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| Electronic billboard facing southbound Peachtree Road near Peachtree Battle |
Big Al's will occupy suite G, a 1355 square foot space that was previously a business called Signs of Buckhead. Big Al's owners will spend about a quarter of a million dollars to convert the space from its previous use.
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| The Shops of Buckhead with no signage for Big Al's Gourmet Butter Burgers |
Big Al's is being opened by Alre Alston, reportedly the owner of The U Bar on Camp Creek Parkway in East Point, home of Mandingo, the mechanical bull.
The U Bar fka Ultimate Sports Bar Grill frequently advertises and runs promotions with radio stations Streetz 94.5 and Hot 107.9. The restaurant is most memorable to me as a result of their constant "sexy lady bull ride contest." Women are encouraged to dress for the occasion and ride "Mandingo," the mechanical bull, for a chance at a couple thousand dollars. Other notable promotions according to their website include:
"Free chicken for everybody" and "Free seafood for everybody all night"
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The U Bar is reportedly "Atlanta's #1 Sports Bar."
Interestingly, in my research for this post, I discovered a lawsuit filed against Alston and The U Bar by a number of former servers. (Robinson et al v. Ultimate Sports Bar, LLC et al). Among the claims are allegations that Alston failed to pay employees minimum wage and also did not accurately compensate them for overtime hours worked. The case was filed in May in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
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| The inside of Big Al's earlier this week |
With a seemingly unresolved legal case and a restaurant that is far from open, it seems a little early to be promoting the restaurant with a giant billboard in Buckhead. A contractor at the restaurant indicated the restaurant would be open by the end of September, but I find that hard to believe. The stretch of Peachtree Road Big Al's is opening on has seen tremendous restaurant turnover of the past few years and they find that yet another burger joint is not the recipe for success.
What do you think of this new Buckhead bound eatery? Do you know what a butter burger is? Have you ridden Mandingo?
Please share your thoughts below.
What do you think of this new Buckhead bound eatery? Do you know what a butter burger is? Have you ridden Mandingo?
Please share your thoughts below.