Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
A new breakfast spot will open soon in Augusta with a familiar name for residents who live just 17 miles south.
Route 77 Rock Café Owner, Alan Butcher, has found himself interested in the restaurant business since taking over the Rock Café and turning it Route 77 themed in 2021. His experience and work in Construction Management has given him a step ahead on renovating buildings for aesthetics.
Learning to manage the restaurant has followed him as he goes. He’s successfully run the Route 77 Rock Café since 2021, making it a destination stop on the highway. He’s been interested in getting into the Augusta community for a few years, waiting for the perfect building to show itself.
After a couple years of watching downtown Augusta, he decided it was too busy for the environment he wants to foster at Route 77 Grill, which is set to open next month. He wanted more parking space dedicated to the restaurant. After inquiring with the city on open buildings for sale, he landed on the perfect spot, located at 629 N Walnut St.
The slotted breakfast spot will feature a more upscale breakfast environment compared to his current restaurant. The aesthetics will be a more clean and modern feel while still serving up that hometown American food his current customers love.
All food at Route 77 Grill with be made from scratch just like the Route 77 Rock Café. Butcher did elude that dinner will be different than the Rock location but wouldn’t give up an sneak peaks or teasers as to what the menu will host. He only said that he is working to keep people in town without driving into Wichita to eat good food.
Before dinner is available on the menu, breakfast will be perfected by the staff for the customers. The Route 77 Grill will be open six days a week from 6am-2pm, depending on staff levels. Butcher is currently looking to train staff for the restaurant, which will take place at the Route 77 Rock Café location.
Due to a shipment of equipment coming in wrong and a over hood being damaged, the opening had to be delayed. Butcher hopes to be fully operational by the end of May, but it heavily relies on training a solid team.
