Mike Scanlon bringing Taziki’s Mediterranean Café to Southland

Former Lexington vice mayor Mike Scanlon, whose Thomas & King restaurant management company once owned 80 Applebee’s franchises before selling them in 2013, is bringing a new chain to Lexington: Taziki’s Mediterranean Café.

The restaurant, which is coming to 117 Southland, between Hunan Chinese and Columbia Steak Express, is to open April 18. It will emphasize fresh, healthy food, according to a news release. The menu includes grilled fish, shrimp, chicken, beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, lamb and vegetables, as well as salads, gyros and roll-ups. The restaurant also will have craft beer and wine.

The Taziki’s franchise will be owned and operated by The Zenith Co., according to the news release. Zenith announced a charity partnership with Habitat for Humanity: Taziki’s pledged to build one new Habitat home every year, and employees are encouraged to volunteer with the organization throughout the year.

The café will be near the entrance to the bustling Southland Drive corridor and near a new Hampton Inn, which is opening soon.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Mike Scanlon bringing Taziki’s Mediterranean Café to Southland."