The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
King of Pops co-founder shares favorite haunts
Food, fun, pingpong: Get to know Steven Carse’s Atlanta.
Have you ever strolled through Piedmont Park or Ponce City Market and spotted a friendly face with a colorful cart of yummy frozen pops? You have Steven Carse to thank for that.
The co-founder of King of Pops, along with his brother Nick Carse, has been blessing locals with frozen treats for nearly 10 years. From flavors such as Lemon Basil (his personal favorite) to Banana Puddin’, Carse loves making life a little sweeter.
The Minnesota native, who moved to Atlanta with his family during his kindergarten years, is also dedicated to community building. Company events around town like yoga and art showcases bring people together. It’s his way of giving back to the city that helped raise him.
“I like that there’s an opportunity and an excitement to support each other,” the Westview resident told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I feel like people can get behind things more easily here. I really appreciate that. … It’s something we should be proud of.”
When the easygoing entrepreneur isn’t tending to his business, he’s carving out time to hit up some of his favorite haunts. Here’s where you’ll likely find the 35-year-old on the weekend.
Finger-licking good meal
At dinnertime, Carse has three loves: He’s either at The Lawrence in Midtown for a burger, Ticonderoga Club at Krog Street Market for seafood or 97 Estoria in Cabbagetown for cocktails.
What do these restaurants have in common? The businessman always feels like he’s at home when steps in the door.
“I find that I’m drawn to the slightest relational connection,” he explained. “In addition to being at a place I like, if I connect with either a manager or waiter, just the simplest thing of remembering somebody, I do find that
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really makes a difference.”
His top dining picks
■ The Lawrence, 905 Juniper St. NE., Atlanta. 404-9617177, thelawrenceatlanta.com.
■ Ticonderoga Club at Krog Street Market, 99 Krog St. NE., Atlanta. 404-4584534, ticonderogaclub.com.
■ 97 Estoria, 727 Wylie St. SE., Atlanta. 404-522-0966. 97estoria.com.
Social hour
Carse is a huge pingpong fan. When he’s in the mood for a round of table tennis on a Saturday, Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium is a no-brainer. “If a friend is coming in to town or if I’m entertaining somebody, we usually go there at least to start the night,” he said.
To end the night, he might head to MJQ Concourse in the Poncey-Highland district. The high-energy club has guest deejays, dance parties and live music.“It’s still really good. I’m not evolving at all,” he joked. “But when my fiance’s younger family members come to town and we’re trying to show them around, we’ve taken them there.”
His top party spot picks
■ Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, 466 Edgewood Ave. SE., Atlanta. 404-5228276, sisterlouisaschurch.com.
■ MJQ Concourse, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE., Atlanta. 404-870-0575, thedrunkenunicorn.net.
Hidden gems
If you’re looking for a new soul food restaurant to try, Carse recommends Greens & Gravy.
The eatery offers menu items, such as lobster mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and lemon pepper honey fried chicken.
“It’s a good spot that’s probably a little under the radar,” he said. “But they have really good food.”
Lottafrutta is also on his list. While the colorful, pintsize eatery may be known to most for its fresh fruit bowls, Carse said the grilled sandwiches are just as delicious. He usually loads his pavo del ocho sandwich with pepperoncinis, tomatoes, pickles and banana peppers.“I go there at least once a week, usually twice,” he said. “I love it there.”
If you go
■ Greens & Gravy Restaurant, 1540 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. 404-5652074, facebook.com/greensandgravy.
■ Lottafrutta, 590 Auburn Ave. NE., Atlanta. 404-5880857, lottafrutta.com