Mark Everett is putting the finishing touches on the new Buffalo Nickel Bar & Grill, located a half block off Main Street. The new club will provide a handy retreat for locals and visitors, offering a full bar, lunch and dinner, and live music on the weekends. Photo by Phil Houseal
Details:
The Buffalo Nickel Bar & Grill is located at 105 South Llano Street. The official opening is set for Friday, August 3, but they hope to be serving customers early next week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, staying open until midnight on Friday and Saturday for live music. Bob Villa will perform Aug 3 and 4. Call 830-997-3700 or email maeverett@sbcglobal.net for details.
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The Buffalo Nickel
by Phil Houseal
July 25, 2007
We've all seen him.
The dazed fellow, dallying downtown as his friends and family stalk the stores on Main Street. You can recognize him by his drooping shoulders and furtive glances as he desperately seeks an escape from the all-day shopping trek.
Fredericksburg may be a merchandising mecca, but even dedicated shoppers need a break from the heat and the streets.
Gentlemen (and ladies), step right in to the Buffalo Nickel.
Entrepreneur Mark Everett saw a need for a downtown diversion, so that became one of the reasons he is opening the Buffalo Nickel Bar and Grill just a half block off Main.
"That's going to be one of our marketing perspectives," he explained. "We do want tourists to know there is a spot to stop off and hang for a couple of hours, a place to take in a couple of beers while watching sports. And of course, the shoppers are welcome to join us for lunch and dinner."
That last statement was made with a grin. Because Everett wants the world to know the Buffalo Nickel is a welcoming refuge for anyone - man or woman, tourist or local - looking for a reasonably priced place to enjoy all-American food, cold drinks, and good company.
The "Grill" half of the Buffalo Nickel is a restaurant that that specializes in gourmet burgers and hand-cut steaks.
What makes a humble hamburger "gourmet?"
"There are two facets," he informed me. "One, there is the potential to work in ingredients - such as onions and chiles - from around the U.S., into the patty itself. Two, it is adding special sauces and toppings onto the burger."
Everett will round out the menu with salads, chicken dishes, soups, and a "soon to be world famous" chicken-fried steak.
The "Bar" in "Bar and Grill" will be a relaxing place to enjoy domestic and imported beer in the bottle and on tap, local and specialty wines, and mixed drinks.
Everett lives in Harper and boasts Fredericksburg roots going back several generations. With that perspective, he recognized a niche that needed filling.
"In my opinion, there is a gap in Fredericksburg for meeting the needs of the local people," he said. "That gap to me is a pricing issue. We want to have an honest, fair price that does not deter locals from coming in, but we certainly want to pull in the tourists as well."
Consequently, the draft menu for the Buffalo Nickel features appetizers starting under $5, sandwiches and lunch entrees from $5 to $10, and steak dinners around $20.
Guests will enjoy their food in an atmosphere that Everett describes as "western meets Native American." Decor is heavy on custom-milled cedar, deer mounts, and Native American artifacts.
Wide screen TVs in the bar promise viewing of all major professional sporting events. There will be free internet access. On Friday and Saturday evenings, guests can hear live jazz, soft rock and country music.
Everett, who has a degree in business and four years experience running a similar club in San Antonio - the Texas Ice Service - plans to be a hands-on manager at the new venture, with help from his wife, Sandra, and Jeremy Cantwell.
"From a business perspective and personal standpoint, both my wife and I have always enjoyed visiting and interacting with customers."
Everett admits he has always had an interest in developing a great concept in the restaurant and bar industry
"Fredericksburg offers that opportunity to bring something unique that hasn't been tried before," he said. "As Fredericksburg continues to grow, it is my belief that eateries, clothiers, and furnishings are the three areas that Fredericksburg will be all about."
And of course, shopping.
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