Prickly Pear, unofficial downtown front porch, to open in fall

<b>A view of the Campbell Plaza area to be used by the Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina. An eight-foot walkway along the south side will provide pedestrian access between S. Santa Fe Avenue and S. Fifth Street. </b>Renderings provided by Wheat State Hospitality, Inc. — A view of the Campbell Plaza area to be used by the Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina. An eight-foot walkway along the south side will provide pedestrian access between S. Santa Fe Avenue and S. Fifth Street. Renderings provided by Wheat State Hospitality, Inc.

A new downtown destination is scheduled to open his fall, bringing with it food, drink, and entertainment.

Billed as the unofficial front porch for downtown Salina, the Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina, a Tex-Mex infused eating and entertainment venue, is scheduled to open in fall 2021. Created by Salina businessmen Tim Blake and Wes Blake of Wheat State Hospitality, Inc., this unique restaurant and bar concept will offer the perfect place to meet, eat and enjoy in all seasons, the company noted in a news release.

“The Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina is a project we have been excited to develop for some time and we are incredibly proud to bring this new dining and entertainment concept to Salina,” said Tim Blake, co-founder. “We look forward to our customers enjoying a centerpiece of our revitalized downtown.”

<b>An overhead rendering of the Campbell Plaza area. The redesigned stage will be located at the east end of the plaza.</b> — **An overhead rendering of the Campbell Plaza area. The redesigned stage will be located at the east end of the plaza.**

The Salina City Commission on May 17 paved the way for the Prickly Pear to open in its current concept when the commission authorized the city manager to execute a licensing agreement and a transferee agreement with Wheat State Hospitality, Inc., for the use of Campbell Plaza, which adjoins the Prickly Pear building.

Offering a Tex-Mex inspired menu, the Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina will provide a comfortable, family friendly environment that will include indoor and outdoor seating in addition to frequent live music performed by popular regional acts.

“The revitalization of the area has been incredible and we wanted to support its continued growth,” said Wes Blake, co-founder. “This concept is a first-of-its-kind for Salina and we’re thrilled to bring it to the community in our hometown.”

<b>A street view rendering of the Campbell Plaza area. Rooftop seating will be available at the back of the Prickly Pear building at left.</b> — **A street view rendering of the Campbell Plaza area. Rooftop seating will be available at the back of the Prickly Pear building at left.**

The Blakes also operate Hickory Hut BBQ in Salina and take their decades of success in the restaurant industry to create the ideal place to take the family and celebrate friendships.

The Prickly Pear Grill & Cantina will feature:

•Chef-inspired Tex-Mex menu with oversized salads, loaded tacos, and mouth-watering over-the-top hamburgers.

•Extensive bar menu with a hand-picked selection of bottle and draft beers and “soon-to-be-famous margaritas.”

•Convenient online ordering from its pick-up and go menu.

•Regular live music nights in the warmer seasons with well-known area musicians.

•Indoor, outdoor and rooftop seating, offering the best place to meet throughout the year.