Fort Wright, Ky. – Local restaurateurs Billy Grise and Mitch Arens are bringing a new dining concept to the city’s historic downtown. The co‑owners of Carmelo’s, the Northern Kentucky Italian restaurant that earned a national top‑new‑restaurant ranking from USA Today readers, will open an American chop house in the former Frisch’s Big Boy building at 20 Kyles Lane.
From Italian Favorites to Classic American Fare
Grise and Arens opened Carmelo’s on Madison Avenue in November 2024, quickly gaining a reputation for fresh, family‑friendly Italian cuisine. In January 2025, USA Today readers voted the restaurant the No. 2 best new restaurant in the country, a testament to the owners’ commitment to quality and community service.
Now, the duo is channeling “old‑school hospitality” into a new venue that will seat 160 guests and feature an outdoor patio. While the restaurant’s name has not yet been released, the owners describe it as an “American chop house” that will offer classic steak, seafood, and grill‑style dishes in a setting that honors the building’s mid‑century heritage.
Reviving a Local Landmark
The building at 20 Kyles Lane was home to Fort Wright’s Frisch’s Big Boy until the chain relocated to Orphanage Road in August. By repurposing the space, Grise and Arens aim to preserve a piece of the city’s culinary history while providing a new gathering place for families, friends, and workers in the surrounding business district.
“Building restaurants for the people and community around us is what we love doing,” Grise said in the press release announcing the project. “We’re channeling old‑school hospitality in a historic building, and giving the people of Fort Wright a place to escape to again.”
Economic Impact and Community Benefits
The new chop house is expected to create dozens of jobs, from kitchen staff to servers and management positions. Local suppliers will also benefit from increased demand for fresh meat, produce, and other ingredients, reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a hub for small‑business growth.
City officials have expressed support for the project, noting that revitalizing the former Frisch’s site aligns with Fort Wright’s broader economic‑development goals. The restaurant’s outdoor patio will add a new public‑space option for residents, encouraging sidewalk dining and community interaction.
Opening Timeline
Construction and interior design work are already underway, with the owners targeting a winter opening. A specific launch date has not yet been set, but the team plans to host a soft‑opening for local partners and community members before opening the doors to the general public.
Grise and Arens invite Fort Wright residents to stay tuned for updates on the restaurant’s name, menu highlights, and opening events. Their commitment to “building restaurants for the people” reflects a broader trend of locally owned establishments investing in historic properties to strengthen neighborhood identity and economic vitality.
About the Owners
Billy Grise and Mitch Arens are longtime members of the Northern Kentucky hospitality community. Their partnership began with the launch of Carmelo’s, a family‑oriented Italian eatery that quickly became a staple for diners seeking authentic flavors and attentive service. The success of Carmelo’s has given the duo the confidence to expand their portfolio and bring a new culinary experience to Fort Wright.
For more information about the upcoming American chop house, interested parties can follow the owners’ official social‑media channels or contact the Fort Wright Chamber of Commerce.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
