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Topic: The Corner

Topic: The Corner

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rpbobcat
General User

Member Since: 4/28/2006
Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

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The Corner

Posted: 10/16/2017 7:23:01 AM

There was an article in The Post earlier this month about a new restaurant (The Corner) going into the space where "Starting Gates Bier Halle " was.

Just wondering if anyone out there who lives in Athens knows if it opened yet.

My wife and I are coming out to Athens for the Varsity Show and were gonna check it out,if its open.

Last Edited: 10/16/2017 8:35:03 AM by rpbobcat

Ohio69
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 2,992

Status: Offline

RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/16/2017 1:05:17 PM

Doesn't look like it is going to open for awhile.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

Alan Swank
General User

Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,022

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/16/2017 2:24:45 PM

rpbobcat wrote:

Right now Salaam will be your best choice for dinner other than Casa. Rumors are still swirling about a possible rustic Italian place on East State Street. Stay tuned.

rpbobcat
General User

Member Since: 4/28/2006
Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/16/2017 2:50:28 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

Right now Salaam will be your best choice for dinner other than Casa. Rumors are still swirling about a possible rustic Italian place on East State Street. Stay tuned.

Normally we're in Athens for 2 nights.
That usually means the O.U.Inn on night 1 and Jackie O's (spent grain pizza) on night 2.

Last year we were in town for 3 nights and gave "Gates" a try.
Disappointing,to say the least.

This year its 3 nights again.
May give Salaam a try.

Thanks.

Last Edited: 10/16/2017 2:51:12 PM by rpbobcat

Robert Fox
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Member Since: 11/16/2004
Location: Knoxville, TN
Post Count: 2,039

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/16/2017 3:35:47 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

Right now Salaam will be your best choice for dinner other than Casa. Rumors are still swirling about a possible rustic Italian place on East State Street. Stay tuned.

Just curious, what about the Thai restaurant that is on Union down toward the train station? Any good? It had a nice looking outdoor eating area any way.

ou79
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 644

Status: Offline

RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/16/2017 5:14:55 PM

Agree with Alan about Salaam. Their food is incredible and the service is excellent. Of course, I love mid-eastern food.

Ohio69
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 2,992

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/19/2017 2:45:15 PM

Robert Fox wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

Right now Salaam will be your best choice for dinner other than Casa. Rumors are still swirling about a possible rustic Italian place on East State Street. Stay tuned.

Just curious, what about the Thai restaurant that is on Union down toward the train station? Any good? It had a nice looking outdoor eating area any way.

Several folks I know who like Thai food in general say Thai Paradise is good.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

mf279801
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Member Since: 8/6/2010
Location: Newark, DE
Post Count: 2,452

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/19/2017 3:15:11 PM

Robert Fox wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

Right now Salaam will be your best choice for dinner other than Casa. Rumors are still swirling about a possible rustic Italian place on East State Street. Stay tuned.

Just curious, what about the Thai restaurant that is on Union down toward the train station? Any good? It had a nice looking outdoor eating area any way.

It is without a doubt the best Thai restaurant in Athens. Compared to places in bigger cities (e.g. Buffalo NY and larger), its a pretty standard Thai restaurant: not winning any awards but quite satisfying food.

OhioCatFan
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,016

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/19/2017 5:41:20 PM

Since I don't like Thai food (but I do like Chinese), I would call it the worst Thai restaurant in Athens!

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/20/2017 8:17:29 PM

Just got home from Salaam. I'd definitely give it a shot. Seated promptly, attentive servers, decent wine list, and the food was well presented and tasty.

RSBobcat
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Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 4,401

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 10/21/2017 12:59:56 PM

Ohio69 wrote:

Robert Fox wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

Right now Salaam will be your best choice for dinner other than Casa. Rumors are still swirling about a possible rustic Italian place on East State Street. Stay tuned.

Just curious, what about the Thai restaurant that is on Union down toward the train station? Any good? It had a nice looking outdoor eating area any way.

Several folks I know who like Thai food in general say Thai Paradise is good.

