MONTGOMERY - A street leading to the original Montgomery Inn could soon be renamed after the restaurant's founder, “Ribs King” Ted Gregory.

The late Ted Gregory, standing behind a caricature of himself on a window. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Council members will decide Wednesday whether to change Sycamore Street, which sits north of the restaurant, to Ted Gregory Lane or perhaps Ted Gregory Street.

        While “street” and “lane” are still up for debate, Montgomery's elected officials concur: The man who put Montgomery on the map deserves this recognition.

        “There's no doubt that Montgomery Inn is a well-known landmark institution, both in Montgomery and the Greater Cincinnati area,” Councilman Ken Suer said. “It pretty much is the thing that people identify Montgomery with around the country. Council wanted to recognize (Mr. Gregory's) contributions.”

        Mr. Gregory and his wife, Matula, opened the original Montgomery Inn at Montgomery Road and Sycamore Street in 1951.

        Within a decade, the restaurant became known for its ribs and sauce.

        That first restaurant sprang into an empire now satiating ribs lovers around the globe. And yes, the sauce recipe remains a family secret.

        Mr. Gregory died in December at age 78.

        Architect Boris Berger had known Mr. Gregory since 1976, when fire damaged the original Montgomery Inn. The Ribs King asked Mr. Berger to redesign his restaurant and won the architect's heart when he asked him to draw designs “like you were doing it for your family.”

        Within weeks after his friend's death, Mr. Berger began urging council members to rename a street after Mr. Gergory. Everyone agreed: The job would get done.

        “It will be one of the lasting tributes he should have,”Mr. Berger said.

        “This is one I could return something back to Ted Gregory for what he gave me over the last 20 years. And he gave me a lot.”

        Tom Gregory, president of Montgomery Inn Inc., is looking forward to visiting his father's first restaurant and driving along a street named after him.

        “It's a point of pride for all four kids and Mom. He deserves every accolade,” he said.

        The council session will begin at 7 p.m. at Montgomery City Hall, 10101 Montgomery Road.

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