Photos by Paul M. Howey
Story by Leah Shapiro
With a tall bear statue greeting customers as they walk in the door and several stuffed toy bears lying across the ceiling beams, Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern has certainly earned its nickname “the bear restaurant.” Located in downtown Waynesville, this family restaurant offers guests a taste of Western North Carolina culture and delicious steakhouse-style eats.
In addition to cooking, owner Blake Sneed also has a knack for history. Over the years, he’s decorated the interior with photographs he got from the Haywood County Library. Manager Kathryn Millis says customers will often get excited when they recognize pictures of their family members. On each table are books discussing the history of the area. Upstairs, fiddles that belonged to brothers Peco and Manco Steed (Blake’s great granduncles) hang on the wall.
Blake also has a talent for art and created Bogart’s logo design. As a hobby, he paints little toy soldiers and figures used in tabletop games. When it came time for Bogart’s to get some new furniture, Blake and his father crafted the wooden tables together.
Before Blake became owner in 2010, Kenny Wyatt opened the restaurant in 1976 and ran it for more than two decades. In 2000, Marty Lowe bought the business and made it his mission to foster a family-friendly atmosphere. Blake and Marty had worked together at a previous restaurant, so when Marty moved to Bogart’s, Blake came as well. (As did Shannon Herrera, who has stayed on as Bogart’s general manager.)
Born in Cherokee, Blake began college at UNCA at age 19. While earning his degree, he entered the restaurant industry and hasn’t looked back since. Last November, Blake stepped out from behind the grill after having trained chefs Carl Elwell and Mike Farrington for several years.
The restaurant’s steaks and burgers made it famous and a staple in the community. “Marty laid a huge foundation down for us,” says Blake. Customers love the large selection of salads and sandwiches. Several items on the menu share names with family members of past owners. Named after Marty’s mother, the Thelma Lou sandwich contains a grilled chicken breast topped with barbecue sauce, bacon, and cheddar cheese. The Manco Sneed is a turkey and bacon sandwich with apricot mayo and provolone cheese, and The Peco Sneed sandwich contains pimento cheese.
Open seven days a week, beginning at 11 a.m., Bogart’s offers lunch and dinner, with daily specials. One of Monday’s lunch specials is, for example, beef tips, while dinner is an eight-ounce rib eye. And wait ‘til you try the Prolific Sweet Potato, which is stuffed with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, bacon, jack and cheddar cheese, creamy chipotle sauce, and fresh chives. With a specialty in barbecue, Jarrod Edens coordinates off-site catering and works with the clients to fit their needs.
Another way the restaurant pays homage to its roots is by offering live bluegrass and string band music each Thursday evening from 6:30–8:30 p.m. A different local band plays each week. “We do serve some local beers on draft,” says Kathryn, listing off Green Man Brewing in Asheville, BearWaters Brewing in Waynesville, and Nantahala Brewing in Bryson City, among others.
If you’ve lived here for years or are just passing through, Bogart’s offers a fun and informative experience. As Blake says, “They get some local flavor when they come in and learn a little bit.”
Bogart’s Restaurant & Tavern is located at 303 S. Main Street in downtown Waynesville. For more information, visit bogartswaynesville.com or call 828.452.1313.
