Hotel Talisi/Tallassee AL

I am doing some research getting ready for my trip through TN/GA/AL next month. I was looking through the 1992 Roadfood book and the review for the Hotel Talisi especially sounded great to me. They are apparently still open and offer lots of Southern food. Has anyone been there before or been there lately? I am definitely considering a side tour to visit this place. But since it hasn't been in any of the books since 1992, I want to make sure it is still worth the detour.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Here is the link to their website: http://hoteltalisi.net/

I am giving this is a bump, since my trip is coming up soon. I know we have quite a few people on here who live in or used to live in Alabama. Anyone been here?

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I am giving this is a bump, since my trip is coming up soon. I know we have quite a few people on here who live in or used to live in Alabama. Anyone been here?

This is LA, right? (Lower Alabama)

tfrielin-
I don't know enough about Alabama geography to say if it is considered LA, but according to the map, it is about halfway between Montgomery and Auburn.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

tfrielin-
I don't know enough about Alabama geography to say if it is considered LA, but according to the map, it is about halfway between Montgomery and Auburn.

Sorry, that's out of my jurisdiction. I lived in South Georgia (Bainbridge) for many years, but don't know this locale.

Drat!  The Hotel Talisi restaurant closed recently, before I was able to eat there.

http://www.deepfriedkudzu.com/2009/01/hotel-talisi-fried-chicken-we-bid-you.html

And here I was just about to book a flight to Birmingham, with this place on the top of my list of "must eats".

I'm sorry to hear that.  I ate there 15 years ago.  I still remember it, so the food and atmosphere must have been good...

Possible great news for Alabama Roadfooders.  I was contacted a few weeks ago by a reporter for the Tallassee Tribune, who let me know that the Hotel Talisi was sold, restored and will be reopening soon.  If things go well, maybe as early as today!  She wrote me the day after I had booked a flight to Birmingham, so I take that as a sign I was meant to eat there.  If it opens in time, there will be a full report.

Haha! It must have been the power of the buffetbuster. Let us know any news.

I agree with EatingTheRoad: It was the power of the buffetbuster. :)

Hey folks,

I had a meal at the Hotel Talisi about 10 days ago. It was the first full week of operation after the restaurant's re-opening at the end of the previous week, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing -- er, tasting -- what all the fuss was about.

A work colleague and I ventured over to the Hotel for lunch around 11:45 a.m. We entered through the beautifully restored lobby, which is reminiscent of a set from Titanic. The place was moderately busy, but there was plenty of room for everyone. Plant workers meshed in with laborers who meshed in with professionals who sat next to retired folks. It is a great mix of people in the heartbeat of town. Eating at the Hotel Talisi is more than a meal. It's a social event.

There were tables for two, four and lots more. There is a menu available, but I chose the buffet, and I paid $8.90 tax included for the meal. That included a drink and dessert.

My friend and I ventured over, picked out a table and headed for the buffet. Talk about your Southern cornucopia: Mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread, biscuits, carrots, sweet potato casserole, meatloaf ... I think there was also turnip greens and a couple of other things, but they took back seat to the FRIED CHICKEN and my personal favorite, okra.

We filled our plates to overflowing (the men in the place were actually peeking over at us, which we thought was funny) and grabbed some sweet tea. I was so excited when we got back to our seats that I took a picture of my plate. :) (see above)

Yes, it was as good as advertised. The chicken was delicious, the okra was crispy, the mashed potatoes the perfect mix of creamy and chunky, and the biscuit was fluffy as a cloud. The sweet potato casserole was good -- not as sweet as I'm used to having, but it was still good. Yum yum.

I'm sad and more than a little ashamed to say that I ate so much for lunch that I didn't leave room for dessert, which was our choice of banana pudding or peach cobbler. But I was assured by the folks who did save room that it was worth overeating for.

I'm told that the Hotel Talisi is bringing in folks from all over, already, again. They are going through 250 pounds of chicken a day. So if your travels bring you through central Alabama, consider a stop in Tallassee. You can even stay at the restaurant -- the hotel has several rooms that are already renovated, and prices are $60 for a regular room and $85 for a suite.

If you like historic buildings and authentic Southern fare, the Hotel Talisi is right up your alley.

We hope to see you there!

Thanks so much for the post!  Sounds like the Hotel Talisi is better than ever!  I cannot wait to go back after reading your words of acclaim.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, drove by there
last week.
Mike
This is the correct website:
http://www.thehoteltalisi.com/

jefoster

I'm sad and more than a little ashamed to say that I ate so much for lunch that I didn't leave room for dessert, which was our choice of banana pudding or peach cobbler. But I was assured by the folks who did save room that it was worth overeating for.

Wait....isn't overeating always worth it for banana pudding or peach cobbler

Thanks for the excellent review of the place, it sounds like a nice spot with a good amount of history.

I didn't see your picture but found this one here:


Looks like they're also on Twitter too...here's one from a couple days ago "60 lbs of catfish went out on the buffet today that also is a record." 

jefoster-
Thanks so much for the excellent report from Hotel Talisi. It is so common nowadays to read about places like this closing down, it is wonderful to hear about this place reopening. 
 
Now, about you not eating any dessert..... 

The First Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims had their First Thanksgiving and now it is the re-born Hotel Talisi’s turn to have its own First Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had Indians as their guests, but the Creek village of Tukabatchi no longer exists; however, the owners and staff of Hotel Talisi are happy to invite you to our version of Thanksgiving Dinner!
Let me tell you about what we plan for you.
Start your Thanksgiving feast with a hearty slice of our Baked Turkey, or Honey Glazed Ham, if you prefer, or both. Either choice is accompanied by our own special Dressing and Gravy. Enhance your turkey, or ham, and dressing/gravy with your choice of Cranberry Sauce or Cranberry Relish made of fresh cranberries. Also, to support the gravy, we have Mashed Potatoes. And what Thanksgiving Dinner is complete without casseroles; we offer you Green Bean, Sweet Potato, Squash, Corn or Turnip Green Casseroles – all delicious and the choice is yours.
We have for you homemade Cornbread Muffins or Rolls. We must admit that we had to work on our cornbread, but with these muffins, we believe we have mastered the technique!
You may choose either sweet. or unsweetened, tea – some folks prefer half sweet and half unsweetened.
As for your desert, we have prepared to offer that most Southern of pies – Pecan Pie – or in the spirit of Thanksgiving you may prefer Pumpkin Pie. There is also that American favorite, Apple Pie. If pies are not your “thing,” try our layer cakes – Chocolate or Coconut.
Top off your meal with a piping hot cup of coffee.
Poultry Alert: Fried Chicken Has the Day Off!!!
Jack Payne Solomon
Folklorist and Writer-in-Residence
Hotel Talisi