click to enlarge Chelsea Neuling

Burger 809 fills the tiny storefront that most recently held Parm Pasta & Sandwich Co.

click to enlarge Chelsea Neuling

809 Signature Burger-Slider size- Beef, jalapeno bacon jam, Monterey jack and mozzarella cheese

click to enlarge Chelsea Neuling

click to enlarge Chelsea Neuling

click to enlarge Chelsea Neuling

click to enlarge Chelsea Neuling

Last week, Burger 809 ) had its soft opening in one of the smallest restaurant spaces in St. Louis. The counter-service spot is serving a limited menu until its grand opening next week.Burger 809 is also the name of owner Tasha Smith's catering business, which she's operated for about four years. This is her first brick-and-mortar location — and the latest concept to open in the tiny storefront that most recently held Parm Pasta & Sandwich Co . (Before that, it was Teatopia's original home, and before that the original home the Little Dipper.)"I saw this little spot and I thought, 'Oh my gosh! What can we do with this?'" recalls Smith.Smith earned her bachelor's degree in communication and is a health counselor for people with HIV/AIDS when she's not cooking. She recently went back to school at Lindenwood University to get a master's degree.And, yes, she also has her catering business and now a restaurant, too. She says she has been cooking her entire life and always had a love for food. She started off cooking for family events. Her offerings were such a hit, she decided to open a catering company. Things grew from there.The 809 signature burger is topped with homemade jalapeno bacon jam, Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese. (Smith's burgers are slider-size, she says, because she believes in portion control.)The menu proclaims it "simple, yet damn good." You can get the burger on the limited menu along with the house salad, Southern greens, baked mac and cheese, the "Southside Salmon Slider" or a vegan grilled cheese.Although the shop is little, Smith has big plans. She plans to release a much larger menu after the grand opening.Starting Monday, Burger 809 will feature "Homework Happy Hour." Kids will be asked to bring in their homework after school for a free afternoon snack— a mini Cherokee Street Taco.Soft opening hours are noon to 8 p.m most days, with Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Wednesday.