In the Feb. 26 edition of Quick Bites, get the scoop on Atlanta’s latest restaurant openings, adjusted hours at one of Decatur’s best coffee shops, and a relocation update on R. Thomas Deluxe Grill’s beloved tropical birds, Ruby, Peaches, and Cream. We also share an update on iconic Athens restaurateur Dexter Weaver’s retirement. The building, now sold, was home to one of northeast Georgia’s most famous soul food restaurants. Enjoying your food was an honor, sir. Automatic!
Openings
A new Whataburger location opened in Johns Creek this week.
Common Coffee & Cocktails is now open on Buford Highway in Doraville.
Closings
Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods in Athens closed last week, according to Flagpole. The soul food restaurant is best known for founder Dexter Weaver’s slogan, “Automatic for the People,” which Athens-based alt-rock band R.E.M. adopted as an album title in 1992. Weaver, now 72, opened the restaurant in 1986 and will retire. The restaurant received an America’s Classics designation from the James Beard Foundation in 2007. Local restaurateur Joe Nezda purchased the building and plans to open something new there.
Gula Indonesian Desserts in Doraville is temporarily closed while the Ariesandi family visits Indonesia. The cafe will reopen March 14 at 11 a.m.
Restaurant updates
R. Thomas Deluxe Grill finally addressed its temporary closure on social media this week. Earlier this month, the restaurant suddenly closed and dismissed its longtime employees. A sign placed on the door revealed the closure will last through March 19 while the restaurant undergoes renovations and system upgrades.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and [truly] appreciate your understanding,” an Instagram post read. “These improvements will allow us to serve you better [and] enhance your overall experience.” A subsequent post revealed the restaurant’s famous trio of tropical birds are waiting out the renovations at Fancy Feathers in Norcross.
R. Thomas has yet to comment on whether employees laid off during the renovation will return to work in March or if the Buckhead restaurant will hire new staff members.
Over in Decatur, starting March 1, Opo Coffee will open on Sundays. Opo’s Sunday hours will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Congratulations to Dunwoody’s NFA Burger, which won the South Beach Food & Wine Festival’s Burger Bash this year! Hosted by Rachael Ray, judges included Gayle King. Watch founder Billy Kramer win here.
Menu changes
Momonoki in Midtown recently launched build-your-own ramen Tuesdays. The customizable menu starts at $13 and allows a choice of broth, noodles, one type of protein, and three types of vegetables. Add-ons such as cheese pork katsu ($5.50) and ramen eggs ($1.50 each) are also available.
5Church in Midtown now offers a $16 weekday lunch deal. It includes a choice of soda, iced tea, or coffee.
Coming attractions
Que-Riosity by Chef Todd Richards will open in McDonough this spring.
San Francisco Coffee’s new location at Loria Ansley will open this spring. Stay tuned for a story on San Francisco Coffee’s history and legacy in Atlanta.
MilkShake Factory’s newest metro Atlanta location opens March 7 in Roswell. It joins locations in Cumming and Milton. The new location will celebrate with a free grand opening event from noon to 4 p.m. that includes a buy one, get one free offer on shakes, sundaes, and molten cups. The first 100 guests will receive free MilkShake Factory t-shirts.
Shake Shack will open its first drive-thru location in Athens next week.
Philadelphia-based chain Spread Bagelry will open its first Atlanta location in Buckhead this March.
Whoopsie’s, Pure Quill Superette, and Rising Son owner Hudson Rouse will open Babygirl in East Lake this spring. According to an Instagram announcement, the restaurant will open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
With this summer’s World Cup matches on the horizon, a number of hotels are opening in downtown Atlanta. Those include the Moxy Downtown, which opens March 26 and brings Eggslut and rooftop bar Jagger Suite to the neighborhood, and the JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown, which did “a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta hotel.”
Add to your calendar
Enso Izakaya in Avondale Estates will host live jazz nights with Yuichi Arai San on Feb. 26, March 5, and March 19.
Your 3rd Spot and Planetary Rum will host a tiki night Feb. 27, from 8 to 11 p.m. The event will feature guided tasting stations, a Planetary Rum tasting, a custom syrup studio, a Mai Tai lab where guests can build personalized cocktails, and more. Tickets are $40 for members and $60 for non-members and include a $10 token for food.
On Feb. 28, Omakase 1678 in Brookhaven will host local direct-to-consumer matcha company Oohmami Matcha for a pop-up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dhaba BBQ and Umbrella Bar are collaborating for a Holi and Seoul event at Ponce City Market East March 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. Expect cocktails and dishes like yuzu lemon pepper masala and tandoori sesame wings, crispy tots with kimchi pulled butter chicken and chaat masala gochujang paneer, and kathi rolls with tikka soy pulled pork.
At Epicurean Atlanta in Midtown, the hotel’s demonstration kitchen will host Coffee Connoisseur for a tasting on March 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. The tasting explores coffee, brewing techniques, flavor profiles, and preparation methods. Tickets are $40.