The last surviving Tanner's, which grew to a 14-restaurant operation in the '90s, stands on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Suwanee. For those who were fans of the previous Tanner's, this location continues to dish up its battered chicken fingers, homemade honey mustard, and comforting sides such as cornbread dressing, baked beans and creamed spinach.
The Suwanee Tanner's was purchased by Deanne Wainright in March 2000. She and her ex-husband, Rick Tanner, had sold the eateries to a corporation in the mid '90s that eventually led to their closing. "They just kind of ran them into the ground," she said. But a clause in the contract allowed Deanne to buy one back.
Deanne and her husband, Joe Wainright, have kept old menu favorites and made some additions, such as new wing flavors and grilled seafood entrées.
LIP-SMACKING START
Tanner's spin on the egg roll is its cheesy chicken lips, a yummy melted mixture of cheddar cheese, cream cheese and diced chicken. That's wrapped up, fried and served with yellow queso sauce for dipping. It's an appealing appetizer, although the exterior of the roll is a little tough.There are more than a dozen choices of flavors for the well-done wings. The BBQ gold is a must-try, combining barbecue sauce and honey mustard for a tangy topping. New flavors include the house special, a combo of its Caribbean jerk seasoning and traditional Buffalo-wing sauce.
ORIGINAL AND UPDATED
The chicken fingers are the original deal, with large strips coated in a thick batter that is fried until it's a bit crispy on the outside. The honey mustard sauce, perfect for dunking, makes them stand out among others fighting the chicken finger battle these days.Another version of its chicken fingers uses its spicy Buffalo sauce, available in mild, medium and blistering — for those who dare. Other entrées include juicy rotisserie chicken, an OK chopped steak and meaty ribs that are tender and tasty.
There are various seafood platters, such as a new addition: grilled shrimp tossed in Buffalo sauce. Many of the entrée meats are available on sandwiches, and there also are burgers, a French dip sandwich, hot dogs, a fried grouper sandwich and more.
The chicken fingers, rotisserie chicken, barbecue pork and other items are available in family packs. All menu items can also be ordered online, and coupons also are available on its Web site.
SIDE NOTES
The vegetables satisfy, too, and come in individual servings or in a veggie plate. Among our favorites: near-perfect creamed spinach, cornbread stuffing that brings back holiday memories, and baked beans chock full of three kinds of beans and ground beef (the recipe is from Deanne's great aunt in Wisconsin). The macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes are the ultimate in comfort food.There are some disappointments, though. The zucchini squash soufflé lacks pizazz. The cornbread and lemon poppy seed muffins are hard and tasted stale. But no complaints about the creamy, heaping slice of the true-to-its-name peanut butter pie.
RUSTIC TOUCHES
The booths and tables in two rooms, one of which can be closed off for parties, are surrounded by farmhouse chic décor. The Wainrights are hoping to update a mural in the restaurant to reflect Suwanee today.Another big change is in store as well: Tanner's recently received its liquor license and the Wainrights plan to build a bar in the front of the eatery.
• Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays
• Credit cards: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
• Reservations: Yes
• Entrée prices: $7.89-$16.89
• Recommended dishes: Chicken fingers, chicken wings, creamed spinach
• Web site: www.tannerstogo.com
• Verdict: Comfort food via chicken fingers and more.
