new restaurants helping to revitalize downtown Johnson City (neighborhood, college)

[kamoshika]

Schnitzel, subs and sweet pastries may mean more to downtown Johnson City’s economy than many people imagine.

At least that’s the assessment of Suzanne Kuehn, and the Johnson City Development Authority director, who cited a think tank study about the role restaurants play in downtown revitalization, as well as personal experience. With a growing number of dining options — at least three have opened this year — Kuehn said downtown is well-positioned for a new phase of growth.
As efforts to revitalize downtown continue, a growing number of dining options are helping the cause

[dcommander]

Good news for downtown JC!! Especially looking forward to trying the German restaurant!

[jabogitlu]

Ha, I came to post this and see it's here! Downtown feels, to me, right on the cusp of some good growth. Love Russo's and Taste Budz, can't wait to try Freiberg's... if I can find it! Drove through there today but didn't see it... hmmm.

[ljay42]

It's right on the corner...the doorway to the place actually almost fronts water st. - I drove by to get the hours on Sunday but their electric hours of operation sign was off.

[dcommander]

Hubby and I had dinner at Freibergs tonight. It's on the corner of Main and Buffalo across from the fountain. Almost drove by it twice! Loved the atmosphere. The food was pretty good - not my favorite - and a little pricey for what you got, IMO. They are still working out some kinks since they have only been open about a week. Our waiter took our order and then walked out! I guess he took our order with him because another waiter had to come and take our order a second time! I will definitely give them a little while to work out the kinks and then try them again.

[jabogitlu]

I was down there today so I swung down Main and found it. Yeah, it is RIGHT on the corner! LOL! The inside looked very nice from the road.

Dcommander, when you say a little pricey, do you mean $12-15 per person, or $20-$25? Some friends and I are going to try it out soon, but we're college kids on a budget.

[dcommander]

More in the neighborhood of $12 - 16. I had goulash with pasta - no salad or sides and it was $10.95, I believe. They had bratwurst, etc. but I don't recall the prices for sandwiches. Hubby had Jaeger Schnitzel and I believe it was $12.95 or something like that. Schnitzel was good, he said sides were average. Not terribly expensive - but have had better German for less money other places, IMO. But... I definitely would give them another try!

Let me know how you like it!!

[ocrush15]

Freiberg's is great! Was there over the weekend. They hadn't gotten their liquor license yet, but you can byob! The food is great and the owner and his wife are too! Great place to be a patron. Wonderful german feel.

[jcres]

J.C. has a number of very good restaurants that are locally owned so there is some significant competition for Freiberg's. Frankly, if the quality of the food doesn't improve I predict that they are belly up before the end of their first year. I certainly expect disagreement on this, but this is a nitch restaurant and if one reviews the fate of past small specialized restaurants, it is tough to make it with that type of offering, especially downtown. I hear that Russos is only hanging on because of their catering business, but then word is that URA is hitting them pretty hard with rents - just rumor, but I'd hate to see them relocate to N. Roan or go under.

[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.