Georgia Magazine - February 2022 - 26

Around GEORGIA By H.M. Cauley
Unusual eateries
Branch out of the ordinary with
creative dining experiences
W
hy just dine when you can have a dining
adventure? Whether it be an unusual setting,
a twist on a longtime favorite cuisine
or a surprising service detail, these eateries will leave
guests with more than just full stomachs; they'll also
have a story to share about the experience.
One of the best examples of dining with a twist
is at Truett's Luau. Sound familiar? Yes, it's the first
name of Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, who, it
turns out, was as fascinated with Hawaii as with
chicken. A year before his death in 2014, Cathy
created this island-themed restaurant in Fayetteville
that holds more than a few surprises for those who
thought they knew all about Chick-fil-A.
" Truett Cathy was 90 when he came up with this
idea, " says Brandon Bennett, the Luau's executive
general manager. " He loved going to the beach and
visiting Hawaii. "
Those influences are evident in the decor,
much of which Cathy hand-picked. Palm trees, dried
fronds, hanging orchids, tiki pillars and waterfalls
abound. The lanai (patio) is strung with lights
between blue-umbrella-shaded tables.
The interior features a sit-down service area
where guests will find a special menu that complements
traditional Chick-fil-A selections: fish tacos, tropical chicken
nuggets, chicken salad with pineapple and red grapes,
pineapple fried rice, sweet potato waffle fries and-gasp!-
a burger with bacon and a pineapple ring atop a Hawaiian roll.
And take home a memory of your visit with a stop in the gift
shop stocked with Chick-fil-A merchandise.
Keep the Hawaiian theme going with a visit to Trader Vic's,
tucked into the lower level of the Hilton Atlanta hotel in downtown
Atlanta.
The decor is so distinctive that General Manager Maurice
Pinder often welcomes visitors who just want to snap photos of
the unusual Polynesian masks, bamboo accents, hanging
baskets, nautical-themed paintings and preserved sea turtles
that have been part of the space since it opened in 1976.
" When Conrad Hilton opened the hotel, he reached out to
The menu at
Truett's Luau in
Fayetteville includes items
not found at a traditional
Chick-fi l-A restaurant.
26 Georgia Magazine February 2022
[restaurateur] Victor Bergeron for one of his tiki bars that were a
thing in those times, " Pinder says. " People who come here often
know that this is where tiki drinks like the original mai tai come
from. "
The Atlanta location and another in Emeryville (near
Oakland), Calif., are the last outposts with direct ties to
Bergeron, who selected many of the artworks and accents.
Diners today can peruse the Polynesian-themed artifacts while
savoring the menu specialties: fried rice with chicken, shrimp
The island-themed decorations at Truett's Luau in Fayetteville
refl ect Chick-fi l-A founder Truett Cathy's love for Hawaii.
COURTESY CHICK-FIL-A
Georgia Magazine - February 2022

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