Charleston has seen many new restaurants opening in recent months and the new restaurant, Woody’s, is another to add to the list.

Melvin Jackson, 39, is the owner of Woody’s, which has opened on the Square between The Station and The New Lincoln Bookstore at 615 Monroe Ave.

Jackson is from Chicago, but has been living in Charleston and also attended Eastern in the ’90s.

The restaurants that have opened in the last year have offered the common foods of burgers, hot dogs and fries. However, Jackson has a more diverse menu planned.

The most noticeable characteristic about Woody’s is the hours. Printed on the window it says “Late Night Dining” and the hours posted are 9 p.m. to 3 p.m. seven days a week.

“I stayed on the square a couple times. If it’s 2 a.m. and you’re hungry, the only place that is open is Huck’s. I can only run over to Huck’s so many times,” Jackson said.

The menu offers a variety of foods, which Jackson said his mother taught him how to cook.

The menu is not one often seen at other restaurants in the area and people have the choice of either dining in or taking out.

Some of the foods Woody’s offers are under the breakfast and lunch categories, such as skillets, omelets, biscuits and gravy, cereal, Italian beefs, French fries, bananas foster, Bosco sticks and funnel fries.

“I tried to get things that others don’t have around here. And ours is a little better,” Jackson said.

Of course for college students who are stereotypically always strapped for cash, the menu will not hurt their budget.

Prices range from as low as $1.50 for hot or cold cereal to $7.50 for “Woody’s Famous Ciabatta Beef Sandwich.” All sandwiches come with a side of fries.

The fries are also another twist of the usual. Jackson described the fries as being whole potatoes skinned and scooped out and then fried and shaped like crescents. With the fries are the options of toppings including nacho cheese, bacon, gravy, ranch and sour cream.

Jackson has worked his share of restaurants in the area, including Roc’s, Stadium Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings. This is how he essentially built his own business.

His staff includes people he his worked with in the past.

“From top to bottom I have to get good people to work with and to hire people who kick butt,” Jackson said.

With a new restaurant in Charleston that has college-friendly hours and a location that fits well for those leaving various places late at night, it will be sure to earn some business from those in the area.

“Owning your own place gives you a certain satisfaction. It benefits you; it benefits others,” Jackson said.

Jackson plans for Woody’s to be open within a weeks time.

Samantha Wilmes can be reached at 581-2812

or [email protected].