Che Butter Jonez, the southside Atlanta restaurant known for its delicious sandwiches and breakfast foods, is moving its flagship location to Brookhaven.
After some successful years as a food truck, Malik Rhasaan and Detric Fox-Quinlan, the husband-and-wife team behind the popular eatery, launched their venture in 2021 at a Chevron station plaza on Cleveland Avenue. It quickly became one of the best black-owned restaurant in Atlanta. However, persistent issues such as public disturbances and property management challenges have made it difficult to continue operating there.
Che Butter Jonez Relocating To Brookhaven: CheHaven
The couple is also preparing to expand while awaiting the completion of Butter & Scotch, a Queens-inspired restaurant set to open in the Origin Hotel Atlanta downtown.
On June 21, Rhasaan shared on Instagram: “We’re likely going to have to close the Cleveland Avenue location. Too often, I find myself confronting grown men and women about activities they know are inappropriate … I can’t leave my establishment to handle other business because I can’t hire anyone to deal with the daily chaos … Local politicians won’t help, other tenants are indifferent or part of the problem, and the landlord may as well not exist … We’re currently searching for a new space for Che Butter Jonez. We’d love to stay in the area, but staying here isn’t an option.”
This post, prompted by issues like loitering and public urination, attracted new opportunities for the restaurant.
Photo Che Butter Jonez / Instagram
One promising option is a 3,000-square-foot space in Brookhaven at 1602 Lavista Road, affectionately referred to as “CheHaven.”
On June 26, Che Butter Jonez announced its move on Instagram: “We’re late, but we’re also moving. It is with sadness that we prepare to leave our flagship brick-n-mortar location. We didn’t try. We succeeded. Because we created the kind of community in these small walls that people always say they wish to experience. We’re proud of that, but we’re headed in a direction that brings about opportunities we could have never imagined, so we live the dream we dare to dream! Thank you all so much. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you all, and those of us who can’t get to us often, we will let you know how much longer you guys have us here at your spot, but just know we have some cool things planned, and we’re excited! Fk it, be excited with us! We gonna have a great time! More news to come!”
Photo Che Butter Jonez / Instagram
Rhasaan expressed mixed feelings about the move, noting, “I don’t want to go at all. We live in the neighborhood, but it’s hard to get staff because of the reputation of Cleveland Avenue. I work every day. It’s hard to give someone the burden to have to be security on top of their job.”
Where Is CheHaven Located?
Located at 1602 Lavista Road NE, in the former Coffee Bar Atlanta space, the new 2,954-square-foot Che Butter Jonez will more than double the size of the Cleveland Avenue location and accommodate five times the number of people. Here’s a map to help you find it.
The new Brookhaven location will open in the fall, offering a much larger space with a capacity of 81, compared to the current 15. The restaurant will operate six days a week, up from the current three.
The restaurant will feature large garage-style windows, a stage at the front, and décor similar to the original, with bright and inviting colors and wood elements.
The expanded menu will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, with new items like salmon and shrimp bowls, along with favorites like the lamb burger and pastrami-topped “Patti LaBelle” patty melt. Bodega-style sandwiches will be available for breakfast, and the restaurant will offer craft soda, bottled beer and wine, and a small grocery area with staples and grab-and-go items. Events like Singo (singing BINGO) and Wednesday night fish and spaghetti will continue.
The Cleveland Avenue location will remain open for the time being, though its future is uncertain.
Rhasaan and Fox-Quinlan started Che Butter Jonez as a food truck in 2018. Named after Rhasaan’s online alias, the truck gained popularity with its tagline, “I cook better than your muva!” and rotating dishes like the lamb burger and the Bodega breakfast sandwich.
Final Word
The couple’s first brick-and-mortar location location opened in June 2021 at 757 Cleveland Ave., just minutes from their home. They are also working on an upscale restaurant and bar called Butter + Scotch, slated to open in a hotel on Mitchell Street later this year.
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