Quick Bites: Fat Matt’s catering kitchen burns ‘slap up,’ Doggy Dogg returns, East Pole Coffee Co.’s transparent roastery opens and more

Food news roundup

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Photo credit: Joeff Davis/CL file
RETURN OF THE DOG: Downtown Decatur's Doggy Dogg hot dog stand reopens this Saturday.

A fire engulfed the Fat Matt’s Rib Shack catering kitchen and business office, adjacent to the building where customers are served, on Monday evening. Atlanta Fire Rescue tweeted: “Under control at this time. No injuries reported.” Luckily, the popular barbecue spot, which has maintained a pretty consistent line since opening in September of 1990 at 1811 Piedmont Rd., remains open for business. “Our restaurant is fine!” the business commented on their Facebook page. “Our big kitchen next door burnt slap up.”

We have been jonesin’ for dogs from James Hammerl’s adorable Doggy Dogg hot dog shack for months now. The stand, which serves local hot dogs from Pigman, brats and bacon from Pinestreet Market and buns from Ratio Bake Shop, has been closed during the City of Decatur’s E. Howard Ave. construction project. But the wait is finally over: Doggy Dogg reopens Sat., Sept. 9. Get your dog fix from noon until midnight.

East Pole Coffee Co.’s long-awaited “transparent roastery” is opening at Armour Yards Mon., Sept. 11. Glass doors behind the cash register allow for great views of the roasting process for visitors to the 255 Ottley Dr. facility. The public are invited to a grand opening kickoff on Fri., Sept. 15th at 7 p.m., featuring a collaboration beer from Second Self Beer Company and a nacho truck from Yumbii.

Ford Fry is adding a new venture to his roster: a taco truck. The stationary vehicle will sit inside the second location of Fry’s the El Felix, which opens in October at the Battery at SunTrust Park. Expect dishes like brisket chili nachos, hot tamales and margaritas.

Many of Atlanta’s finest barbecue joints are banding together Weds., Sept. 6 for the BBQ for Texas Dine Out to benefit Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. A portion of all sales that day will go to Global Giving. Spend your wing Wednesday at B’s Cracklin’ BBQ, Heirloom Market BBQ, Sweet Auburn BBQ, Bone Lick BBQ, Community Q, DBA BBQ, Grand Champion BBQ, Greater Good BBQ or Smoke Ring to eat for a cause.

During a reception and book signing for The Southern Foodways Alliance Guide to Cocktails, moderator John T. Edge spread the good news that former H. Harper owners/bartenders Jerry and Krista Slater will soon be opening a cocktails and small bites spot in Athens. There was much applause.

Speaking of Dawg Town, Athens-based brewery Terrapin Beer Co., which now has its own bar at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, has introduced a new beer honoring Atlanta Falcons legend Jessie “The Hammer” Tuggle. Hammer 58 is made with Terrapin’s Falconers Flight hop blend with a 5.8 percent ABV, and will also be available at several bars around town come Falcons season, which begins Sun., Sept. 17.

Georgia Trustees Wine Challenge recognizes excellence in Georgia-produced wines, and City Winery’s Gone with the Vin ice wine style vin du glaciere from the 2016 crush at the Ponce City Market winery took home the gold. The dessert wine is made with cryogenically frozen Vidal Blanc grapes from the Dahlonega Plateau. Head winemaker Travis Green said in a release, “Gone with the Vin was one of the first wines created at City Winery Atlanta. We’re thrilled to be recognized by the Georgia Trustees.”

The eighth annual Chef’s Collaborative Summit comes to Atlanta this weekend, providing 25 scholarships to rising culinary professionals to join in the conversation of building a better food system. Two Atlanta chefs are included in the honor: Ashley Auer, pastry chef at Cooks and Soldiers, and Hudson Rouse, co-owner/chef at Rising Son.