Sonny's Grill (1954-2017)

Sonny’s Grill was established by Sonny Klutz in December of 1954. As a local landmark the grill was a place that locals could get away from the rush of tourists that descend on the town every year, and it was the same locals who kept the grill operational through rough times and slow seasons. The Klutz an old family in the area has roots back to the 19th century in Watauga county, just over in neighboring Boone. The family remains a prominent one in the town, having an antique and restoration business in Blowing Rock today and the now senior member of the family, Tommy Klutz, running for local government and on the council of more than one organization. 

Before the unassuming cinderblock building became Sonny’s it was Bower’s Grill, another local eatery that gave the building a reputation for decent food and Sonny’s lived up to the expectation. Sonny’s Grill itself was known for its ham biscuits, advertised directly on its front store window, and their sweet potato pancakes. As a family friendly location in the bar town (as Blowing Rock was the only place to purchase liquor for many years in Watauga) the grill thrived for 50 years feeding generations of regulars and visitors. Having only 8 barstools and a few booths, the small dining area gave the place a genuine small town feel, and that’s how the owners kept people coming back. To stand testament to how much the Grill meant to locals, today one of those barstools and the screen door of the former establishment can be found at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. 

 A beloved local landmark until it’s closing in 2009, taken by the recession, the memory of Sonny’s lives on. The loss of Sonny’s hit Blowing Rock hard as many had enjoyed many meals there over the years, and it remains a fond memory for those who have spent much of their lives in the area. Today in its place is a patio for the Six Pence Pub on Main Street, Blowing Rock, the building having been torn down around 2017. There is a plaque outside of the patio meant to honor the memory of Sonny's.

Blowing Rock Real Estate. “Sonny’s Grill In Blowing Rock Closes Its Doors.” Active Rain. ActiveRain Blog, published March 9, 2009. https://activerain.com/sonny-s-grill.

Reweidman50. “Remembering Sonny’s Grill.” Wandering Florida.WordPress, published June 3, 2018. https://floridawanderer.wordpress.com/

Wood, Jesse. “Knights on Main Restaurant Closes Thursday After ‘18 Great Years’ in Downtown Blowing Rock.” HCPress. High Country Press, published March 28, 2014. https://www.hcpress.com/