Jon Ryan's Pub Set To Open Wednesday

Tewksbury's newest eatery, Jon Ryan's Pub, will open for business on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

The restaurant is located on Route 38 i

"The first day (Dec. 14) we will probably be open just for dinner," said owner Bob Ryan. "But after that, we'll be open from 11 a.m. to midnight every day."

According to Ryan, the restaurant will feature casual dining, as well as a separate sports bar area. The menu will feature a variety of meat and seafood entrees, as well as classic pub fare.

The interior of the restaurant has not changed dramatically with the new ownership. However, patrons will notice flat screen TVs have been added to the walls of the dining area to broadcast sporting events.

Despite the name and the green exterior, Ryan has been quick to point out that the business is not an "Irish pub."

"A pub will be opened at the old Picadilly Pub that will be opened by an Irishman,"

Ryan is no stranger to the Merrimack Valley restaurant scene. Before branching out to open his own restaurant, he worked 20 years for the Ninety-Nine Restaurant chain. As General Managing Partner, about eight years ago and most recently held the same position at the Lowell restaurant on Route 110.

Still, he had no hesitation in going into business for himself.

"I thought it was time. It was my turn," said Ryan, a married father of two adult sons.

Ryan said his staff of about 30 employees is almost filled out, though he is still looking to hire two or three additional line cooks.

His oldest son Jonathan (for whom the restaurant is named), who recently graduated from UMass Amherst with an accounting degree, will help Ryan run the business.

While opening his own restaurant is the fulfillment of a dream, Ryan said he has much bigger plans down the road.

"I'd like to open maybe five more (Jon Ryan's Pubs) over the course of the next five years," he said.