Chefs and Restaurants
Big Fish Story: How Ford Fry Reinvests with Optimism
March 25, 2025
When The Optimist announced on social media in October 2024 that its Atlanta oyster bar would temporarily close for a refresh, fans of the seafood spot fretted. “I got messages on Instagram like, ‘Don’t change the redfish dish,’” says Chef/Restaurateur Ford Fry with a laugh. Last fall’s month-long renovation surprised patrons who believe in the don’t-fix-what-isn’t-broken school of thought. In the 12-plus years since Ford opened his...