Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
Fresh off a Michelin nod, the Fishmonger team launches a new restaurant on November 30—one that came to fruition in just three weeks. Dos Burros, or “two donkeys” in Spanish, replaces Lady Ha next to Rina on the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail (699 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast). It’ll serve tacos, burritos, nachos, and ceviche, alongside margaritas and 20-plus beers on tap.
Fishmonger owners Skip Engelbrecht and Nhan Le met Lady Ha’s Andy Tan through mutual friends and felt the space was too perfect to pass up. The late chef Angus Brown—with whom Le and Engelbrecht owned the now-defunct 8ARM—used to joke that he and Le were two jacka**es who should start a taco spot. “So when the opportunity came about, we thought, That’s a sweet memorial and thoughtful name,” Engelbrecht explains.
Tan, who also owns Hopstix Asian fusion brewpub in Chamblee, came on as partner. He’s leading the beer program, which features 15 Hopstix brews—including one made with Oaxacan green corn and another with toasted black rice—as well as five or so traditional Mexican brands like Pacifico and Corona.
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
In addition to beer, Dos Burros offers margaritas, including four frozen varieties, plus agua frescas, a dirty horchata, and rum- and tequila-focused cocktails designed by beverage director Josh Grubbs. Lady Ha’s bubble tea bar has been transformed into a more traditional bar, and a canning machine will allow patrons to take sealed cocktails to go.
The 3,000-square-foot former Vietnamese restaurant has been transformed into a “fast-paced, high-energy” space full of neon and bright colors, Engelbrecht says. Downstairs, the restaurant offers table service; upstairs (along the BeltLine) is counter-service only, designed for takeout and patio seating.
With a menu created by former So Ba chef Domingo Galardo, a Mexican native, the food is taqueria-style. Expect barbacoa, smoked brisket, chicken tinga, lengua, carnitas, skirt steak, mushroom, and rajas con queso (creamed corn with poblano peppers and cheese), available in a taco or burrito. Don’t expect complementary chips. “We have to pay that BeltLine rent,” Engelbrecht says. Tacos are sold a la carte, and three should be enough for a meal. When weekend brunch launches in a few weeks, the menu will include Mexican staples like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and a brisket broth bowl with egg and tortillas. Don’t forget the Bloody Marys and “crazy Micheladas,” Engelbrecht says.
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
He stresses that the restaurant is family friendly, even though there is not a specific kids’ menu. (Quesadillas are available.) Dos Burros is also a soccer bar of sorts and will show big games and highlights on TV.
When asked if Dos Burros will be the next Fishmonger with multiple locations, Engelbrecht was stumped. “If another space like this came up, I don’t see why not, but for now we’re just focusing on this one—and Fishmonger,” he says. The seafood market/restaurant currently has locations in Poncey-Highland, Pullman Yards, and most recently, the Westside. A Nashville outpost will open in the spring, with potential for coastal Florida restaurants in the future.
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
Photo by Skip Engelbrecht
