Five restaurants were approved for selling beer at a City Beer Board meeting Thursday.Mayan Kitchen, owned by Lee Epstein who also owns City Café, will be a Latin restaurant serving Central and South American food. No violations have occurred at his other restaurants because servers are required to check the IDs of every customer before selling them alcohol, which will also be done at Mayan Kitchen, said Mr. Epstein.
Edley’s Bar-B-Que, 205 Manufacturers Road, has already opened but has not been selling beer before applying to get a beer permit.
This will be the fifth restaurant in the regional chain. The business specializes in barbecue and Southern cuisine and will sell beer to accompany the food.
El Primo Cambridge, 9432 Bradmore Lane, is the second location of the Italian-American restaurant owned by Nathan Lindley, who also owns the Public House. A unanimous vote approved giving a beer permit to the restaurant.
Hana Steak and Sushi will be opening Oct. 30 in the previous building that housed Kanpai of Tokoyo at 2200 Hamilton Place Blvd. The restaurant was approved for a beer license, as was Merv’s Burgers, 6306 Highway 58, the second location for this restaurant.
Five bars were also given licenses to sell beer. “R” Place, 4904 Rossville Blvd., was described as a bar for veterans by owner Virginia Barton. She told the board that she has three designated drivers to transport intoxicated customers to their homes.
Regan’s Place and Westbound Bar, both owned by Duane Carleo, are located side by side in the same building at 24 Station St. Both were given consumer as well as carry-out licenses, since Station Street has the designation of an “open container street,” similar to Beale Street in Memphis. The city is working to reconcile its open container law with the new designation given to the street by the TABC.
El Vaquero, translated to “The Cowboy,” is located at 5813 Lee Highway, Suite #1. It will be a small pool hall and will serve only beer and small snacks that do not require a kitchen. There is no date yet set for opening.
Haven & Ale Brewing Co., will open on 300 Cherokee Blvd., Suite #100. It was given a consumer/carry-out license as well as a manufacturing and distributor license. At this location the business will operate a small tap room and serve small plates. The tasting room seats just 78. Only beer manufactured by the company will be served. Distribution may be pursued in the future, said owner Joe Winland.