Grill on the Hill Is Now a Downtown Delight

After eight years in Westmoreland’s Hilltop area, Grill on the Hill owner Brandon Hudson was faced with an unexpected challenge. His popular restaurant needed a new home. Thanks to a loyal staff and a supportive community, it was a challenge he and his wife, Monique, didn’t have to face alone.

The motivation for the move came when the Hilltop property came under new ownership. The new owner had plans that did not include Brandon’s restaurant, so he did not extend the lease. “Once we got the notice, finding the next location was crucial,” Brandon says. “We wanted to keep going.”

Finding a new home

Grill on the Hill developed a strong following at its Hilltop spot, and Brandon didn’t want to stray too far when choosing the new location. When he looked at the former Mike’s Foodland on Park Street, the expansive 5,600-square-foot building eclipsed the 1,800 square feet of his old location. It would need a lot of work to become the restaurant’s new home.

To minimize the number of weeks the restaurant was closed, work began at the new location while the original eatery was still operating. “I have been super blessed,” Brandon says about the help he received both from employees and the community. “Everyone pitched in. They moved things from the old place to the new one. Some helped with money and equipment during the transition.”

The transformation to create a new layout was a big undertaking that included building several walls. “This was way more renovation than we anticipated,” Brandon says. “From framing walls to plumbing and woodworking, it was a lot, but I enjoyed the process.”

Those new walls gave Brandon an idea. He knew the place needed a pop of color, and he saw it as a chance to celebrate Westmoreland. He turned to former schoolmate Savannah Anderson, who had done seasonal window decorations at the old location. “From the first sketch to the last brushstroke, it was an honor to create something that celebrates the heart of Westmoreland and the amazing people who make this community so special,” she says.

With only six weeks of downtime, Grill on the Hill opened its new doors March 7 to the delight of loyal customers. Comments on the restaurant’s Facebook page attest to just how excited many people were for the return of their favorite place.

On the menu

Brandon looked at the move as a good time to evaluate his menu. While a couple of items were taken off, all the longtime favorites are still available. From thin-cut homemade potato chips to hand-pattied cheeseburgers and locally sourced catfish, customers can order up and chow down. “Shortly after we opened here, we added a salad bar,” Brandon says. “It’s been really popular.”

The team at Grill on the Hill keeps it all humming with phone and internet service from NCTC. “We get lots of to-go calls. The phone is always ringing,” he says. “Our point-of-sale system runs on Wi-Fi, and of course we have Wi-Fi for our customers.”

Family and community are the driving forces behind everything Brandon does. He and Monique arrange their schedules so that one of them can be at home with their children. They are also focused on the community and look for ways to give back. “It is important that we provide for the town that provided for me when I was growing up,” he says.

Brandon played sports as a kid, and he remembers how much local businesses supported the teams. In addition to serving as commissioner for Westmoreland’s peewee basketball league, he is also a board member and coach for one of the local baseball teams. “We want to help out by having spirit nights at the restaurant to help teams raise money,” he adds.

Downtown is looking up

Westmoreland Mayor David Leath is happy to see Brandon and his crew busy in their new location. “The move of Grill on the Hill from Hilltop to the downtown Westmoreland square area has revitalized the Park Street area,” he says. “It is so nice to see the parking lot full of cars for the evening dinner period.”

Walking around the restaurant, the mayor recalled his younger days. “This location brings back many great memories for me, as when I was 16, I worked at Hawk’s Grocery as a butcher in the meat department,” he says. “This was over 50 years ago, and Hawk’s Grocery predated Mike’s Foodland located here for many years prior to them moving.”

The mayor sums up the sentiments of many in town by wishing Brandon luck in his new location. “It is fantastic to have Grill on the Hill in this location now. We wish Brandon much success here in downtown Westmoreland. Growth is coming back to the area which will be good for all.”