One of the newest restaurants slated to open at the Village at Waterside retail center near Hamilton Place mall aims to curb a variety of cravings ranging from burgers to tacos and even sushi.
The eclectic mix makes up the menu at Drake’s, a part of the Lexington, Kentucky-based Bluegrass Hospitality Group, and includes traditional American-style pub food, including hand-pressed burgers, mini sandwiches, Sriracha wings, build-your-own tacos and an extensive sushi menu, said Leela Foley, a spokesperson for Bluegrass Hospitality Group.
The restaurant plans to open for business in January at the retail center and 162,000 square feet of commercial development taking shape north of Shallowford Road along Interstate-75. The 5,850-square-foot space will be built at 7338 McCutcheon Road and in front of the new Publix store that opened earlier this year. Outdoor retailer REI and off-price clothing retailer Burlington opened at the retail center in April.
Brett Horowitz of Branch Properties, the developers of Village at Waterside, said the group thinks Drake’s will provide a great “neighborhood hangout” spot that fits with the local community. Horowitz said Drake’s won’t be the first restaurant to open in the new development, but Newk’s Eatery, Tropical Smoothie and a Korean BBQ restaurant will open prior to Drake’s.
According to Horowitz, Newk’s is a fast-growing, quick-service chain that offers sandwiches, soups, pizza and more. The Korean barbecue restaurant has yet to be named, but he said it’s a dining experience he thinks Chattanoogans will embrace.