Abe Acee knows a thing or two about dining out: He spends a lot of time doing just that. And that experience helped him guide his chefs in developing the menu for his latest venture, the Southside Grille.
“I’ve always liked the place, and I like the location,” Acee said of the former Town & Country Restaurant, which now employees 16 people. “The traffic flow was there. I knew it was struggling and I felt I could revive it bring it back.”
The building needed a lot of work, Acee said.
“I invested a lot of money in this project, but customers say they’re pleased with the results,” Acee said.
New to the building are four flat-screen TVs and a 47-foot bar. The menu has been completely overhauled, developed by Acee’s chefs and based on Acee’s extensive dining out experience.
Added just this past week is a “loaded” salad bar, free with all entrees, but only $6.95 by itself. Soft drink refills are free.
The Southside Grille also offers free half-price drink specials and a free mini-buffet featuring sausage, peppers, onions, two types of meatballs, mini-submarine sandwiches and rolls and butter from 3 to 7 p.m. daily.
“It’s pretty healthy stuff,” Acee said. “Certainly a lot better than any deep-fried foods.”
Menu prices range from a low of $6.95 for the salad bar to a high of $17.95 for a 16-ounce hand-carved prime rib or fisherman’s platter consisting of haddock, clam strips, scallops and shrimp. Salads and burgers are priced in the $7 range and specialty sandwiches range from $7 for a French dip to $9.95 for a 6-ounce marinated New York strip steak sandwich.
Entrees range from $11.95 for several chicken choices up to $16.95 for several beef options, and pasta dishes range from $10.95 to $14.95.
After the kitchen closes for dinner, a bar menu consisting of all the menu’s appetizers, burgers and specialty sandwiches continues to be served.
“We also stock a wide variety of wines and beers,” Acee said.
Acee also owns the Nothin’ Fancy Caf (c) on Ruth Street in Vernon. That establishment will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. But Acee said those patronizing the Southside Grille will find a completely different dining experience.
“Everything is cooked to order from quality ingredients by experienced chefs,” Acee said. “That takes a little time. We try to get food to the table as soon as possible, but this is not diner or fast food.”
Huge portions, daily specials, ample parking, wheelchair accessibility and air-conditioned comfort are some of the ancillary features patrons are guaranteed, Acee said.
“And service,” Acee said. “Our service is second to none. A lot of restaurants have closed around here recently, and I got the best of all their help.”
The area recently suffered the loss of the Shady Grille, the Mason Jar, the Tombstone Saloon and Ross’s Pub (the former Gingerbread House).
The Southside Grille is located at 5366 E. Seneca St. (Route 5) in Vernon. The restaurant opens at 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and at noon on Sundays. For more information or to call ahead orders, call 829-3702.
“When I go to a place to eat, I know with that first bite whether I’m getting quality ingredients,” Acee said, “and that’s what I bring to the table here.”
