T&T Daiquiris: Discrimination, Determination—And the Real Story Behind a Viral Clip

Game Changers
Nov 5
4 min read

Game Changers Magazine • Voices of the Village — where change starts with conversation

By Game Changers Media Network

The Owners, The Mission, The Vibe

Walk into T&T Daiquiris in McDonough, GA and you’ll feel it immediately: family energy, good music, and a “come-as-you-are” welcome. That’s by design. Owners Tandra “Tan” and Tony—both U.S. Army veterans—built their spot to be a neighborhood “third place” that celebrates community and culture.

“When you come in our spot, you’re family,” Tan says. “We only want positive energy—good vibes, every time.”

“T&T” stands for Tan & Tony—a partnership rooted in service. After retiring from the military, Tony, a chef and logistics pro, brought the kitchen; Tan brought front-of-house leadership, HR savvy, compliance chops, and a social-worker’s heartbeat for people. Together they’re raising a brand grounded in Southern hospitality with a splash of Louisiana flavor—frozen daiquiris and comfort plates that keep regulars coming back for the wings and fish.

This Veterans Day, T&T is giving back with a free small daiquiri for veterans (plus the everyday military/first responder discount). “It’s about honoring service,” Tan says. “We know the sacrifice.”

Starting Up in a System That Wasn’t Built for Us

T&T’s origin story is also a case study in grit. McDonough and Henry County are growing, but for Black entrepreneurs, landing and building out a commercial lease can still feel like an obstacle course.

“There is discrimination and bias in commercial leasing. I lived it,” Tan shares. “I was asked for personal bank statements on top of business financials. My broker from another county couldn’t believe it—until he saw it.”

According to Tan, she also watched neighboring tenants receive build-out help she was initially told would be a “conflict of interest.” She notes T&T signed one of the earliest leases in their strip but opened last—after investing heavily in a build-out they don’t own (standard in many retail leases, but costly nonetheless).

The lesson she offers other founders is clear: document everything, separate personal and business finances, and bring representation that will advocate for you. “Know your numbers, protect your paper trail, and don’t let anyone rush you,” she says.

The Viral Clip—And the Full Context

If you saw the recent social post blasting T&T, you likely saw outrage, but not the full tape.

Here’s what Tan says happened:

The incident involved a returning group that, per staff notes, has created repeated service confrontations.

A payment dispute escalated; an officer on scene pressed for resolution.
A short, edited video made it online, reframing the story as “Black business calls police on Black people,” which fueled a wave of attacks in comments and coordinated negative reviews.
T&T’s counsel issued a cease-and-desist and initiated a defamation action. Google later removed inauthentic reviews after investigation, according to Tan.

“We’re a professional, veteran-owned business. The narrative got twisted,” Tan explains. “Once full footage is released through counsel, people will see the parts the phone camera didn’t show.”

Regardless of the legal outcome, there’s a wider takeaway for patrons and platforms alike: Review responsibly. If you weren’t there, don’t post. If there’s a problem, ask for a manager and give the business a chance to fix it—before hitting record.

The Economics: Happy Hours, Hard Times, and Holding On

Between inflation, higher input costs, and federal furloughs touching household budgets, hospitality margins are tight. T&T has adapted with daily Happy Hour (Tue–Fri, 4:00–6:30 PM)—$5 wings, $5 drinks, $5 daiquiris—so regulars can still slide through without breaking the bank.

“It’s about keeping the community connected even when money’s tight,” Tan says. “We want teachers, veterans, first responders, and working families to have a place.”

And the menu? Think playful, therapy-themed daiquiris (“Magic,” “Hotlanta,” yes—even the cheeky ones), plus the wings-and-fish combo locals swear by.

Marriage, Management, and the Real Work of Building Together

Tan jokes she was “the officer,” Tony “the senior NCO”—and sometimes that shows. But division of labor is their superpower: front-of-house (Tan) and back-of-house (Tony). Mondays are for admin; off days, they support other Black-owned spots across the Southside. “Collaboration over competition,” Tan says. “We all win when the block wins.”

Legacy matters, too. Their adult sons are flourishing in the military and cybersecurity. Their daughter has the entrepreneurial spark. “We’re teaching her now,” Tan smiles. “Ownership is a mindset.”

Advocacy Is a Muscle: From the Ballot to the Build-Out

T&T’s story reminds us that local policy shapes who gets a lease, a loan, or a fair shake. Tan’s plea is simple: Vote—especially local. Understand zoning, permitting, code enforcement, and how boards and commissions impact small-business life.

“A lot of folks are disillusioned,” she says. “But local elections touch our doors, our licenses, our livelihoods. We have to show up.”

What’s Next for T&T

The team is watching the economy, but expansion dreams are alive. Charlotte keeps calling. For now, the focus is protecting the brand, growing the base near South Point, and making sure more residents even know that tucked-away strip exists.

If you’re nearby, pull up:

When: Tue–Fri 4:00–10:00 PM, Sat–Sun hours vary (Mon closed for admin)
Where: Near South Point, McDonough, GA (the “hidden” strip—ask a friend who knows)
Why: Wings that “have you winging,” crisp fried fish, and frozen daiquiris with that Louisiana-meets-Metro-ATL energy

Veterans Day: Free small daiquiri for veterans + everyday military/first responder discount. Bring ID, bring a friend.

Final Word

Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart—especially when bias still lurks behind shiny storefronts and edited timelines. But T&T Daiquiris is proof that service, standards, and stubborn optimism still build something lasting.

“We’re here for the community,” Tan says. “Come see for yourself—feel the vibe, try the wings, and let’s write a better story together.”

Got a story like this in your city? Game Changers Magazine & Voices of the Village Podcast are amplifying the entrepreneurs who refuse to fold. Because on the Southside and beyond, change starts with conversation—and it’s served best over good food, better music, and a cold cup done right.