Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 157,175,000	$ 149,018,000	$ 144,194,000
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	52,258,000	48,068,000	45,743,000
Restaurant labor and related costs	52,281,000	50,489,000	50,738,000
Depreciation and amortization of restaurant property and equipment	5,900,000	5,948,000	6,716,000
Other operating expenses	33,410,000	33,022,000	33,379,000
Total restaurant operating expenses	143,849,000	137,527,000	136,576,000
General and administrative expenses	10,627,000	9,229,000	10,069,000
Asset impairment charges	0	0	3,889,000
Operating income (loss)	2,699,000	2,262,000	(6,340,000)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,665,000)	(1,861,000)	(1,969,000)
Other, net	113,000	43,000	73,000
Total other expense	(1,552,000)	(1,818,000)	(1,896,000)
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,147,000	444,000	(8,236,000)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(290,000)	2,352,000	(7,102,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 857,000	$ 2,796,000	$ (15,338,000)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.14	$ 0.47	$ (2.45)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.14	$ 0.47	$ (2.45)