Located in Morningside Village, Nowak’s Steakhouse was a go-to family restaurant for neighborhood residents since its establishment in 2018. On May 5, the restaurant rebranded as Nowak’s Cantina, a family-friendly Mexican restaurant.
Owner Blaiss Nowak said he believes this change will benefit the community.
“The neighborhood wanted something cheaper,” Nowak said. “A steakhouse just wasn’t fit for what the neighborhood wanted.”
In 2023, Nowak opened a second Nowak’s Steakhouse in Sandy Springs. Though the Morningside location is experiencing a change in cuisine, the Sandy Springs location will remain a steakhouse because Nowak believes a steakhouse is better suited for the community there.
“The people up here seem to enjoy the steakhouse a lot, and I have actually seen some of my Morningside patrons at the Sandy Springs location to get a good steak,” Nowak said.
While Nowak lives in Sandy Springs, he has been an active member of the Morningside community. He first opened his business in Morningside because of his connection to the neighborhood and its residents.
“I love Morningside,” Nowak said. “I love the environment, and I love the community. I knew that Morningside was the place I wanted to open my restaurant.”
Although some Midtown students have enjoyed the restaurant as a steakhouse, others have embraced the change. Junior Alexa Posel believes Nowak’s Cantina is a good addition to the community because it offers an inexpensive space for students to enjoy.
“Now, I can walk there with my friends, and it doesn’t cost a fortune,” Posel said. “When it was a steakhouse, I only ever went there with my family.”
Nowak said he has built a relationship with the community by converting his business into a more accessible, welcoming space. It has allowed him to be more involved with the residents of Morningside.
“I’ve seen so much more of the community,” Nowak said. “I feel like I have seen a completely different side of the neighborhood.”
Nowak said he has made a personal attempt to get to know as many of his customers as possible.
Morningside resident Donna Earley, who has enjoyed the restaurant for years, said she has gotten to know Nowak throughout the time she has spent at the establishment.
“I started going to Nowak’s because it was close, and I can walk,” Earley said. “As I’ve gone, I’ve started to recognize Blaiss, and I see him almost every time I go now. I was surprised with how involved he was; I reserved a table for a party, and he texted me personally to confirm, which I thought was really personable.”
Nowak said he tries to help as much as he can in the two restaurants, visiting both locations frequently. However, with the rebranding, he said he has recently invested more time into the Morningside location.
“I go to one of the restaurants almost every night, and I always try to help wherever I’m needed,” Nowak said. “I really enjoy helping cook, but if they need help with cleaning, I’ll do that. I just really want my restaurants to be as great as they can.”
Nowak has enjoyed learning the new techniques of the cuisine and has also enjoyed teaching his staff how to run the restaurant.
“It’s been so fun experimenting recipes,” said Nowak. “I love learning new things, and it’s been really fun learning how to cook different Mexican dishes.”
With the addition of an affordable Mexican restaurant in Morningside, Nowak said he has no doubt the rebranding will have a beneficial impact.
“I am so happy I converted it,” Nowak said. “Learning the new stuff along the way was fun, and I have really seen the benefits to the community.”
