Gopi Siramshetty holds a Dosa crepe popular in southern India. He named his restaurant, Dosa Hut, after the traditional food.
Sabrina Marble talks with customer Jack Marcellis at City Cafe. She has worked at the downtown eatery for 11 years and has worked Christmas Day every year.Reader recommendations
The Times Free Press asked readers whether they had favorite family-owned restaurants for dining on Christmas Day. Several replied that a restaurant Christmas was a family tradition, and they suggested restaurants where the food was so delicious and the staff so friendly, it was just as good as being at home. You’ll notice that there aren’t any Mexican restaurants on the list. All the ones we called said they would be closed on Christmas. If you have a favorite restaurant of any kind and are hoping it’s open on Christmas, it’s best to call first. Number One Chinese Restaurant 10161 Dayton Pike #10, Soddy-Daisy 423-332-7890 “We do every year!… It’s in the shopping plaza next to Bi-Lo … It’s (owned by) a small family and they’re fantastic folks. — Jennifer Flaxcomb Kilgore Ming Moon 2467 Lafayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. 706-858-0558 “I was raised by my grandmother and she was disabled. Since she couldn’t cook, we ate out a lot. And Ming Moon in Fort Oglethorpe would be the only thing open. So for years I always ate Chinese food from there on Christmas Day. I didn’t mind. I thought it was sweet.” — Justin McArthur Chef Lin 5084 S. Terrace Road, East Ridge 423-510-1998 “This year is gonna be Chef Lin in East Ridge for me and my family.” — Crystal Picklesimer Tran “Us, too! Just ask the Jews! We’re always at Chinese restaurants at Christmas!” — Jennifer Mitts Yamato Japanese Steak House 1504 Decatur Pike, Athens, Tenn. 423-252-8035 “Up in Athens, Yamato (Japanese Steak House) will be open on Christmas Day. Come see us!” — Mareah Palmer China Gourmet 321 Browns Ferry Road, Suite B1 423-821-8500 “We have had them deliver to us on Christmas. It’s great after a busy day visiting.” — Jenell Bruce Tate Fuji Japanese Steak & Sushi 5437 Highway 153, Hixson 423-531-3183 Note: The chef’s knife work is so fast and nimble, it’s like a free show. City Cafe 901 Carter St., Chattanooga 423-634-9191 7641 Lee Highway 423-485-8222 Dosa Hut 6940 Lee Highway, Suite 105 423-648-5069
Gopi Siramshetty places the luminous plastic Santa next to the sparkling Christmas tree that greets diners entering Dosa Hut, his Indian restaurant. The sign on the front door says, “We are open Christmas Day!” and he plans to offer a Christmas Eve feast as well.
Siramshetty has designed a menu he hopes will comfort and delight all sorts of people. Picky eaters may be happy to hear that many Indian dishes use spices that Americans regard as Christmas-y — cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
“If you are alone and want privacy or if you are alone and would like company, our staff will make sure everyone feels comfortable and happy; we welcome families with children, groups and travelers, everybody,” Siramshetty says. “If you don’t know much about Indian food, don’t worry. We can tell you how each dish is made and what spices we use.”
For most, Christmas is a time to gather with family and friends around a dining room table at home. But some don’t get that luxury. Maybe they’re traveling, or they’re alone, or they just don’t feel like cooking for a crowd.