2 Chainz was one of the first restaurant owners in Atlanta to re-open his space for dine-in service, announcing weeks ago that Escobar Restaurant and Tapas would be back in business after Governor Brian Kemp’s controversial decision to re-open non-essential businesses earlier than other states. On Memorial Day Weekend, a party was held at the location and, once police officers traveled by, they noticed that there was a blatant disrespect of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. People were packed into the space and hookah was being shared, with bottle service also being offered. 

The restaurant was shut down and clients were asked to leave. Despite the closure for the night, 2 Chainz wants everybody to know that he is still in business, sending a driver to get him some grub just last night for dinner.

“Just sent my driver to @escobaratlanta to pick up a kale salad with grill shrimp and two broccolis for me,” said the rapper on Instagram. His post itself was less pleasant in tone though as he fought back against media outlets continuing to report the closure of his restaurant.

“Still reporting Escobar been closed,” he wrote. “That was on Sunday! Today is Wednesday can yall find something else to report and get off @2chainz nuttz!”

Hopefully, there are no further issues at the restaurant as they look to comply with federal rules and regulations for COVID-19.

Both of 2 Chainz‘s Escobar Restaurant and Tapas locations in Atlanta have officially reopened for dine-in service, and they’re taking extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. The decision to reopen his dining establishments to the public was a difficult and controversial one for the rapper. He initially planned to start up again a few weeks ago, when Governor Brian Kemp gave non-essential businesses the go-ahead to reopen despite the rampant coronavirus pandemic.

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However, Chainz had a change of heart a few days later, choosing instead to use his facilities to feed the homeless rather than open his doors to the general public. It looks like he’s got money on his mind again, though, because on Tuesday (May 5th), both Escobar locations were open and hoppin’.

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While they may be offering dine-in service now, tons of new safety measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among staff and patrons. This includes limiting sections to parties of four or less, serving all food in to-go boxes, offering masks and gloves free of charge, and instructing customers to wash their hands immediately upon arrival. They’ve also opened their patio section, so that tables can be more spread out. The volume of staff has also been limited to keep capacity low. Perhaps the most controversial choice the Escobar team has made is to continue offering hookahs to patrons. All hookah users will be provided with a disposable hose, and all devices will be sanitized after each and every use. 

Despite all these safety efforts, though, many patrons don’t seem to be following the new guidelines too closely, according to TMZ. Some clips posted on social media at Escobar show folks dancing in very close quarters. Bentley Didier, a spokesperson for Escobar, says that employees, friends, and customers have admitted that they’ve been dealing with depression due to self-quarantining and social distancing, and just want to let loose. Regardless, there should still be respect for the safety measures in place.

When you’re a celebrity, you often find yourself regularly engaged in some sort of legal dispute. Rapper 2 Chainz knows just about that, considering that he’s been hit with a few lawsuits over the years. In 2019, he was sued over allegedly stealing a song sample, and in February of this year, he was accused of the same thing by another artist. A woman also sued him for $5 million for calling her a “thot,” but a judge recently threw out her case. Now, Bossip reports that a former employee is taking 2 Chainz and the rapper’s business partner Mychel “Snoop” Dillard to court.

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According to the outlet, Leon Wiggins worked for the two business owners and struck a deal to help bring in more clientele to Escobar Restaurant and Tapas, as well as Hookah MRD Kings back in 2018. It was reportedly agreed that Wiggins would work as an assistant manager to both establishments, and if he made a certain amount of sales, he would also collect a commission. 

Leon Wiggins reportedly states in his lawsuit that after he sold a number of items at both restaurants, he was supposed to receive a commission of $24,713. In April 2019, Wiggin left his positions at both establishments, but he claims he was never paid what he says he’s due. Wiggins also states that 2 Chainz nor his business partner ever responded to the lawsuit, so he wants to move forward with receiving a default judgment. Yet, the rapper and Dillard aren’t giving up that easily, and they replied they never received the proper paperwork to give to their lawyers. As far as the commission deal is concerned, the business partners say they weren’t aware of any deal. The case is ongoing.

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