By Paris Goodnight
pgoodnight@salisburypost.com
While NASCAR won’t be the theme of a new Salisbury Mall steakhouse opening today, Baylee’s Steakhouse and Sports Theatre is hoping it has the right recipe to satisfy a hungry crowd.
After the Original Steakhouse & Sports Theatre closed July 6, plans were announced for Celebrity Ventures to open the first “Denny Hamlin’s Grille 11,” named and numbered for the driver.
But Dennis Everhart, a manager for the Original Steakhouse, said that deal never worked out. He will be general manager of the new restaurant, and he said many of the 60 or so employees will be rehired to work under the new ownership. Another Baylee’s Steakhouse is in a former Original Steakhouse location in Asheville.
Everhart said prices have been lowered across the board, but Baylee’s will have more selection. He said an effort was made to return to quality offerings like hand-cut steaks everyday, just like the beginnings of the Original Steakhouse, which opened at the mall in October of 2003.
An updated audio/video package with flat-screen televisions should round out the sports theater feel for customers in either smoking or non-smoking areas and at the bar.
Baylee’s will offer daily drink and food specials.
Everhart said a grand opening celebration is planned for a few weeks down the line.
The restaurant will be open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fridays 11 a.m.-midnight; Saturdays noon-midnight; and Sundays noon-10 p.m. The phone number is 704-633-2660.