Many of Atlanta's historical buildings have been demolished as the city moved from a mid-sized city to a metropolis. Along the way, some of Atlanta's buildings have been repurposed from fuel and service stations into the city's modern restaurants and bars. Your favorite spot may have once been a gas station!
Diesel Filling Station (870 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA) – Now known as the come-as-you-are dive bar that hosts the ultimate The Walking Dead viewing parties, Diesel started life as a Pure Oil filling station.
Menu Pick: Jalapeno and cheddar stuffed pretzel with Mexi ranch.
Brake Pad (3403 Main St, College Park, GA) – Before converting to a restaurant 15 years ago, the building that houses Brake Pad was long known as the "College Park Service Station" no matter what brand gasoline was sold as far back as the 1920s. After its gas station days were over, the building served as a hair salon and, rumor has it, there was a brothel in the basement.
Menu Pick: Brake Pad Burger with cheddar, smoked bacon and jalapenos.
Leon's Full Service (131 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA) – It's been a gas station and an antiques store but now it's a neighborhood hot spot featuring a laid back atmosphere, plenty of options for those who choose to imbibe and a bocce court.
Menu Pick: Grab a pint (or two or three) from their the extensive local brew list.
Ria's Bluebird Café (421 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA) – The former service station on the corner of Memorial Drive and Cherokee Avenue SE was a Gulf station during the days when the Atlanta trolley had a route down the street in the mid-1900s.
Menu Pick: Pancakes, any variety.
PURE Taqueria (103 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA) – Built in 1927 by the Pierce family, the original PURE fuel oil station that now houses the taqueria has been a restaurant since 2005. The original stone building was used as a general store and a residence.
Menu Pick: Prickly Pear Margarita
Taqueria del Sol (359 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA) – It's pretty obvious event to the random passerby that Taqueria del Sol's Decatur location is in a former gas station. Did you know that their Athens restaurant is as well? It is. Their Westside location, despite its appearance, is not.
Menu Pick: Tacos -- chicken or carnitas.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers (1842 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA) – It started life as a service station then was a wash and repair business before being turned into one of Atlanta's favorite burger joints in 2010.
Menu Pick: Crinkle cut French fries with chili and cheese.
YEAH! Burger (1017 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA) – Not that long ago, YEAH! Burger's Virginia Highland location was a working vehicle detailing business. When the restaurant moved in 2010 they made over the space and opened as the brand's second location.
Menu Pick: Deep fried vegetables- cauliflour, Brussels sprouts or pickles
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