Business Spotlight

Beef’O’Brady’s—Boone’s New Family Sports Pub Is In A League Of Its Own

Story by Sam Calhoun

Beef’O’Brady’s has only been open for 3.5 months, but its support of local sports teams, schools, law enforcement officials and nonprofit organizations is on par with businesses that have called the High Country home for decades.

“Beef’O’Brady’s is really community oriented,” said co-owner Mark Lewis. Lewis co-owns the family sports pub with Adam Smith and Donna Fleming. Missy Smith is the general manager and David Buchanan, former general manager for Lonestar Steakhouse in Boone, is assistant manager.

Beef’O’Brady’s, located at 276-G Watauga Village Drive in Boone, opened on November 5, 2007, and the pub already is a main sponsor of area Little League and soccer teams, Watauga County Parks and Recreation, the Junior Bobcats Basketball League, Special Olympics and the ASU basketball coaches’ weekly radio show. What’s more, Beef’O’Brady’s hosts School Spirit Days on Mondays and Thursdays. During the School Spirit Days, customers of Beef’O’Brady’s who dine in between the hours of 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. place their receipts in a box; the receipts are tallied and 10 percent of the sales are given to a school or school-affiliated program. Beneficiaries of the School Spirit Days are chosen on a monthly basis and receive signs to advertise the event around town.

And the community support doesn’t stop there. On any day of the week, senior citizens receive 15 percent off meals, and ASU students receive 10 percent off meals by showing their school ID. Also, Beef’O’Brady’s recent Super Bowl raffle raised $1,015 for OASIS and Watauga County Parks and Recreation.

Along with all this support, the food at Beef’O’Brady’s is in a league of its own.

From wings to fried mushrooms, from burgers to wraps, from Reubens to Philly cheesesteaks, from salads to seafood, from ribs to soup, Beef’O’Brady’s has the bases covered, all at a reasonable price. And then there’s the beer. Beef’O’Brady’s carries 28 different labels of beer and features 10 of them on tap as well.

But forget the food and community support for a minute. What about the entertainment? Beef’O’Brady’s has got that covered with 32 flat-screen televisions that surround the restaurant. Each of the restaurant’s 135 seats has a perfect view of the game, the news or your favorite television show. And it’s all non-smoking, so it’s perfect for families.

Beef’O’Brady’s is not a new idea. Started in 1985 in Tampa, Fla. as a place where families could go after Little League games, Beef’O’Brady’s is now a franchise that boasts 240 locations in 21 states.

Lewis lived in Tampa before he moved to the High Country last year. For eight years prior, Lewis and his wife vacationed in the High Country, staying in Newland. While driving through Boone one day, he realized that there were “no good sports bars,” and the idea struck him to bring a Beef’O’Brady’s to the area. So last year, Lewis left his communications company in Florida, packed his things and moved to Boone to open a new location of Beef’O’Brady’s. Lewis still owns the communications company, but he now runs it from the High Country. Beef’O’Brady’s is his main focus.

Already, Beef’O’Brady’s is popular with families, church groups, sports teams and ASU students.

“We see everybody,” said Lewis. “It’s mixed.”

Lewis’ 35 employees take pride in keeping the restaurant clean. In fact, he hears the most compliments on the cleanliness of the pub’s bathrooms. Food quality and care in preparation are also top priorities.

Beer and food specials are offered daily, and kids eat free on Tuesday nights from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Beef’O’Brady’s also features a private party room, complete with two 50-inch plasma flat-screen televisions, that seats 20 to 25 people and is free to rent—all people have to do is call ahead. Recently, a group rented the room for the University of North Carolina versus Duke basketball game and had a great time, according to Lewis.

And don’t worry about missing any sports games when you go to Beef’O’Brady’s. The owners purchased NFL Sunday Ticket, the Major League Baseball television package, March Madness and all-inclusive NASCAR coverage.

Beef’O’Brady’s is sure to be a community booster for years to come as the owners signed a 10-year lease on the building. In fact, the owners are even talking about opening two more locations of the family sports pub, perhaps in Lenoir and Hickory.

Beef’O’Brady’s is located at 276-G Watauga Village Drive in Boone. The family sports pub is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 828-265-8585 or click to www.beefobradys.com.