Possum Revival

New chapter, same hometown heart for Newport restaurant

When an employee buys a business, it means true commitment to the establishment. Such is the case with The Angry Possum in Newport.

Jason and Pamela Hopkins opened the restaurant in 2023 and quickly built a loyal following thanks to the establishment’s charm and creative menu. When they later decided to sell the business, employee Amber Corbit — who had worked at The Angry Possum since 2023 — moved swiftly to begin the purchase process. In November 2025, Amber and her husband, John, along with Kyle and Michelle Edwards, officially assumed ownership. Their ownership marks a new chapter for the restaurant, rooted in the same community spirit that has defined it from the beginning.

Newport is rich in history due to its railroad and river traffic proximity. Heck, even Sam Walton operated his first retail store in the city. The Angry Possum occupies a charmingly renovated historic red-brick building, featuring tin ceiling tiles that soar above spacious, open dining areas. The walls feature whimsical reinterpretations of historic photographs, each one humorously replacing human faces with possum faces. More than once, I found myself doing a double take at the surprisingly realistic, possum portraits.

“I worked to buy the restaurant because I wanted to ensure that it remained as a family-oriented place, where families can enjoy a nice meal,” Amber said. “We kept the menu the same and are planning to begin offering breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays.”

I enjoyed the relaxed environment and could not help but smile as the staff showed genuine interest in keeping up with the lives of their guests.

Vicki Prince prepares the daily lunch specials, offering homemade dishes that change each day. These comfort foods are sure to satisfy your appetite and bring joy to your meal. Amber said the fare usually includes beans, ham, cornbread, potatoes, pork chops and green beans.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to sample an original creation: Garbage Pail Fries. This signature appetizer is generously portioned and served to guests in a tin can. The server proceeds to “dump” a blend of french fries covered in homemade chicken sausage gumbo and queso dip onto a serving platter. The gumbo and queso coat the fries and make for a killer flavor package.

I faced a minor issue: I just could not resist eating fries, since every bite brought new flavors. And then a piping hot plate of golden-brown Cheese Curds were presented to me, so I crossed over to the chewy cheese curds. The curds included ranch dressing and marinara sauce for dipping.

The Angry Possum Burger features a quarter-pound patty with sweet and spicy pepper jam, cream cheese and melted Swiss. When Amber asked if I wanted to make the burger “angry,” I had to laugh. I chose to keep my hamburger mild, but if you prefer a spicier version, you can add ghost pepper cheese for an extra kick.

The Angry Possum Beef Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwich features thick slices of 24-hour smoked brisket with American cheese and fresh horseradish mayo, pressed between toasted sourdough.

Many people still enjoy the timeless appeal of a bologna sandwich. The “Buloney” Cheese Sandwich features thick, fried slices of bologna with American cheese on toasted sourdough bread. I decided to add a fried egg for extra flavor and texture, making the sandwich especially enjoyable.

“The people are like family to us,” Michelle said. “Some of our customers are daily regulars. We care about our community and our customers.”