Durham >> Midway Steakhouse may be an unfamiliar name, but is quickly gathering fans, even before it opens.

It is one of several new restaurants in Butte County preparing for opening day during the first half of 2017.

Midway Steakhouse

Adjacent to Almendra Winery and Distillery in Durham, Midway Steakhouse is settling into the old Femino’s restaurant on — of course — the Midway, and is expected to open later this month.

The historic center once included the Durham Grammar School, according to an internet post, and Almendra’s Winery has become a go-to stop, bringing newcomers to Durham.

The restaurant has displayed its menu on the window, with steaks, pork, lamb, chicken and seafood, salads, and children’s menu, and a full bar.

Another internet post notes that it will be working to provide small plates to Almendra next door, along with catering services.

Its website describes the menu as “traditional, with a twist,” with quality cuts of meat and sides, but also mentions a drink at the bar while enjoying a game. It’s at 9283 Midway.

Greg Martin and his wife Sue are the owners. Martin is the president of Ray Morgan Co. office equipment in Chico.

Next door, Almendra will be celebrating its one-year anniversary Jan. 27-29.

Cafe Tetra

Mediterranean dishes that aren’t available now in Chico is how co-owner David Halimi describes Cafe Tetra, 163 E. Second St.

The restaurant is set to open in early February with breakfast, lunch and dinner, said Halimi, who is partners in it with former restaurant owner Mohammed Shabbar. Shabbar owned Petra in Chico.

The new restaurant is opening up in the former House of Bamboo, not far from Halimi’s Diamond W Western Wear.

Asked about menu favorites, Halimi mentioned shawarma, which is sliced meat of various kinds pierced on a vertical spit and roasted, lamb dishes, along with vegetarian and vegan dishes.

There will also be a banquet room with seating for about 20.

“We have worked to offer dishes that aren’t available in other Chico restaurants,” Halimi said.

Tellers Bites and Brews

2017 will be the year for Tellers Bites and Brews on the corner of Broadway and Second Street. It’s at ground level at 201 Broadway.

Originally, Burgers and Brews was situated there, but decided on another Broadway location. Building owner David Halimi decided to move forward with his ideas for a downtown restaurant, according to a 2016 E-R article.

Like other new restaurants, Tellers has already established a venue for sidewalk dining to complement what’s inside the former Bank of America building — hence the name — that is also home to Chico Crush Italian restaurant and Jamba Juice smoothies.

Halimi calls Tellers’ menu one filled with California cuisine, with lighter items for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well. Burgers, salads and sandwiches, with beer and wine form a large part of the offerings.

Tellers will be more inviting for individual diners, with more single seating and counter arrangements surrounded by brightly-colored walls, he said.

As far as a target opening, Halimi thinks early spring will be more likely, since much of his focus has been on Cafe Tetra. He said the building was a bigger renovation because of an earlier tenant, so is taking longer.

Parkside Tap House

Tom van Overbeek said a few setbacks popped up for Parkside Tap House, which had hoped to open at 300 Main St. by the end of the 2016.

From his last contact, van Overbeek seems to think February was a better target for the restaurant, which is being crafted in a German beer garden style, with family-friendly atmosphere. Van Overbeek owns the building, and the restaurant is owned by Josh Marks and Josh Snider, who also own Bella’s Sports Bar downtown.

A type of fare different from what Bella’s offers will be available at the tap house, along with a wide selection of craft and German beers.

A large patio set off Third Street will offer outdoor options for lunch and dinner dining. The owners call the menu “comfort food.”

“It’s really a place for all ages. It’s family friendly. It’s not a sports bar,” said Marks last year in an Enterprise-Record article.

As far as food, the menu will contain a variety for all tastes, but the owners mention small plates, ribs, mac and cheese, Southern fried chicken, salads and more.

“We call it creative comfort food,” said Snider, adding that Bella’s popular wings will be there too.

A grand opening with a big community welcome is planned after a soft opening.

Crepeville

In downtown Chico, Crepeville is progressing nicely on the other corner of Main and Third streets, says owner Derar Zawaydeh of Sacramento, whose family is also involved in Chico’s Burger and Brews.

Staff is being trained and there are a few more details being worked out.

“We want to make sure everything is perfect. First impressions are lasting. We’re getting very close,” Zawaydeh said in a telephone interview this week.

A best-guess estimate is mid- to late-February, he says.

“We’re so excited about opening in Chico.”

Zawaydeh said his company is “working on the menu” and that staff is being trained at the Crepeville in Davis.

“It’s very expensive but we want to make sure we’re doing it right,” he said, regarding the staff traveling to Davis for training.

Finishing touches to the menu, which ranges from breakfast to dinner “meets with what will fit the Chico market.” Sweet and savory crepes form the base for many of the dishes, but there are sandwiches, pasta and omelettes as well.

Like other downtown restaurants, Crepeville will feature sidewalk dining. The black railing that will designate the outdoor dining has been up for several weeks.

Zawaydeh said a new Burgers and Brews just opened in West Sacramento in a 1940s-era building, and that his company treasures buildings with character like the Chico location.

Crepeville’s home is on the ground floor of The Grand View, which has been known for decades as the Oser Building, built around 1889.

The building’s most recent owner renovated the two-story structure with an extensive basement and has been leasing spaces out for retail and office uses.

“You’ll never see us in a strip mall,” said Zawaydeh.

Del Taco

Chico’s Holt Construction is the demolisher and builder on what will be a new Del Taco restaurant.

Based in Lake Forest, Orange County, the national Mexican fast food restaurant will be built on the corner of East 20th Street and Forest Avenue, where an automotive-related business once stood. Next to Target and Jack in the Box, that was the building that was torn down.

Demolition should be finished this week, according to Holt, but inclement weather has interrupted the schedule.

Starting as with a small restaurant in the Mojave Desert in 1964, Del Taco has about 550 restaurants, according to its website. Among its latest menu additions, which will be available in Chico when it opens in late spring, will be a meat choice of seasoned turkey in its dishes.

There are already Del Tacos in Red Bluff, Redding and Yuba City that franchisee Rick Bastianelli of Pacific Coast Restaurant Group in Yuba City owns, according to marketing representative Jackie Lytle.

Contact Laura Urseny at 896-7756, email lurseny@chicoer.com or on Twitter @LauraUrseny.