Buzz-Worthy

Nacho Daddy

The latest and greatest on Gwinnett’s food and beverage scene

BY JENNIFER SENATOR winnett continues to thrive as one of metro G Atlanta’s top dining destinations, where you can find craft beer, cream puffs, and everything in between. Be sure to check out these new and forthcoming spots—just a sampling of the many new restaurants, brewpubs, and homebrew stores opening this year in Gwinnett County.

From the team behind popular Lawrenceville eatery Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe comes T-Ray’s Fire Grill, now open next door to the seafood hotspot. “T-Ray” is the nickname of owner Taylor Ray Green, who has partnered with her parents, Steve and Jo Green, to open the restaurant. The family-owned eatery offers premium Angus steaks and a variety of grilled meats and seafood, as well as artisan cocktails, craft whiskeys, and a 25-foot ice bar.

Also in downtown Lawrenceville, Iron Shield Brewery, makers of Ironshield Beer, will open in early 2020 in the 56,000-square-foot space formerly home to the Gwinnett Daily News. Planned to be among the top five largest breweries in Georgia, it will feature a taproom, biergarten, and production space.

Gwinnett’s beer scene continues to grow with newcomer Indio Brewing opening this summer in the new E Center @ Sugar Hill, a New Urbanist–designed community in downtown Sugar Hill. Owner Jonathan Martinez plans to have at least six microbrews on tap and will hold “homebrew challenges” throughout the year to spotlight local homebrewers. Already a well-known name among beer enthusiasts, Operation Homebrew is billed as “The Best Darn Homebrew Store in Georgia.” It is now also home to Snellville’s first winery. In addition to the store’s popular line of Southern-style sweet wines, premium wines such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and chardonnay are also available. The store/winery will also hold wine tastings and lessons in winemaking in addition to its already popular beer-making classes.

At least three new Mexican eateries have recently opened in Gwinnett. Agavero Cantina Parkside, housed in a bright red double-decker bus parked on the edge of

Tequila Mama Taqueria Kremo Ice Cream

Beard Papa’s

Lilburn City Park, opened last fall. It is a popular destination for grilled tacos, loaded nachos, Mexican street corn, margaritas, and churros—all served inside the bus or on the adjacent patio. In Duluth, the first Georgia outpost of the Las Vegas–based Nacho Daddy is open in Parsons Alley. There is even a rooftop patio overlooking the amphitheater. Nacho Daddy is known for 18 varieties of gourmet nachos, housemade salsas and queso, vegan specialties, award-winning margaritas, and the fearsome original scorpion shot (made with an actual scorpion), featured on Tanked and Food Network.

Tequila Mama Taqueria, a vibrant spot offering a taste of Mexico, opened in March at Suwanee Town Center. The restaurant focuses on “tequila which gives us rhythm, our mama which gives us wisdom and advice, and our tacos which gives us satisfaction.”

Peachtree Corners new Town Center is home to Kremo Ice Cream, a third outpost of the popular rolled ice cream spot helmed by Tom Nguyen (additional locations are in Duluth and Alpharetta). If you’re not familiar with the concept, locally sourced cream (from a farm in South Georgia) is

Ivy Tea House

poured onto a frozen pan, covered with your favorite toppings, and then hand-rolled into a tasty, tubular treat.

Also at Town Center is the first Georgia location of Japanese creampuff chain Beard Papa’s. With more than 400 international locations, the shop is beloved for its freshly baked pastries filled with flavors such as honey butter, caramel cream, crème brûlée, and green tea.

Housemade pastries and savory treats are served with an assortment of teas at Ivy Tea House, housed in a charming cottage in historic downtown Norcross. The cozy gathering spot offers traditional tea house fare, including a special high tea menu, and is available for workshops, events, and private parties.