Gwinnett Daily Post

678-889-2714

3421 Ridge Road, Buford

www.rtanners.com

Open since: Sept. 4

Owners: Gene Kerley, Rick Tanner and Mike "CT" Chartrand

Location: Tanner's is located at the intersection of Hamilton Mill and Ridge roads next to CitiHair Salon.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Atmosphere: The inside of Tanner's has a down-home feel to it.

The walls are yellow. Country music is playing. And there are three large chalkboards in the front hostess area with daily specials and the weekly activities.

"We're just trying to create that wholesome feel that the decorations have been here a while," said co-owner Gene Kerley. "We're trying to continue the concept of having a homey atmosphere when you walk in."

Some of the knickknacks around the dining room are chickens -- ceramic, wooden, stuffed, metal art -- and old signs.

There is a small wooden bar on the left side of the restaurant, which only serves beer and wine. Kerley wanted it that way to keep the space family-friendly.

"We're catering to families," he said. "We're not catering to the man playing Keno and drinking liquor. We don't even let smoking within 20 feet of our entrance."

On Mondays, kids eat for free, including a drink (one children's meal with the purchase of one adult meal). Tuesdays are reserved for bingo and Thursdays are for family trivia.

Menu: Tanner's is known for its chicken -- chicken lips, chicken fingers and rotisserie chicken.

"I wanted to go back to the original Tanner's concept with a smaller restaurant, family-oriented and community oriented," Kerley said. "I have all of the original family recipes going back to 1986."

Out of everything it sells, Tanner's is known for its chicken fingers, hands down.

"The chicken fingers are never frozen, hand-dipped in a homemade batter ... and every finger is hand laid in two fryers," Kerley said.

He and his kitchen crew receive produce several times a week, so they make all of the food in-house from scratch. Kerley doesn't even own a walk-in freezer.

All of the sides are made by hand. And yes, the potatoes are peeled in the back by a person.

"We don't buy anything like that out of a box," Kerley said.

Tanner's also offer catering for schools and local businesses.

Things you might not know: Tanner's honey mustard is considered "world famous." Kerley ships the homemade sauce around the states.