Tuesday, January 3, 2023

[CLOSURE ALERT] Roswell Residents Will Have to Travel Further for "Brewniversity"

Taco Mac has closed its restaurant on Holcomb Bridge Road in "East Roswell."  The restaurant, which opened at 2630 Holcomb Bridge Road in 2012, was a relocation of the former Taco Mac at 8440 Holcomb Bridge Road where Hooligans Tavern is today.  There was reportedly no advance warning of the closure which took place as of Monday, January 2.  

The Taco Mac restaurant was located in the East Village shopping center where anchor Super Target closed in early 2017.  Target's closure was followed by the closure of Rack Room Shoes and relocations of Marshalls (to Roswell Village) and Dollar Tree, to a newly built outparcel of East Village.  Whit's Frozen Custard announced in 2022 that it planned to open in East Village before pivoting to an existing space in the ConneXion shopping center instead.  Whit's is expected to open in "early 2023."   

The significant vacancies at East Village presented an opportunity for a different type of development.  Vertical work is well underway on a $101 million luxury apartment and townhome development that is replacing the majority of the shopping center.  The development, known as Averly East Village, will include 335 one, two and three bedroom apartments as part of the larger East Village mixed-use development that will have 74 townhomes, 75,000 square feet of retail and a large public central green with a pavilion.  The project is slated for completion in late 2024.  

Given the imminent influx of residents to the property, it's baffling that Taco Mac would choose to throw in the towel now.  

A representative from the Atlanta-based restaurant chain provided ToNeTo Atlanta the following statement regarding the closure:

"It is with great sadness today that Taco Mac announces the closure of its east Roswell location, which has been a staple in Roswell for years. It is always difficult to close a restaurant location, particularly with aspirations of growing the brand across the southeast. However, Taco Mac is committed to growing the brand in four new communities in 2023 and more within the following years."    

"Taco Mac is also committed to finding immediate placements for all managers and team members in surrounding Taco Mac locations. The team looks forward to welcoming guests into all of its neighboring locations, including Old Milton, Crabapple, and Alpharetta."

This past September Taco Mac opened a new location in Gainesville and plans to open "in early 2023" in Dawsonville.  

Taco Mac closed their longstanding location at Lindbergh City Center in August 2021.

Today Taco Mac operates 25 restaurants in Georgia and a single restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  

Are you surprised to see Taco Mac close its East Roswell restaurant?  What is your favorite sports bar in metro Atlanta?  What would you like to see open in place of Taco Mac in East Roswell?

Please share your thoughts below.  

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

The service had deteriorated over the last few years and the menu choices they have made over years have left us looking and finding other places to frequent in the area.

Anonymous said...

Can't speak enough on the deterioration of service and the lack of beer knowledge the staff has. I'll never forget the time the server told me the blonde beer she brought me was the Stout I ordered, then said she was confused because they were both made by Sierra Nevada.

Anonymous said...

Ownership of tacomac has changed hands so many times without any investment in the brand or locations. They should close the windward store next, they haven't invested a dollar in it since it opened, it's now a sad drab place and it literally smells like a bar rag.

Anonymous said...

The service and menu items have gone downhill at ALL Taco Mac locations over the past 6-8 years. I only went to the East Cobb one once, but I was a frequent visitor to a few others in the area. The portions of the food were smaller and lack of attentiveness by the staffs made me go other places.

Anonymous said...

WOW..was just there on yesterday

Anonymous said...

In house service was lacking but take out was never an issue. East Roswell strikes again. Bring on more apartments and less dining options.

Jay Damoli said...

Alpharetta location on Old Milton Parkway is so very sad. Also smells like a dirty mop. It can't close fast enough!

Anonymous said...

Service at all locations have been suspect. Changing of the menu is the dumbest thing they could have done.

Anonymous said...

It’s sad to see all these restaurants leaving East Roswell. As a resident I am forced to spend my money in neighboring towns. Looks like a ghost town when you drive down Holcomb Bridge with all the major brands stores leaving and the empty storefronts. I guess it’s time to go.

Anonymous said...

