Brian Tipps, second from right, welcomes the mayor and city council to the official Grand Opening of the Heart Attack Shack on Friday.
The Heart Attack Shack, East Ridge’s newest restaurant, celebrated its official Grand Opening on Friday.
Mayor Brent Lambert, along with members of the City Council, paid the “shack” a visit and met with owner Brian Tipps. They also chowed down on some of Heart Attack Shack’s soon-to-be famous burgers and wings.
“Hey, I forgot to order jalapeno’s on my burger,” Councilman Larry Sewell said after placing his lunch order for a quarter-pound burger with all the fixings.
Tipps catered to city officials as they sat down in the little dining room of the restaurant on Ringgold Road across Choate from Mack’s. Tipps said the reception of people from East Ridge has been fantastic. He said that last Saturday was one of their biggest days yet and that Thursday was not far behind.
“We’ve already had to hire two additional people,” Tipps said as he was making sure that Councilman Jacky Cagle and his wife Donna had everything they needed. “At first we thought with Justin (Howard, manager) and two people we’d be fine. But, the business has been so good we’ve added two more full-time.”
Talk turned to this Sunday’s Super Bowl, pitting the Falcons against the Patriots. Tipps said he was pondering opening up but hesitated thinking that the orders may not justify staffing up. Wrong. Tipps said he’s received a number of orders from people wanting Super Bowl treats for the game. So, if you want some good eats without all the cleanup at the house during the game you need to give the folks at Heart Attack Shack a call.
Tipps told Mayor Lambert and City Manager Scott Miller about his desire for the business to give back to the community. Tipps asked about homeless shelters in the area in which any food that would otherwise may go to waste could be donated. Councilman Larry Sewell advised that Tipps get in touch with ERHS coaches to talk about furnishing some of the teams with pre or post-game meals.
“I bet some of those boys can really put it away,” Tipps offered.
Miller suggested talking with Parks & Recreation Director Stump Martin and coordinating with him about large sporting events that would be using the park in coming months.
Mayor Lambert, who was dressed in a navy blue suit, was intent on satisfying his appetite with a large burger fairly overflowing with fixings and preserving his sartorial splendor. I believe he managed to do both and nodded his approval of how a mess of onion rings were prepared.
Councilwoman Esther Helton sampled some of the boneless wings, which she said were “delicious.” Then she sat patiently watching Sewell savor that big burger.
East Ridge City Councilman Larry Sewell places his order with Justin Howarth during the Grand Opening of the Heart Attack Shack on Friday.
