Small Biz: New downtown restaurant to serve Southern fare

Like many other professionals in the real estate and construction industry, Rob and Sarah Lee found themselves looking for options to diversify a revenue stream slowed up by the housing crisis.

The Lees, who both previously worked in the food industry, decided to use that past experience and develop a new restaurant concept in downtown Athens. They intend to open Reds Southern Tavern as a full-service restaurant and bar on the southeast corner of NorthLumpkin and East Washington streets in early November. Reds will serve lunch and dinner in the space left vacant this summer by Basil Press, which had been in business for about 11 years.

"We were looking for a change, though we'll still be very involved in real estate, but we also wanted to branch out," Sarah Lee said. "We hope we can be open by (the University of Georgia's) home game weekend Nov. 6."

The Lees are looking to put a different spin on Southern fare, including traditional dishes like fried chicken and meatloaf, but also Lowcountry and coastal foods like shrimp and grits and po' boy sandwiches.

"Our concept is Southern cuisine - what your grandmother would serve - with a twist," Sarah said. "Our specialties will be po' boys and plates."

Reds will offer a variety of entrees such as fried shrimp and grits or wasabi-fried oysters either on a po' boy sandwich or as a meal with side dishes, Sarah said.

In many cases, Reds will be using "tried and true recipes developed over the years within the family," Sarah said.

"I think people are really going to be pleased with the meatloaf and the shrimp and grits," she said. "The turkey and dressing is another one that people are going to like."

Playing on the appeal of fried green tomatoes, Reds will offer that Southern dish as an appetizer, on a po' boy sandwich or as a BLT sandwich, Sarah said.

Other po' boys and plates include an 8-ounce filet, crab cakes, fried pork chops, shredded barbecue pork and a burger.

Side dishes will include Charleston red rice, fried okra, cole slaw, collards, potato salad, stone ground cheese grits, hoppin' john, mashed potatoes, green beans, hush puppies, sweet potato pone, french fries and onion rings.

As appetizers, Reds will serve up items such as hot crab dip, benne wafers and pimiento cheese, fried cheese fries and shrimp fritters.

The starters include a selection of tortilla chips topped with different ingredients such as pulled pork and cheese; fried shrimp and sauce; spinach and artichoke sauce; and salsa and jalapenos.

Soup varieties on the menu include

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