The team behind Taco Mac and Mary Mac’s Tea Room acquired The Vortex in Midtown and Little Five Points. Co-owner Michael Benoit says he and his two siblings were ready to move on from the Atlanta burger and bar institution they’ve run for over 30 years.
Bone Garden Cantina, the Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard Mexican restaurant Benoit owns with his wife Kristen in Blandtown, and the Laughing Skull Lounge comedy club inside the Midtown location of the Vortex are not part of the deal.
“After more than 30 years in business, it started becoming clear to us that the bar and restaurant trade is really a younger person’s game,” Benoit says. “We’ve seen many bars and restaurants come and go over the years. And we’ve witnessed associates in the business simply close up shop when their run was over. I have always found the sudden closure of any establishment that has become a real, tangible part of people’s lives, to be a sad and melancholy affair.”
Rather than close permanently, Benoit says they began exploring options to keep the Vortex locations open and operating. That opportunity presented itself through a chance meeting with Taco Mac CEO Harold Martin, Jr.
This isn’t the first time the group behind Taco Mac has acquired a restaurant institution in Atlanta. Martin., Michael and John Michael Bodnar, and Bryan Rand, part of Fresh Hospitality, purchased Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Midtown from John Ferrell four years ago. Little has changed at the iconic Southern restaurant known for its fried chicken, other than renaming a dining room in memory of longtime Mary Mac’s employee Ellen Frarley, who died in 2020.
Martin and the Bodnars acquired Taco Mac in 2018 from Dallas-based CIC Partners. Martin was a regular patron at Taco Mac and Mary Mac’s before the purchases. He promised the Benoits that the legacy of the Vortex would be preserved, just as Martin and his partners had done with Mary Mac’s. During several lunch meetings at Mary Mac’s with Martin and his team, Benoit says he and his family were happy to find that the food, service, and atmosphere remained consistent after the restaurant’s acquisition.
“The new owners, a local group of restaurateurs who also own Taco Mac and Mary Mac’s Tea Room, are committed to acquiring and preserving Atlanta’s most iconic restaurants. They have a deep appreciation for The Vortex’s rich history and look forward to stewarding this iconic brand for generations to come” a statement provided to Rough Draft reads. “Patrons can expect the same commitment to quality, consistency, creativity, and community that has defined The Vortex for decades. The transition of ownership has been seamless, with operations continuing without interruption.”
Benoit and his siblings, Hank and Suzanne, opened the Vortex in 1992 after moving to Atlanta from Los Angeles. The Little Five Points location followed four years later. The Vortex is known for its 21 and up policy, divey atmosphere, and over-the-top burgers. The Triple Bypass burger comes with three beef patties, three fried eggs, 14 slices of American cheese, and ten slices of bacon. Two grilled cheese sandwiches serve as buns for the gargantuan burger.
“It goes without saying that we could never have accomplished all we have over the years without the help of our wonderful staff who have become like family to us,” says Benoit. “When Harold assured us that his goal was to preserve what we had built, we were happy and relieved. That’s when we realized that selling to Harold might be a viable solution to assure the future of The Vortex.”
The Vortex made news in 2019 when both locations became non-smoking. At the time, it was one of the few remaining restaurants in the city to allow smoking inside. Benoit conducted a month-long survey of 11,000 people regarding the Vortex’s smoking policy. Nearly 70% of the people polled were in favor of banning smoking inside. On February 1, 2019, the Vortex went non-smoking.
“Without [our fans’] continued support we simply could not have created the Atlanta institution that is The Vortex. We’re happy that the camaraderie among our people will continue,” Benoit adds. “Over the years our fans have continuously suggested that we open a Vortex location where they live. While I can’t speak for the new owners, I suppose there could be a chance of additional Vortex locations opening in the future. Who knows? Only time will tell.”
Update, Jan. 15: This story was updated with comments and new details about the sale of the Vortex from Michael Benoit.