El Tesoro, a popular taqueria known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh juice margaritas, has announced plans to open an 8,600-square-foot restaurant at Lee + White, the adaptive reuse development in Atlanta's West End. The new location, set to open in March 2026, will occupy the 1036 Building, previously home to Best End Brewing. This expansion marks the third full-service El Tesoro in Atlanta, joining the original Edgewood location and a forthcoming 3,640-square-foot outpost in South Downtown, scheduled for spring 2026.
The new space will feature all of El Tesoro's family recipe favorites, including tacos, burritos, tamales, and mulitas, along with an extensive bar program highlighted by deep mezcal selections. Designed for a casual yet slightly elevated dining experience, the restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating, a large bar, and big-screen TVs for sporting events.
Alan Raines, owner of El Tesoro, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, noting the success of the current collaboration with Wild Heaven Brewing at its West End location. "We've been very successful in our collaboration with Wild Heaven West End, with so much goodwill from the local residents, and now we are both ready for the next phase," Raines said. "We're excited to expand into a permanent space at Lee + White that gives us the opportunity to grow for years to come." He added that the larger space will allow for hosting meetings, activities, and even weddings, serving as a gathering place for the neighborhood.
The lease transaction was represented by Marisa Roy and Patrick Green of Ackerman Retail on behalf of owners Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners. Leo Wiener, President of Ackerman Retail, noted the positive impact of El Tesoro's growth on the area. "El Tesoro has become a go-to stop for authentic Mexican food, and their growth is great news for Lee + White and the West End neighborhood," Wiener said.
In a related move, Wild Heaven Beer has purchased the Eats restaurant brand and will replace El Tesoro within its tap room with the popular meat-and-three concept, also targeting a March opening. The Lee + White development, acquired by Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners in 2019, spans 442,562 square feet and features a half-mile of Atlanta BeltLine frontage. The mixed-use site includes a food hall, creative office space, healthcare providers, and the "Great Lawn" event space, with 16 eateries currently operating.
The West End location benefits from proximity to the West End MARTA station and planned connectivity via the BeltLine. One full-service restaurant space of 3,990 square feet and one food stall remain available for lease in the food hall.
