ATLANTA — An iconic Atlanta restaurant and bar is warning customers that it is increasing its menu.
For more than 60 years, Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland neighborhood is known for low prices and large portions. But starting this month, the menu prices are going up.
In a long letter posted on Facebook, owner Brian Maloof, whose family opened the restaurant in the 1950s, said the move is in response to inflation.
“Unfortunately, starting next month, we will have to implement an across-the-board percentage price increase, along with updating our pricing equations. We will continue to monitor neighborhood prices to ensure we remain competitive while maintaining large portions, stiff drinks, free parking, and free event space.”
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Channel 2 Action News previously reported on the restaurant’s struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The owner told Channel 2 that a neighborhood GoFundMe helped the restaurant stay open.
In his letter, Maloof said PPP money and other grants also helped them keep most of their prices down compared to other restaurants in the neighborhood. But Maloof said he noticed his customers and staff began struggling with the recent rising inflation.
“Our staff faced the pressures of inflation and requested pay increases, which we quickly granted. It became apparent that everyone was struggling with the financial impact of inflation. I also noticed a slight decrease in tip percentages, and our sales began to slow. Understandably, customers were tightening their spending. It felt like a perfect storm was brewing.”
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Maloof said the restaurant went to its cash reserves and that he and his wife also dipped into their retirement savings just to keep their business afloat. The owner said he wanted to be transparent with his customers about the price increases.
“Breaking from these traditions at Manuel’s feels like rewriting the Constitution – it’s that significant to me, and I believe it’s important to explain these changes to our guests.”
He said that the restaurant will be monitoring the inflation numbers and hopes that prices can eventually return to pre-COVID levels.
Manuel’s Tavern opened in 1956 at the same location as Harry’s Delicatessen, a longtime neighborhood deli that served beer following the end of Prohibition.
Over the decades, it became one of Atlanta’s political hubs, attracting presidents, journalists, clergy and other various politicians.
In 2020, the tavern was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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