This past Monday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced plans to begin [allowing] the reopening of select businesses which were temporarily shuttered by state mandate in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Despite the fact that COVID-19 is believed to still be very much a threat to metro Atlanta, the state, and the country, Kemp apparently feels the time is right to allow some businesses to reopen. Gyms, salons, and other indoor facilities were able to start reopening this past Friday (although few actually did) and restaurants can resume full operation as of today, April 27, contingent on compliance with 39 state guidelines.
The exhaustive guidelines were released April 23, giving restaurant operators only a few short days to get their businesses prepared and ready to be compliant. (It's unclear what if any enforcement of the guidelines there will be.)
Highlights from the guidelines are:
- No more than 10 patrons per 500 square feet are allowed inside at once.
- All employees are required to wear masks at all times.
- Employers must screen and evaluate workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees and a cough or shortness of breath.
- Restaurants must post signs that say no one with symptoms of COVID-19 can enter.
- Party size is limited to no more than 6 per table.
- Restaurants are to discontinue use of salad bars and buffets.
- Restaurants must use pre-rolled silverware.
- Items must be removed from self-service drink, condiment, utensil and tableware stations and have workers provide those items to patrons.
- Patrons must be kept separated while waiting to be seated through floor markings or waiting in cars. Workers who show signs of illness can’t come in to work.
- Employees who have COVID-19 must self-isolate for 7 days and be fever-free and symptom-free for 3 days before coming back to work.
- Employers must train employees on the importance of frequent handwashing, use of hand sanitizers and avoiding touching their faces.
- Playgrounds must stay closed.
Countless restaurant owners have come out saying that while they, and by extension their employees, are itching to get back to work [to make money], they don't feel the timing is right to do so in a way that protects both their staff and patrons.
Many of the restaurants that have decided to open are corporate chain operations. In particular, Houston-based Landry's and Orlando-based Darden are both opening several of their Atlanta area restaurants for dine-in service as of today.
With help from our dedicated readers, Eater Atlanta and restaurant reservation site OpenTable, we were able to create the most extensive list of restaurants that plan to open today or later this week. All restaurants listed below are slated to open today (April 27) unless otherwise noted.
Greater Metro Atlanta Area / Statewide
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar (Chamblee, Decatur, Roswell & Smyrna)
Bahama Breeze (Duluth & Kennesaw)
Chicken Salad Chick (All corporately owned stores in Georgia)
Goldberg's Bagel & Deli (Select locations)
LongHorn Steakhouse (Most restaurants in Georgia, see website)
Olive Garden (Most restaurants in Georgia, see website)
Seasons 52 (Buford & Dunwoody) [Buckhead has closed permanently.]
Smokey Bones Barbecue (Buford, Lithonia, Peachtree City & Columbus)
Stoney River (Cumberland, Duluth & Roswell)
Taqueria Los Hermanos (Tucker, Lilburn, Lawrenceville & Suwanee) [Dunwoody still takeout only]
The Original Hot Dog Factory (Smyrna & Downtown)
The Capital Grille (Buckhead & Dunwoody)
Waffle House (Most locations in Georgia)
Alpharetta
Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar (Friday May 1, patio only)
Chronic Tacos
Buckhead
Anis Cafe & Bistro (Friday, May 1)
Atlanta Fish Market (Thursday, April 30)
Bistro Niko (Thursday, April 30)
Buckhead Diner (Thursday, April 30)
Chops Lobster Bar (Thursday, April 30)
Pricci (Thursday, April 30)
Antica Posta
Benihana
The Palm Atlanta
Del Frisco's Grille
F&B Atlanta
Downtown
Morton's The Steakhouse (Wednesday, April 29)
Dunwoody
Carbonara Trattoria
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
J.Alexander's
McKendrick's Steakhouse (Friday, May 1)
Marietta
Douceur de France
Johnnie MacCracken’s Celtic Firehouse Pub
Marietta Diner
Marietta Pizza Company
Midtown
STK Atlanta
Oceanaire
Bulla Gastrobar
RA Sushi
Peachtree Corners
Redlands Grill
Roswell
1920 Tavern
Hugo's Oyster Bar
Shanghai Chinese Food & Bar (patio only)
Sandy Springs
Mojave
Ray's on the River (Friday, May 1)
Taka Sushi
Home Park
Moe's Original BBQ
Rocky Mountain Pizza
Old Fourth Ward
Bantam Pub
Vinings
C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar
West End
Boxcar at Hop City (Friday May 1, patio only)
Diners, it seems, are most eager to eat steak with Capital Grille Buckhead and Chops Lobster Bar having been booked 14 and 16 times respectively by 1 PM Friday, with Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse booked ten times.
Do you have plans to dine at one of the restaurants that is/will be opening this week for dine-in service? What meal are you eager to enjoy most? Do you think restaurants will be able to be compliant with all the state guidelines?
Please share your thoughts below.