Willy’s Mexicana Grill ramps up the heat inside those custom-built burritos, bowls, tacos and quesadillas with its new recipe for smoky chipotle pork, slow-braised in savory tomato sauce with hints of garlic, onion and a more intense chipotle flavor than in the original recipe. Until recently, only customers at the Roswell Road Willy’s could chow down on this delectable pulled pork in a smoky chipotle sauce. Now the zippy new chipotle-spiced pork recipe has settled in at all locales…if one can use “settle in” and “chipotle spice” in the same sentence. Willy talks about this hot new offering here.
September brought exciting word that Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder and CEO Willy Bitter is a finalist for the 2016 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Award. This weekend, GRACE award winners will be announced at the 10th anniversary of the GRACE Awards Gala on Sunday, Nov. 13. The event, a high spot of the year for those in Georgia’s restaurant industry (as evident by sold-out ticket status), takes off at 6 p.m. in the Delta Flight Museum. Eight peer-nominated award categories will be honored by the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). Willy Bitter and Willy’s are up for the Distinguished Service Award recognizing leadership, demonstrated community service, charitable involvement and/or service to the restaurant industry. Kindness overflows from Willy’s eateries like the abundance of fresh fillings spilling out of their big rolled-to-order burritos. One example is Willy’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta through fundraising as well as involvement in the organization’s “Positive Sprouts” initiative to establish healthy eating habits and nutritional awareness. A portion of gala proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder and CEO Willy Bitter is throwing a 20th anniversary party and you’re invited. On Monday, July 13 at the very first Willy’s located at 4377 Roswell Road, stop in for $5 burritos all day, a spin of the prize wheel (11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.) for a chance to win Willy’s swag and to enter to win a $50 Willy’s gift card. At 11:30 a.m., Bitter will present a $20,145 check to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta resulting from Willy’s $20K or 20 Days fundraising event, which took place at all Atlanta-area and Athens locations in June. Willy’s will continue to thank guests at all locations throughout the #SummerOfWillys celebration with a new limited-time-only habanero peach salsa beginning July 13 and a special anniversary collectors' cup ($2.95 to purchase; $1 refills with entrée purchase through October 31). Guests who purchase an anniversary cup now through August 31 will receive a Zoo Atlanta coupon for $5 off a ticket or $10 off a zoo membership while supplies last.
Gold for 50th, silver for 25th. Twenty-year anniversary? $20K of green. On June 1, Willy’s Mexicana Grill kicks off #SummerOfWillys, a season-long 20th anniversary celebration, by presenting a $5 Willy’s coupon to customers who donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Through the $20K or 20 Days fundraiser, Willy Bitter, founder and namesake of Willy’s Mexicana Grill, flips the gifting to support the community that has kept Atlanta’s first burrito restaurant in the forefront for 20 years. The goal is to raise $20,000 for Positive Sprouts, the Boys & Girls Clubs’ healthy-eating initiative, in 20 days or less. When guests stop in for Willy’s fresh-made favorites like the popular new Baja burrito or Frito burrito, they can add a $5 donation to their tab. In return, they’ll receive a $5 cash coupon to use on their next visit. The fundraiser runs through June 20 at Atlanta- and Athens-area Willy’s locations. Coupon expires July 12, 2015 and is valid at all locations except Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
