LYNN — Fear not foodies, Bonefish Harry’s is closed, but its Lewis Street location will transform in about a week into Skinny Hank’s BBQ.
Henry Pariseau, who owns Bonefish Harry’s in Beverly with his wife, Lauren, said Skinny Hank’s “VIP opening” is tentatively planned for Wednesday, Jan. 15, with a public opening on Friday or Saturday.
“We’re shooting for those days,” he said.
The Pariseaus opened Bonefish Harry’s in September, 2018 at 45 Lewis St. with a seafood menu featuring dishes including avocado rangoon and totchos (Mexican-themed tater tots). Henry Pariseau said “taco competition” from other Lynn restaurants prompted him to return his original plan to serve barbecue in East Lynn.
“I’ve always loved barbecue. We’ll do it slow and low, wood-fired with beef ribs on the weekends,” he promised.
The Manchester, N.H., native grew up in a restaurant family and learned the industry from the bottom up, starting out as “the coat check guy.” A stint working in California introduced him to West Coast culinary tastes and he followed up his return home by making good on his plan to open Thirsty Butcher Hospitality — Bonefish Harry’s parent company — in Beverly.
Skinny Hank’s is named after Pariseau’s late father and the name is already painted on one of the restaurant’s interior walls. The barbecue restaurant’s interior will be recognizable to Bonefish Harry’s customers with its mix of old signs, 20th century service station pumps and other decor.
“This is what my dad was about: A family-friendly place that is affordable with good meat and good value,” he said.
Pariseau is interviewing prospective employees even as renovation work continues. Signs posted on the restaurant windows assure customers, “We apologize for the inconvenience but can’t wait for you to see what we have in store! If you can’t survive without tacos or avocado rangoons, come visit us in Beverly.”
