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Familiar but Better: The Delectable Comfort of Eating Americana

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Chef James Chien, photos by Isadora Pennington

Tucked away in the Peachtree Parkway Shopping Plaza at the corner of Peachtree Parkway and Spalding Drive, Eating Americana is a casual cafe that specializes in locally sourced American comfort foods. Owned and operated by Chef James Chien, the menu features familiar favorites like fried chicken, hoagies, burgers, wings and brunch.

Chien officially opened the doors to Eating Americana on March 16, 2020. An infamous date, it just so happened to be the same day that Trump declared a national pandemic. Despite the fact that Chien had signed the lease 10 months prior in May of 2019, he wasn’t able to access the space to begin buildout until October 2019. Consequently, Eating Americana was not granted any government aid during the lockdowns.

Somehow, despite all the odds stacked against him, Chien has managed to build a successful eatery with a loyal following.

Don’t just take my word for it, check the reviews to see for yourself. Eating Americana is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google with a whopping 102 reviews, 5 out of 5 stars based on 17 reviews on Facebook, and 5 out of 5 stars with 51 reviews on Yelp. With ratings like this it’s clear that Chien is doing something right.

“I knew what I was capable of when I selected this retail space,” explained Chien, who previously owned and operated two restaurants in the area before opening Eating Americana.

“I still had customers dating back to my first restaurant that are patrons now. Word of mouth has spread, and Peachtree Corners residents have been wonderful and supportive through the pandemic.”

Great Americana foods

Chien’s first two restaurants, Some Like It Hot and Alligator Blues, featured New Orleans cuisine. Over time he realized that a portion of his clientele was turned off to these concepts because the food was too spicy, so when he opened Eating Americana, he wanted to offer something more mainstream. “My catch phrases include ‘Everything Familiar But Better,’ ‘Great American Comfort Foods’ and ‘Unapologetically American,’” said Chien.

The most popular items on the menu include blue plate entrées like the seafood pasta, the fried shrimp plate, Southern fried chicken, meatloaf and boneless fried chicken. Don’t miss other fan favorites such as the shrimp hoagie, the Chef’s Burger, and his famous sautéed green beans.

I asked Chien what dish on the menu was his favorite, and he said he really couldn’t choose. “It’s like asking me which child I love most?!” he exclaimed. As for his favorite thing to make? “Reservations,” joked Chien.

Chien’s journey that led him to opening Eating Americana started back when he was a kid growing up in Kowloon, Hong Kong. His mother took culinary classes as a hobby, and her enthusiasm and love of food greatly impacted his desire to also master the art of cooking.
“I had a deep passion for cooking early in my childhood and was inspired by my mother and Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet,” said Chien.

The Galloping Gourmet was a Canadian cooking show starring Kerr, a British culinary TV personality, which ran from 1968 to 1973. The show featured dishes from around the world and was known for Kerr’s humor and tomfoolery, which further endeared him to budding young chefs like Chien.

A winding road to success

While Chien’s culinary prowess today includes a vast array of types of cuisines and styles from New Orleans to Japanese and beyond, his path to owning an Americana restaurant in Peachtree Corners was by no means a linear one.

As a young adult, Chien attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where he received a Menswear Design and Merchandising Degree. He then went on to work in illustration, design and production in the fashion industry for eight years. His first job was with a textile company on Sixth Avenue in New York City, later designing outerwear and womenswear, and lastly overseas production.

In 1988 Chien moved to Atlanta and revisited his passions for food.

Since beginning his culinary career, Chien has worked in a variety of settings including fine dining, catering, five-star hotels, country clubs and city clubs. Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, this path led him to open those initial New Orleans restaurants more than 20 years ago.
Given his depth of experience, Chien is outspoken on his disapproval of substitutions and modifications made to dishes except when accommodating an allergy. The process to develop his recipes and their place on Eating Americana’s menu is one he has developed with great care and attention to detail. For Chien, it’s personal.

