Monday marked the debut of Chops Diner, the newest culinary foray by Chops Deli co-owners Brad Corpening and Chris Graham.
 
“It’s a lot different from our deli; it’s country cooking,” Graham said. “We offer breakfast and ‘meat and three’: things like meat loaf, fried chicken and pork tenderloin and sides.”
 
Graham, interviewed after the new diner closed for business Monday, said the first day had gone “great,” thanks to the team’s preparations before announcing publicly that the restaurant was open.
 
“We want to walk before we run – make sure things go smoothly,” he said.
 
Several months ago, Graham and Corpening took over the building at 2539 Castle Hayne Road that formerly housed Wrightsboro Super Grill and Reds Cookin’. They wanted to build on their brand by using the name Chops, but differentiate from their three deli locations with the “diner” moniker.
 
“We’re keeping some of our sandwiches, but adding burgers and hot dogs,” Corpening said. “We’ll be doing specials of the day with an entrée and side, and there’s the opportunity to build your own blue plate special. We’re going to be experimenting with ingredients and recipes, especially this first month, and identifying the really big sellers.”
 
With the residential growth taking place in the Wrightsboro and Castle Hayne areas, as well as lunchtime trade from employees at nearby GE, the sheriff’s office and the county jail, Corpening is optimistic that Chops Diner will experience a “nice, busy time,” especially since dining options in the area are limited, he said, adding, “We’ve had a good buzz out there.”
 
Chops Diner is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It and the existing three Chops Deli locations will be joined in the coming year by a fourth Chops Deli in The Pointe at Barclay complex, according to Corpening.