A new restaurant concept is preparing to open in Atco, bringing breakfast, lunch, coffee, and sweet treats to the former Sally Starr Pizza building, most recently home to Atco Pizza Cafe.
The Usual Restaurant and The Sweet Spot are the new ventures led by longtime restaurateur Hakan Ozdmr, who has spent more than three decades in the food business.
Ozdmr said he and his family previously owned the Golden Palace Diners in Vineland and Carneys Point. While he attempted to retire a few years ago to spend more time with his growing family, he said the restaurant industry ultimately drew him back in.
“The restaurant business is all I know and love to do,” Ozdmr shared.
His brother continues to operate the Vineland diner while Ozdmr focuses on launching the new Atco concept, which will offer daytime eats and late sweets.
Unlike the building’s previous pizza-focused operations, The Usual is being designed as a modern café-style restaurant with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The goal, according to Ozdmr, is to create a comfortable gathering place where locals can meet for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or casual conversation.
To help create that experience, the restaurant is even having custom booths built to encourage a more relaxed, sit-down setting with full service.
Initially, The Usual plans to serve breakfast and lunch daily, beginning around 6 or 7 a.m. and continuing through 4 p.m., though hours could expand later based on customer demand.
The menu is expected to feature a wide variety of diner and café favorites, including omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, steak and eggs, burgers, wraps, cheesesteaks, salads, paninis, and select entrée dishes.
Connected to the restaurant will be The Sweet Spot, a dessert-focused concept offering ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, and other sweet treats.
According to the Instagram page, the vision for The Sweet Spot is to create something “nostalgic, fun, welcoming, and just a little dreamy.”
While The Usual is expected to cater to the daytime crowd, The Sweet Spot is planned as more of an evening destination where customers can stop in for dessert and a relaxed atmosphere after hours.
When asked for further comment, Ozdmr exclaimed, “We are GRATEFUL for the opportunity to bring The Usual and The Sweet Spot to Atco and create a warm, welcoming spot for breakfast, lunch, coffee, desserts & community. This project is incredibly meaningful to our family, and we look forward to opening our doors and meeting everyone soon!”
An official opening date and other details for The Usual Restaurant and The Sweet Spot have not yet been announced, as work is still underway. But rest assured, we will share as soon as we have anything to share. Be sure to follow on Instagram for the latest, though.
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