Taco Mama moving into former Fuzzy's Taco space in downtown Athens

Mary Renfroe
·2 min read
Construction at the former Fuzzy's Taco Shop in downtown Athens on June 1. The location will be home to a Taco Mama later this year.
Construction at the former Fuzzy's Taco Shop in downtown Athens on June 1. The location will be home to a Taco Mama later this year.

Vacant since December 2021, the space that Fuzzy’s Taco shop occupied for 10 years in downtown Athens is now being transformed into a new Mexican restaurant.

Taco Mama, an Alabama-based taco chain, will be opening at 265 N. Lumpkin St. this fall.

While the Athens location is not yet included on the Taco Mama website and there is no signage at the location, a petition for storefront modifications filed by CKH Architects as an agent for Taco Mama was heard by the Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Committee on April 19. A managing member of Taco Mama confirmed that they hope to open the location in early fall 2023.

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“We are really excited about bringing our taqueria that is about people, delicious food, hand-shaken margaritas and good times to Athens,” said Taco Mama Founder Will Haver. “We’ve been huge fans of the Athens scene for a long time − you’ll hear many Athens-originated/influenced music in our restaurants, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to find ourselves in a culture center that has been so influential in music history.”

Taco Mama features a variety of tacos including its popular Ahi-Tuna Si!!, which contains AAA sushi grade ahi tuna served raw with sriracha slaw, avocado, and chipotle ranch. Founded in 2011, Taco Mama Athens will be the restaurant's first Georgia location. The chain currently has 20 other locations all of which are in the South, including Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Taco Mama is planning to open this fall in the former Fuzzy's Taco Shop location on North Lumpkin Street in downtown Athens.
Taco Mama is planning to open this fall in the former Fuzzy's Taco Shop location on North Lumpkin Street in downtown Athens.

While it’s known for its tacos, Taco Mama also boasts an extensive margarita menu. Selling by the glass or pitcher, flavor selections include pomegranate, jalapeño, cucumber, prosecco fizz, and more. The restaurant also serves quesadillas, burritos, bowls, and nachos.

Currently, the renovation at the downtown location is in its very early stages with only the steel framing and some lighting of the inside dining room in place.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Taco Mama to open restaurant in downtown Athens