Neighborhood Eateries Open and Offer Escape From Cabin Fever

Normally, Jim Athanas enjoys days off from his job as a server at 5 Seasons Brewing. But being at home these past few days feels like overkill, he said.

“It’s a little much,” he said of the winter weather. “I’m sure people are having a bit of a hard time with staying inside. I go outside for air sometimes, and also, I call people. And I’ve been watching [a box set] of “The Twilgiht Zone.” “

Some folks have ventured out during this latest winter blast and found their way to Taco Mac at the Prado, on Roswell Road.

The restaurant/sports bar stayed open until midnight, Monday, for customers watching the BCS championship game.

“All of our locations opened,” said Buzz Schuster, a managing partner.  “We talked about whether we should open, and it was based on management being able to get there.” 

Experienced in snow, the Buffalo, N.Y. native has been driving in from his Snellville home. Staff, including district managers and the president of the company have shoveled snow and done whatever it takes to get the locations open, he said.

“Perimeter was short on cooks, so we sent cooks there. Today we were short on servers and they sent servers over here, “ he said.

On Tuesday, parents at the Sandy Springs Taco Mac said they’ve had fun in the snow with the kids, but they were ready to leave the neighborhood.

“We went on a long family walk,” said Sherri Herrick,  “And we got to see a lot of the neighbors.”

Simon, 11 and Sam, 14 added that they’ve played video games and would be content with a few more days off from school.

"We lived in Boston for many years so we’re used to snow, but you do start to go a little stir crazy,” said their father Alan Herrick.

The Nuffer family stopped in the restaurant after a day of throwing snowballs and using a boogie board as a makeshift sled in their driveway.

“It’s really hard to steer a boogie board with two people on it,” said 7-year-old Leah Nuffer. 

During the first two snow days, the Nuffers shoveled ice in the neighborhood.  It was part fun and part work, 9-year-old Seth Nuffer said.

There was a smaller crowd over at the sports bar in Café 290, on Hilderbrand Drive, but those who were there got a treat. Owner John Scatena prepared complimentary baked ziti. 

“We were going to do it anyway but canceled it because of the storm,” Scatena said.  “And then I thought, why not do it. Tuesday night is all about friendship.”

Other Sandy Springs restaurants were open by mid-week.

• 5 Seasons Brewing
• Food 101
• Cafe Sunflower