Chapin’s getting a new ale house, fresh looks at Lake Murray restaurant and bar
Changes are ahead on the dining scene in growing Chapin, and they are being spearheaded by a well-known local restaurateur.
Jason McDowell, who owns J.R. Cash’s restaurants in Chapin and elsewhere, as well as Cash’s Chicken in Chapin, recently told The State that he has purchased several other restaurants in the area, and has plans for fresh concepts at those locations.
McDowell purchased the J. Peters Grill and Bar location at 912 Chapin Road, near the center of town, and is in the process of rebranding it as the Chapin Ale House, which he says will be a culinarily elevated, “food forward” gastropub and sports bar with 14 beers on-tap.
The longtime restaurateur said he also has purchased Rusty Anchor and Catfish Johnny’s, the side-by-side indoor restaurant and outdoor bar & grill at 1925 Johnson Marina Road in Chapin, on the shores of Lake Murray. McDowell said Rusty Anchor will retain its name, but Catfish Johnny’s will be rebranded as Nauti Turtle Bar & Grill.
The Chapin J. Peters, Rusty Anchor, and Catfish Johnny’s were all previously owned by Jon Angell. McDowell acquired them back in December, he said.
With the coming Chapin Ale House, which is eyeing an opening in mid-April, McDowell said there are renovations and upgrades going on within the space that will differentiate it from its former J. Peters vibe.
“We are trying to really make the space unique once again,” McDowell said. “We want to make sure that, even from a facilities standpoint, when people walk in to the Chapin Ale House that they say, ‘Oh wow, this really has changed.’ That will be hard to deny. We have made substantial changes inside.”
McDowell said he thinks Chapin Ale House will appeal to “the whole family” in Chapin, with some traditional favorites blended with elevated menu offerings.
“You could come out on a Tuesday night after softball and have wings and burgers and a draft beer, but on a Friday night you could have a prosciutto and arugula flatbread and some cool stuff,” the restarateur said.
Meanwhile, out at Lake Murray, McDowell said it was important to him that the Rusty Anchor maintain its longtime name, noting that it has a “legacy on the lake.” The menu at Rusty Anchor, which is still being finalized, will include steaks, ribs, shrimp, a host of sandwiches and burgers, plus salads, desserts, appetizers and more.
The menu at the Nauti Turtle, the outdoor bar & grill, will have burgers, sandwiches, wraps, shrimp platters, chicken tenders, dessert and other options.
McDowell said he is hoping to open Rusty Anchor and Nauti Turtle on March 27.
While the Rusty Anchor has long been a seasonal lake restaurant, open only in warmer months, McDowell said he is planning to change that.
“We are planning on being open year-round inside, which has not been the case out here at Rusty Anchor for many years,” McDowell said. “We are committed to that. We feel like Columbia is growing like crazy, and we can put together the right menu for the fall and winter.”
McDowell said there will be live music at Nauti Turtle and Rusty Anchor in coming months, but perhaps not as much of the intense rock music that has been part of the scene in past years.
“I expect it will be more acoustic, country, (Jimmy) Buffett kind of vibe,” McDowell said. “I think the town’s ready for it. It will be a place to get a great meal and a great cocktail.”
