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.