Chef Graham Messenger, formerly of The Fitz on Selby Avenue, has a new gig.

He’ll be helming the kitchen at The Pillbox Tavern, the sports-bar themed restaurant in the Treasure Island Center in downtown St. Paul when it opens.

The restaurant, from the owners of Jersey’s in Inver Grove Heights, is shooting for a late February opening.

Messenger said the menu will include a few things from the Jersey’s menu — including the jalapeno popper juicy lucy that won the Twin Cities Burger Battle last year — but he’s coming up with the rest of it.

That’s good news for burger lovers, because Messenger’s burger at The Fitz was one of our favorites last year.

There will be burgers and sandwiches, but also comfort-food-heavy entrees like pot roast.

“I’m working on some creative entrees and appetizers and just things done well with good ingredients,” Messenger said.

Sold.

And besides plans to have lots of televisions for sports viewing, the pub is also just across the street from The Palace Theatre and close to lots of other downtown venues, so date-night eats are about to get much more fun.

Pillbox Tavern: 400 N. Wabasha St., St. Paul; pillboxtav.com