Olive Garden and Blackbox Sandwiches hold grand openings

One section of Sterling Street was particularly busy Monday morning with people waiting in their cars for the doors to open at Morganton’s new Olive Garden.

The chilly weather didn’t stop residents and visitors from coming out to have their share of the restaurant’s famous salad and breadsticks, as well as many Italian favorites.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. for the lunch crowd and will closes at 10 p.m.

Morganton residents have been chatting for months about the Olive Garden coming to town. In June 2024, KV Development LLC submitted plans for the restaurant to the City of Morganton Development & Design Department.

The location, at 2111 S. Sterling St., was previously the site of Fatz Cafe, which closed in August of 2023. The Olive Garden’s interior and exterior is similar to the company’s Statesville location and is spacious enough to seat around 150 people.

BLACKBOX SANDWICHES

The long-awaited family-owned business Blackbox Sandwiches also held its grand opening on Monday. Father and daughter duo, Shawn and Claire Mull, officially opened their business to the public, offering a menu of sandwiches packed with flavor.

The menu features eight different sandwiches, which can be served on gluten free bread or turned into a bowl with seasonal greens and beans for $1 extra. Prices for the sandwiches range from $13 to $17, which includes a bag of chips.

Among the eight on the menu, the Red Heat features harissa-marinated paneer, roasted peppers, crunchy house pickle, garlic aioli on a kaiser roll. The Midnight Stack features roasted turkey, pastrami, sharp provolone, roasted peppers, caramelized onion, crunchy house pickle, iceberg shred, garlic aioli, and herby green sauce on a rye swirl.

The business is at 510-A S. Sterling St., and is open from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Saturdays.