One local business is hoping that Chilton County residents are “craving” a new lunch option.

Kravings, located at 1714 Seventh St. N. in Clanton across from the Dollar General, opened on Thursday, and co-owner Dan Wright said the restaurant hopes to offer a menu that varies from standard fast food fare.

The restaurant, which is in a building that used to house a car dealership, allows for ample seating.

“We are a little different,” he said. “No. 1, (we offer) no fried food. In addition to coffee, we have paninis, reubens and quesadillas.”

Wright said the decision to not offer fried foods was two-fold: It allowed for health-conscious choices, but also helped the start-up business financially.

“It can be considered a health issue, but it’s also a cost thing, too,” he said. “Everything is cooked fresh in the kitchen, and the biggest thing is we’re able to save money by not having (fryers and grease expenses).”

The restaurant, which offers specialty coffee and food items such as sandwiches, salads, and wraps, along with side items such as ranch pasta salad, loaded smashed potatoes and deviled eggs, among others, is “not a healthfood store by any means,” Wright said, and also has several sweet treats such as cupcakes, brownies and cookies for sale.

Wright said the opportunity to open a restaurant was a dream of his and co-owner—and wife—Wendy Wright.

“It’s a passion my wife and I have,” he said. “We’ve always wanted our own restaurant.”

Kravings is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, but plans for the future include more evening hours. Wright said take out orders via phone are available, and that online ordering for take out will be available within two weeks.

Catering is also available.

“We want to take it slow,” Wright said. “Our niche is making the customer happy. That’s truly our goal.”

While the restaurant has yet to find out which of its menu items are customer favorites, Wright said he had an idea which ones might take off.

“It’s hard to nail it down,” he said. “My wife’s cheesecake comes with a sour cream topping, and it is one-of-a-kind. Our pulled pork taco features homemade ingredients, with pulled pork, a crispy tortilla, then we add peach chipotle barbecue sauce, cheese and cole slaw.”

For more information, visit the Kravings Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KravingsCoffeeBistro or call 258-5352.