Cockeyed Rooster Cafe gets ABC license for Newport News location

Overview

Updated Oct 25

The Cockeyed Rooster Cafe's Newport News restaurant is open. The restaurant's website lists it at 27 Hidenwood Shopping Center, serving daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the same hours as the Smithfield original.

Virginia ABC licensed the site at 2 Hiden Blvd. on August 31, 2026, and a legal notice ran in the Daily Press on September 15 and 22. Owners Chris and Michael Christou had hoped to open in late September or early October; the website does not give an opening date.

Why it matters

Newport News diners now have a second Cockeyed Rooster, from a family that has run Virginia restaurants since the 1980s.

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Key Indicators

Locations (Smithfield and Newport News)

Both the Smithfield original and the Newport News site are listed as open on the restaurant's website.

Years the Smithfield cafe has operated

The original has served breakfast and lunch since 2015.

Restaurants Chris Christou has opened

He says the Newport News spot is his eighth restaurant.

2026-08-31

Date the ABC license was issued

Virginia ABC licensed the restaurant at 2 Hiden Blvd on this date.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Chris Christou

Co-owner, Cockeyed Rooster Cafe

Running the business with his son; planning the Newport News opening

Michael Christou

Co-owner, Cockeyed Rooster Cafe

Co-owns the cafe with his father

Organizations Involved

The Cockeyed Rooster Cafe

Restaurant

Operating in Smithfield and Newport News; the Newport News site is listed as open on the restaurant's website

Breakfast-and-lunch restaurant in Smithfield, Va., opening a second location in Newport News.

Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority

State regulatory agency

Issued the restaurant license dated August 31, 2026

Virginia state agency that issues licenses for alcohol sales, including the restaurant license for The Cockeyed Rooster Cafe.

Timeline

June 2026 October 2026

4 events Latest: October 2026

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Newport News location listed as open
Latest Opening

The Cockeyed Rooster's website lists the Newport News restaurant at 27 Hidenwood Shopping Center as open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site does not give an opening date.
October 2026
September 2026
ABC license notice published in the Daily Press
Regulatory

A legal notice for the mixed beverage restaurant license at 2 Hiden Blvd ran September 15 and again September 22. Objections were due to Virginia ABC within 30 days of the first publication.
September 15th, 2026
August 2026
ABC license issued
Regulatory

Virginia ABC issues a restaurant license for 2 Hiden Blvd, Newport News.
August 31st, 2026
June 2026
Second location announced
Announcement

Owners say they plan a Newport News site in Hidenwood Shopping Center, hoping to open by late September or early October.
June 30th, 2026

Scenarios

Cockeyed Rooster opens its Newport News doors this fall

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: The Christous told the Virginian-Pilot they hope to open in late September or early October.

The new location opens at 2 Hiden Blvd, serving the original's menu plus new drinks. The Smithfield restaurant stays open, and the family gains a foothold near the university district.

Building or licensing setbacks push the opening past the new year

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: New restaurants commonly slip past announced openings due to inspections, staffing, and build-out.

The ABC license is only one approval. If construction or other permits lag, or hiring stalls, the late-September target slides into winter or later.

New location opens but closes or changes hands within a year

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: No named forecaster; a standard risk in restaurant expansion.

Second locations can underperform when systems and staff don't match the original. If the new spot draws lighter traffic or costs run over, it could close or be sold within its first year.

Cockeyed Rooster serves its first breakfast in Newport News before 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Owners Chris and Michael Christou, who told the Virginian-Pilot they hoped to open in late September or early October 2026.

The Hidenwood Shopping Center site opens and serves the Smithfield menu plus mimosas and bloody marys. The announced fall target has already slipped, but the license and the notice period are behind the restaurant, so a late-fall opening remains open.

The Newport News roost draws steady breakfast traffic through its first winter

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: No named forecaster; the owners have said they expect familiar faces and former customers at the new site.

The second location sits near Christopher Newport University and serves the same made-from-scratch menu as Smithfield, plus mimosas, orange crushes and bloody marys. A steady first winter would show the brand travels beyond its hometown.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2001-2004

Shake Shack (2001–2004)

Danny Meyer set up a hot dog cart in New York's Madison Square Park in 2001 to support an art installation. Three years later it became a permanent kiosk and drew a line around the park.

Then

The kiosk became a local favorite and drew steady crowds.

Now

It grew into a global chain with hundreds of locations.

Why this matters now

A single beloved concept carried its reputation into each new location. The Cockeyed Rooster is betting the same brand strength works in Newport News.

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