Me and a friend visited East Roswell a few times in 2022. One time the bartender put my Brewniversity points on my friend's account, and his on mine. Okay, fair mistake. But the same exact thing happened the next TWO visits!

Anonymous said...

There are blonde stouts.

Anonymous said...

Used to love Taco Mac. Probably been to 10+ locations around town but they've jumped the shark. The Perimeter location operates about half the restaurant while the other half sits dark. Not enough servers, not enough life - just dark and depressing now. Still like their wings the best but will eat lesser wings at $3 in exchange for much better service.

Anonymous said...

Never go to that one but the one also in Roswell service is not what it used to be either ! But then again no one can find people that actually want to work anymore ! Sad world out there

Anonymous said...

Can't say I'm sorry to see it go. The wings were ok as was the burgers.
The chips and dip are usually stale. The apps are on the "must avoid" list.
And someone who mentioned lack of knowledge about the beer menu was totally correct, especially when I'm trying do decide between a porter and a stout the the waitress proceeds to tell me she sells a lot of Bud, do that might be a good choice for me. LoL. Bud? Haven't drank that since I was a very broke student.

Anonymous said...

Not a surprise. They should actually close more stores. They're running them into the ground. Even the one in Johns Creek/Suwanee is typically out of business. Walk in there today and you will find over 30. Handles empty. Closing of the kitchen at 9:30. As many of commented on service is not a focus nor are the core values that made Taco Mac the legend that it was. It's so sad to watch them run this great brand into the ground.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you. That location has gone to hell. The Nats at the bar are ridiculous as well

Anonymous said...

They do not even teach their beer classes anymore. So there is no education of bartenders or servers on the beer. As well. They're reducing tap handles in every store trying to save money but yet further running off customers

Anonymous said...

Wonduzz of diversity in restaurant hiring….

Anonymous said...

Agree with all of the comments above.

Their pricing is way out of hand as well. $8-$9 for a beer…naw, no thanks. And you don’t even get friendly banter to go with that beer.

Anonymous said...

I quit going to that one pre-COVID because the service was so bad. I'm sure it has only gotten worse. The menu changes they've made over the last couple of years have not been improvements in choices so my wife is not interested in going anymore. I agree with other posters that the beer knowledge of the staff is abysmal. Several bartenders I know don't even drink beer so it's hard to get a good recommendation. Taco Mac is definitely not what it used to be

Jodyml813 said...

My issue is, their menu contains things that you would not expect to find in dishes and they don't have an allergy menu anymore. Almost every one of their" vegetarian options" contains fish or anchovies. So does all of their grilled chicken. Why is that's in all of their stuff? Who knows? Almost all of their salad dressings also contain some kind of fish or shellfish. If you have allergies or don't eat fish or seafood or our vegetarian, you're very limited. I agree the services also gone downhill and the food quality wasn't great the last time we were in either.

Anonymous said...

I would love if somebody from Taco Mac took the time to read this and see how far they've fallen.

Anonymous said...

Me and my wife visited this restaurant about 5 to 6 months ago and it was the worst experience ever. We were not greeted at the door and the staff was just in polite altogether. Good thing it closed.

Anonymous said...

Why don’t you just say it?

Anonymous said...

All locations have deteriorated over the past 5-7 years. Wings are pathetic and you’re lucky if a server approaches your table within 15 minutes. Prado location is a complete mess.

Anonymous said...

🙄 Taco Mac FTW 😂

Anonymous said...

It’s really easy to say that when East Roswell stood above majority of other Taco Mac and restaurants in general in service and workers community. Most restaurants don’t have strict steps of service that we had to follow religiously. For those of us who were experienced and took the job seriously we always had customer service at the forefront. I worked there during the pandemic and well after. I put my soul into this restaurant and learned a lot along the way. My feet are tattered and my mind is exhausted.
But people like to be the biggest critics without seeing the bigger picture. We worked 14hr shifts consistently with NO BREAKS and can barely pay our bills as we did not get hourly. All pay for servers and bartenders were strictly tips. So you could work 14hrs and only make 80 dollars. A whole staff being let known the same day of closing is abhorrent. And celebrating that as a customer because you were mildly inconvenienced by one or a handful of servers who didn’t meet your every need is evil. This is my first major restaurant job as a server/bartender and it has taught me so much about team work, team growth, and hard work. It has also shown me how heinous people are and their disregard for the next person. Many of us were on the brink of eviction and were just trying to make an honest living. What a way to start off January 2nd. Jobless and homeless. Not everyone can just relocate. I hope these words reach someone and make them understand how horribly restaurant workers are treated by the company they work for and the customers. We appreciate the regular customers who came to support the staff on this emotional day and treated us like humans who were just wronged and made disposable. Many of us have degrees, family’s, or are on our own trying to get by. I’m thoroughly disappointed.

