ATLANTA — Two Atlanta rappers are moving forward with plans to revive an historic local restaurant.
Killer Mike and T.I. filed a building permit this week to kickstart plans to rebuild and reopen Bankhead Seafood in northwest Atlanta.
The historic westside restaurant first opened on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway in 1968 and closed in 2018. Both rappers said they are doing this to invest in the community.
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Mike Render, better known as Killer Mike, said the restaurant has been a part of his life for decades.
“It’s been a part of my life as long as I’ve been on earth,” Render said. “If you’re writing a show or a book about Michael Render and his family, (Bankhead Seafood) would definitely be one of the characters.”
Render and T.I. officially purchased the business in 2019, including the name, trademark and recipes.
Longtime fans of the restaurant will spot most of their Bankhead Seafood favorites on the menu, including fried fish and hush puppies, in addition to some new grilled and steamed options.
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Render said his aunt and grandmother’s biscuit recipes will likely make an appearance and that T.I. makes a mean sweet potato pie” that will almost certainly be showcased. He said his cooking skills are lacking, but that he’ll contribute his lemonade to the beverage offerings.
Render said the hope is for the eatery to “be a fully-functioning” restaurant, complete with a liquor license.
Information from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was used in this report.
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