By Leila Tubbeh
Fusion food and dual-concept venues are
all the rage in big cities like New York and
Los Angeles, but few restaurants in
small-town America have had the intestinal
fortitude to really play with their food —
perhaps a result of too many admonitions by
mother dearest to drop the fork and walk
away slowly when food gives way to fun.
Few restaurants, that is, until Manny’s
Neighborhood Grille decided to offer patrons
chicken fingers, spanakopita and Adrian
Peterson in one meal.
Don’t worry, sports fans: the running
back has not sacrificed himself to the
culinary gods. Manny’s Neighborhood Grille
serves a fabulous fusion of Greek and
American-style food in a comfortable,
family-friendly sports bar atmosphere.
Manoli “Manny” Stavrinakis and his family
created the concept venue 15 years ago in
Charleston and recently decided to franchise
the restaurant. Fortunately for eager
Georgia Southern palates, Manny’s
Neighborhood Grille in Statesboro is the
first to open outside of Charleston.
Nestled beside Taco Bell where Eagle
Diner once stood, Manny’s is a hidden
treasure certainly worth the dig. The range
of items found on Manny’s extensive menu
alone is simply astounding. The menu
features Greek and American-style
appetizers, fresh salads, burgers, pita and
American-style sandwiches, quesadillas,
American-style entrees, Greek specialty
platters, hand-tossed pizzas and calzones.
One can even order dessert, a specialty
coffee or a drink from Manny’s full bar.
Beyond merely the quantity of items
offered, the quality of food is excellent
and prices are exceedingly reasonable. I
ordered a delicious gyro sandwich with
tender slices of lamb meat, tomatoes,
lettuce and tasty tzaziki yogurt sauce with
a side of chips for $6.49, while my friend
ordered a veggie pita sandwich with sautéed
tomatoes, onions, green peppers, olives,
mushrooms and feta cheese for $5.99. Both
came out hot, fresh and delectable within
just a few minutes of ordering. The service
at Manny’s made the meal even more
enjoyable: our server and the floor manager
were both remarkably friendly and helpful.
Manny’s great food and service is matched
by its energetic sports bar atmosphere.
Thirty television screens line the walls of
the restaurant, making Manny’s a perfect
pick for families and college students
looking to enjoy the big game and fantastic
food at the same time. Patrons can choose
from a variety of seating, including booths
with personal television screens, high- and
low-top tables and barstools. The restaurant
itself does not offer much in the way of art
or handsome décor and the televisions do
tend to get loud, so Manny’s is probably not
the place to take a romantic date or host a
professional business meeting. For easy
eating in a relaxed setting, however,
Manny’s cannot be beat.
Busy professionals stuck at the office
and stressed college students studying for
finals will be pleased to know that Manny’s
does deliver food during lunch and dinner
hours. Additional good news as the holiday
season approaches, replete with office
parties: Manny’s offers a catering service
and can also rent out the restaurant to be
used as a party space.
Manny’s is open seven days a week from 11
a.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, call
(912) 489-1004 or visit
www.mannysgrills.com |
