Anchor Allie’s, a restaurant in Fayetteville, offers a unique dining experience inspired by military themes and a love for espresso martinis.Anchor Allie’s, a restaurant in Fayetteville, offers a unique dining experience inspired by military themes and a love for espresso martinis. With a striking blue and red bar as its centerpiece and mid-century modern decor, the restaurant exudes a vintage, patriotic atmosphere. Under the glow of a Sputnik-style chandelier, guests can indulge in cocktails, wine, or craft beer from local veteran breweries. As a Navy veteran, owner Allie Stephens brings her passion for supporting veterans into her business. She incorporates veteran-themed products into the menu, paying tribute to the military’s “one team, one fight” ethos. Anchor Allie’s serves a range of American breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Popular dishes include the chicken and waffles and a signature French toast inspired by Stephens’ time abroad. The menu also features military-themed items like the Black Hawk burger and the Green Beret burger. In addition to its main dining area, Anchor Allie’s has a cocktail and tapas lounge called Siren’s Room, named after Stephens’ late German shepherd. The lounge offers a late-night menu of small dishes, high tea, and drinks, and can be rented for events. Stephens believes that every aspect of Anchor Allie’s is designed to positively impact customers, from the decor to the friendly service and delicious food. She aims to make the world a better place by providing a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience.
If you like espresso martinis, you’ll love Fayetteville’s newest restaurant.
Anchor Allie’s, named after owner Allie Stephens, serves eight versions of the alcoholic, caffeinated beverage.
“I absolutely love it,” she admitted Monday. “And Fayetteville really, really loves the espresso martinis.”
A massive blue and red bar is the centerpiece of the new Bragg Boulevard restaurant, which features mid-century modern decor and a vintage, patriotic vibe. Under the glow of a Sputnik-style chandelier, guests can sip cocktails, wine or craft beer on tap from local veteran breweries.
As a Navy veteran, Stephens, 40, said she wants to incorporate veteran-themed products into her business whenever possible. It’s her way of bringing the military’s “one team, one fight” ethos to the restaurant world, she said.
Anchor Allie’s is open daily and serves American breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since opening in late May, popular dishes have included chicken and waffles and a signature French toast inspired by Stephens’ time abroad.
“When I was stationed in the Middle East, I got hooked on the combination of strawberries, bananas and Nutella,” she explained. “So I brought that to Anchor Allie’s.”
Other popular items on the military-themed menu include the Black Hawk burger, made with mushrooms, bacon, Swiss cheese and blue cheese; and the Green Beret burger, topped with house-made chili, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and Thousand Island dressing.
Stephens started the restaurant chain about 10 years ago in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she opened her first two locations, which are still open. The restaurant in Fayetteville’s Haymount neighborhood is the first outside Virginia.
The restaurateur said it took her about two years to find a space in Fayetteville, but she knew it was the right place to expand the fledgling chain.
“My heart kept pulling me there,” she said. “I really saw a need for something different. I thought I could serve the community.”
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More from Anchor Allie’s coming soon
The Georgia native said she has more in store. By the end of the summer, she hopes to open the restaurant’s patio, expand the menu, start catering services and add another 25 staff members to her current team of 40.
The development Stephens is most excited about, however, is a room in the restaurant that she is transforming into a cocktail and tapas lounge. She calls the space Siren’s Room, after her late German shepherd, a faithful companion of more than 15 years.
The lounge is open until late in the evening and serves a menu of small dishes, high tea and drinks. The lounge can also be rented for events.
“It’s kind of my alter ego,” she said. “It’s a room that can be used for a different atmosphere.”
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Stephens says everything at Anchor Allie’s is designed to have a positive impact on customers, from the decor to the military-style pin-up girl uniforms of the wait staff, the focus on customer service and the delicious food.
“I don’t care how many cups of coffee, waffles or burgers we sell,” she said. “The world is a tough place. We’re trying to make it better.”
The details
Address: 1204 Bragg Blvd.
Telephone: 910-229-3490
On the Web: Search “Anchor Allie’s Fayetteville” on Facebook
Opening hours: Monday from 07:00 to 21:00; Tuesday to Friday from 07:00 to 22:00; Saturday from 09:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 08:00 to 21:00.
Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at [email protected]. Want to receive weekly food news in your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.
