Bourbon Street Grill and Cafe opens Springfield location

Abdalla grew up in Benghazi, Libya, moved to the U.S. in 1979 and attended high school in Dayton. In 1984, he entered the restaurant business.

Originally, Abdalla wanted to open the Springfield restaurant in 2020. Many things created the delay, he said, especially following COVID-19.

“We had so many issues after COVID with getting parts and equipment, and just the overall maintenance inside,” Abdalla said.

Even with the delay, that didn’t stop Abdalla’s desire to get the business running.

“We’re excited about being on South Limestone,” he said. “Springfield is a good community of people. I’m looking forward to doing business here.”

The menu includes Abdalla’s original bourbon chicken and his signature sauce, blackened salmon, fresh vegetables, wraps, burritos, burgers, gyros and more items to choose from.

The restaurant opened Monday, the same day the city of Springfield cut the ribbon on Fire Station 8 next door. Officials said they were working to redevelop the city’s southern corridor.

Abdalla is excited about the restaurant’s future on South Limestone.

“To know that this beautiful area is getting taken care of with all of these businesses around is great,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being on this side of town because of it.”

Following the restaurant’s grand opening, they are still looking to hire more staff and encourage people to stop by.

“It’s really an exciting time to be on this side of town,” Abdalla said.