After over four decades of serving up wings and beer to Atlanta's Virginia-Highland neighborhood, Taco Mac has closed the doors of its original location. The announcement came earlier this week, marking a significant change for the Atlanta-based chain that has expanded to 28 locations across the Southeast. "We are incredibly proud of what began in Virginia-Highlands 46 years ago," Taco Mac CEO Harold Martin said, according to 11Alive. The corner of N. Highland and Virginia Avenue will soon welcome Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint in place of the former taco and wings staple.
The closure symbolizes an end of an era for an establishment that had become a fixture in the community. As part of its growth strategy, Taco Mac is shifting focus to new markets and investing in an enhanced experience for guests at its other locations. "As we continue to evolve and grow, a part of our hearts will always remain on the corner of N. Highland and Virginia," Martin added in a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. Employees affected by the closure have been extended offers to work at nearby Taco Mac locations.
Taco Mac's origins trace back to 1979, when it started as a single neighborhood bar. The company has since expanded significantly, with recent openings in Macon, Georgia; Pelham, Alabama; and Conyers, Georgia. This closure is part of a strategic pivot as the brand looks to the future. "This isn’t the end of the story — it’s a milestone in our journey," Martin remarked, as per 11Alive, positioning the move as a step toward broader expansion plans.
Customers and fans of Taco Mac are encouraged to celebrate the original location's storied history. The company is sharing guest memories and historical moments on social media and inviting patrons to contribute using the hashtag #TacoMacBeginnings. Despite the closure of the Virginia-Highland location, Taco Mac assures its patrons that this move marks not an end, but a new chapter in the ongoing story of the brand, as they focus on locations that remain a destination for game days.
