Table Talk

By foodHO

November 16, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

when they opened they kicked a* but recently they have slacked off, quality was off, service was poor and who needs the attitude. they needed to step up to compete, but they got a bit comfy thinking they were the sh*t. sorry to see them go though.

By Mrs. Ashford-Dunwoody

November 16, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

It is a huge surprise to me. But only because, until this moment, I had never heard of this little place. Now, lordamighty, what are those poor Chastain-ers gonna do?

By Pink Sherbert

November 16, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

Well, after hearing this….glad hubby didn;t take that Sous Chef position. But I will miss their spicy shrimp stix.

By SHABONE

November 16, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

IT’S ONLY THE BEGINING, WITH THE ECONOMY SLOWING, THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE BUSINESS GOING OUT.

By Mikki

November 16, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

No loss in my opinion. They were extremely over-rated!

By LuvFood

November 16, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

I am going to miss this place! Its sad to see huge corporations like Whole Foods take over the competition! I’m gonna miss the Mac and Cheese and the red dot special after 9PM!!!

By bongo

November 16, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Have worked within walking distance of EatZi’s since it opened and have never thought much of it. Way too overpriced, the prepared food has always been bland and the attitude of the staff as well as the patrons was nauseating. As an Atlanta native and life long Buckhead resident, I knew it would not last. Adios, Ciao and goodbye poseurs!

By SA

November 16, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

I loved their salads but they always acted like you were disturbing them when you asked for service. I am going to miss the Avocado Jalapeno Ranch dressing.

By WALTER

November 16, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

I will miss this place one of the only good places in atl to go for carry out. Upscale food to go. maybe the prices were just to high for the average carry out consumer.

By harold

November 16, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

eatzies was okay but then about 6 months ago that place went in the toilet. bye bye and good riddance

By Greg

November 16, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

I enjoyed a few of the dishes at Eatzis but it was always VERY overpriced. Its a shame it went the way of the Harris Teeter that used to be the gourmet store over on Peachtree in Brookhaven. It was great then they changed format to be a neighborhood market instead of gourmet it closed in months.

By jcfromindy

November 16, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

On your way out, please take Mike Vick with you :)!!!!!! PEACE

By charles

November 16, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

My girlfriend and I are extremely surprised! We would travel from Candler Park to the Buckhead location because we loved the sushi and beautiful salads so much. Whole Foods does not compare!! A definite loss for the Atlanta community.

By CJ

November 16, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

This is so sad! EatZi’s has been a part of my life for the past 5 years, and it’s awful that they just closed without warning! What are we to do at Screen on the Green? I’m all for the addition of Trader Joe’s, but not if it’s squeezing out EatZi’s! Down with Whole Foods, and Fresh Market can beat it!

By one66

November 16, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

this is not good

By joe

November 16, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

Uh,,,who cares? Their food was mediocre and their prices were way too high. The help couldn’t care less; they could get another job tomorrow at WalMart and still get paid. Eatzi’s will NOT be missed.

By bonzo

November 16, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

No eulogy for this place. The service was non-existent and the servers were disnterested and surly. The food quality had slipped. For 11.99, you could get dried out meatloaf or chicken and a few veggies; frankly, the quality at Boston Market was better. The website notes that the Dallas and Chicago locations are still open.

By Stephanie

November 16, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe it! I loved Eatzi’s and had even turned my friends onto it. Nothing beat their rostisierre (?) chicken and yes the mac and cheese was off the hizzle. The only place I know where you could buy a bottle of good wine on Sunday and enjoy it wil friends. I am sad to see it go. I thought the yuppies would have made sure it stayed around for years to come. :-(

By garrett

November 16, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

what a shame, I’ll always remember as a young child in the ’50s going to eatzis with my parents. I knew this would happen when the democrats were elected.

By Sue

November 16, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

Where will MAry Alicia Stimpson Defrancis now?

By WestSider

November 16, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

They had decent food, but as with so many Atlanta establishments, their service was horrible. The last time I was there I had to ask their staff several times for plastic silverware, a cup for my drink, etc… The entitlement mentality of Atlanta food-service workers is really getting old! They need to realize that they are lucky to have a job and that the customers come first.

