The first Taco Mac in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood has closed after 46 years of wings, applause, and exciting sporting events.
This was a major part of Atlanta’s sports bar culture, thus for many residents, it was more than just another pub closing.
As the firm continues to modernize its footprint and enter new regions, Taco Mac’s leadership views this as more of a new chapter than a farewell. However, it’s a difficult pill to swallow for residents who have been visiting N. Highland and Virginia since 1979.
Local hangout, according to a franchise legend
It swiftly became a local institution after beginning as a peculiar neighborhood watering establishment in the late 1970s. Long before flat screens and craft beer were commonplace, Taco Mac ignited a revolution in sports bars.
Long before every chain restaurant and bar served Buffalo-style wings, Taco Mac was a pioneer in introducing them to Atlanta.
Crowds were drawn not only by the food but also by the laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere, the welcoming staff who remembered your favorite beer, and, of course, the wall-to-wall TVs showing every game imaginable.
As time went on, Taco Mac expanded into a 28-location juggernaut, extending its reach throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. However, it all began in the Virginia-Highland site.
Closing the old location was not a hasty choice. The closure is a part of a larger plan to emphasize on newer, contemporary restaurants that better reflect today’s guest expectations, according to Taco Mac’s leadership, which includes CEO Harold Martin.
The decision to close the Virginia-Highland location was difficult since, despite its sentimental worth, the space itself wasn’t meeting the brand’s changing design and experience aspirations.
All of the Virginia-Highland restaurant’s staff members received job offers at other local sites, according to Taco Mac.
What distinguished Taco Mac Virginia-Highland from other sports bars?
Taco Mac’s initial location consistently stood out in a city full of sports bars, and not only because it was the first.
Regulars fell in love with the wings, which came with an overwhelming array of sauces and rubs that inspired a lifelong devotion (and a few fiery dares).
Read Also: TD Bank Shutting Down Dozens of Branches Next Month: Full List of Affected States
It was one of the city’s first advocates of Georgia’s flourishing craft beer sector because of its more than 100 taps of craft and local beers.
And it was the notorious Brewniversity loyalty program, where beer enthusiasts accumulated points, advanced through the ranks, and gained bragging rights as well as beer gear.
Taco Mac became a reputation because of its atmosphere more than its cuisine or beer. If your best buddy had 30 TVs, a recipe for amazing wings, and a Sunday party habit, the space would have felt like their living room.
Neon signs, old beer advertisements, and enough sports memorabilia to fill a museum were adorning the walls.
In short, even as the brand grew, it had a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that you can’t replicate or franchise. Even though Virginia-Highland is saying goodbye to Taco Mac, the area isn’t going dark.
The business announced that it will soon transform the space into Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, adding a fresh taste to the community.
Taco Mac shut down its long-running Lindbergh store in 2021, citing safety concerns as the cause of the shutdown after 15 years of operation. The Decatur location on West Ponce de Leon Avenue similarly completed its 22-year run in 2023, two years later.
Since 2018, Taco Mac has been run by Fresh Hospitality, a company led by Harold Martin, Jr., a native of Atlanta and CEO.
They also acquired Mary Mac’s Tea Room in 2020, taking it from John Ferrell, who had run the renowned restaurant for more than 25 years, so it’s not their only southern gem.
I suppose you could say that Harold Martin, Jr. has a talent for maintaining a combination of sweet and spicy cuisine in Atlanta.
