Chaser's Family Sports Bar opens in Tillsonburg
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Tillsonburg has a new restaurant. A family sports bar in fact... Chaser's Family Sports Bar.
Tillsonburg native Keith Beres has returned to his home town to re-open the facility which he credits to his start in life.
“For years I have been asked in the community why I don’t take a chance and re-open the former Mad Trappers?" said Beres. "So I finally decided to take that chance!”
Having spent the majority of his career in hospitality, as well as being born and raised in town, Beres has created a unique concept which he hopes will cater to every demographic.
The building at 183 Broadway features four separate dining areas, each with its own character. There's a front room for quiet style dining, featuring a fireplace and natural brick, with a comfortable feel to it. There's a guest lodge with tables accommodating up to 12 people, and there is booth seating with USB ports for charging cell phones and taking advantage of the high speed wireless internet for daily business meetings.
The Sports Room features incredible décor, stemming from custom-made tailgate seating – yes, there is an actual tailgate – to locally painted murals and an 80-inch television for all the sports nuts out there. All in all, there are over a dozen televisions, sports paraphernalia and a bar area that seats 15 and stands 70.
The menu is a well thought out, perfect blend of pub food, as well as steaks, pasta, pizza, chicken, gluten free options, and special diet needs.
Three crowd pleasers to date are the thai chicken lettuce wraps, the goat cheese balsamic glazed baseball steak, and the bacon-wrapped chicken in an apple reduction.
Without a doubt though the greatest feature, said Beres, the one that has residents talking, is the soon to be open basement area.
This will feature a glow in the dark mini putt area, as well as classic arcade games for family and friends. But what’s more impressive is the free child service…
"While you dine, a registered early childhood education worker will come gather your children, and take them downstairs to participate in painting, crafts, dance, etc. The parents and children will receive a wristband system that will protect their children from leaving with anyone other then who they came with, and the parents will be able to check in on the kids via television from each dining area.
“I got the idea from my own son Chase," said Keith, noting the inspiration for the restaurant's name. "While dining out, he gets restless, finishes colouring in his maze from the kid's menu, and wants to go! This type of service would benefit both he and I, and so I figured “why not?”
Chaser's Family Sports Bar has a 15 minute lunch special for the business class, a "beautiful menu" and wine selection for casual diner in the evening, a children’s menu and section for families, as well as a sports zone for game day fanatics.
In an effort to give back to the community, Chaser's is donating $1 from every kid's meal purchased to a sports fund for children and families who require assistance for their children to get involved in local sports.
Keith, along with his family – Susan, Chase, Maddy and Lorin – have had a great response in town during their first week in business and invite everyone to come down and give it a try
“There’s something for everyone,” he smiled.