Hickory Tavern to move into former Fuddruckers on Hilton Head
Starting early next year, there will be another Hilton Head Island restaurant for you to get your burger-and-brew fix.
Hickory Tavern, a Hickory, N.C.-based restaurant featuring American food and at least 100 types of beer, will occupy a 7,300-square foot building at 32 Shelter Cove Lane in the former Fuddruckers, which closed in 2012. The restaurant is expected to open within six months, according to Hickory Tavern chief marketing officer Thom Perez. Design plans, which include an outdoor patio, are under review by the town.
Perez classified Hickory Tavern as a "neighborhood restaurant with sports passion."
He stopped short of calling it a sports bar, though -- sawdust on the floor and duct-taped bar stools aren't part of the restaurant's ambiance.
It is, though, a place to eat burgers or wings, drink beer, and watch games on the many TVs throughout the restaurant.
But it's not a sports bar.
One reason Hickory Tavern is different from a sports bar, Perez said, is the diversity of food offered at the restaurant. In addition to burgers and wings, he said entrees such as lobster rolls, crab legs and oysters are on the menu.
"(The idea is that) 20 people can walk into our restaurant and everyone can find something," Perez said.
The ultimate test for me: Can a vegetarian eat there?
It turns out, yes. There is a veggie burger entree and a B.Y.O. salad option -- that stands for "build your own," not "bring your own," although I've nearly had to bring my own food to some unaccommodating restaurants.
Like other restaurants coming to the area, the Hickory Tavern on Hilton Head will make a "concerted effort" to feature local brews, Perez said. He estimates about 30-40 beers will be on tap.
Hickory Tavern has 20 locations, including in Columbia, Spartanburg and Indian Land. Perez said the restaurant is looking to open three more South Carolina locations, including the one on Hilton Head, in Myrtle Beach and in Rock Hill.
Other new Shelter Cove restaurant options include World of Beer, set to open this winter at Shelter Cove Towne Centre, and Wayback Burgers, which opened in July.
Follow reporter Ashley Fahey at twitter.com/IPBG_Ashley.
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This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Hickory Tavern to move into former Fuddruckers on Hilton Head."