Sunset Grill

This song is actually about the White Knight Diner, located at 1801 Olive Street, in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, at the corner of 18th and Olive. It has big windows around the East, South, and, of course, the West sides. It is very small, and VERY cozy. The staff actually talks to you over your burger, or other meal. The establishment has been around forever, in the corner of a parking lot, and the city has tried to get rid of it on several occasions, in order to build a parking garage! It is not in a nice part of town, rather a very neglected area. The Salvation Army's Railston House (a transitional living facility is located across Olive street, on 18th.

Don "rediscovered" the diner at a time when things were very bad for it, and just when the owner, L Lee Hinds, thought that he would have to shutter it, once and for all. The restaurant is only open from 6 am to 3:00 pm, and Don had come in for lunch. The diner is about three blocks west, and two blocks south of the Keil (now reopened after 20 years of dormancy, as the Peabody) Opera House, and the Scottrade (Keil Auditorium, Saavis) Center (where the Blues take the ice, and the Bilikens once played). Don mentioned the diner, by name, at a concert, which led to the phones ringing off the hook, and thousands of new patrons, keeping the doors open. It also led to another serendipitous event... Thanks to Don Henley, Pipeline, Doubleplay, Mirage Productions, and the director of "White Palace" came to Saint Louis, gave the joint a face lift, and used it the movie, though Don has never taken credit for anything other than sharing some time over a hamburger in a place known for its grease.

So, the next time you find yourself in Saint Louis, check out the "Sunset Grill," located at 18th and Olive, and under the sign, "White Knight Diner."