Food & Drink
Great Barbecue and Strong Community Spirit Bring Families to Moe’s Original BBQ
Born and raised in Peachtree Corners, Harris Carlock probably didn’t give much thought to Alabama-style barbecue. But he did while attending the University of Alabama.
There he became good friends with classmates who eventually founded Moe’s Original BBQ — Ben Gilbert and Jeff Kennedy.
According to Moe’s company history, another founder, Mike Fernandez learned to fire roast meats back in 1988 from Tuscaloosa legend Moses Day, whose distinct style makes up Moe’s original flavor of barbecue.
Eventually the founding partners all relocated to Vail, Colo., where each refined their cooking skills, according to the Moe’s website. Together, they created something special by using fruit wood to smoke their meats and complementing them with two sauces — a classic red and an Alabama white.
The first Moe’s that’s part of the franchise is actually located in Vail, said Carlock.
With a day job selling commercial real estate, Carlock said he always wanted to open a Moe’s in his hometown — in the spot where it is now.
“I had been watching that particular location for years hoping that it would become available,” he said. “My hope is that it would be a really a big part of the community. I see it as a place for families to come after t-ball and soccer games.”
In 2021 his wish came true. He partnered with his cousin, Scott Carlock, who has an extensive restaurant background, as well as another Moe’s Original BBQ owner, Kyle McCarter.
“I live a mile from Moe’s and that’s really why we started it — to add to the local community,” said Harris Carlock. “I know the brand, because of my friends, but also, I know it’s a great product. Knowing that there are not a lot of other barbecue places in Peachtree Corners, I thought it would be a good fit.”
Isabelle Carlock, Victoria Gilbert, Justin and Brandi Parsonnet, Victor Salinas
Family, food and fun
Harkening back to his youth, Harris Carlock reminisced about playing football on Norcross High’s offensive line. “On Thursdays, the coach would take us to Sonny’s BBQ and we would eat all we could eat. …That’s pretty neat,” he said. “I love that we’ve set up the same program with Norcross today. The Norcross offensive line comes every Thursday.”
Not to be outdone, Johns Creek has started the tradition this year.
“To me, that’s really what we’re about. That’s exactly what I want to do. You know, it’s not about making money. We do that at our cost, and it really makes us happy to see those kids out there. They love it; they come in and eat lots of wings and pork,” Harris Carlock said.
Moe’s isn’t just a one-sport spot, however.
“We also have a partnership with the Peachtree Corners Football Club, which is the soccer program that plays out of Jones Bridge Park,” he added. “We’re all about families coming in. We have ‘Kids eat free’ on Wednesday night.”
Keeping it fresh
Harris Carlock wants everyone to give Moe’s a try.
“Ribs are really what we’re famous for, but in addition to that, our smoked wings are probably our best seller. The other thing, I think, that sets us apart is we make our sides fresh daily from scratch,” he said.
In addition to the side dish staples that are on the menu every day, there are specialty dishes — mainly vegetables — that rotate. On occasion, a customer may get perturbed because their favorite has run out and there’s not a vat of it in the back to scoop out.
“Our philosophy is that all our meats are smoked fresh every day — same with the vegetables. So when we’re out of them, we’re out,” he said. “We purposely don’t cook more than we think we’ll sell because we don’t want to reheat it the next day.”
That’s kind of a pet peeve, he said.
“There are a lot of places where you can get good ‘cue, but then they’ve got potato salad that they just got from the deli or whatever, and they didn’t put that same kind of care into the sides,” he said.
It’s in the smoking and the sauces
The big thing that stands out is the Alabama-style of smoking the meat. Traditional barbecue in Alabama centers around pork cooked in open pits over hickory wood. Other hardwoods, such as oak and pecan, are also used.
Sauces vary by the proximity to other states — the closer to North Carolina, the more vinegar based; the closer to South Carolina, the more mustard based; the closer to Memphis the sweeter and more tomato-y.
But the white sauce — a mayonnaise-based concoction with vinegar, lemon juice, horseradish and cayenne pepper — is an Alabama tradition by itself.
McCarter, who’s actually a metro Atlanta native from Roswell, was trained under the original franchise owners in Vail and runs the day-to-day operations.
“Kyle smokes all the meat. He runs the restaurant. He’s the one responsible for the delicious food,” said Harris Carlock.
Moe’s invites families and friends to trivia on Thursday nights and ‘Kids eat free’ on Wednesday nights. Everyone is welcome to watch the Braves or the Falcons or the Hawks on one of the eight TVs.
Of course, there’s always the option to dine while sitting on the patio and enjoying being part of a great community.
Moe’s Original BBQ
5005 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. 810, Peachtree Corners
770-696-2631
Photos by George Hunter
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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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