Appetizing Aperture: Willy's Pimentodilla

Southerners love their pimento cheese sandwiches – heck, we love pimento cheese slathered on anything, from grits to simple sammies at the Masters golf tournament. The Pimentodilla at Willy’s Mexicana Grill straddles Southern and Southwestern borders. The grilled quesadilla holds sinaloa chicken and Willy’s own pimento cheese and comes with sides of homemade roasted red pepper jelly and sour cream ($6.95 regular/$7.95 grande).

Willy’s Now Open and Rolling Burritos in Columbus

Passing through Columbus, Georgia and burgers or nuggets just won’t do? You’re in luck. Set the GPS for the newest Willy’s Mexicana Grill location at 5279 Whittlesey Boulevard in Columbus Park Crossing. Opened October 17, this new outpost brings its burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads and more – all made with choice ingredients like adobe and Sinaloa chicken or tofu, chipotle pork, cilantro-garlic steak, homemade guac and pico de gallo and fresh veggies -- to west Georgia. And don’t forget the cheese dip!

Atlanta Restaurants Cater Holiday Feast-ivities

What, no kitchen elves on your shelves? Smart phones and Wi-Fi work just as well in relaying your holiday wish list to Atlanta restaurants for holiday party or house-full-of-family hosting needs. Deliciously done. Like that. Magic.

Chef Shaun Doty caters farm-to-plate-style comforts such as fried chicken and sides like macaroni and cheese, Brussels sprouts and collard greens at Bantam + Biddy (Avalon, Lenox Square, Crescent Ave., Ansley Mall). Pick up or have chow delivered. To order, email wecater@bantamandbiddy.com or call 404-725-5059. Sister restaurant Chick-a-Biddy offers a similar selection at Atlantic Station.
 
Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market caters off-site and in-house, offering antipasti bars, panini platters and primi, secondi and dolci courses. Place orders at least 48 hours in advance; allow a week leeway for parties of 30+. Seeking unique? Book Bellina’s private event space for memorable family style meals, cocktail events and guided tastings of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and wine. Info and reservations:events@bellina-alimentari.com or call 404-330-9933.
 
FLIP burger boutique plans remarkable holiday events -- in homes, offices or at one of its locations -- with sliders, burgers, chips, vegetables, custom menus and milkshake bars. Info: email stephanie.shaw@flipburgerboutique.com or call 901-355-9323.

Ho, ho, ho, land at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown for pretzels with warm beer and cheese dip, wings and more substantial meals to share. Full catering menu jollies all, your place or theirs. More info: 404-968-2288.

Everyone loves barbecue, and Kevin Gillespie's Terminus City provides a Southern-style feast of smoked wonderment
sure to warm even the North Pole crew. Whole-hog
barbecue, country-fried steak and homemade sides like
fried okra, Brunswick stew and creamed corn will propel
you to top host for years to come. Place orders by emailingterminuscity@gunshowatl.com or calling 404-380-1886.
 
Tin Lizzy's Cantina delivers a spicy holiday fiesta of fajita fixings, grilled chicken, pulled pork, cantina salads and margarita mix (sorry, tequila not included). Deliveries require a $100 minimum order; $25 delivery fee within 10 miles. Prices exclude taxes and gratuity, and 24-hour notice is appreciated. Book your $500 or more holiday party now and receive a $100 Tin Lizzy's gift card to use for future purchases. More info: email cculbreth@tinlizzyscantina.comor call 404-668-8757.

Consider Twin Smokers BBQ’s catering menu for smoked brisket, pork ribs, chicken, sausage and pulled meat by the pound or half pound and sides like "Burnt Ends" chili, collards and potato salad. Several pricing options; drop-off catering is available with 48-hour notice for parties of 25 or more. Info and ordering: 404-698-4707.
 
Willy's Mexicana Grill provides cheese dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, burritos and crowd-pleasing catering menu options like build-your-own taco, fajita or nacho bars. Ten-person catering order minimum; order online or call 404-422-7107.

Appetizing Aperture:Willy's Mexicana Grill

Willy's Mexicana Grill caters to morning meeting or tailgate plans with mucho "olé!" Breakfast burritos encase your choice of sausage, chicken or bacon, eggs, jalapeño hash browns and Monterey Jack cheese in a flour tortilla blanket and have sides of pico de gallo and chipotle salsa. DIY-ers can build their own, same ingredients, with Willy's breakfast bar.

Sandy Springs, Smile and Say, “Queso!” Willy’s Mexicana is Now Open OTP on Roswell Road

Sandy Springs, make like a burrito and roll on into Willy’s Mexicana Grill, now open just in time for lunch! The new location at 6309 Roswell Road NE will offer the usual mouthwatering meats like chicken in spicy red chile adobe sauce, sirloin in cilantro garlic or barbecued pork in smoky chipotle adobe sauce to land in burrito bowls or top a pile of crispy tortilla chips. Willy’s can also do light and healthy with fresh salads with Tex-Mex toppings and Sinaola-style tofu. For game day or office parties, Willy’s catering is the perfect centerpiece to any occasion. 

Willy’s Mexicana Grill Wraps $5 Burritos for North Druid Hills Grand Opening on August 14

The Willy’s Mexicana Grill North Druid Hills location grand-opening fiesta is on Thursday, August 14. From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and again from 5-7 p.m., burrito lovers can try samples of Willy's specialties, spin the prize wheel and put their names in for raffle prizes. Almost every Willy’s order begins with a tortilla that’s made with freshly prepared dough mixed throughout the day and the restaurant makes salsa and guac fresh each day. Willy’s Mexicana Grill in The Village shopping center is open from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. Swing by for a great time and a great meal!

