Tilted Kilt opening delayed to December
Tilted Kilt will not meet its November opening date, as setbacks have postponed the restaurant's launch until December.
The sports bar and restaurant is aiming for a soft launch by mid-December, said Adam Frazita, general manager for Tilted Kilt.
"There were some small issues left over by the previous establishment that we have to attend to," Frazita said.
The restaurant remains under construction at 1955 South Road, the former location of Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse.
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Tilted Kilt is a Celtic-themed franchise similar to the Hooters chain in a category that has become known as "breastaurants."
The chain restaurant hires both male and female servers, with female servers wearing revealing, tartan uniforms. The male servers are also required to wear kilts.
The restaurant faced mixed reactions from area residents, with some concerned with the nature of the restaurant while others simply wanted to see a new business fill an empty storefront.
However, the restaurant has received mostly positive feedback, Frazita said.
"People have really turned around on the place," Frazita said.
The restaurant functions primarily as a sports bar, with about 70 televisions and 36 beers on tap. The menu offers a mixture of pub food like fish and chips as well as dishes like the San Patricio Street Tacos.
With the exception of Buffalo Wild Wings, Tilted Kilt would have little competition, said Mike Capello, kitchen manager.
"There aren't really many places like it in the area," Capello said.
Tilted Kilt aims to hire about 80 people, and the restaurant is still hiring.
For more information on applying to Tilted Kilt, visit tiltedkilt.com/poughkeepsie or call 845-297-9696.
Dutchess County has seen an influx of chain restaurants opening their first locations over the past year, including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Golden Corral and Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW