Omnivore - Engine 11 replaces the Spotted Dog

Engine 11 takes over the Spotted Dog.

I had been serving at the Spotted Dog for over a month in June, and was shocked to see all of the patio furniture MIA when I arrived for my lunch shift. I swung open the back door to find the kitchen empty, except for one lonely cook tightening the lid of a pickle jar. He looked startled to see me standing bewildered in the doorway.


“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Oh, you didn’t hear?” he said, shaking his head. “We shut down. You’re out of a job.”

I trudged away.

So, the Spotted Dog left me hanging jobless and confused, without a definite reason why I was jobless and confused. The pub abandoned not only me, but North Avenue and their button-up Bank of America regulars. Since that gloomy day in June, it has been clear to everyone that the empty firehouse on North Ave. needed a hero.

This morning, whizzing by the ex-pub, I saw something bright floating over the patio. Was it a bird? A plane? No, it’s Engine 11 Firehouse Tavern! And even though the logo looks a bit like Firehouse Subs, I’m glad someone has recognized the space’s potential, because seriously, the location is ballin’ and they did a great job renovating the firehouse.

Engine 11 is putting the finishing touches on the menu and has not set an exact date for their grand opening. For more information, visit their website: www.engine11atl.com.

(Photo by dmcco01 from AtlantaCuisine.com)