Zunzi's

"After 13 years in Savannah and a year after opening in Atlanta to Nextdoor message board drama over the slogan 'Shit Yeah', Zunzi’s Takeout & Catering sandwich shop has changed its name to just Zunzi’s on Howell Mill Road. As to why the Buckhead restaurant made the change, owner Chris Smith says it came down to people misunderstanding Zunzi’s wasn’t only takeout food. Smith writes in a lengthy social media post, 'people driving by [on Howell Mill] thought we were only “Takeout & Catering” and decided to pass on trying us because they wanted to sit down inside! I thought big windows with bright lights showing tables and chairs would communicate that, but I was wrong!' Unlike the Savannah shop, which sees a fair amount of foot traffic from tourists in the city’s historic district, Howell Mill Road is typically choked with cars heading to and from I-75. While tables and chairs inside are clearly visible from the road through the large windows, not to mention a small patio featuring tables with rainbow umbrellas, it apparently wasn’t enough to assure customers of proper seating at the restaurant. The front of the building also now displays big, bold graphics describing Zunzi’s menu: South African-inspired sandwiches, wraps, and bowls. Smith claims that within ten minutes of installing the banners out front, five people walked into the restaurant to inquire about the menu. As for the 'Shit Yeah' drama from last summer, it turned out to be nothing more than a few concerned residents who didn’t quite get the premise behind Zunzi’s decade-plus-old motto. Smith installed a poster at the entrance, just in case, explaining the restaurant’s mission and its eye-catching phrase. Some employees even refer to 'Shit Yeah' sauce as 'SY' sauce when reading back orders to customers. 'It’s really simple. “Shit Yeah” is our promise to our customers that we hope they’ve had such a great experience, they leave saying, ‘Shit yeah!’', Smith told Eater Atlanta last June. 'If they’re not saying that, we need to know so we can make it right.' Zunzi’s most popular sandwiches include the fully-loaded Conquistador with chicken, Romaine, and tomato dressed with SY sauce and Zunzi’s dressing and Godfather with chicken, two kinds of sausage, provolone, Romaine, tomato, and parmesan topped with marinara, SY sauce, and Zunzi’s dressing. Both are served on French bread." - Beth McKibben

"Summer in the ATL began lightheartedly enough, with Savannah-based sandwich shop Zunzi’s Takeout on Howell Mill Road causing consternation with the neighbors on NextDoor over the use of their motto “Shit Yeah” on the menu." - Beth McKibben

"It’s only been open for a week on Howell Mill Road, but the Savannah-based sandwich restaurant Zunzi’s Takeout is already causing consternation with the neighbors over the use of their motto “Shit Yeah” on the menu. A sauce is also named for the slogan." - Beth McKibben

"The Savannah-based Zunzi’s Takeout & Catering opens Wednesday, May 30 at 1971 Howell Mill Road. The fast-casual restaurant is known for South African style bites with Swiss, Dutch, and Italian influences. Expect sandwiches like the fully-loaded Godfather with chicken, two kinds of sausage, provolone, Romaine lettuce, tomato, and parmesan topped with marinara, ‘Shit Yeah’ sauce, and Zunzi’s dressing on French bread. There’s a vegan portobello mushroom sandwich with peppers and onions, squash, zucchini, mixed greens, tomato, and avocado topped with hummus, ‘Shit Yeah’ sauce and Zunzi’s dressing. Diners can also build their own sandwiches. All but two of the eight sauces at Zunzi’s are vegan. The sandwich bread is provided locally by Atlanta’s H&F Bread Company." - Beth McKibben

My friend Allen will throw hands over these sandwiches