Iconic Atlanta Restaurant EATS Reopens in West End

The beloved eatery has found a new home at Wild Heaven Brewery after closing its Ponce de Leon location.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:04pm

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EATS, a longtime Atlanta restaurant known for its legendary jerk chicken and meat-and-three dishes, has reopened in a new location at Wild Heaven Brewery in the city's West End neighborhood. The restaurant closed its original Ponce de Leon Avenue location in October 2025 after 33 years due to rising property taxes and water bills, but the owners of Wild Heaven stepped in to help reopen EATS as part of their brewery.

Why it matters

EATS had become an iconic part of Atlanta's dining scene, and its closure was a major loss for the city. The restaurant's reopening at Wild Heaven Brewery helps preserve a beloved local institution and continues EATS' legacy of serving up classic Southern comfort food in a new setting.

The details

After EATS closed its original location, the owners of Wild Heaven Brewery reached out to the restaurant's founder, Bob Hatcher, about reopening EATS as part of their West End brewery. Hatcher was excited about the opportunity, and the restaurant has now reopened with longtime EATS manager Levi Nichols overseeing the kitchen. The menu remains unchanged, and prices have only seen minor adjustments.

  • EATS originally opened its doors in 1994.
  • The restaurant closed its Ponce de Leon Avenue location in October 2025 after 33 years.
  • EATS has now reopened at Wild Heaven Brewery in Atlanta's West End neighborhood.

The players

EATS

A longtime Atlanta restaurant known for its legendary jerk chicken and meat-and-three dishes.

Bob Hatcher

The original founder and owner of EATS.

Wild Heaven Brewery

The brewery that stepped in to help reopen EATS in its West End location.

Levi Nichols

The longtime EATS manager who is now overseeing the kitchen at the new West End location.

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What they’re saying

“EATS family, we got it done. 145 days our city was without jerk chicken, but all that's behind us. Levi and his team are back in the kitchen, and we've turned on the neon sign to welcome you to Wild Heaven West End.”

— Wild Heaven Brewery (Social media post)

“I am super excited about this turn of events! Also, they have got long-time EATS manager Levi Nichols on board as well.”

— Bob Hatcher, Original founder and owner of EATS (Interview)

What’s next

EATS is now open seven days a week, with doors opening at 11 a.m. daily.

The takeaway

The reopening of EATS at Wild Heaven Brewery preserves an iconic part of Atlanta's dining scene and demonstrates the resilience of local, community-driven businesses. Despite the challenges of rising costs that forced the original location to close, EATS has found a new home that allows it to continue serving its beloved Southern comfort food to the city.