Business
Sideline Café celebrates a decade and a half of good food.
By Elyse Reel
Jul 9, 2008 - 11:45:41 AM

Regulars at Sideline Sports Bar & Café relax after dinner.

This year, party like it’s 1994 – but only for a day. In celebration of their 15th anniversary, Sideline Sports Bar & Café will be rolling their prices back to 1994 on July 12.

Peggy Sanders founded the restaurant in May 1994, at which time it was only half the size of its present location. But business quickly boomed; by July, the restaurant’s size was doubled.

And things have only gotten better from there. “The folks who used to come here have had kids, and their kids come here now!” says Rick Alexander, who’s served as manager at Sideline for four years. “It’s a big deal when you can see customers’ kids come to the same places where their parents hang out.”

What’s made Sideline so successful for a decade and a half? There are several factors, according to Alexander.

“We’ve always had one owner/operator and an excellent staff of employees,” he says. “There’s consistency in the kitchen products and the food. All the recipes are Peggy’s – she’s developed and tweaked them over the years. There are always new additions to the menu, and we keep it fresh.” The restaurant is committed to good value for the price, leading Richmond Dining Guide to award them “Best Meal Under $30” in 2006; and to cooking from scratch whenever possible.

“Plus,” adds Alexander, “Peggy’s recipe for she-crab soup is the best you’ve ever put in your mouth, without a doubt!”

Now that Sideline is celebrating its 15th anniversary, the restaurant is looking to make some big changes. “We’d like to remodel the inside and re-do the floors,” says Alexander. “For football fans who want to watch the game on Sundays, we’re going to upgrade to flatscreen high-definition televisions.”

Sundays at Sideline are a big draw for many customers, and Alexander admits that the restaurant “packs ’em in” – not only because of football, but because of cook-to-order breakfasts.

“Cook-to-order breakfasts are a big hit,” Alexander says. “You can sit, let your food cook, and enjoy your Sunday.” Even late risers can get in on the fun, as the breakfasts are served from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. “So you could show up at one in the afternoon, and still get breakfast!” he says.

It looks like a Saturday will be the biggest draw this month, however, thanks to the 15th anniversary celebration, which will include a DJ, karaoke, games, prizes, and giveaways from 9 p.m. until close at 2 a.m. Alexander expects an exciting time. “We turn into kind of a night hangout after 10 p.m.,” he says.

Since their inception 15 years ago, Sideline has seen plenty of other restaurants spring up within a small radius, but they’ve been more than able to hold their own. “As far as our customer base goes, they’re very loyal and we’re very busy,” Alexander says. “It takes a good restaurant to keep on going.”

Sideline Sports Bar & Café is located at 10348 Iron Bridge Rd. in the Chesterfield Meadows West Shopping Center behind the McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken; and is open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-2 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. 2 a.m. For more information, call 748-4786.

ereel@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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