Shorty’s Diner officially rolled into Maryland Heights on April 4, opening at 12004 Lackland Road just off Westport Plaza. The Virginia-born family diner picked the former Hardee’s as its first Missouri outpost, turning the fast-food shell into a 1950s-style hangout for nearby hotels, offices and West County regulars looking for an old-school breakfast-and-lunch spot.
Retro 1950s feel and delivery-friendly flow
Owner Corey Broadus has leaned hard into the throwback look. Inside, red-and-black booths line the space, a working jukebox that belonged to his father cranks out tunes, a vintage payphone sits as a photo-ready relic, and license plates cover the ceiling. Outside, the old drive-thru did not go to waste. Instead of burgers in paper bags, it now serves as a dedicated pickup lane for delivery drivers so online and to-go orders can move faster. “We’re very conscious of the price point; we want people to come in and understand that they’re getting great value,” Broadus told St. Louis Magazine.
Menu and hours…