Ballenger’s to shut down Friday night

Reservations are full for the final two nights.

Ballenger’s Restaurant will close Friday.

Known for its steak and service, the restaurant on U.S. 27 in Subligna is one of those country places that folks don’t just stumble across. You have to be very intentional to find it.

It looks pretty much like any old building on the side of the highway in Chattooga County. Reservations for the final two nights, Thursday and Friday, are completely booked up.

Herb Ballenger opened the restaurant in June 1992. Ballenger, along with other heirs to the estate of his grandfather, the late T.D. Ballenger, have decided to settle his estate with an auction sometime in early November.

“The date depends on how quickly the auctioneer, Bob Tucker, can get everything lined up,” said Martha Ballenger, Chef Herb’s mother.

The restaurant has only been open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“We’ve developed a lot of friendships over the years,” Martha Ballenger said.

Rome Assistant District Attorney John McClellan said the personal service customers get from Chef Herb and his family is one of the factors that set the restaurant apart.

“I was not as regular as a lot of people were but Herb would always come out and talk with you,” McClellan said. “I think they had the best steaks of anywhere around Rome.” John McClellan