In this week’s Quick Bites, get updates on an opening in Smyrna, closures in Buckhead and West Midtown, a Buc-ee’s trademark infringement lawsuit, and a pop-up becoming a restaurant in East Atlanta Village. We’ve also got intel on a $10,000 martini served in Decatur and Alpharetta, along with dining events like Black Restaurant Week, a cookbook club and potluck supper in Summerhill, and a benefit in West End.
Happy Birthday, Manuel’s Tavern!
Manuel’s Tavern celebrates 70 years in Poncey-Highland with a multi-day event starting today through August 9. Expect food specials and an exclusive 70th anniversary T-shirt for sale. Catch live performances by Seed and Feed Marching Abominable, The Four O’Clocks, and a one-man circus act on stilts. Read Beth’s story on Manuel’s Tavern and its ties to local politics.
Openings
Riverline Coffee opened in Smyrna. The shop will host a grand opening celebration on Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Cheesecake Factory opened a location at The Collection at Forsyth in Cumming.
Closings
Gusto! closed on 17th Street, as first reported by Tomorrow’s News Today.
Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft in Buckhead closed after 16 years this week, according to WSB-TV. The restaurant is owned by Chef DeeDee Niyomkul and the Niyomkul family’s Tamarind Restaurant Group, the group behind Nan Thai Fine Dining in Midtown and Buckhead.
Temporary closings
Smorgasburg Atlanta is going on summer break and will reopen Sept. 12.
Adam J’s Grilled Cheese in the Pittsburgh neighborhood will go on hiatus next week as the owners of the food truck and catering business decide its next steps. Look for Adam J’s to reopen on Aug. 14.
Coming attractions
Filipino pop-up Zarate Tiki Co. will open as a restaurant in East Atlanta Village, What Now Atlanta reports.
East Coast pizzeria chain &pizza will open a location at The Interlock on Howell Mill Road in September. The area currently features five pizzerias: Emmy Squared, Johnny’s, Antico, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s. Local pizzeria and restaurant Humble Pie closed in 2025 at The Interlock. Slim + Husky’s closed a year earlier just up the street at the corner of 11th and Howell Mill Road.
Community announcements
Sammy’s in Adair Park introduced a community mailbox where customers can submit feedback, doodles, hot takes, and spontaneous notes. Owners Jason Furst and Chef Sam Pinner will open the mailbox once a month for a community reading.
Atlanta Harvest is currently hiring farmers market associates to join its Sunday crew.
Buc-ee’s gets litigious
Buc-ee’s filed a lawsuit against a North Georgia mini mart chain for trademark infringement. According to Atlanta News First, the Texas-based travel center chain is suing Teddy’s Market over its smiley teddy bear logo donned in a blue ball cap and jacket, saying it closely resembles Buc-ee’s red-ball-cap-wearing beaver. Buc-ee’s also takes aim at the name Teddy’s, arguing the similarity of the names is likely to cause confusion among consumers. The owners of Teddy’s called the lawsuit “overzealous, groundless, and bad-faith trademark litigation.” Meanwhile, Buc-ee’s is also pursuing legal action against Beaver’s Mini Mart in Beavercreek, Ohio, over its smiley (unclothed) cartoon beaver logo.
Inc.com reports that Buc-ee’s has filed 27 similar lawsuits against small businesses across the country, prompting late-night talk show host John Oliver to dare Buc-ee’s to sue him and his show for trademark infringement. In a recent segment on “Last Week Tonight,” Oliver reintroduced seven-foot-tall squirrel mascot Mr. Nutterbutter, which was first created in 2017 as a parody bit for the show targeting former coal executive Bob Murray. Murray filed an unsuccessful defamation suit against Oliver’s show and HBO over the Mr. Nutterbutter segment.
Say what?
Let them drink diamonds? Roaring Social in Decatur and Alpharetta and Solomon Brothers Jewelers have collaborated on The Roaring Jewel, a $10,000 martini (yes, you read that right) made with Beluga Gold Line vodka and garnished with beluga caviar and a 5-carat-diamond, 14-karat-gold tennis necklace, valued at $11,700 MSRP. The martini also comes with a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Champagne Le Réserve, a marquee sign, and sparklers to document the conspicuous consumption of said martini for all posterity on Instagram.
Add to your calendar
Atlanta Black Restaurant Week runs through Aug. 16. Check out the restaurant lineup here.
Press Shop and Halfway Crooks Beer in Summerhill will host a cookbook club potluck on Aug. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. This month’s theme is Gulf Coast cuisine.
Buckhead Butcher Shop will host a customer appreciation day on Aug. 14, from noon to 6 p.m. Expect complimentary chef-prepared dishes, product tastings, giveaways, and an opportunity to meet the butchers and culinary team. Cash bar.
ASW Whiskey Exchange and Stave Room will host Taste of Generosity: Atlanta on Aug. 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. Expect chef-prepared food and tastings from more than 20 beverage partners, along with live and silent auctions. Proceeds will go toward the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. $175 per person.
Hapeville’s Downtown Live Summer concert series and Jess Lucas Y-Teen Park will host Downtown Live: Wings & Strings on Aug. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. Look for a performance from Donovan Fuller and wings from local vendors.
