Now is ze time in Sprockets vhen ve dance!
Okay, so Whole Foods Henderson’s new full-service restaurant is actually named Sprocket, not Sprockets, and its handle comes not from the Saturday Night Live sketch starring Mike Myers as German TV host Dieter, but from the bicycle part. “Each Whole Foods café has a name unique to its area,” explains Brian Schmel, prepared foods team leader for the Henderson store. “We have a big road-biking community here, so ours is Sprocket after the bicycle sprocket.”
That theme is reflected by metallic chains that ring the interior, an airy space home to a dozen or so tables, a bar, three flatscreen TVs and, most impressively, 24 beer taps and an adjacent cooler loaded with kegs. “We definitely designed that [keg room] with the wow factor in mind,” Schmel says. Current brews include locals like Joseph James’ Mocha Milk Stout and Big Dog’s Batali Pale Ale, plus deep cuts and seasonals from craft favorites like Ballast Point and Oskar Blues.
Soft-opened in November with an abbreviated menu in preparation for its scheduled January 21 grand-opening, Sprocket has been serving burgers, flatbreads and sushi rolls thus far, and plans call for seasonal-focused selections to be rotated throughout 2016 (the winter list will include cauliflower nachos, honey & chile dusted chicharrones, a porchetta sandwich and a grilled vegetable tamale). Also, Whole Foods reps assure us costumers are welcome to bring prepared foods or groceries from the store—once paid for—into the space for consumption inside Sprocket.
As for dancing, Sprockets style, Schmel says the intention is to stay “family friendly.” Last calls are 9 p.m. for food and 9:30 p.m. for beer and wine. “We’re definitely not planning to be a nightlife party spot at all.” To that Dieter would surely say, “Touch my monkey!” and order another glass of Weihenstephaner.
