Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Says Goodbye to Downtown Atlanta Location

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 17, 2024

The owner says the restaurant was “ruined” after damage was caused by a major water main rupture in Atlanta.

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Downtown Atlanta is losing one of its most famous restaurants. The owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks says his “iconic” restaurant will not reopen after it closed due to the city’s water main break in June.

Derrick Hayes Sr. posted the not-so-delicious news on social media on July 14.

“Everyone’s been asking me about the Forsyth Street location. It’s an iconic location, so I’m going to break it to you. That location is not reopening,” the restaurateur said. “The water really killed it, it’s not worth reopening. We’ve tried a lot too… It’s not going as planned. So we’re going to be leaving that location.”

However, Hayes Sr. said that doesn’t mean he’s leaving Atlanta for good.

“But I’ve never lost anything, so I know there’s something bigger and better waiting for me,” he said. “So stay with me. I’m working on something to put back into the city, so I can support everybody and make everybody happy. Stay with me and stay with us.”

The water main break left many businesses and homes without water for days, with residents criticizing the mayor and city of Atlanta for their lack of communication about fixing the problem. Before his final closure, Hayes Sr. explained how the water damage “ruined” his restaurant.

While no further details have been shared about its next steps in Atlanta, the restaurant will open locations in the Carolinas and Florida, the latter made possible through a partnership with former Pepsi Co. executive Derrick Lewis.

Despite the demise of its flagship restaurant, Atlantans can still travel outside the city limits to get their famous cheesesteaks. Other Big Dave’s locations in metro Atlanta remain in business.

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