Good authentic Thai food - as good as any I have had anywhere that was not Thailand. "Thai" food - not some other "Thai-Fusion", "Thai Inspired", "Whatever the Chef likes that's not really Thai"

RS Bobcat

Sean Gallagher
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Member Since: 12/6/2012
Post Count: 134

Status: Offline

RE: The Corner

Posted: 11/1/2017 10:29:14 PM

I would give Lui Lui in the station apartment area (adjacent to the old train station depot) a try. I think its an underrated Athens restaurant. Its a stones throw from Thai Paradise. You can also try Zoe uptown in the old bus station building on E. State. There is one other option not generally known if you like Thai food. There is a Thai woman who cooks Thai meals to order from roughly 6-7:30pm daily. I don't have her info in front of me, but the folks at Devils Kettle Brewing are familiar with her and can give you her contact info. While Lui Lui, Zoe and the Thai woman are good, Athens is generally dissapointing as a food destination. Other than a limited new Italian place accross from the West End Cider House, there's nothing new or exciting to write home about. Its pretty frustrating because it could be a great town for food, but it just isn't. You're almost better off just going to Jackie O's for a burger or a pizza.

I will put in a word for two breakfast places. One is the Tripple Nickle diner in Chesterhill. Its excellent. The other is Gi Gi's in The Plains. Not as good as the Tripple Nickel, but better than Union Street or Court Street diners.

Sean Gallagher
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Member Since: 12/6/2012
Post Count: 134

Status: Offline

RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/12/2018 11:16:52 PM

Apologize for the double post. My wife and I went to check out "The Corner" last Monday. Depending on how old you are and how long removed you are from OU, you'll have different remembrances of the location. It's at 120 West Union. For those of you from the '60's you'll remember the location as the "Star Bar." The '70's will remember the "Roaring 20's" run by "Black Julie" Abraham. By the late 80's or early 90's (or even later) the original building was torn down and a new building was built to house Lam's Chinese restaurant. Lam's later moved out to E. State Street where it remains today. 120 W. Union was "Grinders" for a time and then the German themed place before it became "The Corner."

It's owned by Rick Wasserman. He's a really good guy. He's originally from the East Coast. He also owns the Pigskin and the specialty wine/beer shop on Stimpson. It's not cheap by Athens standards, but the food is good. It's upscale southern cuisine and cocktails. I had the short ribs and sweet potatoes. They were really, really good. The Brussel sprout appetizer was outstanding.

It's not a place most folks are going to be able to go to frequently because of the price, but it is excellent quality. For those times when when you feel you're going to spend money and its important to get a really good meal, you'll get that at "The Corner." Main dishes can run around $25 and appetizers can be up to $10.

While I'm at it, I should add that work is progressing on the old Little Ritz (Cat's Den) that is across the street (Depot Street) from "The Corner." That's a complete rehab that is looking really good. I think the new name is going to be "Cat's Corner."

Last Edited: 1/12/2018 11:34:37 PM by Sean Gallagher

OhioCatFan
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,016

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/13/2018 10:57:36 PM

Sean Gallagher wrote:

Thanks, Sean, for the information on The Corner. It's a place that I'll take my wife for dinner sometime soon. One small correction on your history. Lam's Garden had already moved out to East State Street before the building you are referred to was built. It was built as almost a carbon copy of their East State Street restaurant. For awhile it was run by another family member and specialized in Chinese food that was more authentic and less "Americanized" than the fare on East State. I actually, personally, prefer the fare at the East State Street location. The W. Union Street Lam's closed down after only a few years and then it became Grinders for a few decades, then briefly the German place and now The Corner. I'm very anxious to try out the fare The Corner. I really appreciate the heads up on a exciting new dining option in Athens!

Last Edited: 1/13/2018 10:59:07 PM by OhioCatFan

Recovering Journalist
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Member Since: 8/17/2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Post Count: 1,839

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/14/2018 8:24:46 AM

Sean Gallagher wrote:

My wife and I went on our last trip to Athens and had a similar positive experience. I got a perfectly prepared fish dish. The quality was on par with big-city offerings, service was attentive and cocktails were made with care. My only concern about the viability of the place is that it comes dangerously close to big-city pricing. It fills a niche in Athens so I hope it succeeds. Having an experienced restaurateur running it should help a lot.

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/14/2018 10:11:36 AM

Looked at the menu on their website.

It seems limited.

Plus,how can you have Southern Comfort Food without Shrimp and Grits ?

Some of the offerings seem pricey.
($14. for the chicken and waffles jumped off the page).

