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From Field of Dreams To Three Decades of Making Dreams Come True:

Jim’s Place East Turns 30 This Month and Marks 85 Years in Memphis

 

MEMPHIS , TENN. (October 10, 2006)…Jim’s Place owners had their own field of dreams and embraced the mantra, “If you build it, they will come,” long before actor Kevin Costner stepped up to first base. This month, Jim’s Place East celebrates 30 years in East Memphis, the same year that the restaurant marks 85 years collectively in the River City as well as the birth of a new location in Collierville, Jim’s Place Grille.

 

“After we moved from Second Street in Downtown Memphis, it was somewhat of a risk to move out East. Back then, in the mid-70s, it was relatively unpopulated,” said co-owner Angelo Liollio. “We just felt that our loyal patrons would follow us eastward for the same quality food and reputation that we demonstrated downtown since 1921.” And indeed they did come.

 

Another reason for the move was to realize another dream. Jim’s Place East is the former Taras family’s summer home. Bill Taras, one of the original owners of Jim’s Place, and his wife, Bessie, had always wanted to open their summer home to the public, so that others could enjoy its warmth and beauty.

 

Previously, the home stood from the 1940s and on through the 1960s, as a significant gathering place. The entire Greek community was invited to enjoy an Easter feast, Easter egg hunts and picnics. Lamb was the dish of choice and the family prepared it on a traditional spit with charcoal while the kids played on the grounds.  The beloved home would soon be transformed into a fine dining restaurant.

 

Today, the Taras family continues the dream as the second and third generation of sons and grandsons now run the restaurant. Co-owners Dimitri Taras and Costa Taras are sons of charter owner Bill Taras. And beginning this month, Dimitri and his sons, James and Sam, are helping him run the new Collierville Jim’s Place Grille, at 3660 Houston Levee Rd.   Meanwhile, Costa’s son, Bill, named after his grandfather, joins his dad and uncle Angelo in running Jim’s Place East.  Both restaurants are owned by Jim’s Place, Inc.

 

Over the years, additions were made to Jim’s Place East, which is known for its unique layout of individually decorated rooms, providing a different mood throughout with minimized background noise and enhanced privacy. The restaurant’s many windows provide views of a retreat-like setting featuring grand trees, seasonal azaleas and scurrying squirrels.

 

Certainly the signature dishes, handed down from Mainland Greece and its islands, keep patrons coming back while intriguing newcomers alike. One can taste the international difference. The menu offers a Greek

section, with a nod back to the family’s roots, featuring souflima (savory Greek pork entrée), mousaka (roasted eggplant layered with spiced ground beef), spanakopetakia (spinach phyllo puffs), charcoal grilled

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Page 2 - From Field of Dreams To Three Decades of Making Dreams Come True:  Jim’s Place Turns 30

 

domestic lamb chops, Greek salad and traditional baklava.

 

Expect also homemade Greek bread, salad dressings made from scratch, freshly prepared warm and cold vegetable dishes including grilled zucchini, asparagus mousse and Italian seasoned spinach as well as hand-cut steaks grilled to perfection and homemade desserts, such as New Orleans bread pudding and Chantilly Key Lime pie. Jim’s also was the very first Memphis restaurant to offer charcoal-grilled fish, which today remains a popular item whether in tilapia or salmon varieties.

 

Visitors also can choose delicious dishes from one end of the spectrum to the other including southern favorites like pecan encrusted catfish, batter dipped veal cutlet, turnip greens and mashed potatoes. Go simple, fancy or Greek. It’s all on the menu.

 

Jim’s Place stays current with the times by refreshing the menu, adding in light choices such as chicken salad, fruit and small plates as well as new desserts Apple Crumble Tarte and Espresso Truffle Cake and keeping wine lists updated by adding in new selections such as Nemea, Boutari red wine from Greece, Marques De Concha Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile as well as domestic Incredible Red Zinfandel from Peachy Canyon Winery, California. The restaurant’s owners also believe in being a community partner. Jim’s Place has supported Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the Memphis Chapter of the American Heart Association and provided silent auction donations for a number of other local charities.

 

As an educational partner, the restaurant has presented, upon request, special Greek lessons for elementary and middle school students. Young people learn about the Greek culture through a presentation of Greek exhibits, food, dance and history. It has since become an extension of many school curriculums.

 

Though Jim’s Place has grown and developed over the years, the restaurant’s owners have never lost sight of the special place the restaurant occupies in the hearts of Mid-Southerners.  With roots in a field of dreams, Jim’s Place now exists to make the dreams of others come true. Jim’s Place is the destination for marriage proposals, wedding receptions, anniversaries and ring ceremonies, birthday celebrations and retirement parties. So it’s no wonder that Mid-Southerners have claimed Jim’s Place as “Their Place” and “The Place to Make Memories.” 

 

And after 30 years, Jim’s Place East still maintains a top ranking among other restaurants in the city. This year, Jim’s Place garnered the Memphis Restaurant Association’s Pioneer Award as well as Best Business Lunch, Best Greek and Most Romantic accolades from local publication reader polls. Check www.jimsplaceeast.com for more information or call 388-7200.

 

Jim’s Place Chronology Recap

     Jim’s Place was named after the very first owner, Jim Katsouthes. Nick Taras immigrated from Mainland Greece around 1910 and became the first Taras partner of Jim’s Place. In the 1930s, he sent for brothers George and Bill to join him as co-owners.  Later, both Bill Taras and his wife Bessie, kept the legacy going when Jim’s was located at 52 S. Second Street .  During that time, sons Costa and Dimitri, as young adults, joined in as partners. Bill Taras has since passed away but lived to open Jim’s Place East in the mid-1970s while his wife Bessie remained active there until the last few years. Angelo Liollio, who married Tina Taras, joined his brother-in-laws Costa and Dimitri as a partner in the mid-70s. Liollio’s family hails from Skopelos, Greece . Today, Jim’s Place is pleased to welcome in the Taras family’s third generation as Bill Taras, named after his grandfather, joins his father Costa and uncle Angelo in managing Jim’s Place East. And Dimitri Taras’ sons, James and Sam, now manage Jim’s Place Grille in Collierville with their dad.

  • 1921: Jim’s Place first opened in the basement of the William Len Hotel on Monroe and Main .
  • 1927: The restaurant moves across from the Peabody Hotel, 154 Union Ave.
  • Mid-1930s to Mid-1940s: Jim’s No. 1 (an additional location) opens at Third and Madison – in the mid-30s and closes around 1946.
  • Early 1960s: The original restaurant vacates the Union locale when the Downtowner bought the existing edifice and built Downtowner Hotel. Jim’s moves to 52 S. Second Street .
  • Mid-1970s: Jim’s on Second St. sells to Erika’s and moves to East Memphis – 5560 Shelby Oaks Dr.
  • October 2006: Jim’s Place East celebrates 30 years in East Memphis .
  • October 13, 2006: An additional venue is added; Jims Place Grille opens in Collierville.