Downtown Bryan is kicking off the new year with local cuisine during its first Restaurant Week.
From 11 a.m. Monday through 10 p.m. Thursday, lunch and dinner specials will be served at all 17 participating restaurants with prices starting at $7.75. Three participants — Ronin Farm and Restaurant, All the King’s Men and Madden’s Casual Gourmet — claimed spots in Texas Monthly’s Best Eats of 2018 and 2019 Dining Guide.
Sandy Farris, executive director of the Downtown Bryan Association, said the nonprofit organization hopes to continue their mission to promote the arts, culture and commerce of Downtown Bryan through Restaurant Week.
The last day of Restaurant Week will take place alongside Downtown Bryan’s Third Thursday Art Step, which showcases local artists.
“We are always looking for ways to promote our downtown shopping, dining and entertainment options,” Farris said. “January is typically a slower time of the year, so we thought this would be a great time to encourage the community to make a resolution to support locally-owned businesses.”
Katelyn Brown, senior events planner of the Downtown Bryan Association, said she encourages the Bryan-College Station community to visit these local restaurants on the weekdays throughout the year.
“It’s about bringing exposure to those businesses,” Brown said. “Restaurant Week is meant to encourage visitors to try new restaurants, even if they already have a favorite one.”
Farris said all the participating restaurants are locally-owned and the menus are crafted by the owners and the chefs.
“Dining in downtown means customers will experience a unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else,” Farris said. “In many cases, the owners are present, and that makes for a totally different dining experience than one would have in a well-known chain restaurant.”
Looking ahead, Farris said The Downtown Bryan Association hopes to make Restaurant Week an annual event.
“The goal is to bring new customers to our restaurants and turn them into regular patrons, not only for dining but for all the other things we offer in Downtown Bryan,” Farris said.
To learn more about the specials and see a full list of restaurants involved, visit downtownbryan.com/event/downtown-bryans-restaurant-week.