The Old Adams Hardware Building in Bolton Is Finally Becoming a Real Restaurant

The old Adams Hardware building in the northwest Atlanta neighborhood of Bolton is set to become the Companion bar and restaurant later this spring, What Now Atlanta first reported. It’s owned by Andy Gonzales, the longtime chef at Decatur’s Steinbeck’s Ale House.

Gonzales says the Companion is under the “operational umbrella” of Steinbeck’s and Universal Joint, but the ownership group is different. He considers the Companion a “sister bar” to Steinbeck’s. The chef calls the Companion a “convivial bar with restaurant tendencies.”

“Our goal is to be an inclusive neighborhood hub and serve our community the best food and libations we can at a solid value,” he says.

As for the menu, Gonzales tells Eater Atlanta he plans to “lean toward big, delicious sandwiches,” along with a few entrees and burgers, “snacky items,” and soft serve ice cream. The bar includes 16 beers on tap, craft cocktails, a couple of frozen drinks, and wines by the glass.

Gonzales is known for his “global” takes on dishes at Steinbeck’s, like a smoked pork and kimchee sandwich, pan-roasted chorizo migas, and pork cheek terrine and smoked butt banh mi.

Ryan Fleisher

The Companion

“The neighborhood around the Adams Building has really started taking off with new build-outs, but there are lots of young families that have lived in the area for years and have been historically underserved for bars and restaurants,” Gonzales tells Eater. “We are excited to be a place where our neighborhood can gather and enjoy themselves in a beautiful environment.”

B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue owner Bryan Furman came close to leasing the Adams Hardware building and neighboring Masonic lodge last year, following a fire at his nearby Riverside restaurant. However, the landlord would not allow a smoker on the property.

In 2015, rumors swirled that the Fox brothers had also considered the building for a second location of their popular Candler Park barbecue restaurant. They have since leased space for a second location at the Works, an 80-acre mixed use complex scheduled to open this summer in the northwest Atlanta neighborhood of Underwood Hills. The Works also includes a 30-stall food hall fronted by restaurateur and Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern.

The Companion

The Companion

The Companion

The Companion

The lawn game area between the Companion and the old Masonic lodge

Update, February 7, 10:30 a.m.: This story has been updated with new information and comments from chef Andy Gonzales.

316 Marietta Road NW, Atlanta.

• Pitmaster Bryan Furman Is Mounting B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue’s Riverside Comeback [EATL]
• Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q Opens a Second Location Next Year in Underwood Hills [EATL]