Yahoo Finance Petersburg restaurant with patio now open: Serves American, authentic Lebanese street food
PETERSBURG — The Rock Yard restaurant and pub opened in Old Towne on February 16. A week later, the food to prepare the American and authentic Lebanese street food ran out which forced owner Elias Haddad to close for the day.
The new eatery offers high-end charcuterie boards, panini sandwiches, burgers, shawarma, sub sandwiches, salads, desserts, Turkish coffee, hot honey wings, a daily special and more. On the wall, a chalkboard menu highlights specialty drinks such as The Santana, The Rock Island, The Cobain, The Rock Yard, The Madonna and The Beastie.
Haddad, who grew up in a major city in Lebanon, previously owned Cary Street Mini-Mart in Richmond. According to Haddad's wife Orion McClure, he no longer wished to operate the convenience store, so he opened a car dealership which he realized was not his cup of tea either. With a lot of thought and consideration, he mashed his passion for music and food together and decided to open a restaurant.
"My father was a restaurant owner and served Lebanese cuisine for 30 years. He inspired me to step out of retail and into the restaurant industry," Haddad said. "I have always had a love for food and making people happy with my cooking."
Originally, the partners in business and life selected Flashback for the name of their music-themed restaurant until they discovered Comeback Burger nearby. They decided upon The Rock Yard since the eatery has a great patio and in honor of their love for music and the outdoors.
The new restaurateurs decorated the interior of The Rock Yard by themselves. A variety of guitars and music memorabilia graces the walls. They plan to host guitarists, pianists and jazz ensembles. For Easter, they will invite the community to participate in a free egg hunt, and children will have photo opportunities with bunnies.
The eatery is indeed a family affair. According to Haddad, his mother will make the daily plates, wife will serve as manager, 16-year-old daughter will help clean, and two-year-old daughter will taste menu items. Haddad, an executive chef, predicts the top three menu items will be the burgers, shawarma and hummus. His sous chef is Corbin Gibbs.
"We chose Petersburg because we fell in love with the community. Our restaurant with an amazing dog and family friendly patio will be set apart from others by its vibe. We have a cool ambiance that relaxes you. The food is all fresh. The only thing frozen is our mozzarella sticks," Haddad said.
Petersburg restaurant: The Rock Yard
I was one of the lucky ducks who dined at The Rock Yard on Saturday, February 24 before the food vanished. I ordered the baba ghanoush pita sandwich with parsley, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil. It tasted good, however, the burger topped with Worcestershire sauteed onions, mushrooms and cheese is amazing. Mayonnaise is served on the side, but it doesn't need any.
"I thought the chicken shawarma was good. It was a mix of spices and flavors I wasn’t expecting," William Noakes said. "The chicken tawook was really good, super tasty with lots of flavor," Kathy Noakes said. "I liked the pickled veggies and how they toasted the pita."
Jeremy and Terry Ellis of Sutherland enjoy the eatery's music theme. "I like the small pub feel, and I’m very excited about the outdoor courtyard. It’s going to be really fun to sit out there when it’s warm," Terry Ellis said.
"We are so excited to have you in Petersburg! It’s no wonder that you have sold out! Your standards for food, welcoming staff and fun relaxing environment will surely continue to bring our citizens' support. Congratulations," Rick Clements commented on Facebook.
In a video posted on Facebook, McClure admitted to being understaffed. She thanked the community for their support and patience.
Randall G. Sweet of Petersburg commented, "What a great bump in the road to have. Y'all are bringing something special to Petersburg, and that's why everyone, especially me, loves The Rock Yard! I'll see you this week for lunch and chill time."
"You’re off to a great start! Growing pains are to be expected," Rhonda Donald commented.
Previously, the space owned by Dale and Linda Pittman was occupied by the Local Vibe Café which closed in October 2022. Diners may opt to eat inside or outside at tables, bars or counters. The Rock Yard located at 414 N. Market Street in Petersburg is open Wednesday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Thursday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Follow The Rock Yard on Facebook and on Instagram @therockyardpetersburg.
"I am doing this to support my four daughters, my wife, my mother and sisters. I have a huge family, and family is the most important thing to me," Haddad shared. "We want to bring something special to the people of Petersburg."
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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg: New eatery with American, authentic Lebanese street food
