It's a mixed bag of news for fans of Willy's Mexicana Grill as we wrap up 2023. A source close to the locally-owned chain tells ToNeTo Atlanta that the Willy's Mexicana Grill on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs is closing at the end of the year. The restaurant, which opened in 2015, occupied a roughly 1,700 square foot space in the Trader Joe's-anchored Sandy Springs Plaza shopping center. Signage installed this week confirms the closure is planned for December 31.
Willy's, started by local restaurateur Willy Bitter in 1995, predates both Moe's Southwest Grill's existence and Chipotle's entrance into the Atlanta market. Overall, the company has had great success in selecting sites but does occasionally shutter stores. By our count, the Sandy Springs closure is just the sixth restaurant the company has ever closed in its nearly 30 year history. Prior closures have included units in Buford at the Mall of Georgia, Sandy Springs (Dunwoody Place), Ponce de Leon (Midtown Place), Downtown at Georgia State, and earlier this year, a location in Columbus.
In happier news, Willy's is again expanding their Howlin' Willy's Hot Chicken concept and will open the first stand-alone unit of the growing sibling brand in a nearly 1,700 square foot space between California Closets and Chopt in East Cobb. The new hot chicken joint is taking the remaining portion of the former California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) in Pine Straw Place at the corner of Roswell and Johnson Ferry Roads.
The East Cobb Howlin' Willy's does join an existing Willy's Mexicana Grill in the shopping center, but will mark the first time the sibling brand has not operated from within a Willy's. ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported on what was then an initial test of the concept within the Willy's at Briarcliff and Druid Hills in Brookhaven in 2021. In the years since, additional Howlin' Willy's were opened within Willy's in Hapeville and in Midtown near Piedmont Park.
Pending permitting and build-out, plans call for the new Howlin' Willy's to open during the first half of 2024.
Are you surprised to see Willy's again close in Sandy Springs? What is your favorite place for burritos in metro Atlanta? Have you tried Howlin' Willy's Hot Chicken?
Please share your thoughts below
16 comments:
What about the closure of the one in the AT&T center in Midtown that was next to Chick-fil-A? That one closed during Covid and never reopened.
Willy’s briefly had an outpost in Gainesville FL but it too didn’t last long. That said the one in Sandy Springs seem to struggle. Was never busy and never clean.
@Anon RE: AT&T,
Yes! You are right but that was more a mini/satellite location, yes?
@Anon: RE: Gainesville,
Indeed you are right. We were talking more Atlanta/corporately owned but yes, the Gainesville, Fl unit, the one and only franchise, did close.
Thanks for your readership!
I thought the first Howlin Willy’s was the one at Piedmont Park?
We have been patronizing the Peachtree Corners/Norcross location of Willys for 15 years. Great quality and now their online ordering works well.
Cool.
I don’t know, I’ve been to Willy‘s a few times and honestly the quality is not there. To me willies is just like Moe‘s, more hype than it’s worth. Unless I’m getting an authentic burrito my other go to is chipotle, which in its own right is authentic, it’s known as a California burrito. I’ve also tried Bell Street burrito, and it was also very underwhelming. Lastly, I’d like to give a shout out to Taco Bell because they do have a good product if you’re looking at the basics, ignore their concoctions that they come out with on a seasonal basis, or limited basis Because they are concoctions . if you just go to the basics, they have a good product. Believe it or not they have a bowl and the bowl either has meat or is vegetarian and is actually pretty good for what it is. You also can’t go wrong with their Vegetarian five layer burrito. Although their guac is terrible. You could also build the same exact thing with the components of the Taco Bell five layer of vegetarian burrito, at chipotle, and the quality will be much greater. in terms of tacos You can’t go wrong with mamas or rreal. Chipotle tacos are also very good. Don’t be hatin’ my commentary. You do you and I’ll do me.
I'm a Willy's fan for the quick burrito fix.
I go to the one at Paces Ferry and Cumberland and it is always busy and the sevice and food is always good.
I've eaten at Chipotle exactly once and thought it was garbage. The rice was so salty it ruined the burrito. And what's up with extra charge for chips? Never felt the need to go back.
I will never even consider patronizing Chipotle because of their decision to withdraw support for the Boy Scouts of America.
I love Willy's and am really bummed about that one closing. It's so much better than the Hammond location, which is the next closest one.
I actually like Mc Donalds!
To Anonymous @ 7:48, when McDonalds is on their game, it's hard to beat a fresh, hot QP or even the regular, original burger.
It didn’t seem mini. It had the full Willy’s menu.
I love the fact that Willy’s is corporate. It means consistency, especially in prices. Unlike two Moe’s or Chipotle’s 2-3 miles apart with prices differing 1.50-2.00, and different policies as well. Chipotle is a terrible value. Willy’s food and sauces are better than Moe’s, but Willy’s items are too runny. Too much liquid from beans and meat. Chips and tortillas are better at Moe’s.
Willy's is sooo great! Moe's and Chipotle are meh.
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