Cabo Blue Sports Bar & Grill is the new kid on the block in Fayette's burgeoning downtown. The restaurant opened March 10 and even though it was a Monday night – welcomed a full house with dining upstairs and down.

West Union native and North High School grad Tim Havenstrite is general manager of 'Cabo Blue.'  Havenstrite's previous experience includes food service sales. He says the opening of the restaurant in Fayette is everything he hoped it would be and more. "We're still working out a few of the kinks in staffing but overall, it's been a wonderful experience being here," he said.

A special feature of Cabo Blue is outdoor patio dining both downstairs and from the second floor dining area. There are also 15 large-screen TVs between the two floors.

Construction of the restaurant was one part of a revitalization program initiated a couple of years ago by the city of Fayette and Upper Iowa University. A companion facade program was designed to project cohesiveness with similar brick storefronts in the majority of the businesses in a two-block business district.

Upper Iowa University constructed the double-wide building on the site of a one-time hardware store that was also a print shop. In the north section, it operates 'Pavo Blue' coffee and gift shop. The restaurant, 'Victories' opened in the south structure but later closed.

In three short weeks, Havenstrite is enjoying an ocean of initial success as local clientele and Upper Iowa University staff are excited to have the restaurant reopened. Among the featured menu items are the UIU tilapia wrap, boneless Peacock tails, Peacock wings and pizzas ranging from margarita to Cabo-Q Chicken and UIU taco. Dinner menu items include the "Black and Yellow" salmon, the Upper Iowa Ribeye, a house sirloin and Cabo's Rack O' Ribs in addition to other items. Other popular items are the fish tacos and breaded pickle chips  both of which the restaurant is seeing become popular items.

Cabo Blue is open Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 128 South Main in Fayette. Call 563-425-3044 for more information. See Cabo Blue's menu on their website.