Zatos Transforms Into Midtown Grill

You may have noticed in the last couple of weeks that a familiar venue on State Route 410, Zato Bar & Grill, has undergone some pretty big changes. The glowing neon slogan in the window, inviting customers in to “Eat. Drink. Social.” is still there, but the name changed to Midtown Grill on May 30, 25 days after the former owner, Max Ansola, sold to Gary Wofford.

“He was done. The restaurant business wasn’t something for him,” said Midtown manager John Monreal, of Ansola’s decision to sell.

Wofford is not new to the restaurant business. He owns the , also on SR 410. But, “he wanted to have something new, for families, and a little bit more upscale,” said Monreal.

To go along with the new name and ownership, there is a completely new menu. It is several pages long, offering a whole range of fare: salads, sandwiches, half-pound burgers, steaks marinated for seven days at a time, crab cake and crab legs, halibut, salmon, ravioli… the list goes on. The only foods they don’t sell are pizza or sushi.

and share their parking lot, “so why compete?” asked Monreal.

Wofford also plans to expand into the space next door. There will be two private rooms -- one will seat 40 people, the other 75.

“He expects to be hosting a lot of school events,” explained Monreal.

They will also have theater seating for watching sports games. Monreal said that the goal is to screen every football game, college and professional.

Customers should expect a few deals as well. The reduced price lunch menu, for instance, doesn’t have anything above $7.99. The salad bar starts at $1.99.

And, they are still honoring any Groupon coupons that were purchased when the name was still Zato’s.

“The BLT has been around for years and has built a solid reputation for good food, good service and charitable giving. Their experience in the industry and the community will give the new Midtown Grill the best chances for success it could possibly have,” said Lora Butterfield, director of the .