new restaurants helping to revitalize downtown Johnson City (Franklin: city hall, lease)

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by williboy

I had gumbo at Russo's today and it was very good. I hope they make it as it is a very nice setting and the gumbo was good.

I LOVE their Muffalata (sp?) sandwich! I have friends that work in the King building upstairs and we "do" lunch there once in a while. I really like their menu and too hope they stick around.

[dcommander]

I love Russo's too! Would really miss their muffalettas!

Noticed that Jasons Deli is coming to the new shopping complex on State of Franklin. Really liked them in Atlanta. Looking forward to them opening here.

[jabogitlu]

Dcommander, thanks for that bit. Just curious, where'd you find that out?

[dcommander]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Dcommander, thanks for that bit. Just curious, where'd you find that out?

There was sign in front of the new shopping center being built across from med tech.

[tennesseenow]

Please for the sake of the downtown and the business owners make sure you tell them how you feel. I am hoping they all find this site. there is nothing that helps or hurts a food buss. more then public opinion and it only takes 30 days or so before the bad comments will destroy them. I know owners are proud and don't want to hear that the food wasn't perfect and the price was to high but that is what is going to make or brake them.
so for the good of the city and the hard working owners, if it was not PERFECT write to them, leave a note anything so they know. If you loved it tell everyone and often and go back, take a friend and then we can have a downtown again

[PeggyM]

Originally Posted by williboy

I had gumbo at Russo's today and it was very good. I hope they make it as it is a very nice setting and the gumbo was good.

You're right Willi, their food is VERY good. I've only been there one time & had the muffaletta - excellent, and huge! I have a friend that loves the place & goes quite often.

So, please do go to Russo's if you enjoy good Cajun fare; we don't want them to go under because we need all the good, non-chain restaurants we can get in this town.

[Deutschlander]

My wife and I recently dined at Freiberg’s and were GREATLY DISAPPOINTED.

Upon entering there is a sign “wait to be seated”, not normal in Germany but OK this is America. After a few minutes, we seated ourselves and had to request service. There were four young ladies standing about displaying no interest in the patrons. Finally, a waiter came, did not speak German, and attended to or needs.

We both ordered Warsteiner bier and the Hunter’s schnitzel (Jägerschnitzel) with red cabbage (Rotkohl) and fried potatoes (bratkartoffeln).

The bier was served too cold but in the correct pilsner glass. German bier should not be served so cold. This was my first indication of Americanization at Freiberg’s.

Jägerschnitzel is a classic and popular German dish. The Jägerschnitzel at Freiberg’s was pork and the basic piece of meat was tender but the breading contained herbs or spices, which it should not. The sauce was apparently a commercial version of a brown sauce, which was too salty, something I would expect from McDonalds not a German restaurant. The sauce did not contain even ONE mushroom. I have NEVER seen a Jägerschnitzel without mushrooms. I could not even find an online version without mushrooms. Mushrooms are an essential part of a classic Jägerschnitzel.

The bratkartoffeln were OK, just OK.

The rotkohl was terrible. It was just simply boiled red cabbage and not even cooked enough.

Note: When you order a schnitzel in Germany shortly afterward, you will hear a pounding sound from the kitchen. This is the meat being tenderized. A sound/sign of freshly prepared food.

I was disappointed that Freiberg’s did not offer pommes frites (twice fried potatoes) or a traditional German salad (loose leaf lettuces with a light dressing).

Ich bin ein Deutschlander.

Tschüss y’all und Freiberg’s

[SarahSal]

To "GREATLY DISAPPOINTED"..
I'd humbly suggest that if someone from the U.S. dined on so-called 'American' cuisine while in *Germany* one might be a little disappointed, too.
And the fact is, this is little old Johnson City, not New York, Chicago or L.A., so *any* change from the corporate restaurant foremat is a real surprise and pleasure. That is hopefully, what downtown JC will continue to offer - a choice from the standard fare you find at chain restaurants on the busy streets of North JC.

As another poster noted, you might also consider letting the proprieters of Frieberg's personally know what you thought and make some helpful suggestions from your more experienced point of view.

We are thrilled these nice folks located in downtown JC! (Although we're not intimately familiar with German cuisine, we've enjoyed every meal we've eaten there).

[Deutschlander]

I was GREATLY DISAPPOINTED because I am German and realize the meal I had at Freiberg’s is not representative of quality German fair. My intention of posting here is express my dissatisfaction and to inform others that this is not authentic German cuisine. Frankly, what I had was not even palatable.

Just because Freiberg’s is in "little old Johnson City" does not mean the food should be inferior. Just because it was OK to you does not mean it should be OK to me or others. This change from the "corporate format" may be acceptable to you but it is not to me when it is substandard.

If the proprietors were present, I would have informed them of my dissatisfaction. I am now expressing my dissatisfaction here, thank you. If the proprietor is German he very well knows, what he is offering is not echte Deutsch.

For your information, I have eaten in German restaurants in many American small cities. Some were not good but many were just the same, as you would find in Germany. I have actually eaten American food in Germany and it was of the best quality and true to American recipes.

If you would like to experience real German cuisine nearby, I suggest a short drive to the Bavarian Restaurant in Asheville, NC. Try my favorite the Schweinshaxn or try the Jägerschnitzel to see what one should taste like.

Moderator cut: insults not necessary please do not stifle freedom of expression.

Quote from another post - “Diversity and freedom of expression in the Tri-Cities is alive and well…”
SarahSal

[SarahSal]

Since I wrote what was quoted above re: freedom of expression, I completely agree! I apologise if I offended you as I wasn't trying to squelch your critique (based on your first-hand experience), merely to explain how important it is for downtown JC and its restaurants to succeed. Not all of us are connoisseurs of ethnic restaurants but if we enjoy what we eat then that's good!

I'd also be interested to know how the prices at Friebergs compare with the Bavarian restaurant in Asheville.