What do the Varsity, Taqueria del Sol and the Buckhead Life restaurant group have in common? Aside from operating some of the most recognizable restaurants in Atlanta, all three of these companies have decided to restart takeout service this week. The statewide ban on in-person dining was officially lifted on Monday, but these operators opted not to open their dining rooms to the public yet.
Taqueria del Sol, which shut down two weeks ago in anticipation of the peak of coronavirus infections in Atlanta, restarted its takeout program on April 28. Orders can be placed over the phone or in-person and the taco chain is limiting the number of customers allowed inside each location.
On April 29, the Varsity announced that it would reopen all of its locations for takeout after fully closing for nearly a month. Each of the Varsity’s locations outside of the Atlanta perimeter will be drive-through only, while the iconic North Avenue restaurant offers drive-in and walk-up service. All locations have shortened their hours. They operate 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily.
The Buckhead Life restaurant group also reopened its Atlanta restaurants for takeout Wednesday as part of a strategy to open dining rooms in the near future. The group, which operates seven upscale restaurants around the city, has begun takeout service as it reworks kitchen operations and trains staff on following new state guidelines for in-person dining. Buckhead Life president Niko Karatassos said that the group hopes to be open by the middle of next week, but that reopening dining rooms will be a process staggered over a period of several days.
<< RELATED: These metro Atlanta restaurants are reopening for dining as coronavirus restrictions are lifted
As dining restrictions loosened for Georgia restaurants this week, some food service operators reopened their dining rooms and patios for sit-down service. Numerous restaurants planned to reopen for dine-in service Friday, including Original Hot Dog Factory, salad chain Salata, Ray’s on the River, Ray’s at Killer Creek, and all Landry’s restaurants in Georgia. Landry’s concepts include Chart House in Savannah, Del Frisco Double Eagle Steakhouse in Dunwoody, Del Frisco Grille and the Palm in Buckhead, Joe’s Crab Shack in Morrow and Savannah, Morton's The Steakhouse in Atlanta, McCormick & Schmick’s in downtown Atlanta, The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Midtown.
More dining news from the week:
Nuts 'n Berries, the Atlanta health food store, is opening a second location in the space formerly occupied by Rainbow Natural Foods in Decatur. With the new location, the Nuts 'n Berries leadership team is expanding their business while continuing the legacy of the longstanding community grocer. "We intend to keep the hometown store alive, and are honored to have the opportunity to serve the Decatur community by reviving the famous vegan hot bar and offering full-service organic produce and grocery," said Mari Geier, co-owner of Nuts 'n Berries, in a prepared statement. Geier and co-owner Kevin Parker expect the new location to open this summer. Learn more at nutsnberries.com.
Former Bachelorette and Atlanta native Andi Dorfman will be cooking on Instagram live tonight. The former lawyer and reality TV star will be making a pizza with a cauliflower crust thanks to a deal with Caulipower, which makes frozen pizzas with cauliflower and gluten-free crusts. Dorfman will add her favorite toppings and share a coupon code for discounts on Caulipower products in the 15-minute live streaming segment called Caulipower and Chill. Watch live on May 1 at 8 p.m. on Dorfman's Instagram, @andi_dorfman.
Though many Atlanta farmers markets are finding a way to connect farmers with consumers despite coronavirus concerns, a local soup company is bringing the market to customers' doorsteps. Local soup company Mad Mama Gourmet has launched a CSA-style delivery program called Mad Mama's Must-Haves, a weekly produce box filled with proprietor Amy Smith's favorite fresh food and products. Customers can shop and preorder produce online, select a delivery method or pickup location, and receive a curated crate of food each week. Subscriptions are also available. Learn more and order at madmamagourmet.com or call 404-668-6881.
Missing Superica's brunch? Chef Ford Fry's Tex-Mex chain is now offering breakfast tacos and hotcakes on weekend takeout menus at its Avalon, Buckhead and Krog Street Market locations. Quantities will be limited, but customers can place orders online. Pickup is available starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings only. Learn more and place orders at order.superica.com.
Local restaurant group and catering operation Fifth Group is inviting customers into its dining rooms - in a virtual sense. The group has released Zoom backgrounds of each of its restaurant dining rooms, so users of the popular video chat app can make themselves appear to be sitting in a restaurant like Ecco Midtown, South City Kitchen or La Tavola. Get the backgrounds and learn how to use them at fifthgroup.com.
With another way to support local farms, Cooks & Soldiers has introduced a new takeout dinner options this weekend called "Support Our Farmers Supper." The meals are avaiable to order online Friday through Sunday only and 50% of all proceeds will benefit the Georgia Organics Farmer Fund. To see the menu and order the meal, visit cooksandsoliders.com.
Don't miss out on Cinco de Mayo this coming Tuesday - check out our list of five ways to celebrate, including make-at-home taco kits.
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