The new outpatient children's hospital at Erlanger is heralding Chattanooga's railroad heritage not only in some of its engine and rail displays but also in the name of a new breakfast and lunch eatery opening Monday.
Josh Patton is the owner of the Choo Choo Cafe in the new Kennedy Outpatient Center of Erlanger Children's Hospital.The Choo Choo Cafe near Third and Hampton Streets on the Erlanger main campus derives its name from Steam Engine 349, a restored 19th century locomotive situated at the entrance of the center. But while its name comes from the past, the new 464-square-foot cafe will be equipped with 21st century technology, including the first robot of its kind in Tennessee that prepares customized salads and grain bowls.
Developed in Silicon Valley by Chowbotics, "Sally the Robot" will prepare customized salads in only 90 seconds with a few pushes of the button. The self-serve food machine is Tennessee's first and will allow customers to use the touchscreen interface to order a 7-layer, fresh salad.
Josh Patton, owner of the Choo Choo Cafe, said he saw the robotic food machine at a restaurant convention on future technologies earlier this year and decided to bring the $30,000 device to the new cafe, the only food establishment in the new outpatient center.
"We have a limited amount of space and Sally the Robot ensures we can offer customized, fresh salads," he said. "We're testing it out here, and if it is successful, I think it has potential in a variety of settings."
The cafe will have a staffed cashier to check out orders consumers pickup or made from Sally the Robot or an interactive frozen yogurt machine. The cafe will also feature a coffee, tea, and soda bar as well as a kids' menu.
Patton said the robotic salad maker reduces the risk of food-borne illness, as ingredients are kept sanitary and separate. Each of Sally's ingredients is replenished on a regular basis and contained within the robot, greatly reducing the potential for contamination.
"Sally is an ideal alternative to a salad bar, especially in and around higher-risk facilities such as hospitals," said Dr. Deepak Sekar, founder and CEO of Chowbotics.
Salads will be priced at $4.25 for a side salad and $7.99 for an entree salad, Patton said.
Customers can order ahead online or via a fast lane kiosk to keep service at a speedy clip in the new cafe. The cafe has 35 seat and also offers outdoor seating when the weather warms up. The new cafe will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Patton said Choo Choo Cafe will donate $1 from every Sally meal sold through the end of the year to Erlanger Children's Hospital, through the Believe Campaign.
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 757-6340.