Appetizing Aperture: Willy's Mexicana Grill Southwest Chicken Salad

Stick your fork into a Southwest chicken salad at Willy’s Mexicana Grill. Grilled chicken, black beans, pico de gallo, corn salsa, jack cheese, homemade guacamole and tortilla strips all sit atop romaine and iceberg lettuce to create the perfect meal ($7.75). Find your closest Willy’s location online; their newest location just opened in The Village on North Druid Hills.

Coming Soon!

We are thrilled about these restaurants opening in the next few weeks. Bring your appetite and stay tuned for more details.

July 7: Tin Drum Asiacafe (North Druid Hills)
July 8: Willy’s (North Druid Hills)
July 17: Makan (Decatur)
July 21: Le Fat (Westside)
July 22: The Pig & The Pearl (Atlantic Station)
Aug. 15: Tin Lizzy’s (Kennesaw)
Aug. 26: Willy’s (Sandy Springs)

Cinco de Mayo Fiestas for a Muy Bueno Monday

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday this year, thus elevating the day from ho-hum to “Hola!” status as it caps a weekend of food and drink fiestas. Tilt back the sombrero and say “si” to so many ways and days to celebrate. Save the siesta for later.

Atkins Park is serving up three days of Cinco de Mayo celebrations with cervezas, tequila, palomas and margaritas to drink and pozole rojo, taquitos and chile rellenos to eat. Stop in May 3-5 for fiesta-style feasting.

HOBNOB stretches the Mexicana theme all the way from Monday, May 5 through Sunday, May 18 via their annual Tacos & Tequilas round up of specially prepared tacos matched with tricky tequila drinks. Taco and beverage pairing suggestions include carne asada and a Herradura skinny margarita; al pastor with Devil in a Blue Dress; blackened tilapia and HOBNOB Paloma Brava; slow-roasted chicken paired with a siesta martini; and blackened shrimp with mango salsa paired with Vampira. Choose one taco for $4, two for $7 or three for $10; tequila drink pairings are $8 each. Tacos & Tequilas tacks onto HOBNOB’s regular menu for this two-week time slot. 

Buckhead, Mall of Georgia and Perimeter Tin Lizzy’s Cantina locations are throwing Season de Cinco block parties with live music and contests over the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The three cantinas are all offering drink specials of Camarena tequila “Best House” margaritas ($6/16 oz. and $10/24 oz.), Corona Light drafts ($9/24 oz.), Grand Marnier shots ($3) and jolts of Deep Eddy vodka and Kill Cliff drinks ($6). Party with a purpose: all three locations are charging a $10 cover charge with a portion benefitting Bert’s Big Adventure. Buckhead amigos and amigas can get a running start on the fiesta-ivities by joining in the third Stache Dash 5K at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. It’s “nacho” average race, and 100 percent of proceeds benefit One Love Generation. Each runner receives a goodie bag with a cover-waiving wristband and coupon for one free drink at the Buckhead cantina’s 11 a.m.-2 a.m. block party (open to ages 21 and over). In Buford, the Mall of Georgia cantina cranks in the courtyard and amphitheater with giveaways and musical acts, such as Mario Diaz and Jacob Blazer from noon on Saturday until 2 a.m. Salsa on over to Tin Lizzy’s Perimeter for their Sunday Funday party on May 4 from 12:30 p.m. through midnight.

Offer up your casa or covey of cubicles for a cinco-sational gathering. Willy’s Mexicana Grill Catering can set you up with nacho, fajita or taco bars, burrito or quesadilla platters, sopapillas, beverages and gallons of Willy’s own margarita mix (spike with your own tequila).

Willy’s Mexicana Grill Brookhaven Spins $5 Burritos and Lunchtime Prizes for April 30 Ribbon Cutting

Burritoheads, Willy’s Mexicana Grill in Brookhaven’s Cherokee Plaza has grande-sized plans tied to their official ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30. All day long, $5 buys one of Willy’s plump burritos, customized your way with fresh and house-made ingredients. Sample their new flour tortillas and sweet sopapillas while you’re there. Spin the prize wheel during lunch and see what comes your way. Sneak up Peachtree from your Buckhead office to join in the fun!

Several Spots to Support Open Hand Dining Out for Life on April 23

Since 1993, Atlanta’s Dining Out for Life (DOFL) restaurant participants have raised more than $2.8 million for Open Hand and community nutrition programs. On Wednesday, April 23, more than 80 Atlanta restaurants will participate in this year’s delicious event by donating 25 percent or more from each table’s tab to Open Hand. Guests are welcome to add an extra donation for the cause. Aria, a seven-year event veteran, is a 2013 top-five DOFL restaurant donor. Willy’s locations in the Atlanta area also will participate in the fundraising. Two-year participant Bantam + Biddy Ansley Mall is joined by Bantam + Biddy on Crescent Avenue, as well as Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station. Midtowners will find more of their favorites on the list: 10th & Piedmont, G’s Midtown and HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill Now Open and Rolling Burritos in Brookhaven’s Cherokee Plaza

There really is a Willy behind Brookhaven’s newest burrito destination, Willy’s Mexicana Grill in Cherokee Plaza. Around 1995, he discovered his purpose in life: to provide that California-fresh burrito-bundle experience to deprived Atlantans. Over the years, he’s rolled thousands of burritos. Willy’s newest location is convenient to both Brookhaveners and Buckhead office dwellers scouting a palate-pleasing burrito fix between 11 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week. Guac, salsas and other menu items are made from scratch. Guests select from more than 20 fresh toppings and mouthwatering proteins, such as lean sirloin steak, chargrilled adobe or Sinaloa chicken, chipotle barbecue pork or marinated tofu plus vegetarian options. This Willy’s is the first one to offer sopapillas, those sweetly cinnamon, addicting southwestern dessert treats that pair nicely with Willy’s house-made specialty lemonades and flavored iced teas.