The once thriving intersection of E. 7th Street and N. Caswell Road is finally coming back to life.
Philosopher’s Stone, Jackalope Jack’s, Kennedy’s and Crisp have all closed or relocated in recent years leaving the block uncharacteristically quiet.
But the pendulum is about to swing back. Heritage, an award-winning restaurant in Waxhaw, and The Crunkleton, a Chapel Hill cocktail bar with a cult following, will both be moving into vacant spaces on either side of the 7th Street Starbucks.
Related story: Heritage finalizing lease for former Crisp location in Elizabeth and The Crunkleton eyeing spot next door
And Caswell Station, a new concept from the owners of The Trail House in Indian Trail and Bradshaw’s in the Ballantyne area, has quietly opened this week in the old Kennedy’s house on the corner.
Caswell’s is a casual neighborhood bar and restaurant with extensive food options, including Panera-style “pick two” lunch combos, weekend brunch and a huge dinner menu.
They’ve got a little of everything — from shared plates and salads to wings, burgers, hearty main plate entrees and even six different tacos.
Entrees are in the $10 – $15 range with one $28 prime rib outlier.
Menus aren’t available online yet so here’s a look at the full offering:
Dinner menu (front)
Dinner menu (back)
Lunch menu
Brunch menu
You’ll find classic bar foods like flatbreads and wings along with some trendy and inventive items like smothered tater tots and lobster corn dogs on a stick.
The “tatchos” are tater tots smothered in slow-roasted short ribs, Southern gravy and cheese and then topped with a sunny side up egg and hot sauce.
Hangover food.
Lobster corn dogs ($11), tatchos ($10) and a Caswell Mule
Tatchos ($10) – tater tots, slow-roasted short rib, Southern gravy and cheese topped with a sunny side up egg and hot sauce
California chicken flatbread ($10) and a dip trio ($9)
Behind the bar they’ve got a selection of local, regional and national beers (including a $4 craft brew of the month), wine and a simple list of eight specialty cocktails.
Cocktails are in the $9 – $13 range.
Caswell Mule ($9) and the Elizabeth’s Old Fashioned ($11)
Here are the full bar menus:
Wine and cocktail menu
Beer menu
The property got a makeover, including interior and exterior renovations and a cool new game lawn out front.
It’ll be familiar to fans of the old Kennedy’s but now the space has new floors, bartops, TVs and furniture, as well as an all new outdoor gaming area.
They’re also finishing up renovations on a second upstairs bar where they’re aiming for more of a Soul Gastro-style lounge feel.
New game lawn
Caswell Station is located at 366 N. Caswell Street and is in a soft opening phase now easing into full operation.
Follow their social channels (Instagram and Facebook) for ongoing opening updates.
