Amasa Mexican Kitchen, the Baja California-inspired concept from TQM Hospitality, is rapidly becoming one of Atlanta’s most distinctive Mexican destinations. Named from the Spanish verb amasar (“to knead”), the restaurant puts masa at the center of everything: organic, non-GMO blue corn tortillas are ground and pressed fresh daily in a fully gluten-free kitchen.

Amasa Mexican Kitchen Expanding Across Atlanta

Owner Juan Calle and Executive Chef Joey Vazquez first introduced the approach at Chichería Mexican Kitchen at The Works in West Midtown. Amasa builds on that foundation with a seafood-forward menu, an expanded agave program, and multi-level spaces designed for both casual meals and destination dining.

Alpharetta Flagship

Amasa opened its first location in late August 2026 at Alpharetta City Center (15 Academy Street, Suite 1E), taking over the former Jekyll Brewing space. Soft openings began August 27, with a grand opening celebration on September 18.

The multi-level restaurant features booths and banquettes downstairs, a moodier second floor, a dedicated tequila room (with roughly 45 tequilas, many small-batch and organic), and a rooftop bar. Design elements include art Calle sourced from Mexico, an arch evoking a tequila barrel, and an agave planter.

Signature dishes include Baja fish tacos (which won Best Entrée at the 2026 Taste of Alpharetta), award-winning sweet corn esquites, fresh ceviches and crudos, whole crispy snapper, carne asada fries, and gourmet tacos on the house blue corn tortillas. The menu also offers California burritos, fajitas, and braised short rib with mole.

A Mexico City-inspired Sunday brunch buffet runs 11 a.m.–3 p.m. ($40 adults / $20 kids). Programming includes live jazz and saxophone performances, tequila tastings and classes, Family Night Mondays, and Trivia Tuesdays.

Westside Transition (Late November 2026)

Chichería at The Works (202 Chattahoochee Row NW, Suite C) is transitioning into Amasa Westside later this month. The same team, recipes, daily blue corn tortillas, and 100% gluten-free kitchen will continue under the Amasa name, with the familiar Chichería favorites remaining alongside Amasa’s broader seafood focus and elevated tequila/mezcal program. Guests can still visit as Chichería until the changeover.

The eatery will join several new Atlanta restaurants across the city.

BeltLine to Follow

In January 2027, the long-running Buena Vida Tapas Bar in Old Fourth Ward will become Amasa BeltLine, steps from the Eastside Trail, bringing the same Baja-inspired, gluten-free approach to the neighborhood.

What Sets It Apart

  • 100% gluten-free kitchen with daily house-pressed blue corn tortillas as the identity.
  • Seafood-forward Baja cooking mixed with Mexican street-food energy.
  • Agave-focused bar with extensive tequila and mezcal, margarita flights, and education.
  • Community programming that ranges from family nights and trivia to live music and rooftop jazz.

Amasa is now open daily in Alpharetta (11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday; 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday). Reservations are available via OpenTable, and the Westside location remains open under the Chichería name until its late-November rebrand.

Details

  • Alpharetta: 15 Academy St, Suite 1E | 470-299-5596 | amasamexican.com
  • Westside (Amasa soon): 202 Chattahoochee Row NW, Suite C, The Works | 404-343-0134
  • BeltLine: January 2027 transition from Buena Vida