Stephen Theobald: That’s why we call it Hungry Chucks. It’s place where you can come and consume, to see and be seen.
Zach Richter: It’s as simple as that, far from cooperate but known as the heart of the hill. Hungry Chucks has been apart of the Syracuse community for over half of a generation. And after being forced to close in 2017. Chucks has now returned to the hill. I sat down with the owner of the bar Stephen Theobald.
Theobald: Since April 20th, 2017 I spent 5 days a week, 40, 50, 60 hours a week looking for a new space. There just isn’t much space available up here. It’s a very small business district that’s surrounded by the campus.
Richter: Chucks now lives in the former home of Panda West. And after being gone for 5 years, how will they compete with nearby competition such as Orange Crate, Harry’s, and Faegans.
Theobald: I don’t really feel like we have to compete with them. We do something completely different then them. We don’t really have any rules in here. Basically, as long as your not violent, you can do anything you want here.
Richter: And Chucks is special not only because it’s been here for 50 years. But also everything written on the walls and the chairs makes this place unique.
Theobald: It’s singing the wall. It’s writing, you know, different sayings and stuff on the walls.
Richter: S.U. alum Matthew Hagler has nothing but good memories from Chucks.
Matthew Hagler: Hearing that Hungry Chucks is back is amazing. All those Saturday’s that me and the guys spent there watching the football games or after a football game. It was truly a Syracuse staple.
Richter: And for Chucks it’s now time to make new memories. Zach Richter NCC News.
SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) – The Hungry Chucks bar has been around for over 50 years but was forced to closed back on April 20th, 2017 to make room for The Marshall apartment building. After five years of being closed Chucks finally reopened last month. The owner of the bar, Stephen C. Theobald says he’s had a busy few years since the bar first closed.
“I spent 5 days a week, 40, 50, 60 hours a week looking for a new space. There just isn’t much available space up here. It’s a very small business district that’s surrounded by the campus,” Theobald said.
This past April, Theobald bought 135 and 137 Marshall Street which was formerly home to Panda West for over 20 years. However Chucks only uses 135 Marshall, as they lease 137 to Insomnia Cookies.
“We may be taking over part of their shop but there’s no plan this minute to take it over. If we were to take it over, we would be back to the same size when we were back in the Marshall,” Theobald said.
He says the best part of the bar is that it’s unique with it known for SU seniors signing the walls before they graduate.
Theobald told NCC News that the bar has not even had its grand opening yet, saying that won’t be till later this year.
In what other bar would you find something like this? These drawings on the wall make Hungry Chucks stand out from its competition. #BDJ3423pic.twitter.com/37tv1OSZJC
Hungry Chucks reopened a few weeks ago in Syracuse after closing back in 2017. Today I sit down with the owner and manager of the bar, Stephen C. Theobald. #BDJ3423
