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6 buzz-worthy restaurant moves in Warner Robins and Macon

Stories by Macon Telegraph journalists, with AI summarization

A wave of new restaurant ventures and expansions are coming to Middle Georgia. Local entrepreneurs and national franchises are bringing different options to the area, such as Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza, which is bringing its self-pour taproom and wood-fired offerings to new markets. Concepts such as Smalls Sliders and Guthrie’s are targeting the region too.

Long-standing establishments such as Margaritas Mexican Grill are expanding the space they're already in, while places such as Bearfoot Tavern have gone mobile with a food truck. Additionally, dessert and fast-casual players such as Decadent Dessert Bar are enhancing customer access with drive-thru service.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

A Smalls Sliders, known for its cheeseburger sliders and signature “smauce,” is coming to 2691 Watson Blvd. in Warner Robins.

NO. 1: COMPANY BRINGING SMALLS SLIDERS, GUTHRIE’S TO WARNER ROBINS IS LOOKING AT MACON, PERRY, TOO

The restaurant brands are new to Middle Georgia. | Published January 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becky Purser

Known for wood-fired pizza and self-pour taprooms, Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom is coming to Warner Robins and then to Macon. By Olive Juice Studios

NO. 2: WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & SELF-POUR TAPROOM BRAND NEW TO GEORGIA COMING TO WARNER ROBINS, MACON

“It’s an experience that’s very unique ...You’re able to just go grab a glass, pour your own drink,” said Nimesh Patel, one of the franchise owners. | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becky Purser

Decadent Dessert Bar will be moving across the street to the corner of this new plaza in Warner Robins and joining a host of new restaurants and businesses either open or coming to the plaza. The future spot for Decadent Dessert Bar includes a drive-thru. By Becky Purser

NO. 3: BUFFALO WILD WINGS GO, DECADENT DESSERT BAR TO JOIN NEW SPOTS IN WARNER ROBINS PLAZA

Here’s a look at each of the new restaurants and businesses now open or coming to the new plaza. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becky Purser

Margaritas Mexican Grill in Macon, Ga.’s Mercer Village opened a private dining room in January 2025 when it expanded into what was previously Bear Burgers. By Jesse Fraga

NO. 4: MARGARITAS MEXICAN GRILL EXPANDS, TAKES OVER BEAR BURGERS’ OLD SPACE IN MERCER VILLAGE

Customers can now rent out private dining. | Published February 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Fraga

Mark Bell, right, general manager of the Bearfoot Tavern in downtown Macon, and Scott Heck, the gastropub’s kitchen manager, are set up in the food truck Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot off Watson Boulevard. By Becky Purser

NO. 5: DOWNTOWN MACON’S IRISH TAVERN EXPANDS ITS REACH IN MIDDLE GEORGIA. WHEN WILL PUB REOPEN?

It’s food truck made a recent stop in Warner Robins. Here’s what people thought. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becky Purser

John Staurulakis, the proprietor of Trattoria di Napoli, grates Grana Padano Italian cheese onto the Italian restaurant’s fettuccine bolognese on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in downtown Perry a few days ahead of the restaurant’s opening. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 6: RESTAURANT SCORECARD FOR WARNER ROBINS, PERRY. 60-PLUS HIT HOME RUNS WITH PERFECT 100

Here’s a list of best scores. Nobody struck out. | Published March 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becky Purser

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.