About the bar (from the official website):
"What is the deal with the name?" Why do we have the name of what appears to be a Mexican restaurant, when we have the best places to drink beer, watch a game, and get the southeast's original Buffalo-style chicken wings? Well, it is not a long story, so if you are one of those people who have always wondered about the name, here goes:
In 1979, a couple of guys from Buffalo made a stop in Atlanta on the way to Florida. Turns out that they liked Atlanta, and decided to stay. They had bigger ideas than they had bank accounts, but eventually found a spot to open their restaurant. The idea was to offer Buffalostyle chicken wings–something totally new in the south–in a relaxing, neighborhood pub setting. What they found was a little taco stand on the corner of Virginia and North Highland Avenues. The rest, as they say, is history.
What happened next, so many years ago, is the critical piece to the story. When these guys finally had a few bucks, it was time to change the sign out front to something–anything–other than Taco Mac. But they also had some badly needed kitchen repairs to address. So the sign stayed. And this went on, until eventually everyone in the neighborhood knew the beer and wing place, their favorite little hang-out, as Taco Mac. You can still visit the original location in the heart of Virginia-Highland, just miles from downtown Atlanta. It still has the original sign, and the clock that always reads seven o'clock. But the clock is another story….
As the founders grew a bit older, some old friends came down to help open new locations. Taco Mac began to take on a slightly different identity, but always staying true to its roots. The menu expanded, the beer selection grew (and grew, and grew…), and Taco Mac became a more family-friendly atmosphere. Now we are proud to have over 25 locations across three states. Taco Mac offers an incredible beer selection, the best TV set-up anywhere, and a food menu that includes something for everyone. We still sell the southeast's original Buffalo-style chicken wings, and yes, we have tacos.
At the heart of it all is that we love what we do. We like to get a bite to eat with friends and family in a fun atmosphere. We enjoy a beer or two while we're watching a game. So sit back, relax, and see if Taco Mac isn't right up your alley too. We're glad you're here.
___________________________________
Fan submission (from Gtbuzz)
Taco Mac in Atlanta, Ga!
Story has it, in 1979, a couple of guys from Buffalo made a stop in Atlanta on the way to Florida. Turns out that they liked Atlanta, and decided to stay. Their idea was to start their own neighborhood pub focusing on, you guessed it, buffalo-style chicken wings :) What they found was a little taco stand on the corner of Virginia and North Highland Avenues.
When these guys finally had a few bucks, it was time to change the sign out front to something, anything other than Taco Mac. But they also had some badly needed kitchen repairs to address. So the sign stayed and we are now blessed with Taco Mac and its hundreds of draft beers. You can even still visit the original location in the heart of Virginia-Highland, just miles from downtown Atlanta. It still has the original sign with the clock that always reads seven o'clock. But the clock is another story altogether......
Taco Mac is an Atlanta original, I've been going there since I was a kid, and my OWN kids have practically grown up there (yes, it IS possible for kids to learn table manners in a sports bar!) They now have tacomacs at the georgia dome, turner field, and couness other locations across the southeast, but the original little taco stand in the Virginia highlands neighborhood will never be beaten.
Consider this, if you drink 125 different beers, you get your own personalized mug (I'm up to 310). Taco Mac had to institute a LIMIT of 6 drinks a night that could count towards your 125, because fraternities were hazing pledges by making them earn their mug.......over a weekend!!!!!
Now that's dedication (to tacomac AND your fraternity).