“Chefs create menus to be consumed the way we designed them,” said Chien. “Our menus are not just a bunch of words on a page. It wasn’t meant to be dissected and replaced with or without items and ingredients, et cetera. When a guest does so, they’re only setting themselves up for disappointment.”

Commitment and joy

Chien’s commitment to his menu and the dishes he offers has certainly paid off, with many online reviewers singing their praises. It takes a lot to impress Southerners with traditional Southern cuisine, and at Eating Americana he does just that, day after day.

Chien expressed his gratitude for the support of his clients during the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic and remains hopeful for the future of his restaurant. Staffing issues, supply chain disruptions and the lack of consistent food pricing has posed a significant challenge to Chien but has not managed to hinder his success.

As a resident of Peachtree Corners, Chien and his wife often go out to eat at different restaurants nearby and even beyond the Atlanta area. Making a conscious choice to enjoy the food as diners and not critics, they enjoy exploring all of the incredible eateries that this part of the country has to offer.

You can also often find Chien and his wife biking or visiting parks in the area, walking along the river and making friends everywhere they go.

The average day for Chien starts in the early hours of the morning when he arrives to prepare for the day and make any necessary food purchases before it opens. Eating Americana operates from 10 a.m. on the weekends, and 11 a.m. during the week, until 2 p.m., seven days a week; dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sunday.

Chien’s greatest joys as owner and chef of Eating Americana, above and beyond the physical act of making food for his clients, is forming long-standing relationships with his customers.
“The gratification comes from long-time customers dating back to my first restaurant, and the new customers and their joyous expressions on their faces when they eat my food,” Chien continued. “This is my joy.”

Isadora is a writer, photographer, and designer living in Avondale Estates, GA. She has worked in print for the past decade and has been published in the Atlanta INtown, Oz Magazine, Atlanta Senior Life, and the Reporter Newspapers.

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Food & Drink

U&ME Coffee Bakery & Wine Celebrates Grand Opening In Peachtree Corners

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Mayor Mike Mason and members of the Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA), business professionals, and community well-wishers recently celebrated the opening of U&ME Coffee Bakery Wine, a new establishment in Peachtree Corners.

The event was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by friends, family members of the owners, Paula Gil and Pablo Vicens, who are married, and their dedicated staff.

Left to right:  Paula Gil & Pablo Gil, Owners

U&ME Coffee Bakery Wine, a local family-owned business, focuses on creating a welcoming space where families can gather, students can study, and friends can hang out.

This establishment offers free high-speed Wi-Fi, weekly specials and a cozy environment for all.

Paula Gil emphasized the importance of offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that cater to various tastes and needs.

Family and Friends, Staff, Pablo Gil, Paula Gil, Mayor Mike Mason, Lisa Proctor PCBA Board, Suzanna Martinez PCBA Board, Donna Linden PCBA Board, and Audrey Boyce PCBA Outreach.

The goal is to deliver the highest quality specialty items at fair prices.

“We are excited to bring our blend of coffee shop, wine bar, bakery, and diner spot to Peachtree Corners,” stated Paula.

U&ME Coffee prides itself on using 100% Colombian Medellin Coffee and ensuring all baking is done on-premises to guarantee freshness and quality.

Further distinguishing themselves, Paula and Pablo have incorporated homemade empanadas, pizzas, and pastries into their menu, all made from scratch to offer a unique taste experience.

In addition to their dine-in services, U&ME Coffee caters to those on the go with their to-go orders and provides catering services for special events.

Mayor Mason, alongside PCBA Board Members Lisa Proctor, Donna Linden, Allison Reinert, Suzanna Martinez, and numerous local business supporters, expressed their delight in welcoming U&ME Coffee Bakery Wine to the city.

“The city council and I are delighted you chose Peachtree Corners for your business location. We are pleased to have this new specialty restaurant available as part of our business-friendly city,” Mayor Mason remarked.

