Rappers Killer Mike and T.I. have formally requested all the required permits to start work on the renovation of an Atlanta culinary and group staple, Bankhead Seafood.
The 2 introduced in 2019 that they’d be partnering to resurrect the restaurant, which went beneath in 2018 after having been in enterprise for 50 years, WSB reports. Each artist mentioned that for them, this enterprise enterprise represents yet one more alternative to spend money on a traditionally Black Atlanta neighborhood.
However they every even have private connections to the mission.
“It’s been part of my life so long as I’ve been on earth,” says Mike. “In case you’re writing a present or a ebook about Michael Render and his household, (Bankhead Seafood) would undoubtedly be one of many characters.”
T.I., born Clifford Harris, grew up not too removed from the restaurant’s location on Atlanta’s west facet.
When Mike and T.I. bought Bankhead Seafood, they acquired the restaurant’s trademarked title, it’s unique location, in addition to all of its recipes. Mike mentioned that his aunt and grandmother’s biscuit recipes and T.I.’s candy potato pie could also be added to the restaurant’s choices as effectively.
The Atlanta natives kicked off their revitalization of the model with an event in 2020, the place they unveiled each their new Bankhead Seafood food truck – which has been in operation since April of final yr – and plans for a two-story, 130-seat brick and mortar.
According to Eater, the unique plan was to open the restaurant in Spring 2021, however that plan was derailed by COVID. A brand new opening date has not been introduced.
Along with restoring the unique Bankhead Seafood, Mike, T.I. and their accomplice, actual property developer Noel Khalil have tapped restaurateur Delia Champion as a advisor to assist them increase the model to different bodily websites. Champion is the founding father of in style Atlanta brunch chain The Flying Biscuit.
“If Bankhead Seafood (which Ms. Harden held onto for 50 years efficiently on that very same avenue,) if we solely stayed there, we now have failed. It’s our job to finish up in different communities,” Killer Mike mentioned final yr. “Identical to Waffle Home and Chick-Fil-A had been born out of Atlanta, and we’ve seen different eating places and companies develop out of right here, we will be the subsequent one. We owe it to our group. Our objective is to grow to be a nationwide chain.”
