Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks CEO Derrick Hayes unveils location of new flagship restaurant

Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice Fans of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks at 57th Forsyth Street don’t have to miss the sandwich spot for too long. After the flagship location nearly closed two months ago due to irreparable damage from Atlanta’s massive water main break in early June, founder and CEO Derrick Hayes announced the opening of the flagship’s new location on 300 Marietta St. “We’re going to let the whole city of Atlanta know that we’re coming to take over Marietta Street,” Hayes said as his employees rolled down the banner declaring that the spot, known for bringing a taste of West Philly to Atlanta, was coming soon.& Named after the Philadelphia native’s late father, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has been a popular spot in Atlanta since it opened in 2019. But for those who have been fans of the restaurant since its beginnings, they’ll remember the lines that snaked out of its original location— then called Dave’s Philly Water Ice— which operated out of a Shell gas station in Dunwoody. Hayes said he would dream of expanding and growing his brand, a chance that soon came in the form of the Forsyth location, which also had people flocking from all...