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Ford Fry’s counter-service, taco, and chicken al carbon restaurant Little Rey plans to open by the end of April, according to a restaurant representative. The 3,500-square-foot Tex-Mex establishment, serving chicken al carbon (wood-roasted) tacos and margaritas, is located in the former Anchor Bar & Tattoo on Piedmont Avenue in Piedmont Heights.
The “Austin-inspired” Little Rey, designed by Atlanta-based Smith Hanes Studio, includes a large covered porch with a wood ceiling and a “funky yet whimsical” design throughout the restaurant. Think a smaller, more casual version of Fry’s Superica or the El Felix with vintage signs and folk art hung around the dining room and porch, accented in soft rose, deep blues, and sage green.
Fry tasked chef Kevin Maxey with creating a menu centering around chicken al carbon and tacos, vegetable sides, fresh salsas and tortillas, and salads. Migas breakfast tacos made with chorizo, bacon, potato, steak, or mushrooms, kale, and poblano peppers are served in the morning, along with family-sized, whole portions of chicken al carbon in the afternoons and evenings. Dessert consists of a rotating selection of soft serve ice cream flavors, such as tres leches or salty cajeta and fried peanuts.
Everything can be ordered for either dine-in or at the take-out window.
Little Rey will also serve frozen and fresh margaritas, agua frescas, and local and Mexican beers, found in a reach-in cooler.
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In addition to opening Little Rey next month, Fry’s first cookbook drops April 23 — Tex Mex: Traditions, Innovations, and Comfort Foods From Both Sides of the Border.
Fry’s other Atlanta restaurants include No. 246, the El Felix in Alpharetta and at the Battery, BeetleCat, Superica in Inman Park and Buckhead, Marcel, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, the Optimist, St. Cecilia, and King + Duke. Fry also owns Superica, La Lucha, and State of Grace, hopes to open a seafood restaurant in his native Houston, and has restaurants in the works for Nashville and Charlotte.
1878 Piedmont Avenue NE Atlanta.
