Sun Dawg Cafe owners plan new Greensburg nanobrewery

The owners of Sun Dawg Cafe in Greensburg are planning to enter the nanobrewery business.

Ray and Rachel Flowers have purchased a building at 503 New Alexandria Road in Greensburg that formerly housed the Underground Grappling sports training facility.

The new El Diablo Brewing Co. & Wood-Fired Kitchen is planned for a tentative late-May opening, Rachel Flowers said.

In addition to brewing small batches of craft beer, the couple will focus on wood-fired cooking, including a pizza oven and grill. It’s something they’ve been thinking about for a while.

“Beer has been a huge interest of Ray’s for a long time,” Flowers said. “He’s worked in breweries before, not doing the brewing but in the kitchens, so he’s been around and observing the process for a long time.

“He has a strong love for pizza. I’m pretty sure he could eat pizza three times a day every day.”

The wood-fired grill will give the restaurant an added dimension, she said.

“One of the meanings of ‘El Diablo’ is ‘manipulator of fire,’ so that ties in with the concept,” she said. “Through our travels, we’ve looked at wood-based cooking methods, not so much barbecue, but grilling.

“As far as we know, there isn’t anyone else in Greensburg doing that.”

They’ll brew about four types of beer, while also offering other area craft brews, wines and a full bar.

The building exterior will get a face-lift and a new patio for outdoor dining.

The interior will be “a little edgy with natural, warm colors and old antique woods,” Flowers said. “Despite it having been a gym, it actually has good flowability for a restaurant. Everything in the building is up to ADA code, so that makes things easier.”

There will be seating for about 95.

They already have much of the equipment they’ll need.

“When we see equipment for sale, we buy it,” she said. “Long story short, our storage units are full, so this will help clear them out.”

They’ll move the large wooden bar currently at Sun Dawg to El Diablo.

“It doesn’t really fit in there, so it will make a great focal point for this bar,” Flowers said.

Ray Flowers found an antique wood walk-in cooler, and they also purchased a wooden back bar that dates to the 1800s in Mississippi.

Besides the relocation of the bar, things at Sun Dawg will stay the same, Flowers said.

“Ray and I will be back and forth between the two places. Who knows where we’ll be,” she said. “We have a great staff at Sun Dawg. We couldn’t do this without them.”