STAUNTON — The owners of Harrisonburg’s Local Chop and Grill House had been looking in the area for expansion locations. The locally sourced steakhouse found a spot in Luray last year, opening the Chop House Bistro. Then they turned their attention further south toward Staunton.
“We had seen the Aioli building, but then we went and toured it and it just really fits what we're trying to do,” said Managing Partner Brad Reese about 29 N. Augusta St. in Staunton. “Our original restaurant, it is exposed beams and brick and rustic. We like a kind of upscale, rustic fine dining steakhouse, so when we walked in the space, it really fit who we are and what we're trying to do.”
The Staunton location will be called Chop House Tavern.
Reese said he and his co-owners – Ryan Zale, who is the executive chef, and Kate Hill – instantly got “tavern vibes.” It felt like the right location.
The upscale steakhouse will move into the space formerly occupied by Aioli, a Mediterranean restaurant that closed this past spring. The plan is to be opened by this fall. Reese didn’t want to give a firm date, but he is hoping to be up and running at the new location by October.
"Staunton, it's a beautiful city,” Reese said. “It's got an incredible dining scene. Zynodoa, Blu Point, the Shack, Maude and the Bear, Chicano Boy. I mean, there's so many great restaurants and places here that it is really a very cool culinary scene.”
Jeff Hill and his wife, Kate, opened the Harrisonburg location in 2009. Not long after Reese began working there as a dishwasher, working his way up through the ranks at the steakhouse until he became general manager. He eventually left the restaurant business for real estate. He didn't stay away from restaurants for long, though.
When Jeff Hill was diagnosed with ALS, Reese became partners with him in Harrisonburg. Hill died in 2022. Kate Hill was still a part owner at the time, and she and Reese brought in Zale as the third partner. Zale was the original chef when the Local Chop and Grill House opened. He and Reese had worked together for several years.
The Staunton location will be a traditional chop house and steakhouse.
Reese said some of menu staples will be filet mignon, rib eye, sirloin, scallops and salmon. That will also rotate specials on the menu throughout the year, food that Reese described as more “hardy and tavern like,” including pot pies, shepherd pies and braised beef cheeks.
“We are excited to be joining the Staunton dining scene,” Reese said. “Since the minute we decided on this that's really gotten us excited to be a part of that.”
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick . Subscribe to us at newsleader.com
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: New steakhouse opening this fall in downtown Staunton
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