It’s a new year, and we’ve noticed recently that several new restaurants have either opened, or are preparing to open in Fayetteville over the next few weeks. That’s the yin.
The yang is that a few local places have also closed up shop recently as well. Stupid yang.
Here’s a brief overview of what we know has opened or closed, and what’s coming soon to Fayetteville.
Z’s Brick Oven Pizza
Z’s Brick Oven Pizza, a new restaurant by former Razorback defensive back Zac Painter and his girlfriend Kelsey McClain, looks to be close to opening in the space formerly occupied by Tim’s Pizza at 2730 N. College Ave.
A new pole sign is up, the paper has been removed from the windows, and a “coming soon” now hangs on the door.
When we talked to Zac about the concept back in Oct., he said the restaurant will focus on “fresh ingredients, good service, and cold beer.”
The Taste
The Taste Bar & Grill is now open in the space formerly occupied by Wing Stop at 2630 E Citizens Dr. in Fayetteville.
The restaurant opened officially on Friday, Jan. 18, and specializes in burgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, subs, and steaks.
Parks Purity Pie Co.
There’s a new pie restaurant opening soon at The Yacht Club on College (617 N. College Ave.).
It’s called Park’s Purity Pie Co., and according to owner Shannon Strickland, it will be open to the public this week.
The restaurant will serve a different fruit, cream and savory pot pie each day by the slice, and to fulfill special orders of any type of pie as well.
Legacy Blues
Legacy Blues closed on Jan. 20 after about 18 months in business at 401 W. Watson St. in downtown Fayetteville.
According to the owners, the restaurant has sold to the group behind Table Mesa in Bentonville, and the new owners plan to take the club in a new direction.
Gusano’s Pizza
Gusano’s Pizza moved from their original Fayetteville location into the shopping center next to Harps at 1267 N. Steamboat Drive over the Christmas holiday.
The new restaurant is about twice the size of the original location, owners said.
Rowdy Beaver
Rowdy Beaver at 550 W Dickson St. has closed for good.
The owners of the chain confirmed that their licensee behind the location has chosen to close the restaurant, citing parking challenges in the private lot adjacent to the building among the reasons for the closure.
Rowdy Beaver also operates restaurants in Eureka Springs, Ark. and Branson, Mo.
Ay Caramba
Something’s cooking, or at least it soon will be, in the space formerly home to Elenita’s Mexican Cafe at 1120 N Lindell Ave. in Fayetteville.
The building has a new coat of paint, and a sign that reads “Ay Caramba coming soon. Now hiring” is visible from the street.
We haven’t been able to reach the owners yet, but if we had to guess, we’d wager they’re gonna serve some type of Mexican food.
The Burger Patti
The Burger Patti, located at 3327 W. Wedington Dr., has been open since late October 2012.
The restaurant focuses on burgers (obviously) and hand cut fries, and is open primarily for lunch, although they have recently expanded their hours to serve dinner on Friday and Saturday night until 8 p.m.
Burger Shack
Speaking of burgers, it looks like there’s a new burger joint opening soon in the space formerly occupied by Razor’s Edge at 1163 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Extensive renovations are underway on the space, and signs that reads “Burger Shack Coming Soon” are visible in three of the front-facing windows. That’s all we know about this place for now.
Apple Blossom Brewing Co.
Staff photo
In case you missed our story from a couple weeks ago, there’s a new restaurant and brew pub called Apple Blossom Brewing Company coming soon to North Fayetteville.
The new place is the brainchild of Smoke & Barrel Tavern founders Evan McDonald, Sammie Stephenson, Joe Utsch, Al Schaffer, along with brewery partners Ching Mong and Daniel Smith.
According to the owners, they’ll start with 3-4 of their own beers, and will serve in-house prepared soups, sandwiches, salads, focaccia pizzas, among other items.
If all goes well, the owners are hoping to open the brewpub at 1550 E. Zion Rd. sometime this summer.
