Peabody's newest restaurant has been creating a buzz for years really, with fans of the original Salem establishment closely following the latest tidbits on the Route 1 development in Peabody ever since it was first announced two summers ago.

And now those fans' long-suffering is at an end -- Red's Kitchen & Tavern finally opens its doors today at 131 Newbury St.

Red's, which is owned by John Drivas, came online earlier this year with a website and just last week hit Facebook. The official opening date was announced via Facebook on Mother's Day.

This new version of the downtown Salem breakfast and sandwich shop also features dinner options on the menu (encompassing American, Greek and Mediterranean fare), seats 175 patrons, is open until 10 p.m. most nights and 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and has a full liquor license.

The restaurant normally will open at 5 a.m. (6 a.m. on Sundays), but the official opening today isn't until 7 a.m.