Contact:  U&ME Coffee Bakery & Wine
Telephone: 470-359-6972
Facebook:  Facebook U&ME Coffee Bakery Wine
Located at 3433 Medlock Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners

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Cheeseburger Bobby’s in Peachtree Corners is Under New Management

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After being closed for a few months, locals are happy to see that Cheeseburger Bobby’s in Peachtree Corners has reopened under new management.
From left, owner Sandra Lowe and her daughter Isabelle // Photos by George Hunter

New owners of Cheeseburger Bobby’s bring neighborliness along with fresh, well-prepared fare.

After being shuttered for several months, locals seem happy to see that Cheeseburger Bobby’s in Peachtree Corners has reopened under new management.

Keith and Sandra Lowe took over the franchise a few months ago and are working hard to win back customers. They are committed to quality food, consistency, cleanliness and good service.

“My background is in retail operations,” said Keith Lowe. “We had restaurants within the retail cafés that we ran.”

Although his wife is more involved in the day-to-day running of the restaurant, she admittedly doesn’t have experience running a fast-casual eatery.

“It’s something that we’ve always wanted to do. We’ve always wanted to open a business for ourselves. So, this opportunity came back in April. And then we bought it and went through the whole remodel,” Sandra Lowe said.

Bringing a Peachtree Corners staple back to life

The Cheeseburger Bobby’s franchise fits well for the Lowes because of the structure and support from the corporate office.

According to its introduction to franchisees, the business aims to work easily and efficiently for restaurant industry veterans or those just entering the profession.

One thing that stood out for the couple was the fresh, made-from-scratch food and a menu that’s not too complicated.

The fact that there are vegetarian and healthy options like salads, black bean burgers, and turkey burgers was also a plus. Additionally, customers have the option of several toppings for their sandwiches as well as seasoning for fries and an extensive fixings bar.

They knew little about the previous owners or what caused them to give up the franchise, but they vowed to become a fixture in the community and build loyalty with the basics.

An inviting place for the entire community
“Cleanliness is tops for us,” said Sandra Lowe. “That’s number one. … We have a great environment, great customer service and consistent food. We talked about how those three things will win back customers.”

On a recent weekday lunch rush, a mix of office workers, holiday shoppers and construction workers came through.

As Sandra Lowe passed out samples of the signature frozen custard, the chilly late fall weather had no effect on orders for milkshakes and other confections.

The custard recipe is reminiscent of the old-fashioned, hand-churned type many grandmas used to make. Some say it has a richer, creamier texture and a smoother consistency than typical ice cream.

A recipe for success

As a homemaker and the queen of her castle, Sandra Lowe didn’t hesitate at the chance to get back into the work world. Her 15-year-old twins are old enough to be more self-sufficient, so she and her husband decided it was time to try something new.

“It works out perfectly,” she said. “I come to work in the mornings, stay until 3 p.m., and then I’m back with my kids in the evening.”

“Because my background was operations in food, sanitation and all those things, this was an easy decision,” said Keith Lowe.

Additionally, they surrounded themselves with knowledgeable, professional staff.

“We hit a home run with Kenneth, our general manager,” he said. “He has over a decade of experience running restaurants. And Archie, our shift manager, has been at this restaurant for the entire 12 years that has been open.”

A mix of experience with new energy

“We think we have a very welcoming environment,” said Sandra Lowe. “Great customer service, consistent, fresh food served with a smile and a clean environment are our focus.”

Another significant factor is the focus on community.

Although the restaurant hasn’t been open for long, the Lowes have joined the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber and have reached out to Norcross High and Wesleyan schools for partnerships.

“Being engaged with the committee is important to us,” they said almost in unison.

Making Cheeseburger Bobby’s a true family business is also essential.

“The [kids] come to work here every weekend,” said Sandra Lowe.

“We’ve seen that the kids are more social. It gets them away from the phone. It gets him interacting,” said Keith Lowe.

“We’ve talked to them about the importance of eye contact and helping the customer have a great experience. We’ve even seen them really grow in such a short time.”

