VALDOSTA —
The Rhythm and Blues Cafe in Downtown Valdosta, located in the old Luna’s location on North Patterson Street, is the latest sensation in Valdosta.
The cafe, which has a restaurant, bar and lounging area, is owned by friends Nick Harden, Xavier McGilberry and Tyson Barrett. The Rhythm and Blues Cafe has been in business for a short time and since the doors opened, business has been booming.
“Business has been great,” Harden said. “We’ve been blessed to have the people downtown to support us. We’ve had all walks of life come through the door. Even on the first day, when we were getting ready to open, we had people waiting outside waiting to get in.”
The owners also are planning different events for the restaurant, including televisions and projector screens for game days coming this fall.
Q: Did you guys always want to open up a restaurant or cafe?
A: (Harden) We’ve always wanted a restaurant. We dealt with clubs and things of that nature in the past, but we wanted something that everybody could go to, that the whole family could enjoy. We love music and good food so this is exciting for us.
Q: Since the place is named Rhythm and Blues, do you have singers that come in and perform?
A: (Harden) Actually we do, we’ve had several people come in. Recently, it was the Groove. They’re kind of our house band. On Friday nights we’ve done that. We’ve had it on first and third Friday but we’re looking into expanding and doing it every Friday as possible.
Q: What kind of music do the bands play that perform here? Is it strictly Rhythm and Blues music?
A: (McGilberry) We’re open with music. We’re actually trying to book different type of bands. Nick is the music guy. We both like a lot of different music. We don’t want to be in just one genre. That’s why we came up with Rhythm. Rhythm is for all types of music.
A: (Harden) Rhythm and Blues being the core of it, the blues, that whole area. That was a really good time. Music brings people together and we feel like blues and even rhythm and blues is the basis of a lot of music now, so we can take that and expand on it.
Q: You serve a lot of different food. What do you think has been the most popular dish so far that customers like?
A: (Harden) One of our specialties is Chicken and Waffles. It’s our signature dish, it’s a big waffle served with fried chicken wings. It’s a very unique, different taste and so far, people have really, really taken to it. Soul food, comfort food is what people call it now. Macaroni and cheese, collard greens, steaks.
Q: What are your personal favorite dishes?
A: (Harden) My personal favorite is the Big Nick’s Chicken and Waffles. That’s just my dish, I love it. It’s different. It fills you up. I always eat mine with Macaroni and Cheese on the side and that’s my side item of choice.
A: (McGilberry) I like Zay’s Zesty Chicken. It’s just grilled chicken and the same thing with the sides. Our sides, I think, separates us from a lot of businesses.
Q: What are your goals for the Rhythm and Blues Cafe’s future?
A: (McGilberry) I think our goal is for it to be a must-see when you come to Valdosta. Our whole goal is for when people think of Valdosta, they think of Rhythm and Blues cafe. Like “I have to go by there if I’m in Valdosta.”
Rhythm and Blues Cafe
132 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, Ga. 31601
Hours:
Lunch: Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Business
Related Photos
-
Nick Harden, left, holds his favorite, Big Nick’s Chicken and Waffles, and Xavier McGilberry, right, holds his favorite dish, Zay’s Zesty Chicken, at the new restaurant, bar and lounging area, the Rhythm and Blues in Downtown Valdosta. Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times
-
The new Rhythm and Blues located in historic downtown Valdosta. Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times
Focus On: Rhythm and Blues Cafe
- Business
-
-
Business Wish List Results
The results are in from my very un-scientific poll on the businesses that people want to see come to Valdosta. After my comment last week that there seemed to be more requests for retail than restaurants, I was bombarded this week with restaurant suggestions, so I’m guessing even with an OG, readers aren’t quite satisfied yet.
-
The Brass Quill Gallery
VALDOSTA — The only way to describe The Brass Quill Gallery to someone who hasn’t witnessed the majesty of its interior is this: If Alice in Wonderland could be interpreted into a modern-day building decorated by the Mad Hatter — that’s The Brass Quill Gallery. It is arguably the most creative decorating scheme in Valdosta. It is because of the business’ unique style, that The Brass Quill Gallery is a metaphorical nest of creativity for those wanting to get inked. -
VIDEO: Social media command center helps Super Bowl visitors
Indianapolis is the first Super Bowl host city to utilize the power of Twitter and other social media to help football fans get the most out of football's biggest event.
-
BlackBerry’s Future?
BlackBerry used to be the “it” phone. Notice I said used to be. Just as video killed the radio star, iPhone killed the BlackBerry.
Blackberry has become the new “flip phone.” It’s ancient. It’s out of date and it can’t compete in the iPhone revolution of the smart(er) phone. -
Business This Week: Wishing and hoping for some new businesses
About another 50 or more readers emailed this week to lend some thoughts on the type of businesses they’d like to see come to Valdosta, and places where there are things to do for kids, especially teens, and adults are high on the list so far.
-
Don’t let your taxes outsmart you this year!
With tax season rearing its ugly head out of your already busy life, there’s no need for you to feel like you’re alone.
-
Business Wish List: the 2012 version
I received an interesting response last week to my query about what people want now that the OG is finally here.
-
Downtown Hahira
HAHIRA — The Voice from “Field of Dreams” once famously intoned, “If you build it, they will come.” Stacey Dershimer hasn’t been Hahira’s downtown developmental coordinator for long — one month — but she’s been here long enough to know, if you build upon what you have, more people and more businesses will come.
- What’s next for Valdosta?
-
5 tips to help you land a new job in 2012
Job-hunting websites expect hiring to improve in 2012. So whether you’ve been out of work for a while or are simply looking for a change, here are some tips to ensure a successful job search.
- More Business Headlines
-
Business Wish List Results
