Lincoln Property Company today announces that El Gordo Taqueria by Fuego Tortilla, Fresh Squeezed Mini Bar and Le Macaron will be the first retailers to open at Echo Street West, the 19-acre, mixed-use community rising in Atlanta’s Westside. Situated adjacent to the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Connector Trail, the locally and minority-owned concepts will bring novel food and beverage experiences to the neighborhood.

“We are curating a welcoming environment on Atlanta’s Westside by bringing in diverse shop and restaurant owners and unique offerings,” said Tony Bartlett, SVP at Lincoln Property Company. “We’re encouraged by the huge strides the project has made in the past year – from the openings of Westside Motor Lounge and VIBE, to the lease-up of Guardian Studios and the enormous response to Guardian Works – and we look forward to making more exciting retail announcements soon.

El Gordo Taqueria by Fuego Tortilla

Just steps from the BeltLine’s Westside Connector Trail, El Gordo Taqueria by Fuego Tortilla encompasses 2,430 square feet with an outdoor patio on the front corner of Echo Street. Inspired by coastal Mexico, the authentic chef-driven restaurant will be a seafood-infused taqueria, with menu items ranging from gourmet Mexican street food to fresh ceviche and fish tacos. A wide selection of beverages such as agave nectar margaritas, mezcal and Mexican beers will also be available at Fuego’s full-service bar.

Stemming from Guanajuato, Mexico, owner/chef Mario Garcia immigrated to Georgia in 2004, and embarked on a remarkable culinary journey. Starting his career at a young age, he not only honed his skills but also launched seven restaurants prior to venturing into his very own establishment. It was Garcia who crafted diverse menus, blending flavors and influences from Asian, Peruvian, Venezuelan, and Spanish cuisines for renowned eateries like Fuego de Mar in Senoia, El Muchacho Alegre in Fairburn, Los Mariachis in Peachtree City and Fairburn, as well as Santa Maria Tapas Espanolas y Latinas.

Garcia opened his first Fuego Tortilla location in Marietta in 2019, which will remain a traditional taqueria. With a focus on seafood and genuine Mexican dishes, the Echo Street West location will open in Spring 2024. Garcia is in the process of finalizing the menu and sourcing the freshest seafood from nearby Georgia port cities. Fuego Tortilla will serve lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends.

“We’re bringing an adventurous menu into the city with fresh salsas, whole ingredients, blue corn tortillas and other bold flavors,” said Garcia. “Whether our guests come from the surrounding neighborhood, off the BeltLine or from out of town, we look forward to welcoming them into our culture through delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine.”

Fresh Squeezed Mini Bar

Also joining Echo Street West is Fresh Squeezed Mini Bar, a new concept from the family-owned smoothie and juice bar, Fresh Squeezed Juice Bar. Restaurant owners Destiny and Anthony Hampton, along with their three young children, opened their first Fresh Squeezed location in East Cobb in 2020 after recognizing the need for more health-conscious options amid the COVID pandemic. The fresh ingredients help to build immunity and promote a healthier way of living. 

Fresh Squeezed is heavily influenced by family, with several menu items inspired by family members, such as the Big Apple for Anthony’s New York roots and Rebecca’s Potato Potion after Destiny’s grandmother. The family expanded to Phipps Plaza in 2022 and will introduce its new concept, Fresh Squeezed Mini Bar, at Echo Street West in Spring 2024.

The new 1,917-square-foot location alongside the BeltLine’s Westside Connector Trail will serve smoothie bowls and fresh juices during the day, and introduce tapas and cold-pressed cocktails during the evening and at brunch on the weekends. The cocktails will use agave instead of sweetener for a healthier option meant to prevent hangovers. New small-plate menu items include jackfruit nachos, tofu curry, sweet potato biscuits, lobster pasta and other dishes. Fresh Squeezed Mini Bar will also have zero-proof options and an outdoor patio facing the BeltLine.  

“I’ve grown up in Atlanta and have seen how much the city has transformed,” said Destiny. “The Westside in particular is incredibly diverse and inclusive, so we knew our next location would thrive at Echo Street West. We’re all about family here, and we can’t wait to welcome the community into ours through fresh juices and cold-pressed cocktails.”

Le MacaronLe Macaron will serve authentic French macarons from its 895-square-foot location at Echo Street West. Beyond the signature macarons, its menu includes gourmet chocolates, French gelato, classic French pastries, European-style beverages and homemade candies. The Westside location is one of six in Georgia from local franchise owner Kerwin Glasgow, with several others throughout the country. 

The three new concepts add to the variety of experiences at Echo Street West including Westside Motor Lounge, the three-acre indoor-outdoor restaurant, bar, music venue and event space; Guardian Studios, an artist community with 31 studios and a gallery space; Guardian Works, a popular events venue for weddings, music festivals and more; VIBE, the 292-unit apartment community; and 765 Echo, the forthcoming 300,000-square-foot creative office building featuring timber ceilings and large outdoor terraces. For more information on Echo Street West, follow @EchoStreetWest on Facebook or Instagram and visit the website at www.echostreetwest.com.