By Ashley

November 16, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Mary Alicia is my sister and I am really worried about where she will get her “perfect” caesar salad after a good work out at LA Fitness. This is tragic.

By bongo

November 16, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Uhmmm…”buy a bottle of good wine on SUNDAY”??? Gee Stephanie, maybe that’s why it closed. Selling wine on Sunday is illegal.

By Chris

November 16, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

We used to go all the time, but stopped about 6 months ago after a couple of bad experiences. I even contacted a manager about one and never got a response. When we decided to give it one final try last night, they only had the barest amount of food. We expressed our frustration and the employees told us they all got sacked that morning and weren’t preparing anything new to replace what they ran out of. When we got home, our food was pretty ho-hum. You could tell that staff was just going through the motions in making it, but in truth it had been that way for months. That said, I wasn’t surprised they were closing. Every time I went in after Whole Foods and Fresh Market opened, there were fewer and fewer customers.

By Steve

November 16, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

My wife is going to be so ticked off.

By truedrew

November 16, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Granted I hadn’t patronized Eatzi’s recently, but as I recall you couldn’t get in the Buckhead store with a shoehorn after 5:00. What happened? The prices notwithstanding, I’ve never seen the selection of prepared items at either Whole Foods or Fresh Market that could match Eatzi’s.

By Techie

November 16, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

For those of us who work in Buckhead, this was the only place to get a decent lunch. Where will we go now? The Lenox foodcourt? I don’t think so.

I expect a run on brown bags at the grocery store.

Eatzi’s sandwiches were great, even the pre-made ones, and reasonably priced. The rotisserie chicken and mac & cheese was a treat. The sushi was good for those who like that kind of thing. Unfortunately, those cases of food were always FULL, and after lunch time, especially around dinner time, the place was EMPTY.

For those of us who work in Buckhead, Eatzi’s will be missed.

By jpop379

November 16, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

eat-zee noo-a-major loss-a!

By Stinky Sullivan

November 16, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

This is bad news. I can’t even begin to think about all the females I picked up at that place.

Dang!

Winks at the thick sistas, sS

By Danzelle

November 16, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

The Truth is that ALL Eatzi’s are closing . The stores in Georgia and Texas received a phone call on Wednesday stating “That all the stores will be closing as of Nov. 16, 2006 and the corporate office in Dallas, TX will be closing on Friday.” What is going on? Is there treason within the Company? How could nobody not know a thing about what is going on at any office?
Hey, let’s all call the following people to find out what’s going on :

Cliff Smith, CEO of Eazti’s ( edited), Gary Evans, CFO of Eatzi’s (edited)

These two people make a ton of money and the people who work at the store level make every little money. How could you, wait just days before Thanksgiving to tell these people that you have no job and everything is in the mail including your Final Paycheck?

Will these employees receive their final paychecks, which are claimed to be mailed out on Friday, thru the U.S. Postal Service?

The corporate office has done everything undercover to keep the store employees in the dark.

I wish all the Employees the Best and hope that dispute the wrongful why The Eatzi’s Corporation handled things. And for the District Managers and upper level staff hope you feel nice and toasty when you get your paycheck and BONUS CHECKS Merry Christmas and SEE EVERYONE AT THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE.

I’LL be the one with the EATZI’S SHIRT selling my BONUS of Coffee and Pies out front.

There was no comment coming from the big bosses in Texas.

By Lola

November 16, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

My husband pulled a penny-sized spider out of a sandwich he got at the Buckhead Eatzies. I liked their food but it was just a little too foo-foo for my tastes.

Shabone, why don’t you actually learn about our booming economy before you make comments like that which do nothing but confirm ignorance on the topic? This closing had nothing to do with the economy and everything to do with a bad business model.

By RK

November 16, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

I loved EatZi’s for one thing — it was the first place that I could find the wonderful Spanish ham, jamon serrano.

At least I can get it at the DeKalb Farmer’s Market, now, but that’s a special trip…

By Michael

November 16, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Truthfully, I only enjoyed the salads and even that was dependend on it being made by Jay. She’ll be missed more than anything else!

By ChrisD

November 16, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Ummm, there’s just more important things going on in the world. As fat as Americans are, they’re apparently having no trouble finding something else to eat.

