How many sports fans have left a sports bar and restaurant
thinking how they would set up their own establishment, given the
chance? Debra Creighton and Jennifer Carson are getting that
chance.
How many sports fans have left a sports bar and restaurant thinking how they would set up their own establishment, given the chance? Debra Creighton and Jennifer Carson are getting that chance.
The duo, who met in high school, are co-owners of Glory Days, a new sports bar on Monterey Road between Third and Fourth streets next to the Trail Dust in the former Mezza Luna restaurant location.
According to the pair, the motivation for opening Glory Days was to have a place that would cater to family and friends first and foremost. And, this was a family affair from the start, as the Creightons and Carsons put their muscle where their money went, renovating the 2,000-square-foot building on their own without help from contractors.
“We wanted a place where we would want to go,” said Creighton, whose sons Cody and Nick play football and wrestle in South San Jose. “The food and atmosphere is what we’d want. We used to go to these places with our kids after their games and we thought we’d like something we’d enjoy going to.”
Indeed, Glory Days is an homage to the average sports fan and his or her family. Stocked with the obligatory and ubiquitous TVs and sports memorabilia, Glory Days also adds a few twists.
For one thing, much of the memorabilia came from the their homes and offices, lending the place a homier, less-contrived air than the average sports bar and restaurant. Glory Days also features a few truly local touches with local high school memorabilia, including a Live Oak High football helmet and more. (The pair said they’re working on acquiring a Sobrato High football helmet as well.)
In fact, there are plans for a local Hall of Fame in the Glory Days hallway.
Then there’s the dream of every sports fan who has been faced with the dilemma of when to make the dash to the restroom in the middle of a nail-biter playoff game; Glory Days has a TV in the men’s restroom.
And, there’s a covered patio in front of Glory Days with TV sets outside, too.
Then there’s the menu, which includes just about everything one can imagine would be available in a sports bar and restaurant, and a little more. Everything on the menu is sports-themed.
There are the appetizers, dubbed the First String on the menu, including everything from the usual hot wings, potato skins and chicken strips to the not-so-typical Thai beef stick and mini-prawn tacos.
There’s the salad (Second String), lunch (the Halftime Show with the Sandwich Lot, Tailgater Burgers and personal pizzas) and the side dishes (Sidelines), along with a Kids Menu.
And, then there’s dinner (no flashy sports reference here), which ranges from the seafood-themed linguini and clams, prawn scampi, pan-seared sandabs and Pacific king salmon to New York steak and potato and filet mignon.
All this is juggled by Chef Alex Jara, formerly of Gilroy’s Old City Hall restaurant.
“Basically, it’s everything we and our kids like,” Creighton said. “(Jara) took what we wanted and made it work.”
Glory Days, located at 17230 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill, currently is open Monday through Saturday. Lunch is served from 11am to 2pm and dinner from 5-10pm on Friday and Saturday, 5pm-9pm Monday through Thursday.
Details: call 779-3376.
