In the past decade, Alpharetta, Georgia, has emerged as a hub for exquisite dining in the Southeast, thanks in part to dynamic culinary figures like Chef Julio Delgado. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Delgado moved to the States in 2000 and laid down roots in the rapidly growing North Fulton suburb in 2008. Since then, he has opened two popular restaurants, Minnie Olivia Pizzeria and Fogón and Lions. Despite standing side-by-side on Roswell Street in Downtown Alpharetta, each concept provides a unique dining experience led by Delgado and his team.
Delgado has worked in the restaurant space since the age of 15, gaining valuable experience at renowned establishments across Puerto Rico and award-winning properties spanning New York and the Southeast. Equipped with vast experience in luxury food and beverage operations, he held prominent roles in several Atlanta-based kitchens before opening Minnie Olivia in 2019. The neighborhood pizzeria celebrated its fifth anniversary on November 11.
“I wanted to put my family first,” Delgado said, reflecting on the decision to open his own restaurant in Alpharetta. “Which, to me, meant settling down in this beautiful historic town and leaving a tangible legacy for my daughters. The Alpharetta community has been incredibly welcoming to my family, and I’m lucky to call this town home.”
The wood-fire pizzeria is named after Minnie Olivia Dodd, the daughter of James Madison Dodd and Sara Ann Dodd, who owned the Dodd Hotel building where the restaurant is located in Downtown Alpharetta. As a tribute to the gardens the couple operated alongside the hotel, Delgado and his team created the Dodd’s Garden pizza, featuring local seasonal vegetables, fior di latte mozzarella, garlic and truffle honey.
Due to the pizzeria’s success, despite opening months before the COVID-19 pandemic, Delgado jumped at the opportunity to take over the next-door space after a salon relocated, resulting in his second concept, a Spanish-Latin restaurant called Fogón and Lions, which opened in May 2022. At the heart of Fogón and Lions is a 14-foot-long open cooking space and its namesake fogón, a traditional wood-burning hearth, where Delgado’s team crafts bold, globally inspired flavors over an open flame.
“Fogón and Lions serves as a tribute to my grandfather, who owned a butcher shop in Puerto Rico during the 1950s and 1960s,” said Delgado. “The menu reflects my childhood, my heritage and the culinary experience I’ve accumulated throughout my career in hospitality.”
His goal for Fogón and Lions is to bring an international flair to Downtown Alpharetta, celebrating true Spanish fare with meat-centric dishes and tapas alongside a curated bar program highlighting rum, tequila and bourbon in a lively atmosphere.
The restaurant hosts live entertainment each weekend, featuring spirited Latin bands like Arena Sound and talented local musicians. Delgado’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant environment has propelled the restaurant to become a go-to for any celebratory occasion, from birthday parties to holiday outings to date nights out on the town.
As Alpharetta’s dining scene has flourished, Delgado has worked tirelessly to contribute, pioneering two establishments that offer curated, chef-driven menus. Whether guests seek an elevated Latin-inspired dining experience or casual, neighborhood neo-Neapolitan fare, his restaurants provide a sense of culinary diversity that caters to all, and they have both become favorites among diners seeking experiences in the suburbs.
“In the future, we plan to continue providing locals and visitors with a night-out experience they can be excited about,” Delgado said. “Whether it’s a lively celebration like our Rum-Ba Fest each September or just salsa dancing on a Saturday night, my goal is to be the heartbeat of Downtown Alpharetta and continue building upon our reputation as an ‘OTP’ mainstay.”
Guests can look forward to ringing in 2025 in style at Fogón and Lions’ annual New Year’s Eve Party. Additional information and tickets to the extravagant affair will be available on the restaurant’s website. Reservations at Fogón and Lions can be made via Resy, and both restaurants now offer online ordering via their respective websites.
