Everybody’s Pizza to close after 41 years in Emory Village
For generations of Emory University students, faculty and staff, Everybody’s Pizza has been that restaurant. The campus restaurant. Lots of food for a decent price, cheap drinks for those who can show the right I.D. and the kinds of oddball dishes that people cramming for finals learn to crave — such as Thai chicken pizza salad.
But just as the number of food offerings in Emory Village are on the upswing with the recent additions of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Zoës Kitchen, Everybody’s has decided to call it quits. The last day will be March 19. Owner Andy Kurlansky sent this press release:
After 41 great years in Emory Village, we are retiring from the restaurant business.
We are proud to have served some 3 million pizzas to multiple generations of Atlantans since 1971.
Here’s to all who had their first dates at Everybody’s, met their spouse at Everybody’s, or celebrated other of life’s joyous events with us.
Thanks to all in Atlanta who have been loyal fans of our pizza, and who have been guests in our “home.”
But most of all, we thank all of the wonderful folks who have worked with us throughout these 41 years,
for they have been the true heart and soul of the place.
Without their dedication and love, none of it could have happened.
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126 comments Add your comment
pb
March 8th, 2013
1:37 pm
Well, seeing these comments, maybe Everybody’s wasn’t as good recently as it was about 20 years ago, when I used to go there. But it was good back then. And it was never the cheapest place around to get a pizza. If you want that, go to CiCi’s, Stevie B’s, or the other buffet joints…They did something right to stay in business 41 years. Too bad all the whiners and complainers are out today.
John
March 8th, 2013
1:51 pm
This news brings to mind a line in Iris Dement’s song, Our Town- “Nothin’ good ever lasts.”
Steve
March 8th, 2013
1:57 pm
I ate there many times in the 1980s and early 1990s. The pizza was very good and so was the atmosphere. I have some fond memories of lunches and dinners there. I say thank you to those who helped create those fond memories.
Shocking...
March 8th, 2013
3:16 pm
Emory kids are douches. Go figure.
Steve
March 8th, 2013
5:50 pm
Sad day for Atlanta – one of the classics
J va
March 8th, 2013
9:53 pm
Thanks to Everybody’s and staff. As a swimmer I first enjoyed the dining out in the late 80’s, and moved to the Emory area then the Highlands. Always a welcoming place to go, you will be missed.
To those that like other pizza delivery, enjoy chewing your paper plates! You might need to look up what “tradition” means, cause you just lost one.
Leonard
March 9th, 2013
9:41 am
I went there just once with family and extended family. We waited for over twenty minutes as the server never once approached our table. She waited on everyone else. We finally got up and left and went to another restaurant with far superior service. Good riddance.
Morgan
March 9th, 2013
10:33 am
My dear sweet daddy who is now in heaven introduced me to Everybody’s pizza over 35years ago. We would go to lunch there at least once a week and then take home our leftovers and eat cold pizza for breakfast for days. This was our special place…just for us. I am so sad to see it close!!
aoj
March 9th, 2013
12:14 pm
So very sorry to see Everybody’s close their doors….but they truly did something right…the restaurant business is not child’s play…..41 years! To all the naysayers, no one business can be all things to all people. It’s just impossible. So let the folks who care and have positive memories have their say. Everybody’s, the people/employees, the institution, the whole dynamic was very good for a very long time. Thanks!
ann
March 9th, 2013
1:03 pm
My husband and I are almost in tears over losing Everybody’s. I’m an Atlanta native whose family and friends have celebrated countless occasions there ever since it opened. I make pizza at home, and would love their pizza recipe. Thanks for the memories and good luck to the staff.
moboman
March 9th, 2013
4:07 pm
Fond memories of when they first opened and it was just that one front room. When they had the Eat a Large By Yourself and its free challenge.
Alex Allen
March 10th, 2013
9:07 am
So many happy times, so many salads, so many half-n-half pitchers, and a couple of streakers – but all a lifetime ago. Will miss it and wish it weren’t so. (And I LOVED the pizza – even brought one home to my family in Miami back in college days.)
Pierson
March 10th, 2013
4:45 pm
Lots of great memories with my Dad while I went through Emory residency and fellowship. I will miss Everybody’s!
