ATLANTA — The status of one of Atlanta's funkiest, most beloved restaurants seems to be in limbo.
Jack's Pizza on Highland Avenue does not appear to have been open for several weeks, with no announced explanation. Several comments on its social media page asking what happened have gone unanswered.
The city confirmed to 11Alive that the pizza joint has a "Due Cause Fee" on its account in the amount of $2,500 that hasn't been paid. The city also said that operators haven't renewed the restaurant's business license.
However, the city noted that its working assumption for now is that the restaurant remains in operation, because it has not received a "Final Close" request, which is necessary to close a business.
The restaurant's dive bar vibe and off-the-wall pies - such as the "Soul Food," featuring fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and collard greens - has made it a cherished institution since 2003.
11Alive made multiple attempts Monday to reach the registered business agent for Jack's Pizza, but was unsuccessful. Phone calls to the number listed on their business profiles also go to a number that appears to be disconnected.
Google search results currently indicate the restaurant is permanently closed, and its distinctive "pizza monster" mural outside the entryway has been painted over.
The Jack's Pizza social media pages on Facebook and Instagram haven't posted since early February - though at that time they were advertising "investment opportunities for future expansion."
State business records show the restaurant amended its registration information to list a new principal agent last year, though it's unclear if there was a sale or transfer of the business of some kind.
The mural on the outside of the building has been painted over. You can see the before-and-after in the photos below.
Occasionally in the past few weeks, fans of Jack's Pizza have left comments on the restaurant's last Instagram post - dated to Feb. 2 - wondering about its status.
"Are y'all closed?" one user wrote on Feb. 21. "Umm y’all are closed. What happened?" another wrote on Feb. 27.
The restaurant account has not responded to any of these posts.
Just in the last couple years, Jack's Pizza has been endorsed as one 10 funky places to explore in Atlanta, by the website Thrillist, and one of the 10 best cheap eats in Atlanta, by Travel Noire.