By ChrisD

November 16, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

The economy’s not slowing you Shabone. That is, unless the Democrats start doing something stupid like raising taxes.

By JPG

November 16, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

I will forever miss the bone bread subs. Nothing like ordering a 4 inch sub and walking away with enought food for three people.

By ALO

November 16, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

I AM SO DISAPOINTED!!Our office would often order lunch from EatZis and loved it!! I just moved closer to the Perimeter location and looked forward to grabbing quick tasty dinners there as well! Now where I am I to go? Target or Wal-Mart super center? I DON’T think so!!

By youseff

November 16, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

got to agree - some of the food was good, and loved the sandwich bar in the back, but what was with the attitude? they always acted like you were interrupting them when you asked for help….

By HFD

November 16, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

These places face extreme competition because they all locate in the same vicinities in North Atlanta, go after the same limited markets and refuse to open outlets south of I-20. Other examples of this short sightedness are Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Fresh Markets. As a result the business they receive from folks in South Metro is limited due to the drive. Sooner or later a trailblazer will buck so called conventional wisdom, realize every-one’s money is green and make a killing in South Metro. The money and the demand is there corporate pencil pushers just aren’t wise enough to go after it.

By H_Charles

November 16, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Where are all the Buckhead yuppies gonna pick up their dinners after working out at LA Fitness?

Sad for them, no loss for everyone else. Food was not good enough to justifiy the high price, and quality has suffered in recent years anyway.

By chompchomp

November 16, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

I am going to open a new place in Dorkkhead called BeatZ Me. It will feature cardboard sandwiches in a shoebox that sell for $19.95. I will make a killing.

By DALLAS-TX

November 16, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

I live in Dallas and called my wife about this article. Because I’m here visiting Atlanta and was going there tonight to get dinner. My wife and I live for this place in Dallas it’s the best. And every time I’m in Atlanta I eat there. All of you will be greatly missed.

The AJC is the Only paper reporting on this.

And to Danzzelle, WAY TO GO! You always made the best Zappucino! Badbreak to find this out on your Vaction. Call me or my wife when you get back, my company has a job for you.

By Jay H.

November 16, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

SHABONE, the economy is not slowing down. YOU are slowing down. Indicators don’t lie, economy is booming, and will until min. wage gets elevated (stupid !).

By Arturo Blanco

November 16, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this

LOLA-

What do mean by bad business model? I’m not picking, I’m curious - what did they do wrong? Because it did always seem like they were busy. Do you have any info?

By fly me

November 16, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

It’s U.S. Airways Fault !!!!

By 97Devil

November 16, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

it was a great concept, but I never thought the food was that great….

Would work better in a big city, like NYC me thinks….

By Mark Glazer

November 16, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Harris-Teeter, come back!

By Mark Glazer

November 16, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Harris-Teeter, come back, please!!

By Mark Glazer

November 16, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Harris-Teeter, come back, PLEASE!!!!

By Paul

November 16, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

Good ridance. I hope more businesses close and more people go bankrupt, maybe then we’ll get some frocking traffic relief.

By Demorat

November 16, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

Democrats get control of government and Eatzi’s closes, coincidence? Just wait till they start raising taxes, then all you lemmings that couldn’t afford to eat there anway, really won’t be able to afford anything!

By Skully

November 16, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

Call me crazy….but I always liked Whole Foods better anyway. Bigger selection, more fun foods….thankfully I placed my Thanksgiving order with Whole Foods and not eatzis…..

By c2w3

November 16, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

With no advertising or marketing to differenciate EatZi’s from Whole Foods and Fresh Market, it’s inevetiable!

Sad to see it go, though….

CW3

By Gus

November 16, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

Eatzis always gave me the S*&tzis anyway!

By Reality Check

November 16, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

Whole foods is a complete rip off! I love the lemming nature of you Atlantans. Harry’s has been around for years and Fresh Market even longer and they are both much better than Whole Foods. Meat and Fish in particular and most everything else from whole foods is imported and discount prices and then sold to you, the Atlanta lemming for 5X the cost. They have a great business model, pull up there financials and look a ther cost of goods sold and then revenue - shocking. And thanks to lemmings like Skully there revenues keep growing!

