Zesto celebrates 75 years of serving burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes

Zesto – the Atlanta institution known for its “Chubby Decker” burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, and dipped cones – will celebrate its 75th anniversary during July.

In 1949, Big John Livaditis opened the first Zesto franchise in Atlanta on Peachtree Road across from the Brookwood train station and it was instantly popular. Big John, born in Illinois to Greek parents, sponsored other Greek immigrants to come to the United States to work with him and opened more Zesto locations.

Big John, who also created Big John’s Christmas Trees , died in 1995 and his son and daughter-in-law, Jimbo and Leigh Ann, now run the family business. Jimbo said the 75th anniversary is a cause for celebration, but it’s also bittersweet.

Zesto would originally grow to have 10 locations in Atlanta, but only three remain as dining habits, high rent, the economy, and the global pandemic took a big bite.

The Piedmont Road location in Buckhead, which Leigh Ann said had faced constant safety issues, closed when the opportunity to sell the property arose and the family was unable to buy out the co-owners of the three-parcel property where the Zesto had sat for more than 50 years. The Ponce de Leon Avenue location was turned into a Cook Out , and the Little Five Points location closed after a large oak tree fell and damaged the building .

The East Atlanta, Forest Park, and Tyrone locations remain, and Jimbo and Leigh Ann said they will celebrate the fact that Zesto continues to attract a loyal fanbase.

Jimbo said he missed the Buckhead location the most because of his fond memories of sitting on his dad’s lap behind the counter. “It’s bittersweet, but to get to 75 years in my lifetime feels good,” he said.

And it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a new Zesto could open somewhere else in the city.

“If we can find a good location for Zesto, I would definitely consider opening another location,” Jimbo said. “We’re going to celebrate 75 and then talk to our kids and reassess our options.”

Leigh Ann said running Zesto and Big John’s Christmas Trees, which has become a holiday staple for Intowners, is a “balancing act.”

Like many restaurant owners, she said staffing has become an issue, especially since the pandemic. She said there has been a “change in the baseline for following rules and work ethic” among young people. Luckily, Zesto has a loyal group of employees, some who have been with them for decades. They’ll be celebrating that, too, in July.

Customers new and old will want to stop by Zesto on the weekends – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – in July to get one of the anniversary deals, including $1.75 cent hot dogs July 5-7. Find out more at zestoatlanta.com .

Rough Draft contributor Annie Kinnett Nichols contributed to this story.

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