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Brooks Tavern held its Grand Opening at 11 a.m. on August 17 at 10 Oak St. in downtown Tryon. Pictured left to right are employees Kendyl, Abby, owner Tom Verri, and employees Courtney and Cheyenne

Brooks Tavern’s chicken marsala, unique to the Tryon location and Verri’s Italian Ristorante in Hendersonville.

The Morris, the drink exclusive to the Brooks Tryon location.

“Western North Carolina’s best burger chef” opens second Brooks location 

TRYON—Brooks Tavern is now open to the public, after holding its Grand Opening at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 17.

The new restaurant is located at 10 Oak Street in downtown Tryon, occupying the former premises of Harper Eatery. Brooks held a soft opening Saturday involving friends and family of staff and food representatives, while doors were open to the public. 

The pub’s first location opened at 142 Third Ave. West in Hendersonville in 2017. Brooks Tavern owner Tom Verri also owns Verri’s Italian Ristorante, which opened in Hendersonville in March of this year.

Brooks Tavern’s massive menu offers everything from salads and hamburgers to fish and chicken. Menu items exclusive to the Tryon location include a ribeye and filet mignon steak, a salmon dish and a chicken marsala that is also served at Verri’s Italian Ristorante. 

There is also a signature drink unique to the Tryon location called the Morris, named after Tryon’s eponymous horse mascot.

“We’re excited to be here in Tryon. I’ve lived in this community two years already and I love it,” said Verri, who is also an actor and jazz singer that previously sang in New York City. Verri has appeared on TV shows such as Law and Order, Days of our Lives and Dead of Night.

Musicians already booked for the venue include Peggy Ratusz, Andrew Fletcher, Hope Griffin, Robbie Grice, Adam Rose and James Posedel.

The Russ Wilson 4-Tet performed Thursday evening, whom Verri has sung with in the past. Verri intends on doing some singing of his own at the restaurant on occasion. 

There are also plans to expand space in the back of the tavern for a dedicated jazz and blues club. 

“We’re looking at other locations in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee for another Brooks location,” Verri added.

The venue will feature live music Thursday through Sunday. There will also be live music during brunch, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Musicians interested in playing at Brooks Tavern can email Tom Verri at brookstavernmusic@gmail.com.

Brooks Tavern is open seven days a week, Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

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