Tin Lizzy's Cantina opened for an eager lunch crowd at the Emory Point development on Friday.
Dave Schrader, who has overseen construction and the opening, said the restaurant, which seats 180, had to put people on a waiting list for its first lunch service.
"We had an amazing lunch," he said. "Very smooth."
The Mexican restaurant and sports bar is the latest eatery to open in the mixed-use development on Clifton Road, across from the Centers for Disease Control and just down the street from Emory University.
Schrader said he's not worried about competition from the other eateries in the residential-retail development. "Not with the CDC and potential growth in the area ... Emory Hospital, Emory University..."
Two more restaurants are scheduled to open soon - BurgerFi, a gourmet burger chain, plans to start serving April 10 and Paradise Biryani Pointe, an Indian cafe, is planning to open around May 1.
Recent months have seen a flurry of openings, including Marlow's Tavern; Which Wich Superior Sandwiches; Strippaggio, a shop specializing in artisanal oils and other gourmet foods; Bonefish Grill and others.
The first phase of Emory Point cost more than $100 million to complete and includes 443 luxury apartments and 80,000 square-feet of retail space. Atlanta-based Cousins Properties is partnering with Atlanta-based Gables Residential on the project.
Preparations have begun for Phase II of the development, which will include an additional 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Construction is scheduled to being in early summer.
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