McCormick's Conner Street Pub under new ownership, expanding menu

Laura Fitzgerald, Port Huron Times Herald
·3 min read
Robert McCormick, the new owner of McCormick's Conner Street Pub, has been operating the pub for nearly three weeks and is already shaking up the menu with new additions and old favorites at McCormick's Conner Street Pub on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.
Robert McCormick, the new owner of McCormick's Conner Street Pub, has been operating the pub for nearly three weeks and is already shaking up the menu with new additions and old favorites at McCormick's Conner Street Pub on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.

Robert McCormick, the new owner of McCormick's Conner Street Pub, is shaking up the pub's menu with new additions and old favorites.

McCormick added back old favorites, like smoked chicken wings, and new items, such as chicken pot pie, shepherd's pie, Irish-style pork chops, and several types of pasta, including spaghetti made with an Italian tomato sauce recipe from his wife's family.

All of the pub's soups, chili and sauces are made fresh in-house, he said. All the meats are smoked in-house and the pub roasts its own turkey.

Rob Collins, a customer of the pub for several years, said he was excited for the new menu items. He particularly enjoyed the Monte Cristo sandwich and is looking forward to trying the new beef sandwich, which is similar to a Motor City Philly the pub used to have.

"I come here really for the food," Collins said. "The lunches are great."

McCormick said he has been operating the pub under the new name for about three weeks. It is located at 2326 Conner St., Port Huron, off Electric Avenue.

He said he added subtle changes to the pub, such as new paint and upgraded lighting. He also hopes to improve and expand the patio area.

McCormick said while he made a few small changes, he wanted to keep the feel of the pub mostly the same.

"I really want to keep it homey and the local pub feel and look," McCormick said. "Everybody seems to enjoy the atmosphere here."

The pub also offers catering, a banquet room, and food delivery via DoorDash. To get in touch, call (810) 216-6462, email mccormickconnerstreetpub@yahoo.com, visit mccormicksconnerstreetpub.com/ or visit their Facebook page.

More on McCormick's career

McCormick has been working in the restaurant business since he was 16 when he began his first job at Burger Shop. After earning a degree in food service management from St. Clair County Community College, McCormick started his career in Houston, Texas.

He then moved back home and started his career with Big Boy restaurants as a manager trainee. During his 32-year stint with the franchise, he worked his way up to regional director for northern Michigan.

New owner of McCormick's Conner Street Pub Robert McCormick made subtle changes to the interior, including new paint and upgraded lighting at McCormick's Conner Street Pub on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.
New owner of McCormick's Conner Street Pub Robert McCormick made subtle changes to the interior, including new paint and upgraded lighting at McCormick's Conner Street Pub on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.

He bought the Fort Gratiot Big Boy about two-and-a-half years ago, which he still owns. His son and a manager run that restaurant so he can focus on Corner Street Pub.

McCormick said he enjoys serving food and meeting people, and appreciates the opportunities Big Boy gave him, such as traveling to places such as Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Spain to open restaurants.

While he enjoyed his Big Boy career, McCormick said he is excited for the freedom that an independent restaurant will give him.

"This is the freedom to be a little more creative with the menu, do things I want," he said.

The pub is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. While the pub is currently not open on Sundays, McCormick said he hopes to open the pub seven days a week starting Feb. 1.

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or lfitzgeral@gannett.com.

Although subtle changes have been made, McCormick wants to keep the feel of the pub mostly the same at McCormick's Conner Street Pub on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.
Although subtle changes have been made, McCormick wants to keep the feel of the pub mostly the same at McCormick's Conner Street Pub on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: McCormick's Conner Street Pub under new ownership, expanding menu