Verde Taqueria Will Replace Fox & Hounds On Collier Road

By caleb j. spivak + on October 22, 2010

verde taqueria to open in the shuttered fox and hounds space ~ what now, atlanta?

But The Neighborhood Doesn’t Want Tacos

Fox and Hounds Pub, located at 1193 Collier road, closed early September after nearly 15 years in business (story here).

So we followed the movement at the space like white on rice and found that there couldn’t have been more interest in this location.

Eric Carlton of Joel & Granot Real Estate was in charge of getting the space leased for landlord, Eric Sticker. Within two weeks of Fox & Hounds closing, Carlton leased the space to Verde Taqueria y Cantina. This will be the second Atlanta location for Verde Taqueria y Cantina, their first at 1426 Dresden drive in Brookhaven.

Carlton was forced to find a replacement quickly when Fox & Hounds closed without warning in September after renewing its lease for five years, according to an article by BisNow Atlanta. The site also adds that owner, Derek Lawford Ventures, filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2008.

But locals who frequented Fox & Hounds for years don’t want a Taqueria. We spoke with a restaurant and hotel wine and beer consultant back on October 6 who say’s she’s been going to Fox & Hounds for 13 years.

“13 years ago, I got a job as a server for Fox & Hounds. There is a great banter and comradery with the neighborhood and we all rally there and have certain expectations. I believe that anything that is put in place of that is not going to do as well as what we had, a neighborhood pub.”

Ironically enough, when we interviewed this ex-server (she wishes to remain anonymous) for Fox & Hounds, she said whatever does open there, it cannot be a Taqueria.

“The community will speak up. Its what we want. Somebody needs to take over with the same philosophy as Fox & Hounds.”

Fox & Hounds Pub
1193 Collier Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30318

grand opening

About caleb j. spivak

CJS is the Founder of What Now Atlanta. He was recently featured in The New York Times, Creative Loafing's "20 People to Watch in 2012," named "Lifestyle Blogger You Need To Know" by Rolling Out Magazine and highlighted as Atlanta's Metropolitan Male in fashion magazine, 944. WNA was named "Best of Atlanta" by Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine.

13 Comments

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crash bandicoot

October 22, 2010 at 8:57 am

I’m glad something is coming in to fill this space, but really… we have Hankook Taqueria, Nuevo Laredo, Bone Garden Cantina, and Taqueria Del Sol all nearby… please, no more taco joints!

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ESpaghetti

October 22, 2010 at 10:26 am

I live pretty much around the corner from this place and I’m not too upset that it closed. I do wish the former owners good luck though.

I’ve been to Verde in Brookhaven and it’s great. It would actually be an upgrade from Fox & Hounds. Farrrrrr better food, more liquor and beer choices plus margarita’s. I’m not even a major drinker and I recognize the added value to the neighborhood. I can also walk to this place, where I can’t walk to any of the taqueria’s that “crash” has mentioned above.

Hankook = Yummy taco’s, but Korean twist makes them totally un-similar, in addition to their bad location. Nuevo Laredo = Just OK food really. I’ve been there multiple times always trying to give them another chance to earn my patronage with a decent meal. Has never panned out. Bone Garden = Good food, interesting choices but too far from this area to consider it as a “neighborhood” establishment. Taqueria Del Sol = Deeeelish! Always a winner for me especially if you can get over the Taco Nazi mentality of a few of the cashier/order-takers. This one also, not a “neighborhood” establishment. This is a must drive that I will do.

Please DO make it a non-smoking establishment though. Really a nasty habit that I still can’t believe people enjoy, even with all the proof in the world that you CAN eventually die from. Oh well.

I’m looking forward to it and my wife and I WILL be there on the first eve of its opening. Good luck!!

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Kristina

October 22, 2010 at 5:11 pm

The last few times I’ve been to Taqueria del Sol, they seemed to have dropped the attitude (and possibly the people who brought that attitude in with them). For me, means Taqueria del Sol is going to be that much tougher to beat. Another taco place (yet another…hear, hear, crash) is going to have to be pretty sublime to compete for my lunch business.

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Slowfood

October 22, 2010 at 6:13 pm

Dumbing down food. Soon there will only be burgers, pizzas, and tacos.

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Beentheredonethat

October 23, 2010 at 12:53 pm

This place may last a little while, but not long. Changing the concept this much will bite them in the ass. Plus, they are not cool people at all.

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crash bandicoot

October 23, 2010 at 1:09 pm

Thanks, Kristina… I have been going to TDS for quite some time and have never received any attitude from the staff. I just don’t go much because I often don’t want to stand around waiting.

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Really?

October 24, 2010 at 2:31 am

What Philosophy? The philosophy of not being able to cash employee paychecks? The philosophy of overpriced beers? The philosophy of closing several times over with no notice or concern for employees or patrons? I live in the neighborhood as well and find that many of the people now championing F&H are the same people who complained about them constantly when they were open. Saying nothing will replace them is simply nostalgia. I, for one, look forward to any business that brings new life to the neighborhood- although I admittedly hoped for something open later hours.

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Westside

November 1, 2010 at 4:00 pm

Come on guys! I have lived in the area for a few years now and I think Verde will be a great addition to the neighborhood. Their location in Brookhaven is always packed. The only place in the area you could possibly compare it to would be Taqueria del Sol. Verde is way more family friendly than Taqueria del Sol and a better place to sit down, hang out, and enjoy good food and great drinks. I am not knocking Taqueria del Sol because it is very good, it is just a totally different dining experience than Verde. Also, don’t be so sure that Verde is not planning on catering to the late night crowd. These guys are not stupid. They know that Fox and Hound was a very popular night spot and would not want to walk away from that business. Verde can provide both. You need to at least give it a chance before writing it off!!

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Dan

November 2, 2010 at 10:10 am

exactly…why the negativity?… Im a neighbor…and if you ask me….Verde will be a great family spot…and from experience some of the best tacos ive ever had…braised short rib/pulled pork/buffalo chicken/
verdetacos.com

Not to mention Verde caters to both the family crowd and bar crowd

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westside2

November 9, 2010 at 5:09 pm

Are you guys bashing Verde crazy? Try taking your kids to one of these other places. Most don’t even have a high chair. If they do, you are made to feel like an idiot for wanting to use it.

If I were them, I’d try everything in my power to distinguish myself from F&H. It needs a full 180 turn. Why would you not be excited to have a place to take your family for a decent meal without being made to feel like a leper because you have kids? They get it. If you leave the kids at home or bring them along, Verde seems to want people to simply enjoy their time. I for one am excited to have a place that won’t smell like an old ashtray and I won’t fear what might be behind the kitchen doors.

Beenthere – you hang with these people a lot? Seems like you know them well. Do you have to be cool to run a restaurant? I don’t care if they are cool or huge nerds, I’m just excited they picked our neighborhood to put a family restaurant where I can still feel like I’m going out even though I have my kids with me.

I guess those not excited to have them near us can go hang at Mr. C’s or Stooges. Those places are packed with cool people.

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NewWestsider

March 28, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Used to live by original Verde. It’s the best. Can’t wait for it to make its way to the westside.

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cross creek

August 10, 2011 at 5:09 pm

Fox and Hounds sucked….bad attitudes from from the employees (like they were doing you a favor taking your order), bad atmosphere (usually a ghost town in there), and bad prices. Welcome, Verde!

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