Zarzours fans
Zarzours Restaurant on the Southside is turning 100.
What's even more remarkable is that it has been operated in the same location for all those years and by the same family.
Charlie Zarzour, an immigrant from Lebanon, opened a diner on Rossville Avenue in January 1918.
The tiny restaurant featuring burgers and meat and threes has kept on rolling ever since.
Charlie's daughter, Rose, ran it for many years.
She handed it off to Shirley Zarzour Fuller, wife of County Councilman Flop Fuller.
Shannon Fuller married Shirley's son, Joe, and now they are the proprietors. Shannon and Joe are now just steps away from the restaurant after building a small brick house next door in the former business parking lot.
Zarzours is listed in many national guidebooks to neat roadside cafes across America. Some of the guests come from far-flung areas who are roaming around trying the country's top diners.
As part of the centennial celebration, guests to Zarzours will be entitled to a free copy of the Hiener Photo Book of Historic Chattanooga published by Chattanoogan.com as long as current supplies last.
This is for dine-in customers.
John Wilson, publisher of Chattanoogan.com, said, "Zarzours is certainly one of my favorite lunch spots, and I'm usually there a couple of times a week. We love the hamburgers as well as the cornbread, pinto beans or black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes and slaw."
He added, "Shannon has made it possible for several of our Chattanooga photo books to be published by serving as our main sales outlet. We are grateful to her for that."
Zarzours is behind Fire Hall #1, which is on Main Street a few blocks off Market.
It is open for lunch Monday-Friday as well as occasional Saturdays.
Check out the Facebook page for updates and daily specials.