Prepare for Whole-Roasted Suckling Pigs, Rum Cocktails, and Live Music in Alpharetta

Chef Julio Delgado says he wants to get back to the “origin of cooking” at his upcoming Spanish-Latin restaurant Fogón and Lions, opening in Alpharetta next spring. At the heart of the restaurant is fire and Delgado’s version of a fogón, an open-hearth, wood-burning station, where the chef hopes to churn out dishes rooted in the culinary traditions of Spain, Mexico, South America, and his native Puerto Rico.

Located on Roswell Street in downtown Alpharetta, Delgado will use a 14-foot, custom-built grill displayed in the open kitchen, meant to replicate open-hearth cooking methods from Spain and Latin America for roasting and grilling meats.

Fogon and Lions

But for Delgado, the cultural legacy of these traditional cooking methods includes a familial tie. The chef speaks fondly of his grandfather serving as inspiration for Fogón and Lions, who owned a butcher shop in Puerto Rico.

Expect everything from a variety of pintxos, tapas, and ceviches to paella, chicken croquetas, charcuterie, and shrimp tacos served at Fogón and Lions. Delgado also plans to prominently feature churrascos (marinated, grilled meats often found in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina), along with a whole roasted suckling pig, on the menu here.

Look for plenty of rum and tequila behind the bar, with cocktails reflecting the food on the menu and vibe in the dining room and at the 30-seat indoor-outdoor bar. The wine list should lean heavily toward Spanish and South American producers, too. Expect live music in the evenings.

Delgado also owns pizzeria Minnie Olivia next door to Fogón and Lions in Alpharetta, where he is the executive chef. Prior to opening Minnie Olivia, Delgado worked at a number of Atlanta-area restaurants, including JP Atlanta and New Realm Brewing.

10 Roswell Street, Alpharetta.

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