was not at all what we expected. The room was nice and very large Other than that the service was not good. We were not told of the machines available on the top floor other than the ice machine. We received two small bottles of wine as a complementary service. When inquired about buying more I was told I could purchase at Schnucks they do not have it for sale in house. Lemp advertises as being a bed and breakfast yet the only breakfast you will receive is one donut per room that could be purchased down the street at a gas station. I thought bed and breakfast meant a hot breakfast served in the morning. I was only told it would be served in our room did not find out until we arrived it was already in our room and a packaged deal. The house is nice and makes for a comfortable night of sleep but after that it is not all that it is promoted to be. Service to the overnight guests is lacking. For the price you pay you can stay at a hotel a a couple night and have a hot breakfast served and still come out ahead. Unless your really into the haunting experience I would not waste the time or money to stay here. I would suggest you take a tour of the house and move on. Was our stay a disappointment....YES!!!! And not ghosts were spotted or heard during our overnight stay.

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