Anonymous said...

I’m sorry that your bartender or sever couldn’t regurgitate their knowledge of almost a hundred beers that rotate weekly and monthly. Quite frankly they aren’t paid enough to know all that info let alone trained. Chalk it up to corporate. East Roswell has lost many valuable workers over the years and I’m sorry that inexperienced, overworked, and underpaid people couldn’t provide you the perfect restaurant experience. But everyone on that building has worked harder than anyone I’ve ever worked with and especially when compared to other Taco Mac’s. It’s so disrespectful to praise an entire restaurant staff being forced to relocate or quit with one day notice and no severance pay. If you only made 2 dollars an hour and your wage was tips that are largely based on the customers mood and experience rather than paying someone for their services. As an almost 3 year employee there who had trained and befriend so many people. Worked this job till I graduated college. I feel disrespected and disposable. But hey I guess it’s valid because the customers always right. And the over worked, unappreciated, and underpaid server/bartender couldn’t help you find the perfect beer because they probably are thinking about offing themselves because they can’t make ends meet no matter how hard they work for the customer.

Anonymous said...

I cleaned that bar thoroughly every close. And during shift. No nats! Also you can find nats and much worse at every restaurant in the country. The location was phenomenal compared to any other Taco Mac I’ve been to.

Anonymous said...

Over 30 people lost their Job with no notice…but it’s deserved because of poor working conditions I.e pay, staffing, combined with training. You sir are a true American.

Anonymous said...

It’s hard to have friendly banter when customer treat you like a bar girl subhuman slave while you’re fighting eviction and working on a 12hr shift with no break/bathroom break to serve someone like you who can at best leave 20%…

Anonymous said...

You’re also in Roswell. How much do you expect hand crafted beer to be? Also have you ever thought as well as many other customers you aren’t a pleasant person? So again it’s hard to be overly pleasant to someone who treats you subserviently when all your waiter said was “Hi.”

Anonymous said...

Don’t take it out on the staff trying to make an honest living. But we worked hard many of us open to close with no break with customers at our forefront. Cleaning and preparing for customers all while being told we can’t sit down. Forced to work later with no pay incentive. Be kind to the person who is working hard.

Anonymous said...

It won’t close for at least another 8 years according to its contract.

Anonymous said...

Sad to see the brand receive so much hate mail and still not improve. Honestly, not surprised. Haven't been to a Taco Mac in about 6-7 years - last time was Perimeter, and I vowed then that it would be the last. Slow service, food no better than a McDonalds, beer was flat, and restrooms nasty and floor full of stale pee. Current ownership has been in place for 5 years and has had more than enough time to get things back in order.

Anonymous said...

Would love to see Applebees return to Roswell. As it is now I have to drive to Cumming the fulfill my taste for their awesome menu items.

Anonymous said...

Would love to see Applebees return to Roswell. The Applebees menu has a great variety and never disappointed. As it is now I have to drive to Cumming when I want to fulfill my tastes. Taco Mac was close and convenient but lacked the variety.

Anonymous said...

Being a Double Chancellor in their Brewniversity, Taco Mac corporate had better start figuring what is going on... They can't be blaming it on Covid and employee retention. Let's face it, it's a beer and wings joint. With huge beer selection, albeit premium priced, corporate needs to focus on Brand identity and what worked in the past and what got them the original growth.
I've recently had the Nachos train wreck and it was very tasty! The Wings are still spot on, they need to stop changing the sauces though.
I was at East Roswell at the Grand Opening and it was amazing, now it's a shell of a building

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