Esco Restaurant & Tapas

Escobar Restaurant Owned by Rapper 2 Chainz in Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill Is Apparently Shut Down for Violating Georgia’s COVID-19 Guidelines | Eater Atlanta

"Co-owned by rapper 2 Chainz and Mychel “Snoop” Dillard, this Castleberry Hill restaurant on Peters Street was involved in a COVID-19 capacity controversy in late May: state police and the Department of Public Safety were reported to have intervened on May 24 after two complaints alleging violations of social‑distancing and capacity limits, with an initial warning just before 1 a.m. that led a manager to ask patrons to leave and temporarily close, and a later complaint that reportedly prompted a shutdown. Representatives for the owners said the closure was voluntary and the venue has since reopened for dine‑in and takeout; Instagram posts around May 26 promoted Taco Tuesday and happy hour specials, though earlier stories showing a crowded dining room were removed. The restaurant had planned to reopen its dining room on April 27 and reemploy about 120 furloughed staff but reversed that decision after reviewing the state’s 39 health and safety requirements, and 2 Chainz told Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms he delayed reopening to avoid putting employees at risk. Local reporting noted that two violations could keep an establishment closed for the duration of the governor’s executive order, which was set to expire May 31 unless extended." - Beth McKibben