Janet Wilson Looks Back On 2007

[CMF Newsman]

It’s that time of year again – out with the old and in with the new. As in the past, restaurants seem to change as much as the weather.

Several familiar faces have left the local restaurant scene, although most were of the fast food variety. Several Church’s chicken restaurants closed, as did a few Wendy’s, most notably the one at 4124 Ringgold Road, a long time East Ridge staple.

Another landmark that closed was Ankar’s at 6057 Lee Highway, a very unusual place. It wasn’t clean, most servers were indifferent, and you could never find the cashier when you were ready to pay, but people seemed to flock there for lunch. I would imagine that due to the location, someone could bulldoze the place down and build a successful restaurant.

Traditions Buffet had been operating at 8142 East Brainerd Road in a building previously operated by several other restaurants, all without success. Traditions might have fared better had they tasted the food. The idea was good, but the food wasn’t and by the time they tried to fix it, customers weren’t willing to give it another try. The newest tenant at this location is Moss’ Place II. I’ve been twice and so far haven’t been impressed but hopefully, it will catch on.

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_119494.asp

[Gary]

Good article, Janet, but one correction - your line, "Ruby Tuesday returned after a thirteen year absence," is not accurate, as I've only lived in Chattanooga for eleven years and I distinctly remember eating at the Ruby Tuesday at Hamilton Place Mall this decade.

[cdojanet]

I should learn not to trust the source where I got that!

[augie47]

cdojanet said:

I should learn not to trust the source where I got that!

but, you are still married to him

[emanon]

Janet, have you noticed that Portofino on EB is now Mr. Greek, or something like that? That was a quick change...........

[cdojanet]

augie47 said:

cdojanet said:

I should learn not to trust the source where I got that!

but, you are still married to him

He isn't the source!

[cdojanet]

emanon said:

Janet, have you noticed that Portofino on EB is now Mr. Greek, or something like that? That was a quick change...........

No, I hadn't noticed that. I'll have to check it out.

[emanon]

I drove by yesterday and the sign was Mr. Greek. No clue if they are open or remodeling. I was pretty surprised.

[TNBear]

Greek food in Chattanooga is essentially nonexistent. If any of you would like to try some GOOD Greek cooking go to Atlanta and try Kyma on Piedmont in Buckhead. All I can say is OMG. BTW, it is Buckhead bring a large wad of cash with you, but it's worth every penny.
I have read there is a relativly new Greek restaurant on the Marietta Square. We have not tried it, but it gets good writeups in the AJC.

[cdojanet]

From what I understand Portofino sold it to someone, who in turn sold it to someone else who opened Mr. Greek. We have not been there, so I know nothing about it, but I am told it is a franchise. The other Portofino's (East Ridge and Ringgold) were not affect by this sale and they are still open and owned by the same family.

[Homebrew Dave]

Another closure of note this year was Pario's on Dayton Blvd. That one was just as sudden as the Huddle House, yet probably not so inexplicable. Pario's quality suffered tremendously after their move from the original location on Mountain Creek Road the previous year.

However, last night as I drove past the darkend building, I noticed the letterboard portion of the sign announcing that the location would soon reopen as Los Dorados Mexican Cafe`.

Dave

[cdojanet]

I wonder if they are the people that used to have Dorados Mexican restaurant on Highway 58, then downtown? Also, my source for the Ruby Tuesday information was way off. They closed the Hamilton Place location in August of 1999 and that is very dependable information.

[Gary]

'99, huh? Well, it hardly seems that long ago, but consider your current source, I'll have to go along with them.

(Of course, that's only eight 1/2 years, so your first source needs to learn to check their sources, heh)

[SunnyKC]

I had salad and pizza fromMr Greek last night.. they didnt ask what kind of dressing I wanted on Greek salad.. so that was a plus.. it was actually quite good!

[emanon]

Huh, so they are open. But they do have Greek fare as well?

[cdojanet]

That always ticks me off when they ask what kind of dressing I want on my Greek salad. Duh!

[LimitedRecourse]

So, what kind of dressing is supposed to be on a Greek salad?

[cdojanet]

Authentic Greek Salad

Dressing Ingredients
1/2 Cup extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
¼ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano, Crushed
¾ Teapoon Salt
1 Tablespoon grainy Dijon Mustard
1 pinch of Thyme

And you usually use Romaine lettuce - never iceberg!

[TNBear]

My pal Mr. Geanides tells me that there is no lettuce when served a salad in Greece. Feta, olives, onions, etc. but no lettuce.
As he has visited his relatives there several times in the years I have known him, I will take his word on it.

[that70sdj]

tnbear said:

...there is no lettuce when served a salad in Greece.

That seems to be corroborated by this recipe from someone claiming to be named Doula Zaharopoulos.

[cdojanet]

That is correct. A real Greek salad has no lettuce. I think the lettuce was added to "Americanize" it, but when lettuce is used, it is supposed to be romaine. I know of one Greek restaurant that uses only iceberg and to me it turns it into a regular salad with a few additional ingredients. You can get a Greek salad without the lettuce at River Street Deli.