GA Restaurant Offers Takeout By Car, Tractor Or Horseback

CANTON, GA — After restaurants in Cherokee County were forced to close dining rooms to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, customers had to get creative for how to pick up takeout orders.

A customer at Catch 22 Bar and Grill in Free Home did just that when they showed up earlier this week on horseback.

Owner Dennis Potter was in the kitchen prepping food for the day when his wife, Shannon, told him there was a special visitor outside.

"My wife said to tell my daughter, Shelby, that there was a horse at the patio for a takeout order," Potter said. "We do not deliver by horse - yet! My daughter rides competitively and the horse community here are amazing folks."

This gave the family a moment to pause in the midst of the hectic environment the coronavirus has caused for restaurants.

See more: GA Coronavirus: Canton, Woodstock Ban Dining In At Restaurants

Initially, the virus caused a huge financial hit to the restaurant, Potter said.

"Like most, we were hit with panic and shock, but after things set in, we quickly realized it was time to roll up our sleeves and figure out how to survive," he said. "We don't have as many sales we did before the virus, but the community here has really come out to support us, and we are doing OK."

Many restaurants have their regulars and a loyal following, but Potter said his family's situation is different.

"We really have become very close to so many people in this community," Potter said. "People constantly tell us 'we will not let y'all fail' and 'we are here to support you.' This isn't just one or two families. This is a couple of hundred people. I've never experienced anything like it in my lifetime and may never again.

"This morning alone we received an email about someone wanting to deliver a bounce house so our kids, who are stuck at the restaurant with us all day, can have something to do. When I arrived here this morning, there were packages on our patio full of crafts for our kids to do for the next few days. Last week a company put yard cards out to advertise our takeout orders and would not accept payment - they just wanted to help us. People have been getting groups together and placing large take out orders for families and their businesses. We truly have been blessed by the people here - probably far more than we deserve."

That's just how the community is, Potter said, which is why the family relocated to Cherokee County.

"We all look out for each other," he said. "It's the reason why we moved across the country to live here. My wife, Shannon, and I were born and raised in Long Beach, California. I spent 41 years there and then came out to visit my in-laws in Woodstock about five years ago. That seven-day trip changed my life. I went for a drive and ended up in Free Home and fell in love with the area and the people. Two months later we sold our home and moved. We live just down the street from our restaurant and this is where we will stay. The people we have met here changed who we are for the better."

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Family is at the heart of the Potter's business, and why they think people can relate to them.

"We are here all day, every day," he said. "Yes, it takes a toll on family and kids, but in the end we all understand that this just isn't a business. We are cooking food for people and creating a place where people come and share stories and laugh and just its just such a unique atmosphere. Before all this, on a Friday night, you would see a group come in the front door. As soon as they walk in they see someone sitting across the restaurant that they know. Then someone sees someone else at another table. Next thing you know you have three or four groups of people all together and hanging out. It's our favorite part of this business.

"We will continue to promote that by just doing what we do. Being here every day and grinding it out. We love what we do and I think people see that. They see us here before the sun comes up, and they see us here locking up at night. I truly believe you have to be a bit crazy and extremely passionate about having a restaurant to have any chance of long term survival in this business. We have an abundance of both. "

Although there is plenty of uncertainty, the Potters said they plan to "just going to keep moving forward." Especially since they said their staff has become like family to them.

"We hang out outside of work, they spend time with our kids, they show up on days off to help out with cleaning or doing dish without asking - just to help," Potter said. "They care so much about us, and we feel the same about them. We seriously could not and would not do this without them. They are the heart and soul of this restaurant and have had such a huge impact on us and our family.

"Our plan is to keep cooking really good food. We will still have weekly specials and have streamlined our takeout service. We keep a small crew on staff and just rotate shifts so everybody can get some hours and make some money. I really think that if we keep supporting our community, they will continue to support us. Plus, we cannot fail. Too many people count on us, and we will not let them down.

"We are just grateful to be here. Things haven't always easy, and we certainly have made our fair share of mistakes, but the people here are so uplifting and supporting that no matter what happens, you have a group of people that really care about us and our family and this crazy little restaurant we have in Free Home."

Keep up with Catch 22 Bar and Grill on Facebook, call the restaurant at 470-297-3525 or send an email at catch22barandgrill@hotmail.com.

The restaurant is working on setting up online ordering this week. The takeout menu is online and posted on Facebook, and is updated weekly with new items and specials.