Atlanta-based Taco Mac wins VIBE Vista Award for Best Beer Program

If we’re in the dirty south, you’ll catch us at Taco Mac. An Atlanta institution for over 36 years, Taco Mac offers more than 100 beers on draft and insanely tasty buffalo wings that’ll destroy any sense you have of polite eating etiquette. Started in 1979 by two friends from Buffalo, N.Y., Taco Mac now has over 30 locations across Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina, serving up flatbreads, tacos, wraps, burgers and great craft beer. In fact, the combination of cool vibes and stellar beer selection as earned the Taco Mac Restaurant Group a VIBE Vista Award for Best Beer Program (sponsored by New Belgium Brewing Co.) in the Multi-Unit Chain Restaurant category at the 2016 VIBE Conference. Congrats to them.

“Craft beer is an important element of our brand,” said Norman Abdallah, CEO of Taco Mac Restaurant Group. “Our guests expect the best quality and selection of craft beer on draft and we work hard to exceed their expectations. This prestigious award lets us know we’re on the right track.”

VIBE Vista Awards are judged on creating positive initiatives that spark beverage sales, innovations that contribute to operational efficiencies and training and service programs that lead to the highest quality standards and operational practices. Now in its seventh year, VIBE Conference, a division of Boston-based Nightclub & Bar Media Group, is the premiere event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. The 2016 conference was held in San Diego from January 19-20.

“Winning the VIBE Vista Award for Best Beer Program is a great honor,” Abdallah said. “It’s a testament to the Chancellors of our Brewniversity Program, our brewery partners, our bar and server staff and our founders for their relentless desire to explore and drink great beer. We’re proud of our hard work and we’re always pushing ourselves to keep doing better.”

Taco Mac started with just one restaurant in 1979 when Buffalo natives decided to bring the Buffalo-style chicken wing to Atlanta. As the popularity of their wings increased, cold beer and sports seemed like natural partners. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, the wall of drafts grew to offer the largest selection of microbrewed beers and imports in the South with more than 100 different beer options — decades before anyone was pouring “craft” beers. In fact, the restaurant celebrated the 25th anniversary of Taco Mac’s Brewniversity in 2015, a beer loyalty program which is dedicated to the exploration and enjoyment of delicious and unique craft beers.

It’s definitely an award-winning combination.