8Arm team to open Small Fry at Atlanta Dairies (and yes, there will be fries)

Expect gourmet fried chicken and fish sandwiches at this counter-service spot

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Fried fish sandwich at Small Fry

Photo by Skip Engelbrecht

Skip Engelbrecht and chef Nhan Le, the team behind 8Arm in Poncey-Highland, have turned their focus to casual eateries. They recently launched Fishmonger seafood market and raw bar in Virginia-Highland and will open Small Fry—an elevated, fried comfort food, takeout spot—in Atlanta Dairies in late fall.

Located next to Three Taverns Imaginarium with proximity to the Eastern event venue, Small Fry will cater to concertgoers with a streamlined menu and counter service. Led by chef Brad Forsblom, who worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants, Small Fry will serve fried chicken and fish sandwiches, falafel burgers, shrimp baskets, and fish nuggets, as well as French fries. Beverages will consist of two alcoholic slushies, as diners can get beer from the Imaginarium and wine from Spina Pizza nearby.

“We’ll have limited seats inside—like a booth or two and a few counter seats. We want to be able to provide provisions for all those people going to the Eastern,” Engelbrecht says.

When the concert venue line gets long, Engelbrecht says his team may feature a sandwich cart to feed the masses. Otherwise, people can order inside the 1,421-square-foot space, decorated with “super vivid, neon noir colors and lots of greenery.”

“If it hits like we want it to, and we think it will, I think it makes sense to follow along with this developer for future locations,” he says.

Engelbrecht gave up his Paris on Ponce lease last year after a fire destroyed the event space and Le’s Three Heart Roastery in 2019. Le continues to operate So Ba and Octopus Bar in East Atlanta, and the duo are looking for additional locations for Fishmonger—including a potential spot in West End. They also had a project planned for Pullman Yards but pulled out to focus on Fishmonger.

“We have one more project—our final baby—but we’re not allowed to talk about it yet,” Engelbrecht says.

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