Clayton News Daily

Photo by Heather Middleton

By M.J. Subiria Arauz

msubiria@news-daily.com

It was a busy Friday evening at a local, casual-dining restaurant,

about five minutes away from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

Airport.

Patrons were chatting while enjoying meals -- such as a pork chop

platter with garlic mashed potatoes -- at Malone's Steak and Seafood

restaurant.

Malone's has been serving the airport and surrounding communities for

about 30 years, said Harvey Glass, general manager of the restaurant.

It is located at 1258 Virginia Ave., East Point.

Glass said that every day, the restaurant serves employees of

Atlanta's airport and various airlines. He said airport and airline

employees get a 15 percent discount at Malone's if they show their ID

badges.

"Forty percent of our customers are airline people during lunch,"

said the general manager, who has been overseeing the restaurant for

seven years.

Glass added that Malone's Steak and Seafood restaurant serves mostly

business travelers during dinner.

The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m., to

midnight; Saturdays from 11 a.m., to 1 a.m.; and Sundays from 11

a.m., to 11 p.m., he said.

Tonya Cole, a patron who was dining with a friend, said she has lived

in the area for 15 years and it was her first time at the restaurant.

"We tried the steak and the service was great," she said with a smile.

Peter Mango, of North Carolina, who came to metro Atlanta for a video

game tournament, was eating dinner with friends. He said he and his

friends decided to eat at Malone's Steak and Seafood restaurant

because of its close proximity to the hotel where they were staying.

"It's been great," said Mango of his experience.

General Manager Glass said the restaurant offers American cuisine,

though it also may satisfy appetites of those craving a Cajun meal.

He said the restaurant is known for its pork chops, though it offers

various platters, including shrimp and sausage jambalaya, and a 14-

ounce ribeye steak with a choice of a side, such as a baked potato.

The restaurant also offers various pastas and salads, as well as a

full beverage bar, he said. Glass said the bar is currently featuring

beer from Jailhouse Brewing Company, of Hampton.

Glass said the two-floor restaurant seats a total of 325 people. The

second floor includes a dining area, a bar and a patio that seats 50

patrons. The first floor includes several dining areas and a bar, he

said.

The restaurant's location has helped its longevity, Glass said. It is

located near the world's busiest airport and surrounded by various

hotels, he explained.

He said the restaurant's sales aren't what they used to be, but it

has survived the troublesome economy.

"The relationships with the community, the hotels, the great food

quality and the great location -- it is your 'Cheers' from this side

of town," said Glass.