How are the portion sizes ?

Recovering Journalist
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Location: Cleveland, OH
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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/14/2018 1:23:50 PM

I thought portions were perfectly adequate, but I do think they're below the supersized average of most American restaurants. I was sated after my meal, which included a shared starter with my wife.

Sean Gallagher
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Post Count: 134

Status: Offline

RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/15/2018 2:10:44 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

Sean Gallagher wrote:

Thanks for that correction. I'm a little hazy on the late 1980's and the 1990's.

I did take a took at one of the old Sanborn fire insurance maps from 1923 and there was a filling station at that location in the early 20th Century. It doesn't show the name of the statuon. I seem to remember if you go into the Smiling Skull and look at some of those old B&W picutes on the wall there is a picture of the station as it looked in the 1930's. That area has a rich history. When it came to Chinese food down there I was partial to the old "Hopsings" where Thai Paradise is today. Can't remember when that went out of business. Were they from the same family involved with Lam's?

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,016

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/15/2018 4:11:29 PM

Tried to take my wife to The Corner last night, but they were closed. I think it might have been a weather-related closure, because they are supposed to be open on Sunday evenings. Interesting about the gas station. I know at one time there was a gas station across the street, also. You are right about the interesting history of that area. Do you know the little street that goes up the hill to Washington Street used to be called "African Alley"? There are all kinds of stories as how it got its name.

One of the stories has to do with the Underground Railroad. This story never made any sense to me. It goes that escaping slaves would go up the street from the terminus of the Hocking Canal (in front of what's now the old train station) and go up that alley where they could find shelter. What makes no sense about this story is that this was the southern most section of the Hocking Canal. If a escaping slave was on the canal, he or she would have gotten on north of Athens and would be heading south. Since the goal of the UGRR was to get folks to Canada, this would be going the wrong way. Now it is true that some slaves were able to stop off short of Canada at various points and take on a new identity and put down roots, but this whole story seems dubious to me.

That part of Washington Street was the "black neighbor" when I was growing up. It had a number of African American families that had roots on that street dating back into the 19th Century. In the 1990s (or late '80s) The Post had an interesting article about an old woman who lived on that street. She was the last member of the last native Athenian black family who still lived on the street. As I recall, she was living upstairs in her house and renting the bottom section to students.

If you haven't seen it, you should go up to Washington Street and read the plaque in front the house on Washington Street where Booker T. Washington married his second wife, Olivia Davidson. The back side of the plaque gives some general historical information about the African American community in that part of town.

Last Edited: 1/15/2018 4:13:51 PM by OhioCatFan

Sean Gallagher
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Member Since: 12/6/2012
Post Count: 134

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/17/2018 10:42:27 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

Great stuff. Love Athens history. I lived in the neighborhood at 146 W. Union in '76 and '77. Back then it was owned by Manny Gevis from the Townhouse. Great guy.

Hope you and your Mrs. get to The Corner and size it up for yourself.

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/17/2018 11:29:19 PM

We'll try again this weekend. If successful, I'll come back and post a mini-review.

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/22/2018 7:20:13 AM

From today's The Post:

www.thepostathens.com/article/2018/01/corner-on-union-ath...

bobcatsquared
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Post Count: 5,035

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/22/2018 9:47:11 AM

From The Post article linked above, The Corner owner states that the over 40 crowd never sets foot in Chipotle. Is that true, over 40 BA posters?

rpbobcat
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Member Since: 4/28/2006
Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/22/2018 10:54:11 AM

bobcatsquared wrote:

From The Post article linked above, The Corner owner states that the over 40 crowd never sets foot in Chipotle. Is that true, over 40 BA posters?

Not a fan of Chipolte or any other chain when it comes to Mexican or any other ethnic food.

There are a couple of "mom and pop" places near my office that serve authentic Mexican food,including fresh tamales.

I'll have Mexican for lunch every now and then,but,personally,I prefer Spanish or Cuban over Mexican.

bobcatsquared
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Post Count: 5,035

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RE: The Corner

Posted: 1/22/2018 11:55:45 AM

Not a fan means you've never been to Chipotle? I'm not a fan either and I'm over 40 (just a little). However, my two children like Chipotle so I've eaten at Chipotle once or twice.

Last Edited: 1/22/2018 11:56:20 AM by bobcatsquared

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