PORTAGE | From the outside, no one could tell an early morning fire Saturday has destroyed the interior of the popular HotorNot restaurant.

But inside, said head chef Jim Fassinger, it is a different story

"It is a total loss inside," Fassinger said Monday, speaking on behalf of owner Judy Joll.

Fassinger said kitchen appliances such as microwaves were melted together into clumps. The food was destroyed as were high end wines and beer from some 50 microbreweries served from the restaurant at the corner of Mulberry Avenue and Willowdale Road.

Plans now, said Fassinger, are to restore the restaurant.

"Judy has no quit in her. She is determined to overcome this," said Fassinger, adding they have been working with the insurance company Monday to determine the financial aspect of the losses.

The fire broke out around 8 a.m. Saturday in the kitchen. It was struck in about a half hour.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bucy said Monday the fire has been ruled accidental. The cause was electrical, traced to a fluorescent light ballast in the kitchen area.

A man who lived in the apartment above the restaurant escaped without injury.

Joll has owned the restaurant for about 12 years. It featured a mixture of American, Cajun and Creole cuisine and was well known for its Mardi Gras celebration each year. It also featured live music Friday and Saturday nights and, said Fassinger, most recently began hosting an "exposure night" on Wednesdays to feature new musicians.

The restaurant has also been the site of numerous fund-raising events over the years.