By JustMe

November 16, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

Sad….up until a couple of weeks ago, my office was right around the corner from the Perimeter location. I enjoyed treating myself once in a while to a meal or just something out of the desert case. Yes, they were overpriced and the staff acted as if they thought they were too good to be working there. Kind of surprising, and where will we get our picnic munchies for Chastain next summer now?

By wayfields food

November 16, 2006 06:50 PM | Link to this

who cares I shop at Wayfields

By By--Loves "really" good food

November 16, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

It was love at first sight—short lived! Quality changed rapidly. Not one special order EVER came out right! Yes, yes, yes, but nobody ever really cared. WHAT WILL THE SCALLION GROWERS DO NOW? Everything was overkill with all the awful scallions, mayo and oil!!! Will miss the BONE BREAD!!Bring on Trader Joe’s or Zabar’s from New York. City!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By sickasadog

November 17, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

GOOD RIDDANCE I USED TO GO THERE ALL THE TIME FOR THE SANDWICHES BUT GOT FOOD POISONING FROM ONE AND THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY SWORE UP AND DOWN THAT IT WASNT THE SANDWICH WHEN I KNOW IT WAS

By Chef

November 17, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

I have one word for all you spoiled rich people: WAAAHHHH! Get off your butts, dust off your $7000.00 Viking range with custom stainless steel hood, read the instructions to figure out to use it, go to Kroger, buy some food, and COOK IT!

By Thinkn of Othrs

November 17, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

i liked Eatzi’s. However, giving employees no notice that they are losing their jobs before the holidays was very cruel and speaks volumes about the company. The decision was made weeks ago to stop food deliveries, etc. I am sure. We should boycott other businesses in that chain and other employees should plan their exit.

By Debbie

November 17, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this

Bye, bye Basil Lemonade and fresh tossed salads for two (and fresh bread samples dipped in olive oil)! I’ll miss you Eatzi’s!

By T

November 17, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

I LOVED EatZi’s!! I live in North Carolina and whenever I came to ATL to visit my family there, I made sure we visited once or twice during my stay!

I am so sad to see it go!! It will be missed!

By Bham fan

November 17, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

Little did I know I was having my last meal of half chicken w/mac and cheese last Friday nite! Always looked forward to Eatzi’s when visiting my friends in Atlanta. Its been a tradition for us since 2000. I hope the company makes some consessions for their employees at this abrupt closing.

By DecaturVol

November 17, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

It’s pretty absurd to think the democrats have anything to do with the closing of this store. If that were the case, don’t you think the stock market would also be down? In case you haven’t noticed, it’s been doing very well since last Tuesday. It’s a bit early to start blaming the democrats I think.

In the restaurant business, the bottom line all comes back to controlling waste. EatZi’s just didn’t do a good job of that.

By Greg

November 17, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

By Reality Check

November 16, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

Whole foods is a complete rip off! I love the lemming nature of you Atlantans. Harry’s has been around for years and Fresh Market even longer and they are both much better than Whole Foods.

UMM REALITY CHECK, guess who owns Harrys???? WHOLE FOODS does. they bought it out years ago. So if you love harrys, you love whole foods.

By dee

November 17, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

Whole Foods doesn’t compare to EatZi’s! Also, don’t ever send an email to Whole Foods’ corporate office unless you want to be ignored.

By Wooleybare

November 17, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

been going to eatzis since they opened. yes, the prices were a bit high, but the food was difference from other places and it was very convenient for an on the spur cocktail party or dinner. however, prices began to go up …quite unreasonably!!! and service and quality also suffered. (the chicken and mac and cheese were still good tho!!) I think they just got too greedy.

I quit shopping Fresh Market shortly after it opened….horrible takeout. hope their food quality has improved, and Whole Foods…good but too, too overpriced (hate what they did to Harry’s).

guess ill go back to cooking at home!!!

By Kathy Quiggins

November 17, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

I worked at eatZi’s for six years. There were a great group of people working there. It’s sort of like leaving behind Cheers. Buckhead is going to miss us. Hire an X-eatZi’s employee-you’ll be glad you did.

By Rich

November 17, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

I for one will miss Eatzis. Whole Foods is disgusting. Their 110% all natural organic hemp dolphin-safe food has everything but flavor. I’d rather sit out in their parking lot and chew on a piece of sod than negotiate that self-serve bar.

