Reader-Nominated Businesses Of The Year: Sandy Springs' Best

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — It's been a tough year for Sandy Springs businesses. The coronavirus pandemic presented enormous challenges for most, from the stay-home orders in the spring to restrictions and other hurdles from fall into winter.

To recognize all their efforts, Patch asked readers to nominate Local Businesses of the Year, whether it was the restaurant that made special accommodations for takeout, the shop that opened early, the pizzeria that went out of its way to deliver, the hardware store owner that offered invaluable advice or something else.

These nominations are not an official award, but simply recognition of a job well done.

Here are some of the nominations Patch has received in Sandy Springs, and the reason why they should be honored. Several businesses received multiple nominations, which are listed below:

• Dig City: Unparalleled knowledge of products, amazing customer service, great selection.
• Cubanos ATL:
  • Great customer service ! Great food very unique concept
  • Great food and atmosphere that seems to have opened and succeed during this pandemic.
  • Amazing Cuban Sandwiches and atmosphere.
  • Excellent food, convenient location, service that surpasses expectations. Try it, you won’t need explaining.
  • Because they offer authentic Cuban sandwiches and coffee. In addition, the staff is very personal and truly cares about each and every customer’s satisfaction.
• Educational Outfitters: These folks went above and beyond to get our daughter ready to transition to her new school.
• Battle & Brew:
  • Battle & Brew is a unique and ground-breaking business in the fastest growing demographic in the world. Gaming. By creating a new type of restaurant, one that caters to people with a need and desire for something new and different, they're able to innovate in a never-before-treaded space. Also they have the best trivia in America.
  • I think they're neat
  • Excellent food. I haven't met anyone yet that doesn't enjoy the Dragon Talons. The staff is like a family. They all know express in actual interest in getting to know me.
  • Kind and caring staff who has gone out of their way to accommodate everyone and make gathering as safe as possible. Their food is delicious, the atmosphere is great. They bring the newest and best gaming has to offer. Really love these guys.
  • Battle & Brew has some of the most delicious food and drinks available in the area. All of the events such as trivia and art shows are not only fun for the customers, the employees have fun too and you can see it clearly. It’s just a great place to be.
  • Concept and food are both great!
  • The food is amazing and the staff is thoughtful, fun, and professional
  • Their food options are incredible and always expanding and rotating, the facilities are incredibly well kept up, the range of offerings for gaming and entertainment is fantastic, they host varied and frequent events, they're safe, and I love the employees.
  • What is not to love. This place is like a 2nd home. The staff are amazing, the food and drinks are delicious, the atmosphere is so down to earth and welcoming. I can literally go on and on. When the pandemic hit their patio was the only place I felt safe.
  • The best gaming bar, also great food and customer service!
  • This is the one place I have continued to frequent during the pandemic. It's a safe, friendly atmosphere that allows me to relax and decompress. Tbe owners and staff truly care about their customers and the community.
  • They have always made me feel like home with their customer service and I have never felt more welcome. The food is always delicious and inventive, as well as the unique cocktails.
  • This is the only true haven for the gamers and geeks in the city. Staffed by folks who share our passions.
  • Battle & Brew is an absolute gem. I've been to gaming bars all over the country, and none of them come close to Battle & Brew. The food/drink selections, gaming options, staff, atmosphere, community, etc. are all outstanding. They combine to make for one of the most unique experiences you can find in the Atlanta metro area. Sandy Springs is lucky to have Battle & Brew on its roster of businesses.
  • The atmosphere is great and unique, the staff is wonderful, friendly and helpful, food is incredible, and they are constantly growing and trying new things!
  • Best food, killer staff, 10/10 owner.
  • I always enjoy going with a group of friends and we end up staying for hours
  • The atmosphere is so unique, between its craft cocktails elevated bar food and the plethora of console, pc and board games, as well as their theme nights whats not to love!!
  • Super fun atmosphere with staff that cares about their client base. I have been going there for years and always feel welcome. The food is super creative and always top notch. Fun drinks as well!
• Oki Boru: Their staff is wonderful, their food is amazing, and they have quickly become my go to for Ramen in the entire Metro Atlanta area.
• Thrill KBBQ: Staff is wonderful, food is delicious, and atmosphere is beautiful.
• The Select: High quality food. Very flexible kitchen. Great outdoor seating. Very distancing friendly. Impeccable service.
• Salon Rusty: Rusty is a true artist, from his talent in hair coloring to his ability to create a cut and/or style that is not only beautiful , but somehow crafted so that the client can manage it themselves until their next visit. When COVID arrived, he took extraordinary precautions to protect clients and himself. The salon is small but tastefully decorated, and the best part is that Rusty is one of the nicest people I have ever met.
• Under The Cork Tree: They had to close during the quarantine. Then they housed a food pantry and now they are open and serving the community their yummy menu items.
• Hong Kong City: I have been a customer of Hong Kong City – purchasing from them as a takeout option – since they opened a few years ago. Early during the pandemic, there was a call in Sandy Springs for “small business Fridays,” when people should support local businesses to help them out. Once COVID hit and lockdowns began, HKC closed shop with signs posted saying they would be back open in a couple months. I think they are a family-owned small business, and I worried that they would not last through the shutdown. They eventually re-opened, and their service has remained just as vibrant and enthusiastic (and they remembered me!) with a twist. No longer did they have a walk-in operation. Instead, they seemingly removed the front door and replaced it with a point-of-sale window and convenient cubby hole to deliver takeout orders safely and with no hassle. Delivery drivers now operate out of the back door of the establishment. When I’ve walked up for a pick-up, I’ve encountered several people ordering at the window despite a Publix right next door. Hong Kong City has always provided great food with quality service on time and with no health issues to my knowledge. I still try to keep up with “small business Friday” by ordering takeout from them at the end of a busy week working from home. It is honestly one of the seemingly mundane highlights when cooking for myself gets old and being in the house due to the pandemic drags on and on. It’s the little things these days.
• Sandy Springs Diner:
  • They are consistent! Food is delicious, menu is enormous everything from pancakes to baked sole with crab, prices fair, atmosphere is relaxing and casual and has a hometown feel. The staff always recognizes you and treats you like family.
  • Their hospitality makes you feel at home and the food is fantastic every time I visit.
• The Legacy Centre Preschool: TLC is a loving preschool with wonderful families! Our first priority is the health and safety of children and families. We have been very proactive during the pandemic with health protocols and safety measures. TLC teachers are AMAZING; they are dedicated, accessible, enthusiastic, caring... The mission of TLC is to create a school that children LOVE and parents and teachers never want to leave.

You can continue to nominate any Sandy Springs business you feel should be recognized.