Atlanta Restaurants: Moroccan and Mediterranean Stall Marrakech Express and Deli Sandwich Stall Zaddy’s Open at Politan Row Colony Square in Midtown

Moroccan and Mediterranean stall Marrakech Express and deli-style sandwich stall Zaddy’s, join nine other restaurant stalls now open at Colony Square food hall Politan Row in Midtown. Both food stalls open on Monday, September 6 (Labor Day).

At 20,000 square feet, Politan Row will finally include 11 locally or independently owned food stalls run by entrepreneurs, pop-up chefs, and food truck operators. Unlike most food halls, Politan Row employs “guest assistants” and “guest ambassadors” who act as servers and hosts, helping to bus tables and offer water and book reservations. There’s also a central bar and the option to reserve a chef’s table experience here.

Here’s what to know about the final two restaurant stalls headed to Politan Row.

Marrakech Express

Politan Row

Originally located inside restaurant incubator the Global Grub Collective next door to We Suki Suki in East Atlanta Village, Marrakech Express owner chef Amal Alaoui brings her halal Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired dishes centered on family recipes to Politan Row. Among the dishes expected on the menu are chicken shawarma, lamb shank, hummus plates, and chicken or beef tagine. There’s baklawa for dessert, a filo dough-filled pastry containing chopped walnuts and sweetened with syrup. In addition to food served at Marrakech Express being halal, many dishes on the menu are also vegan and gluten free.

Zaddy’s

Politan Row

Owned by chef Aliah Jefferson, expect deli sandwiches at this food stall that don’t skimp on the meats, condiments, and fixings. Jefferson, whose previous restaurant stints include Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours and Roc South, began slinging her sandwiches and soups for delivery around Atlanta to bolster her private catering business during the pandemic. The Instagram-born business features the hashtag #bigbreadbigmeat and provided the inspiration for the name Zaddy’s, a slang term used to describe a fashionable, sexy gent with swagger. Expect the menu here to include colossal sandwiches like smoked turkey, Cajun lemon pepper tuna, and grilled balsamic vegetables, along with soups, salads, and coffee.

Check out the food stalls currently open at Politan Row:

Federal Burger
Bun Mi Vietnamese Grill
YŌM (smoothies, bowls)
Gekko (hibachi, sushi)
Pretty Little Taco
Belli Pizzeria
Locale Cafe (Caribbean)
Unbelibubble (bubble tea)
Tandoori Pizza and Wing Co.

Cocktail lounge JoJo’s Beloved opened in July at Politan Row. Hidden behind a door toward the back of the food hall, the bar is a throwback to the age of disco glam with a solid dose of 1980s futurism in both its design and drinks.

In addition to Politan Row and Jo Jo’s Beloved, several full-service restaurants are now open or opening at Colony Square this year. Bar and restaurant Establishment overlooks the Grove and will eventually offer access to the food hall. Chicago restaurateur Donna Lee opened a location of Brown Bag Seafood Company next to Sukoshi, a fast-casual sushi restaurant from Indigo Road Hospitality (O-Ku). Dine-in theater iPic opened last winter, with its Italian restaurant Serena Pastificio this July.

The relocated Holeman and Finch Public House, a location of Atlanta Persian restaurant Rumi’s Kitchen, a new restaurant from the former CEO of Cafe Intermezzo called Saints and Council, and outposts of King of Pops and trendy salad chain Sweetgreen should all open by the end of the end of the year.

1197 Peachtree Street, Atlanta. atlanta.politanrow.com. Open Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Politan Row is accessible via both the Arts Center and Midtown MARTA stations, although Arts Center Station is closer.

Disclaimer: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.