By Antonio R. Harvey | OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

Patrons who visit The Cobbler might think that the owner has been in the restaurant business for decades. However proprietor Hewitt Robinson has only been in the business for less than 18 months - and he loves every minute of it.

Hewitt Robinson, the owner of The Cobbler on Stockton Boulevard, is ready to serve customers some of the best soul food dishes in Sacramento, with the cobbler as its premier dish.

The Cobbler, a restaurant that specializes in soul food and Southern cooking, is located at 3520 Stockton Blvd. (between 10th and 11th avenues) [map], and has a satisfying menu fit for an African king, queen or just a regular person interested in fine dining.

In addition, customers will receive a hearty, warm welcome from Robinson, who enjoys greeting people and serving some of the best soul food dishes in town.

"This restaurant demands so much of my time," Robinson said of The Cobbler, formerly known as the Cobbler Inn. "But let me tell you something … I like it. I enjoy this and I had no idea that would have so much fun doing it. And I’m feeding people. It’s almost like a religion. I’m feeling positive and really productive. What’s a better thing you can do than feed?"

On March 1, the Cobbler will introduce its new menu that will feature Louisiana Cajun hot links, barbecue hickory smoked pork ribs, catfish filet, red snapper filet, roast beef, smothered chicken, smothered sirloin tip steak and meat loaf.

"I make sure that we only use top-notch ingredients, top-notch cooks and personnel," Robinson said, "so we turn out a top-notch product and the people just love it."

In addition, oxtails, neckbones, short ribs, Buffalo wings, steak fries, pork chops, burgers, hot dogs and roast beef will also be available.

"Everybody raves about The Cobbler," Robinson said. "They just love the food. We have really outstanding cooks, and we have the consistency that you need in a restaurant so that it becomes the same as it was when you were here two or four weeks ago. We turn out really good, quality soul food."

Robinson, who also owns Hewitt and Associates Advertising and Promotion Agency, says the menu will offer more delicious food, though the restaurant will promote its name through its most prized possession, the cobbler which is professionally prepared by La Quita "Cobbler Ala Quita" Germany.

"We sell peach cobbler," Robinson said. "Peach cobbler is our big thing and it’s so famous."

The Cobbler is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Robinson says he would like to see the restaurant expand to different parts of Sacramento.

"The Cobbler has a lot of potential," Robinson said. "What I would like to do is use it as a prototype. I want to develop it, fine-tune it, get it down to a science and then open up more all over town. I’d like to open up one in Rancho Cordova, the North area and one in Stockton. Yes, I would like to see if I can franchise it, too."

For more information about The Cobbler, call (916) 457-6177 or (916) 393-6880.