Cheap Eats - Midtown move
Tin Roof’s new digs
Tin Roof Cantina’s move from Buckhead — the heart of frat-land — to Midtown could have been another nail in the coffin for gayville. However, instead of adding to the supersaturated Crescent Avenue bar district, Tin Roof took over the space on Piedmont (south of North Avenue) next to Blue Trout in January. In an area devoid of a proper music hang-out, the neighborhood now gets a sports bar, a live music venue and a margarita pitstop all rolled into one. It’s a risk — the established clientele may not show up. But it seems the influx of new residents in the area are aching for a place to get their game on in the neighborhood.
HISTORY: Brothers Jonathan and Jason Sheer opened the original Tin Roof in 1996 and it earned the reputation as a popular hang-out to watch the game and get sloppy. Jason recently took off for Nashville and opened another Tin Roof, while Jonathan took the empty brick building on Piedmont and gussied it up for the move. A big patio faces the road and a garage door cranks open to reveal two pool tables. A large bar, tables and booths fill the rest of the space, which keeps the vibe casual. A frozen margarita machine churns away and a permanent stage for weekend rock acts is set up in the back.
MEX UP THE TEX: The menu is a mix between typical bar food (burgers, wings, onion rings) and Tex-Mex (quesadillas, burritos, tacos). The raciest thing about the salsa three-way ($2.95) — with mild roasted tomato and Texas red salsas as well as pico de gallo — is its name. The choice of fajitas ranges between chicken, steak and shrimp, but for $10.95 you get a pile of any of the two which is big enough to share. Sweet onions, green peppers and sliced meat arrive sizzling and ready to pile onto warm flour tortillas. Tacos are a bit wimpy compared to other local gourmet types. The grilled salmon taco ($2.75) with sour cream and dill was dry and lifeless. The chicken and barbecue pork tacos ($2.25 each) are better. Don’t bother with the Del Sol quesadilla ($7.95) of chicken, sundried tomato and broccoli. It may seem healthier, but a place that serves cheese fries does not excel in heart-smart options.
MAKE IT A DOUBLE: Let’s face it, people really come here for the drinks. A list of margaritas includes punchy names and great prices. The standard Tin Roof house margarita ($5) includes Jose Cuervo Gold and fresh fruit juices, but if you want to feel like a tourist, try the Peachtree ($6.50) which adds a shot of puckery Peach Schnapps to the mix.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE: When I ordered the Nashville deep-fried hot dogs ($4.95) the waitress raised an eyebrow. The two dogs are plump and juicy in a poppyseed bun and come with a bevy of add-ons: I chose chili, melted cheddar and mustard (forgoing onions, relish and ketchup). I was defeated by the dogs and could only finish one of the hunky franks.