“I want to be known as a restaurant that happens to have a nice neighborhood bar,” he said. “I don’t want to be a bar that serves nice side items.”

A former bartender, Lewis opened Big Bob’s two weeks ago. The Smithfield resident has wanted to open a restaurant for 25 years, but the opportunity didn’t come along until the space in Rose Manor shopping center became available.

“Initially, when I started thinking about it way back when, I figured it would be cheaper to own a place and sell beer than to keep buying beer and drinking it,” Lewis joked. “I have always enjoyed talking to people, and my wife says I have a warped sense of humor, which seems to go well in a bar.”

Sandwiched between restaurants that offer burgers, sandwiches and seafood, Lewis decided to offer Italian food. The menu consists of baked spaghetti and ziti, lasagna and pizza. Customers can order a snack pizza as an appetizer or for their child.

Lewis’ wife makes the garlic bread, which has gotten rave reviews from customers. “It worked out well because I wanted to have a signature bread,” he said. “When people think of Red Lobster, they think of the cheese biscuits. When people think Big Bob’s, I want them to think of the garlic bread sticks.”

Besides dining, customers can play Lewis’ homemade trivia games at 7, 8 and 9 Wednesday evenings. Participants are asked to guess the names of singers and songs in different formats. The winner receives a free appetizer or dinner. Also, karaoke is offered Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

“I think it will be a fun place and a relaxing place,” Lewis said. “I think if somebody stops in here after work and sits down, they are going to see it’s not a rough bar. Who knows? Maybe they will go home, pick up their wife and come back for dinner.”

Big Bob’s is at 1527 W. Market St. in Smithfield. It opens at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m., but the bar stays open later. For more information, call 938-2442.