Why this historic downtown Macon restaurant is a fan favorite. Take a look inside

Editor’s Note: This story is part of Living Local, a regular series featuring a look inside local businesses — the things they make, services they provide and their impact on the community.

A night out at a favorite restaurant isn’t only about the food - it’s a dining experience, and downtown grill does not disappoint. The ambiance, the service and the cigar lounge make the English steakhouse a fan favorite for locals and tourists alike.

“Many people from out of town come back each year after enjoying themselves at our restaurant in the past while visiting Macon for events like Cherry Blossom, Bragg Jam, any of the many Allman Bros events, and more,” said downtown grill owner Richie Jones.

The restaurant, tucked away in an alley between Mulberry Street, Cherry Street, 2nd Street and 3rd Street, specializes in prime cut black angus steaks, fresh pasta dishes, fish fillets and decadent desserts.

The history of the building alone makes downtown grill a fascinating place to patron for a unique glimpse into the past.

According to Jones, the brick and mortar was built in 1890. He said from 1937 to 1971 it housed the Saratoga restaurant. From 1974 to approximately 1976 it housed Le Bistro. It also was Leo’s until it became downtown grill in 1997. Jones took over the restaurant in 2008.

“1930 is as far back as I could find a business being housed at the location while doing research at the Washington Library,” Jones said.

The refined atmosphere of downtown grill includes a cigar lounge with well-stocked liquor, wine and beer options. The restaurant has over 300 bottles of whiskey.

Jones said the cigar lounge brings an old-school feel to the restaurant and has its own distinctive vibe. Plenty of people never even make it to the dining room because they love the feel of the bar and cigar area, he said.

“It really is about having a great meal and being able to finish it off with a bourbon or cognac and a great cigar - it’s kind of the icing on the cake for a good evening,” he said.

Jones said his taste for scotch, a good steak, and smooth cigar made owning the restaurant a good fit, especially with the traction downtown Macon was starting to get due to its revitalization efforts.

“When I moved back to Macon, revitalization was really just beginning. It has been great to see all of the amazing changes happen,” he said. “I now have three businesses downtown and it is great to see all the cars downtown any day of the week versus just on weekends.”

Jones said he loves coming up with eccentric menu items, such as shrimp waffles which includes cheese grit soufflé, bacon and hot sauce. It’s topped with blackened shrimp and a creamy andouille sauce.

You can also find other high-end dishes on the menu, such as maple leaf duck breast, grilled sea scallops, bouillabaisse, imported lamb chops, tomato cream pasta and more.

Jones said the restaurant would not be what it is today without the community that supports it.

“I am extremely grateful for all their support of local businesses, mine included,” he said.

Jones said Macon has a great food scene and he loves being able to throw options out in order to make his community better and more attractive to outsiders.

The restaurant also offers the community a great venue for special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, promotions and rehearsal dinners.

Jones said the restaurant has given him the opportunity to create wonderful relationships with staff, customers, their families, and the community and hopes to continue to be a Macon staple well into the future.

“I’ve had the chance to serve musicians, celebrities and many great guests over the years, and each has a special place in my mind,” he said. “The future should be interesting with all of the new competition in town. I hope to keep putting out great food, booze, and atmosphere and keep doing what we are doing.”

Downtown grill is located at 562 Mulberry Street Lane next to Tokyo Alley and can be reached at 478-742-5999.