Friday, April 8, 2011
Restaurant openings Former Zola Space Becomes Mediterranean Chain Taziki's
Posted by Dana Kopp Franklin on Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 1:58 PM
The chain isn't big, with less than a dozen locations, but it's getting ready to stake out Nashville and Chattanooga. A scan of the menu turns up a big assortment of Greek salads topped with various grilled meats (chicken, lamb, shrimp, tilapia), and there are gyros, familiar apps like hummus and grape leaves along with daily specials. It looks like some locations offer family dinners for takeout, including whole roasted chickens with a couple of sides.
Nashville is fairly well-supplied with locally owned spots for healthy Mediterranean fare, but not along the West End corridor. Probably due to premium rents, West End is a chain-heavy thoroughfare, with places like Which Wich and Chipotle not far from Taziki's future home.
There's a sizable Birmingham contingent in Nashville. My cubicle neighbor Elizabeth Jones says her in-laws think Taziki is tops. Anybody else have a take on Taziki?
Comments (16)
Showing 1-16 of 16
I gotta be honest, I'm pretty excited about this. I work right down the street and would love any quick Mediterranean lunch option on West End, chain or no chain.
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I'd have to pass several other Med options to get there, but I may end up trying it out. I like that their dolmades are meatless and overall, the prices are reasonable. I hope that stays the same for the Nashville location.
I've eaten their food when it was catered at a photo shoot in Birmingham and it was decent. It's 'ethnic' food for people who don't want to be TOO ethnic. A Greek Panera. They have a good rep. I think Dean Robb---formerly with Bottega, then briefly with Miro--had something to do with it when he went back to Bham. That being said, I'm with bmazor I think....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I think the fact that this is newsworthy is a testament to how much we all miss Zola. i agree. zzz.
@cwage, well said. Was looking through old receipts today when I found the last night at Zola receipt. I kind of had a pang.
Don' t forget our local guy Kalamata's . They do an excellent job and I would drive the extra mile to patronize a local establishment.
Bread Guy -- I agree wholeheartedly about Kalamatas. The new Belmont location is walking distance from my house, and I'm thrilled! But Taziki's sounds like a promising option when I'm stuck on West End. There's only so much Chipotle a person can eat.
I am originally from Birmingham and used to work for the Taziki's owners. They are amazing people committed to quality food and service. I cant ever go home to Birmingham without making a stop at Taziki's and yet in Nashville and Brentwood, I frequent Kalamatas. I must say though, that the menu options and food quality at Taziki's are unbeatable. I have waited for them to put a location here for a long time. Ironically enough, I live on West End, and with the growing culture of Mexican food (which i love) there seems to be less options for GOOD, AFFORDABLE, and more original options. Im sick of chain city and surprised that to be such a young and college infiltrated city, Nashville does not have more eateries with vibe, and options, for less! I go to other cities and am embarrassed by the cuisine in Nashville. Soap Box.
Taziki's will be a much welcomed addition and you just wait - people will love it.
The long lines will be your only complaint.
They cant get here fast enough.
The new sign is up on West End. Mentioned it on Twitter and heard from someone who remembers it from Birmingham that it's really good. And that their Friday Special is the best. I really miss Zola, but I'm glad to see something else go in the space. And change out the sign so I don't get sad every time I see the old sign driving down West End.
I used to live in Birmingham and this place is great! Their Friday special is delicious. I'm excited to have this restaurant in Nashville!
I also used to live in Birmingham. I also used to live for the weekend special. It's so simple but so freakin' good.
Another former Birminghamian and Huntsvillian, both of which have Taziki's these days. Taziki's is my favorite Greek place, and I always make a point to visit it when I'm in Huntsvegas or the Ham.
While it is technically a chain, it won't feel that way. They hire great people, and I love the food. I would tend to agree that it is the "Panera" of Greek food, but that doesn't mean they don't have great Greek dishes. It just means that they also have food that will appeal to those who are less sure about ethnic food. I'd call it a gateway Greek place.
I moved to Nashville from Birmingham, love Tazikis!! I'd call Tazikis a chain like I'd call Blue Coast Burrito a chain...very much still has its "local," centralized roots. While there's definitely tasty Med options in Nashville (Kalamatas), it'll be SO nice having Tazikis right down the street. They always hire great folks and make yummy food. I'm really excited...I check their website nearly everyday to get an update on when they'll open.
