On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey sits down with owner Derek Deaver and director of operations Tara Byerley to talk about the growth of Three Kings Public House and its sister concept, Casa de Tres Reyes.

Derek shares his path from early days at Mike Duffy’s to opening Deaver’s in Florissant, then launching Three Kings on the Delmar Loop in 2011 and expanding across the region. Tara explains how strong hiring, training, and culture have powered the group’s consistency and success.

In this episode:

• The Three Kings timeline: Delmar Loop (2011), Des Peres (2014), South County (2017), STL Airport (2018)
• Why Casa de Tres Reyes launched in 2022 — and how chef partners shaped the menu
• Cross-utilizing kitchens (hello, smoked wings) while keeping each concept distinct
• Paying staff well, reducing turnover, and sharing takeout tips with the back of house
• Building a serious gluten-free program with dedicated fryers and strict protocols
• The upcoming Cottleville location — and why it’s expected to be a top performer

More highlights:

• Gluten-free wins: fried pickles, wings, buffalo chicken wrap — about 95% of the menu can be made GF
• STL Airport love: Three Kings has ranked nationally on USA Today’s 10Best Airport Bars (vote daily via the link on their site)
• Fan favorites: Smashburger, wings, poke bowl, chicken stir-fry
• Delmar fire in April 2023 and plans to return to the Loop when the right space is found
• Creating a better dining room vibe with a simple headphone policy

🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.
 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.