Sidelines opens!

Norwalk's newest restaurant has finally opened.The family-owned business, Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub, located at 230 U.S. 250, opened its doors to the public at 11 a.m. Monday in a highly-anticipated soft opening after the building sat empty for after Bar145 closed in January 2017. The location also formerly housed Bob Evans. It didn't take long for the family-friendly "sports restaurant with a bar area" to have a full house. Chris Hinds, regional kitchen manager for all seven restaurant locations, said Sidelines seats about 160 people between the inside and outdoor patio areas and "we were full and constantly turning tables over.""It's been great," Tom Morris, regional front house manager, said of the opening day.Morris said Sidelines is different from other restaurants in the area because of the "quality food and quality service" and because "everyone who comes to our other locations always say it feels like home."The kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, with the bar open an extra hour after the kitchen closes.Look for a full story in Thursday's paper. Stella Howey, 6, enjoys her pepperoni pizza at Sidelines' opening day Monday with her family. Also pictured are (from left): Kim Osborn, Cindy Osborn and Crystal Osborn. The Monroeville family was enjoying "a girls day out" and said they plan to return to the Norwalk restaurant soon.A Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub waiter serves up Monday's special — a variety of tacos — at Monday's opening day. The kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.George Cherz, Homer Burger and Michele Burger enjoy the Monday special at Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub — taco varieties — during the Norwalk restaurant's opening day at the 230 U.S. 250 location.