ROCKINGHAM — Five months after one downtown restaurant closed its doors, another has taken its place — at Hitchcock Place.
The Hitchcock Pub and Grill opened Tuesday in the spot formerly occupied by Pattan’s Downtown Grille from 2015-2023.
The city announced in early December that Lewis Eakes would be opening the eatery.
The city owns the building — Hitchcock Place — and leased the space for Pattan’s Downtown Grille from 2015 until last November when owners Tim and Julia Pattan announced they would be closing.
Eakes managed restaurants in Seagrove and Robbins from 2015-2019 and started Salt & Pepper Catering, LLC in 2017. He has also worked at two other downtown dining staples: Henry’s Uptown Cafe and Hudson Brothers Deli.
Eakes said he wants to “stop the flow” of people going to neighboring Moore County.
“This is going to be different,” Eakes said Tuesday evening as the dinner crowd started coming in. “There’s some dishes you’re not going to go anywhere else in Richmond County and get.”
Two of those dinner entrees are the chicken piccata and chicken imperial. The menu also includes a ribeye steak and fish and chips.
The lunch menu has a selection of sandwiches (fish, ribeye, BLT or reuben) and a burger. There is even a kids menu with choices of grilled cheese and PB&J sandwiches, chicken tenders or corn dog nuggets.
The chef and grilled chicken salads are available for both lunch and dinner, as are the fried appetizers: mushrooms; mozzarella; and dill pickle spears.
Eakes also plans to have occasional dinner specials featuring fresh seafood from the coast, as well as prime rib on Saturdays.
The restaurateur has spent the past several months making renovations, including the addition of a bar and waitress station in the back of the larger dining area. The bar, built by one of Eakes’ old schoolmates, includes a selection of beer — with several options from Southern Pines Brewing on tap — wine and liquor.
A familiar aspect from the former restaurant are the metal-print photos from around town by Jimmy McDonald.
The restaurant has 20 employees between those in the kitchen and those serving and bartending.
Prior to Tuesday’s opening, Eakes had several soft-open nights.
