Today marks the end of an era. The Innside Restaurant located in the Pioneer Building at 8th and Broad has decided to become a non-smoking restaurant as of tomorrow.
I was shocked to see the bright yellow sign posted on the door today saying as of tomorrow there will be no smoking.
I don't know how long this restaurant has been in business. I know I've gone there off and on for almost 20 years and, yes, the main reason I continued to go is because it was one of the few restaurants where you could get a meat and three and smoke before and after your meal.
For those who are not regulars, it was almost like walking into an episode of Cheers or Mel's Diner. Everyone knows your name. A lot could probably acurately guess what other patrons would eat each day.
One of the smoking customers questioned the owners' decision and pointed out that two thirds of the people there were smoking. Doesn't make sense to me, but it is certainly the owners' right to prohibit smoking, just as it is my right and the right of the other regulars to not go there.
I'll miss the crowd who had become like friends as well as the wait staff.
Debbie Rodriguez
Harrison
kelsdeb@bellsouth.net
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The Wycuff family has owned the Innside Restaurant for 12 years. Today, Feb. 13, 2007, is the first day that smoking is not allowed in the restaurant. The Innside is located in the Pioneer Building on the Chestnut Street level. They are open Monday thru Friday, serving breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The waitresses and staff are friendly and quick to help each customer, many they know by name.
The Innside serves a hearty, home style breakfast. They serve eggs, grits, hashbrowns, pancakes, toast, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and great coffee.
For lunch, the Innside serves a "meat & 2 veggies, with roll or cornbread muffin" for $5.50. They also have fresh salads, vegetables, big burgers, crispy tater tots, chicken tenders, sandwiches, hot dogs, hearty soup and chili, which are only a few of their many items available.
This morning, while I was eating my delicious pancakes, at least three different customers congratulated the owners for their decision to make the restaurant non-smoking.
Whether your order is large or small, you get good food at a reasonable price in a friendly, now smoke free, atmosphere at the Innside Restaurant.
Martha Ellis
Ooltewah
marty123@bellsouth.net
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Maybe the owners and employees at the Innside got tired of inhaling your second hand smoke every day.
A. Brown
Chattanooga