Middle Georgia gains new restaurants, loses beloved coffee shop. What to know

Several new restaurants are opening across Middle Georgia while a longtime Warner Robins coffee shop has closed and a local pizzeria looks for a new owner.

Here’s a roundup of June’s food and dining news in the region.

• Koji, a Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar, opened at 100 Valley Drive in Perry June 1 as the fifth restaurant from owners Rivel “Jumbo” Malonda and brothers Ricky, Steven and Hanson Liu. Diners can grab teppanyaki tables where chefs perform tricks like onion volcanoes, plus more than 50 sushi roll options at the sushi bar and a separate dining room to order from the kitchen. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dinner Monday through Thursday, an hour later on Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Phone: 478-224-0235.
• Between Friends Coffee in Warner Robins closed June 13 after a 10-year run. Owners Jaimie Miller and Victoria Hawkins decided to close to shift focus to their publishing company, Between Friends Publishing. The women had hoped to sell the coffee shop but that fell through. The duo published a cookbook featuring the coffee shop recipes with a link on how to purchase expected to be posted soon on their social media accounts.
• Aria Pizza in Warner Robins, at 133 Margie Drive, Suite 400, is up for sale at $30,000 with all equipment and furnishings included. Owner Jeremie St. Pierre wants to “focus on his other exploding business,” Doug Sleeth, St. Pierre’s former partner, said in a social media post. . The pizzeria remains open in the meantime.
• A new Surcheros Fresh Mex location is now open at 1818 Houston Lake Road, Suite B900, in Perry, marking the fourth restaurant for franchisees Kyle and Debbie Cullars, who also operate locations in Milledgeville, Warner Robins and Lake Oconee. The quick-serve chain is known for Tex-Mex burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas and burrito bowls. Hours are 10:30 a.m to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The number is 478-313-5140 .
• My Favorite Burger opened June 24 at 2624 Watson Blvd., Suite C, in Warner Robins, serving burgers made with ribeye and slow-cooked brisket alongside subs, wings, salads and hand-spun milkshakes. Owner Hoyung “Steve” Ju came out of retirement to launch the spot. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Phone: 478-236-2190.
• Asu Mare Peruvian Restaurant soft-opened May 13 at 3510 Highway 41 North, Suite 2004, in Centerville, and is billed as the first Peruvian restaurant in Middle Georgia. The family-run spot is geared mostly for takeout with limited dine-in and serves authentic dishes including Lomo Saltado, Ceviche De Pescado and Salchipapa. They will hold a grand opening on July 17. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Phone: 478-333-1122.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by Telegraph journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by Telegraph journalists.