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On Friday and Saturday nights, live music is featured, and on Thursday evenings, there is karaoke.
There’s always something stirring in Camp Verde, and just recently the talk is all about Bullpen Grill and Watering Hole, which has locals pretty excited.
On Friday and Saturday nights, live music is featured, and on Thursday evenings, there is karaoke.
With an opening date of mid-February, owner Justin Chambers, who is also a realtor and broker, is running the show, bursting with enthusiasm and a contagious energy that seems endless.
“My wife and I moved to Camp Verde from Kingman in 2018. Our goal was to retire here when we got older, but then we decided to move in another direction. We had second thoughts and we purchased the historic Wingfield Plaza.”
The Wingfield Plaza is in downtown Camp Verde and is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the area. Its rustic structure and Western character is a nice reminder of the early 1800s. The east side of the building has housed a restaurant for several years.
“When the previous restaurant closed, many locals were accustomed to having a restaurant there, so I thought, maybe this is something I can do,” said Chambers. “I hired a staff of 28 key employees who are super talented and who have experience working in this industry for many years. They are doing all it takes to make this work. I’m so proud of them.”
With no restaurant experience, Chambers opened Bullpen Grill and Watering Hole. So far, it is charming customers with tasty meals in the Western-themed eatery.
“It was great food and what I really liked about it is that there were healthy options. I had a salad and my husband had a burger and fries. We took my mother-in-law for her birthday. The service was really good and the food was prepared fast,” said Verde Valley Medical Center Speech Pathologist Shaylee Hoffman.
Chambers was born in Kingman and attended college at Northern Arizona University (NAU), studying business management. He was about to pursue a career as a cameraman at a news station when he learned about real estate.
“I was in a sales class and we had a guest speaker who mentioned how much she earned as a real estate agent. I knew I was pursuing the wrong field, so I worked toward my real estate license and my mom got hers at the same time.” Chambers has been working in real estate since he was 21 years old.
“I’ve worked with Justin since 2005,” said Camp Verde Associate Real Estate Broker Michele Chaney. “He’s an upbeat, great guy to work with and always on the go! He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. You might see him washing dishes or vacuuming. If something needs to get done, he’ll do it. Justin is also a wonderful family man and is dedicated to his wife and kids. He’s going to do great with his new restaurant.”
Along with a colorful picturesque mural by famed Sedona artist Claudio Valdez, who creates under the name Quadrillion Miles, on the outside wall of the restaurant, Chambers replaced all appliances in the kitchen including the walk-in freezer and refrigeration.
“We have all new booths, tables and chairs, bar stools, lighting, corrugated tin panels and we added pool tables in the spacious dining room. “I like playing pool and customers can play to their heart’s content,” he said.
Tucked outside is an outdoor smoker where beef brisket and pork are roasted.
Bullpen Grill and Watering Hole server Will Accomando is proud of the reviews. “The feedback has been great. I’ve seen comments online about the food and service and they have been fantastic.”
“The food is top notch,” said local cowboy Frank Drake. “I had the braised rib roast and my wife had a New York strip steak. It was awesome.”
“Justin gives us the opportunity to let us have our freedom in the kitchen,” said Lead Chef Joshua Senecal. “We play our music and have fun cooking. The menu showcases all my selections.” Senecal likes to refer to the Bullpen Grill and Watering Hole as a “gastropub,” a pub that specialize in serving high-quality food.
On Friday and Saturday nights, live music is featured, and on Thursday evenings, there is karaoke. FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Located at 564 South Main Street in Camp Verde, Bullpen Grill and Watering Hole is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week and can be followed on Facebook.
Filed Under: Business, Local News
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