local flavor
Three Monkeys Pub & Chophouse
Serves Community Love and Great Food By Rena Malai | Photos by Mark Gilvey
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hat do you get when you take homemade cinnamon rolls, mix them with a church, and add an all-day happy hour and American comfort food?
Well, maybe a big mess in theory. But in reality, these factors are what make Three Monkeys Pub and Chophouse in Manassas the perfect blend of dining, community hang out and great food.
Church Going There is a well-known image of three monkeys — one covers its eyes, one its mouth and one its ears. The proverb along with the image basically intones doing the right thing by speaking no evil, hearing no evil and seeing no evil. This meaning is not lost behind the name of Three Monkeys Pub and Chophouse. The owners — or monkeys in this case — are Karen Weed Williams, Travis Williams and Billy Wiseman. Friends for years, these three wanted to come together to create a place in the heart of Manassas where they could offer great food and give back to the community, according to Wiseman. “We wanted a place that people could go to, a place that’s grounded in the community,” Wiseman said. “We feel our place does just that. We put a lot of thought into making sure everyone who comes here feels welcome and part of the family.” Opened in 2018, Three Monkeys is situated in one of the most historical landmarks on Mansassas’ Center Street — a 147-yearold church in the middle of the town’s historic district. Inside, instead of pews, patrons will find a sports bar, two separate dining areas and free Wi-Fi.
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August 2021 prince william living
“Each room offers a feel and mood, from our gorgeous back patio to our banquet room,” Wiseman says. “There is something for everyone here."
Taking Care It’s said that the heart of a home is the kitchen. At Three Monkeys Pub and Chophouse, that heart seems to expand way beyond the kitchen, as the owners are committed to serving their community. From partnering with local food banks to making personal food box donations, Wiseman says that giving back to the community is at the heart of everything that makes the establishment run. “You can’t ask a community to support you when you don’t do anything to support your community,” he said. “We are constantly looking and thinking of ways to get involved.” One of those ways is minimizing food insecurity, which has increased in the last year due to the pandemic. With many restaurant employees losing jobs as a result of COVID-19, it’s been challenging for some to access basic food supplies. By partnering with Prince William County Food Rescue, Wiseman said it’s been possible to help fill and distribute food boxes to the community and eliminate 60% of the restaurant’s food waste. “We regularly help to donate food boxes of perishable and nonperishable items to restaurant employees within Prince William County, who have had their hours and pay cut, or lost their jobs completely,” Wiseman says. “We started with our own staff, and then expanded to do the same in the community. We
