A Look Inside the Renovated Taco Mac (aka T.Mac), Location Reopens Today
Decatur Metro | October 15, 2013 | 11:28 am
Taco Mac opens today and their communications group has sent along some photos of the new space and an FAQ that I thought some of you would find interesting. So here it is!
Why the big transformation? The renovation is our opportunity to reconnect with our values and our commitment to providing great food and drink to the Decatur community – especially to its beer and sports enthusiasts. The design may be new, but we’re closer to our roots than we’ve ever been.What’s changed? We’ve traded in the traditional sports bar vibe for something more contemporary and fresh. For starters, we’ve reoriented the restaurant towards Ponce de Leon Avenue through a street-front patio and a bar that’s in the front of the restaurant, rather than the back. Decatur is a sidewalk and patio community, and we want to be a part of that.The interior’s seating area has been completely reconfigured. Instead of one big space, the interior has been divided into several distinct sitting areas, including a family room with an adjacent game room; an airy, naturally lit sunroom enclosing what was formerly the exteriorpatio; and a circular six-top spinning booth. There are 64 upgraded LED TVs located throughout the space, more than double the previous number, to ensure a “best seat in the house” sports viewing experience at every seat.
Who did the design? ai3, Inc. is our design partner. They have been responsible for the design of many of the restaurants that have shaped Atlanta’s vibrant dining scene, including Miller Union, 4th & Swift, Holeman & Finch and Lure. One of the things we admired most about thestudio – aside from their obvious talent – is their ability to translate a very personal story and vision into an authentic design. There’s a story behind every design element.What are your favorite design elements? The patio, the overhead aluminum beer lines and the beer bottle wall are all obvious favorites. On the subtle side are the remnants of beer glass found in the terrazzo bar and communal tabletops, the reclaimed gym floors and the football-like leather upholstery. Oh yeah, did we mention the spinning booth and 64 LED TVs?What’s new with the beer and food? We’ve expanded our brew selection with a greater focus on craft beers. In addition to 100 draft beers, the bar now offers 75 bottled varieties. The menu includes several new food items, including T.MAC’s double hand-breaded chicken tenders, which are presently only being served at a handful of locations.Is the space bigger? Technically, no – it’s the same footprint, but it does seat more people. Thanks to the reconfiguration of the seating area and the patio, the restaurant now seats 210.How long did it take? Ten weeks – whew.What’s up with the T.MAC Sports Grill name? T.MAC has long been our nickname among our most loyal fans. With the excitement and freshness of this new design, it seemed like a perfect fit.
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Anywhere to see those pics bigger than postage stamp size?
Really wish you’d include links to larger pictures. 178x178px thumbnails do not do this fine restaurant any favors.
Sounds impressive, but images are much more valuable, and these are far too small to convey any sense of anything. Perhaps some Decaturites will visit and share normal-resolution photos that the PR company wasn’t able to take.
Mostly I just hope they’re now capable of hiring servers who 1) know how to serve and 2) stick around longer than a month. I WANT to like you, T-Mac, but you make it so hard.
certainly a less fratty look than the original—more open,more comfortable, more flat panelier.
which is nice.
overall a big improvement on the design from my friends at ai3.
one criticism (“**always** with the creative opinions, aintcha?!”): that plaid fabric on the seats is way HoJo
Thank goodness I’m not the only one! I kept looking at the fabric going, “Eeeehhhhhh…”
It was better than it looked online
Are they running any specials for re-opening that you know of?
keeping the theme of the wings discussion, I wonder if one of the new menu items are smoked wings that are available at the Perimeter location, but not may other “T.Macs”?
I hate to do this to you Decatur Metro because you are my go to source for all things Decatur, but decatur.patch.com has a larger assortment of photos to look at for those looking for more pictures.
Glad to see the makeover. Just one minor quibble with this story…
The pictures are a bit too large for my tastes. Will you please re-size them smaller?
The pictures are big enough for me to see that this place now looks like a hotel bar in Miami.
We can always count on you, Sunshine!
Any reason why you decided to pick out my criticism from the other critics above?
You have always just come across as a bit cynical and grumpy. No issue with it. I thinks it’s funny!
Miami on my mind (and wings and beer)
What is a spinning booth?
Looks like they did a great job.
I think it involves a DJ. Everyone will love it!
Actually, no. It appears to be exactly what it describes. From the captioned picture of it of Decatur Patch:
“One of the design elements incorporated by Taco Mac is this spinning booth that allows patrons to sit or leave without everyone having to get up.”
Imagine a Lazy Susan except it’s your ass and the asses of your table mates that rotate rather than the platters.
http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/quality/82/resize/2064×923%5E/http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/quality/82/resize/393×295/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/4eec59492431909ee7b53a5c0d1fc4d7
Holy cow! It’s a Sit ‘n Spin! I can’t see what could possibly go wrong with that after a few drinks…
+ 5 jager bombs
I can’t stop laughing.
Oh I’ll make sure a DJ gets in there…
Drink enough and every booth is a spinning booth.
That has bad idea written all over it…or perhaps it’s genius. Spinning and Spilling a table full of beers can really help out with volume sales.
Just needs better branding. I’m thinking “Sip n’ Spin.”
If this spinning booth had been in operation a bit sooner, patrons could have watched both the Braves and Falcons seasons end in just a few rotations.
That’s exactly what I was afraid of when I asked the question. Thanks for the clarifications and good luck, everybody.
Did Tracy McGrady become a partner?
Now if they will just bring back their original Cobb salad, I may go back.
CANNOT WAIT!!!!!
Does the family room mean the other rooms are adults only?