There’s a new eatery in downtown Fort Davis, and the highly anticipated restaurant just opened on June 12, catering to both tourists and locals.

Owned by Fort Davis resident and Harvard Hotel owner Roy Hurley, the Harvard Bar and Grill is sure to attract those searching for delightful Texas and Southwest style fare.

Hurley, a Del Rio native, grew up south of the border, and is excited about opening up a restaurant that will serve a variety of Southwest style menu choices, from frog legs to calf fries to hand cut ribeyes, as well as lamb chops, salads, flat breads, and more.

Hurley’s idea of opening the bar and grill was sparked by an increasing number of clients who were looking for authentic, Texas-inspired cooking in a place already known as the coolest place in Texas.

“It was for our tourism and our community where they have a place to sit down and eat and enjoy themselves, and watch a football or baseball game,” said Hurley.

The restaurant employs eight to 10 staff members, including wait staff, cooks, a head chef, and a manager. Although Hurley is the sole owner of Harvard Bar and Grill, family members pitch in and help in different businesses around town, such as Harvard Hotel and H.E. Sproul Ranch. Audrey Hicks manages the bar and grill, while Kendra Hurley runs the hotel, and son Roy “Hunter” Hurley, Jr., is the foreman at the ranch.

“We all pitch in. It’s all different entities, but it’s all working together,” said Hurley.

This year, the H.E. Sproul Ranch and Harvard Hotel will be participating in the Fourth of July festivities for the Coolest Fourth on Saturday, July 3, in Fort Davis. Parade floats will consist of four wheelers, complete with antlers and horns to commemorate the ranch that offers exciting hunting activities.

The bar and grill will offer deals for hotel guests such as discounts on drinks or food.

Hurley, who is also the Jeff Davis County fire marshal, looks forward to bringing much needed additional revenue to the county where businesses were heavily impacted by COVID closures.

Said Hurley, “I am hoping this helps, just like everybody else who has opened up new businesses in Fort Davis, to help our county, to help our locals, and to bring more revenue to the county. That’s what we’re lacking.”

Harvard Bar and Grill is open Thursday through Sunday from 3-9 p.m., and is located on 109 North State Street in Fort Davis.