Collegiate Times

A Cook Out employee calls out an order to the newly opened, frenzied restaurant.

COOK OUT OPENS ON SOUTH MAIN 

Replacing the Hardees at 1311 South Main St. is Cook Out, a North Carolina-styled fast food chain. Although it has only been open for a few weeks, the restaurant has quickly become wildly popular among students.

“I’ve been (to Cook Out) in North Carolina,” said Amanda Brown, a freshman hospitality and tourism management major. “We went to visit colleges, and my one friend just loves it down there.”

Brown’s reaction to the restaurant’s opening was no less than thrilling. 

“When I found out one opened in Blacksburg, I was so excited,” she said. “I was jumping up and down and everyone was like, ‘What are you doing?’”

Although college campuses can be very competitive environments for new restaurants, management is confident that it can carve out its own niche.

“Our quality is always at the highest standard, our prices are very reasonable, and those two things alone are very good for us,” said Mike Chelenza, Cook Out’s district manager.

EL RODEO OPENS, STILL NEEDS LIQUOR LICENSE

Over break, El Rodeo opened its second Blacksburg location at the First & Main shopping center. But, it is still waiting for the state to issue its liquor license.

Management does not know when it will receive the license. 

“It’s government issued — we cannot rush it. It’s up to them to drop it off,” said Sergio Arellano, the manager of the new restaurant. 

It typically takes five to seven weeks to get the license, but Arellano said it is taking longer because there was a mix up with the corporate name in the paperwork.

However, Arellano said business has been “not bad at all” and expects it to pick up once the license is delivered. 

GREEN’S REMODELS

Green’s Grill and Sushi Bar will be closed until next Thursday for renovations, according to a sign on its door. 

The restaurant is pushing the counter farther back, and adding a small bar for serving beer and wine, Richard Layman, the general contractor told the Roanoke Times. 

CASTLE’S KETTLE & PUB TO OPEN NEXT MONTH

Anthony Faulds, the Castle’s Kettle & Pub co-owner, expects the Irish pub to open at the end of February.

The restaurant on North Main Street started construction in July and originally planned to open in November.

RITA’S OFFERS CAKES 

Rita’s is now offering ice cream custard cakes and custard cookie sandwiches, and expects to serve up hot soft pretzels by February.

“There are a lot of events with students and student organizations, and I think it will be a locally good item in the winter,” said Jim Hagan, the owner of the Blacksburg franchise.

A version of this article appeared in the Jan 17 issue of the Collegiate Times.