A few months after an anticipated July opening date, Fat Tony’s has opened its doors in Leland. The Itailan pub is located at 503 Old Waterford Way, the former home of Eddie Romanelli’s.
 
“I think all of Leland may have come out on our first day,” Dustin Wilcox, vice president of operations, said of the restaurant’s Monday opening.
 
When owner Don Shockley learned the Eddie Romanelli’s space was available last spring, he saw an opportunity to better serve his customers that currently travel over the bridge to dine at Fat Tony’s.
 
There are about 175 seats inside with an additional 50 on the covered patio.
 
For now the menu in Leland will be the same as the downtown location, but according to Wilcox, there are plans to add some steaks to the menu as well as a weekend brunch in the near future. The full menu is available all day, with a lunch menu featuring smaller portions available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
The bar will carry a smaller liquor and wine selection for now and will vary the offerings based upon customer feedback. There are six rotating taps, all featuring North Carolina craft beers, as well as 54 additional beers available in bottles and cans. Wilcox said the beer selection will rotate seasonally.
 
Fat Tony’s is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
 
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