Cheeseburger Bobby’s
Located in the Peachtree Square Shopping Center
6050 Peachtree Pkwy #140
cheeseburgerbobbys.com
770-696-1337

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DiBar Grill: A Taste of Persia in Peachtree Corners

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DiBar Grill manager Larry LaRose

International Restaurants: Find Cuisines from Across the Globe Just Down the Road

In the heart of Peachtree Corners, a culinary gem is weaving rich Persian flavors into the fabric of the community. The epicenter of ancient Persia was located in what is now modern-day southwest Iran, and its cuisine is known for unique spice blends, savory meats, and herbaceous vegetables.

Kamel Fadavi is originally from the Middle East and moved to the Peachtree Corners area in 2014. When moving to the area, Fadavi wanted to make sure he brought some of Persia with him.

Fadavi attempted to open his first restaurant in 2014 but had a few setbacks during production.

“It was very difficult at first, trying to find a space,” Fadavi said about finding the perfect location for his restaurant. He also faced difficulties trying to get a license and permit to open his restaurant.

Saffron Lamb Shank with Sagnak and Saffron rice

Yet, Fadavi persevered and was able to pursue his dream. His first restaurant opened in September of 2015. Originally named Taaj Market and Restaurant, this eatery offered both shopping and dining experiences, allowing customers to experience Persia inside and outside their homes.

Despite the success of Taaj Market in marrying the market and restaurant experience, Fadavi felt inspired to elevate the concept further.

Brand new look, same great food

In 2023, Fadavi decided to redesign the restaurant and offer customers a more elegant and exciting experience. Thus, DiBar Grill was launched.

Fadavi hired a new manager, Larry Larose, to help him with this process.

Larose has been in the service industry for several years but was looking for a change when he came across Taaj Market.

After hearing about Fadavi‘s new ideas for the restaurant, Larose stepped up to help bring them to life.

To really elevate the experience, DiBar Grill added a full bar and designed the space with a more eye-appealing look.

Revamping an established brand was a new experience for Fadavi and Larose, but together, they created and executed a beautiful vision for DiBar Grill.

Persian cuisine 101

Persian cuisine is a diverse culinary tradition that reflects the region’s long history and varied climate. It’s characterized by its bold and distinct flavors, including hardy meats, filling starches and savory sides.

Muhammara roasted red pepper with Sagnak

Spices, including saffron, turmeric, cinnamon, dried lime, cardamom and rose petals, are staples in Persian cuisine. Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, dill and mint are also frequently used.

“Expect a lot of red meat in many dishes, ” Kamel said. Lamb is one of the most popular meats in Persia, so when dining at a Persian restaurant, you can expect to see many different lamb preparations.

Lamb shanks and kebabs are two classic dishes that foodies can relish. While these lamb dishes are Persian must-haves, customers can also enjoy a variety of chicken, beef and seafood dishes.

The full Persian experience

DiBar Grill offers flavorful spreads and appetizers, such as hummus, labneh and roasted red peppers, along with its variety of lamb dishes. These small appetizer plates are also entirely vegan on their own. You can expect these spreads to be served with a warm sangak, a whole wheat leavened flatbread.

Labneh with smoked salmon and Sangak

Cheese is another favorite in Persian dishes, but labneh is a distinctive dish patrons must try. Yogurt strained in cheesecloth for two to three days produces a smooth, creamy spread with a tangy flavor.

Whether you are in for a full meal or a palatable snack, DiBar Grill gives customers the perfect Persian dishes.

DiBar Grill offers delivery for its entire menu, which you can order from its website. Whether you’re celebrating a Sunday night at home or a special occasion at a location of your choice, DiBar Grill has you covered.

DiBar Grill
6385 Spalding Dr Suite B
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
www.dibargrill.com
770-559-8799

Find two dozen more international restaurants in Peachtree Corners here!

Photos by Kendyl Clarke

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