When Michael and Shyretha Sheats launched their pop-up, The Plate Sale, they wanted to share their passion for entertaining and their love of food with the community. Now, after eight years of operating their pop-up, the Sheats have plans to open their first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Mule Train, at 87 Broad Street in South Downtown.
Mule Train’s name has a multifaceted meaning. It pays homage to Michael’s own memories of a place where people used to gather in his hometown in nearby Athens, and it also serves as a nod to the history of the area, its regionality and its forms of connectors and transportation.
“[The Mule Train] was a stopping spot on your way home,” Michael told What Now Atlanta. “I thought that could be a really cool concept for a restaurant to identify where we’re from and celebrate that.”
Slated to open in May, the 1,700-square-foot restaurant will have about 40 seats and feature an intimate yet open and lively layout. It will maintain elements of the history of the building, including the original brick and high ceilings.
When they had the opportunity to become part of South Downtown, the Sheats said it ultimately aligned with their own vision for their first brick-and-mortar restaurant.
“We’ve been coming out here for the past 10 years just to walk around,” Michael said. “We’re in love with these buildings — they’re beautiful, they’re old, they have a lot of history and to see them come to life is beautiful. South Downtown is very intentional, forward-thinking and aligns with our values.”
The menu will be a celebration of the seasons, rotating based on what is available and what the Sheats are inspired to create. For those familiar with their pop-up, there will be dishes from past menus that they will carry over to Mule Train, but much of it will evolve as seasons change.
There will also be a beverage program driven by intentional cocktails with a similar focus on seasonality.
“We’ve always believed in food that does more than fill a plate,” Shyretha said in an announcement from South Downtown. “Mule Train will be a place where you walk in and feel connected — to the land, to the ingredient, to each other. We’re excited to plant roots in South Downtown Atlanta and invite people in.”
