From Chicken Salad Chick to The Honey Hog, this summer brings new dining options to Morganton

This summer is expected to bring new options for Morganton diners, with the opening of a heavily anticipated local barbecue joint and two chain restaurants that have set their sights on a busy corridor of the city.

Two of the new restaurants are planning for mid-to-late July openings, while another is planning for an August grand opening. One of the city’s vacant retail spaces could also transform this summer into a favorite shopping destination for Halloween costumes and goodies.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE & CHICKEN SALAD CHICK

Over on Burkemont Avenue, work is wrapping up at the two new restaurants that are taking the place of the former Village Inn Pizza site. Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee Kalpeshkumar Patel said contractors are waiting on their final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a core menu of about 20 smoothies, along with seasonal options. The menu also includes toasted snack rolls, tropical bowls, wraps, flatbreads, salads, and more.

Patel said he’s hoping for a mid-July opening. DDI of Hickory General Contractors has been handling the project, along with the adjoining new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant, which is scheduled to have its grand opening on Aug. 18, according to the company’s website. The Burke County Chamber of Commerce is planning to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the restaurant at 9 a.m. on Aug. 19.

THE HONEY HOG

At The Honey Hog on Carbon City Road, Owner Tyler “Bones” Jones said last week that the restaurant was gearing up for a friends and family event this weekend if all went as planned with receiving a certificate of occupancy.

He noted that the friends and family event would help staff run through restaurant operations and that a public soft opening would follow, potentially the next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Jones said that the restaurant will close shortly after a soft opening for staff to regroup before moving full steam ahead with six-day service. The Honey Hog will be closed on Tuesdays.

Jones gave a sneak peak of what to expect when it comes to sauces and menu items. The restaurant’s setup will be quick service, where guests order at a counter. At their tables, they can choose from an Alabama white sauce, which is known for being creamy, tangy, and peppery; a Carolina Gold, which has a mustard base; an Eastern Carolina, which has a vinegar base; and a house sweet sauce.

Customers will also be able to choose from a specials menu that will include quesadillas, street tacos, barbacoa, gorditas, and more.

Jones gave a glimpse of the interior of the restaurant, which is furnished with woodwork by Appalachian Reclamations, a local business that reclaims aged wood for custom furnishings. The restaurant’s 16-foot door opens to an outside patio and stage area, where guests will be able to enjoy live music.

SPIRIT HALLOWEEN

Morganton shoppers might get to browse all things Halloween this year as it appears that Spirit Halloween is making plans to open a location in one of the city’s vacant retail spaces. The company is the country’s largest Halloween retailer, and according to its website, locations will be announced on July 30.

Spirit Halloween is in the process of hiring a store manager, assistant store manager, and a sales associate for the new Morganton location.