Teresa
March 10th, 2013
8:03 pm
Been eating there since you opened. Once, a friend and I actually ate other people’s left over pizza (when they paid and left the table)as we were broke. But, that was only once. Saw the man who dressed as an astronaut in your establishment, and your staff was kind to him, as they were to other homeless people. Watched as the theater burned down next door, and Everybody’s stood! Thank you for being an anchor for so many years to the Emory Village. Believe me, I’ve eaten at your restaurant more times than I can count. My husband and I had a standing table on Thursday nights for years, after our run. We would run to Everybody’s, (4 miles). then go home, shower, and come back and eat pizza and down a pitcher! My children (now 21 and 22) eat at Everybody’s, too.
Thank you, again. to say you will be missed doesn’t even begin to say enough.
EmoryGrad
March 10th, 2013
8:04 pm
Thanks for the pizza and memories!
Red
March 10th, 2013
9:04 pm
My family is very sad that Everybody’s is closing. It was always fun to eat on the patio-at either location. I hope they will share the recipe for their delicious PBLT sandwich!
jessie
March 10th, 2013
11:52 pm
if you people “loved” everybodys so much it wouldnt be closing. shut up.
Mark
March 11th, 2013
5:45 am
Loved this place! The pizza was outstanding. I only have two complaints about the place. Over the past several years I think the quality of service the wait staff provided really slipped. My last several times there, some of my servers really had no clue how to service a table. Slow, indifferent, didn’t seem to want to develop any chemistry at all with the customer. Mom and Pop places should excel at that aspect of service.My other complaint? Those wooden bench booths were SO uncomfortable! They should have passed out stadium cushions!…I agree with those who say that 41 years is not a story of a failed business. It is a celebration of an owner who worked hard to make a business work.
Doug
March 11th, 2013
10:38 am
Truly an Atlanta icon. They should have called Restaurant Impossible. I bet with a new menu, a 10,000 renovation and 2 days of labor, they could reinvent themselves.
Let me introduce you to Pizza Bella Emory…. http://www.pizzabellaemory.com
Road Scholar
March 11th, 2013
12:45 pm
Mark, the original booths when it was a three room telephone booth were even smaller and more uncomfortable. I started going in 1972. During my breaks in classes at GT we would go and have a large pizza and 2 pitchers of beer. Made the class in Dam design understandable!
Of all those above who did not like Everybodies, they either commented on the price or quality. Only one suggested a better pizza place. If you want cheap crap go to Dominos. Everybodies has a lunch special.. a personal pizza, a salad (good size) and a drink (coke, tea, or beer or wine) for $7.99. That’s expensive???
The students at Emory have their parents paying for everything and do not have the stamina to walk across the street! People who live nearby (Druid Hills) do not go anywhere that is not 4 or more stars.
Was at Everybodies last night. It was PACKED!!!! Wall to wall with a 20-30 min wait! Bad food? No I think it is bad taste by those who know nothing about pizza! Go eat you DiGiornos!
Road Scholar
March 11th, 2013
12:49 pm
Mark, their plethora of tattoos slowed them down! I agree, when the regular servers left, the service did decline.
christopher robbins blog » Everybody’s Pizza to close after 41 years in Emory Village | Food and More with John Kessler
March 11th, 2013
5:48 pm
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Preston
March 11th, 2013
8:19 pm
First restaurant I rememeber going to with just my siblings. We played cards and drank Dr. Pepper for what seemed an eternity until the pizza arrived. Many memories, sad to see it go.
Atlanta Pizza
March 12th, 2013
12:28 pm
Truly a loss for the Atlanta Pizza Scene.
Jack
March 14th, 2013
7:31 am
I have been a fan since 1972 when my roommate and I would drive to Atlanta from Athens for an Everybody’s pizza fix. Remember the free popcorn they used to serve while you waited for your pizza? It really isn’t about the “best” pizza in town or the best prices for pizza, but more about the overall casual ambiance of the dining experience that people have grown to cherish. Remember that Atlanta was rather lacking in good pizza places back in 1971 when Everbody’s first opened and was really a groundbreaking addition to the Atlanta restaurant scene. Other newer and more sophisticated pizza restaurants have surpassed them but Everybody’s was great in their heyday. You will be missed!
Jeff
March 14th, 2013
12:17 pm
Kurlansky, I don’t get it. Everytime I go there it’s busy. Did you try to sell the restaurant, at least? There are too many people who have loved this place for too many years. It’s not just a great pizza place for us. It’s like feeling at home.