New restaurant brings cocktails, American food with vintage military flair to Fayetteville
If you like espresso martinis, you’ll love Fayetteville’s newest restaurant.
Anchor Allie’s, named for owner Allie Stephens, serves eight versions of the boozy, caffeinated drink.
“I’m obsessed with them,” she admitted Monday. “And Fayetteville is really, really loving the espresso martinis."
A huge blue and red bar is the centerpiece of the new Bragg Boulevard restaurant, which has mid-century modern decor and a vintage, patriotic vibe. Under the glow of a Sputnik-style chandelier, patrons can sip on cocktails, wine or craft beer on tap from local veteran-owned breweries.
As a Navy veteran, Stephens, 40, said she wants to incorporate veteran-owned products into her business wherever she can. It’s her way of bringing the military ethos of “one team, one fight” to the restaurant world, she said.
Open daily, Anchor Allie’s serves American breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since opening in late May, the most popular dishes include chicken and waffles and a signature French toast inspired by Stephens’ time working abroad.
“When I was stationed in the Middle East, I got hooked on the combo of strawberries, bananas and Nutella,” she explained. “So, I brought that to Anchor Allie’s.”
Other popular dishes on the military-themed menu are the Black Hawk burger, made with mushrooms, bacon, Swiss cheese and bleu cheese; and the Green Beret burger, topped with house-made chili, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and Thousand Island dressing.
Stephens started the restaurant chain about 10 years ago in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she opened her first two locations, which are still in operation. The restaurant in Fayetteville's Haymount neighborhood is the first outside of Virginia.
The restauranteur said it took her about two years to find a property in Fayetteville, but she knew it was the right place to expand the fledgling chain.
“My heart kept pulling me back there,” she said. “I really saw a need for something different. I thought I could serve the community.”
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More to come from Anchor Allie's
The Georgia native said she has even more up her sleeve. By the end of the summer, she hopes to open the restaurant patio, expand the menu, start catering services and add another 25 staff members to her current team of 40.
The development Stephens is most excited about, however, is a room in the restaurant that she’s turning into a cocktail and tapas lounge. She’s naming the space Siren’s Room after her late German shepherd, a loyal companion of more than 15 years.
The late-night lounge will serve a menu of small plates, high tea and libations and will be available to rent for events.
“It’s kind of like my alter ego,” she said. “It’s a room that can be used for a different vibe.”
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From the decor to the servers’ military-style pin-up girl uniforms, a focus on customer service and great food, everything about Anchor Allie’s is engineered to make a positive impact on customers, Stephens said.
“I don't care how many cups of coffee, waffles or burgers we sell,” she said. “The world is a tough place. We try to make that better.”
The details
Address: 1204 Bragg Blvd.
Phone: 910-229-3490
On the web: Search "Anchor Allie's Fayetteville" on Facebook
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at [email protected]. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Anchor Allie's restaurant and bar opens in Fayetteville, NC
