JACKSON, MI – Diners at the former Hunt Club in Jackson may have noticed some small differences.
New owners Hunter and Mallory Sullivan, who also own West Texas Barbeque Co., have changed the name and the signs to Sullivan’s. While the name change has been met with mixed reactions from customers, the restaurant was in need of “some fresh air,” Hunter said.
“We felt like it was time to let people know (it’s) a fresh start,” Hunter said.
The Sullivans purchased the restaurant in April with the hope to create a space where patrons can enjoy family meals, sports or late-night cocktails.
They are planning to introduce a new, consolidated menu this week, without the Hunt Club name. They added traditional Irish dishes such as a Reuben, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash, Hunter said.
Garlic knots, which were previously only served with soup, were added to the full menu, he said, and pizza, burgers, sandwiches, steak bites and Wiley Potatoes remain on the menu. Sullivan’s is only offering West Texas Barbeque options as specials on the weekends, Mallory said.
“This is a big space, we don’t want to limit it to something like barbecue,” Hunter said.
Brunch is now offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, when staff serve chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy and Bloody Mary’s, Mallory said.
Parts of the building have been renovated, including a fresh coat of paint. The bar in the event space additionally now serves beer on tap.
The game room was consolidated from 40 to 16 games to make more room for seating, televisions, a large projector and adult games like pool and darts. They painted the walls Honolulu Blue for the Detroit Lions, Hunter said.
The event space in the back will be returned to general customer use during the evening. Called Mal’s Pub, the back space offers a quieter atmosphere with a bar where guests can enjoy a beer or cocktail without loud music or televisions.
“I feel like you get a little bit of everything when you come to Sullivan’s,” Mallory said. “You’ve got the main dining where you bring your family, you’ve got the game room with screaming, yelling and the sports and then if you want something a bit lower key, come back and see me at Mal’s Pub.”
In the future, the new owners plan to host large parties for holidays, including the night before Thanksgiving, Christmas and Halloween, as the restaurant can fit around 500 people.
Clark Lake resident Tim Vinson said he dines there about once a week, and he’s enjoyed the changes so far. He especially likes the name because it’s Irish, and he is a big Notre Dame fan, he said. However, it will take time to adjust.
“Change is good,” Vinson said.
Sullivan’s, 1514 Daniel Road, is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Mal’s Pub is typically open 4 to 10 p.m.
Hunt Club opened in 1979 in the former Peterson’s Jewelers next door. It moved years later to the current building at 1514 Daniel Road.
The Sullivans took over the Jackson eatery in April. The Hillsdale Hunt Club is owned and operated by former owner Dale Stevens.
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