By Carolynn

November 17, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

I hope Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s takes this location because it’s a prime spot for an upscale grocery shop!

By glenn

November 17, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

Whole Foods is the culprit and for “reality check”, I believe Whole Foods owns Harry’s.

By Leslie in MD

November 17, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

All eatZis across the country have closed. I frequented the one in Rockville MD for the last five years because it was next-door to my work. At first it was great, then all I can say is dittos about the decline in quality, and service and the increase in prices. I loved their tomato basil sauce though - Wish I could get a similar recipe.

By DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE

November 17, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this

Hello to all out there, I worked there until the end and I WAS NOT NOTIFIED of the store closing until the minute that I walked through the door. Thank you to all managment that decided to notify me of the closing. The business was going down hill for some time now. To anyone that is reading this, I am gladly open for offers for the holidays if anyone has an opening in their kitchens. I am a culinary grad and have catering experience.

By Miq

November 20, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this

What can we do to let Eatzi’s know we want them BACK in the ATL? Yes, I’ll miss them, and no Whole Foods is NO substitute. Sad Sad Sad.

By Courtney

November 21, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

I don’t live in GA anymore but everytime I came back, Eatzi’s was the first place I went to. I’m devastated. The prices were high but the quality was worth every penny. Not to mention you could find items that you couldn’t anywhere else. I loved the fact that it was a one stop shop. Whole Foods does NOT compare!!

By Sue

November 21, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

Need recipes from Eatzis! Ambrosia or lemon white chocolate cookies,wild rice cranberry salad, pasta basil sundried tomoato salad - all of the wonderful prepared salads for take out will be missed! So sad…..

By KEVIN

November 22, 2006 08:05 AM | Link to this

ITS REALLY AMAZING SEEING HOW BLIND THE PEOPLE CAN BE. I WORKED IN THE HOUSTON STORE FOR SIX YEARS, MY BABY WAS TURNED INTO S** BY INVESTORS, THEY ARE NOTHING LESS THAN MONEY HUNGRY IDIOTS WHO MAKE EVERY DECISION ON MONEY AND BUSINESS NOT ON CULINARY EXCELLENCE. NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE CUT…LABOR, QUALITY RAW INGREDIENTS, TRAINING, EMPLOYEE CARE, AND MOST OF ALL CULTURE. MAYBE NOW THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE THEFT OR THE WASTE, IT WAS SH^&%&** UPPER MANAGEMENT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT FOOD AND WHO TRIED TO USE A NON FOOD COMPUTER SYSTEM TO RUN THE PLACE CASTANZA PARTNERS YOU GOT WHAT YOU DESERVE AND YES! DROPPING THE NEWS ON MY FELLOW, PAST COWORKERS SHOW JUST WHAT PEOPLE YOU ARE….AND THEN YOU ARE TO SMALL DOWN THERE TO EVEN GIVE A PRESS RELEASE. GOOD WORK DIANE AND TO ALL WHO RAN AND WERE TO SMALL TO SAY ANYTHING TO THE MEDIA. YING AND YANG, GOD PUNISHES THE EVIL.

By steph pardue

November 22, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

no loss at all. whole foods is much better. eatzi’s was SO SLACK the past 6 months. they didn’t care at all. I SAY GOOD BYE!!! (i will miss the easy bake cookies though.)

By QA

November 27, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

Very sad, another choice taken away. I wish they would bring back Big Star, the A&P, Bruno’s and Harris Teeter. Not fond of the Publix domination. There are more Publix in Atlanta than Starbucks. I’m not a Whole Food fan either. I don’t like to smell Pachuli when I’m shopping for food.

By KB

November 28, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

I think the food was decent, although overpriced. I think the bottom line here is that corporate didn’t care about their customers or employees. This was evident by the way they handled the sudden closing with no explanation. And what is 30% off anyway ? Most stores offer 50% or more when truly going out of business !! Just goes to show they only cared about the bottom line !

By Mary

November 30, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

Don’t fret all you gourmet addicts - A local caterer, Masterpiece Events, is opening a Take-away Gourmet Shop on Winters Chapel Road at the beginning of next year - sometime in early January.