We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Born and bred in Brooklyn, NY, I initially began my start in seafood solely as a seafood distributor to the locals, as well as small restaurant businesses in Brooklyn and Queens, NY. However, life took a turn when the youngest of my three sons was born. It was then I decided to venture to the south and made Douglasville, GA my home. The dream to own a restaurant led me to purchase a property in historic downtown Stone Mountain, GA to open a restaurant. However, due to the zoning laws, I could not open the business and decided in 2009 to return to NY to resume the seafood distribution business. However, my dream still weighed heavily on my mind and heart. Within a few years, when the New York I once knew changed drastically, I decided to return to Douglasville, GA with a new aim in mind……to provide the community with simple, fresh delectable seafood cooked to perfection. The fondness and wealth of knowledge for the seafood world turned into a passion to be the first food truck registered in Douglasville, GA.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our motto is “One Taste and You’re Hooked”. This is because our first ingredient is love. We take pride in using only the best grade of seafood available. One of our best sellers is the crab boil seasoned in our special “to die for” garlic butter sauce. Our customers will purchase it year-round if it was available. However, we refuse to sell “out of season” hollow crabs for a profit. Our aim is to serve the best quality seafood that they deserve. This is one of the things, which sets us apart from other businesses. We want our taste and brand to be consistent with our reputation. We strive to make each visit to the food truck exciting for our customers, by introducing a different special entrée every week (pastas, crab cakes, shrimp & fried grit cake, lobster, etc.). This can be challenging at times because our customers have favorites they want repeated constantly. Others inspire us to come up with new dishes based on their requests. We love it! We keep it interesting each week by telling our customers to follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see what the special will be. Our lessons are simple, but noteworthy. It is particularly important to listen to our customers. They are honest about their wants and needs and are willing to pay for it and to support us. Also, I have learned owning your business will have it challenges (Covid-19!), but one must roll with the punches because life happens, and changes are inevitable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots to take family and friends when visiting me in the ATL: Food Atl Blu Water Seafood (of course!) The Optimist Pasta Bella Drink The Wineries in Dahlonega, GA Entertainment A play or concert at The Fox Theatre Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the strength and will power to see my dream come true. My life is full of blessings. Then, a remarkably close second, is a huge endless and lifetime of thanks to my biggest cheerleader, my wife: Yvette. Although we had to dip into our nest egg, along with some ventures that did not go quite as planned, the vision has never changed…to keep swinging until we get a hit. And it seems we have finally hit a homerun with ATL Blu Water Seafood. It has been an incredible journey of storms, which she has weathered with me, along with her love, encouragement, humor, and bright outlook on life. In addition, I would like to thank my chef, Joe J. (has been there from day one!) and my sons and their families for their support. What a privilege to call on them at a moment’s notice to assist! And last, but not least, all my customers are the best! Their support is overwhelming and humbling!

Website: www.AtlBluWaterSeafood.com

Instagram: @AtlBluWaterSeafood

Facebook: ATL Blu Water Seafood

Yelp: ATL Blu Water Seafood

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