By Sarah Kuper
A nose for the restaurant business and a great cooking partner have made John Cassimus’ latest restaurant venture a big success in Crestline and Tuscaloosa.
Along with partners Tyre Stuckey and Leola Rogers (a.k.a. “Miss Dot”), Cassimus has created a new fast-casual dining opportunity for anyone interested in menu items such as fried chicken, collard greens, pecan pie and even fresh cocktails.
Miss Dots opened in late December and Cassimus said he knows the restaurant hits the spot for diners.
“When you have the same people coming in several days a week. You’ve got something special.”
Cassimus knows how to spot an opportunity. As the former CEO of Zoe’s Kitchen, another fast-casual concept, he has a knack for finding unfilled niches in the community.
“You can buy fried chicken at the grocery or get it from fast-food places but nobody on a national lever offers high-quality, preservative-free chicken in a fast-casual setting.”
Cassimus has a passion for Southern living. His Sawtooth Plantation in southeast Alabama is a luxury hunting experience offering packages and cabins for hunting weekends. Of course, Cassimus and Miss Dot are on hand for culinary needs.
The restaurant’s namesake and cook at Sawtooth, Miss Dot, started cooking when she was eight years old. She and Cassimus have cooked together for seven years, each learning techniques from the other.
Guests and friends at Sawtooth give high compliments to Miss Dots food, including Sam Beall, proprietor of the Tennessee luxury hotel and resort Blackberry Farm.
Cassimus said Miss Dots fried chicken recipe is better than any he’s tasted, but his favorite item on the Miss Dots menu is the baked chicken.
“It’s crispy on the outside but moist on the inside. It goes great with the Brussels sprouts and pecan pie.”
Cassimus hopes patrons will fall in love with his new signature sides and the fresh and frozen cocktails.
“Our bloody Marys are especially good. Plus, we serve a nice rum punch and frozen screwdrivers.”
With the success of the Crestline and the Tuscaloosa locations, Cassimus and his partners are looking at opening more locations in Birmingham.
“We wanted to create a brand we could scale and would work everywhere. Here, we don’t necessarily target a certain demographic or taste – everybody in society can eat here whether they are soccer moms or construction workers.”
