Must-Eats in Atlanta?
 

Chicago has deep-dish pizza, Memphis has BBQ and ribs... Does Atlanta have any claims-to-fame with respect to food?

I'm heading there for the first time.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Geoff in Vancouver, Canada

BBQ in ATL is about piggies. Many suitable chains and local establishments. Typically see a sweet sauce on the table.

Look for banana pudding on the menu at many Southern establishments.

Waffle House. Nationwide chain now, but definitely a local feel--started in ATL. Great pecan waffles.

Krispy Kreme. Yeah, you have one in Surrey(best apple fritters ever I had), they aren't Tim Horton's, they actually started in NC, but they are just too good to pass up.

Chic-Fil-A. Nationwide chain, but started in ATL--fried chicken sandwich. Can't go wrong with fried anything in the South.

The Varsity. Over-rated novelty, but worth the conversation starter to mention that you have been there if you run into any Tech(Georgia Tech) grads in your professional career.

Any non-exhaustive list of Southern foods would include: collard greens, mustard greens(add vinegar based clear pepper sauce for the full experience-not spicy, just nice flavor enhancer, and don't be afraid to slurp the remaining liquid), fried chicken, fruit cobblers(peach, duh), pecan log rolls(found in gas stations--so 70's, but actually tasty), black-eyed peas(again, pepper sauce enhances), ginger ale(Red Rock brand can be found in many local groceries--spicy but great!), pecan pie!!, corn bread(like mine sweet) and/or johnny cakes, grits(add butter, black pepper, cheese, or shrimp/anything else that sounds good to you), fried green tomatoes . . .


Too many places to name other than the first few that come to mind above. Of course, ATL has just about anything you want when it comes to food, but I would shoot for Southern themes that you can't get in BC.

Are you looking for more upscale dining than the cheapo places listed above? If so, you are in luck as there are many upscale eateries in town. But I hesitate to not mention some of the above, as they recall my college days.

I'm going to Atlanta tomorrow and am thinking about shrimp and grits. I've also heard good things about the Buckhead Diner and thought I would give it a try.

Ahh . . . so many places that I like in ATL . . .

Buckhead Diner is solid, not great, but a neat little place. I have had some very good lamb there, though. Near the BD, you could find http://www.eclipsediluna.com/ happening scene with some borderline very good dishes. Eclipse is off the street a bit, and can be slightly difficult to find--you won't happen upon it unless your purpose was to be there.

If you are up in the Roswell area, try Diggers(go for the Damn Good Roast Beef), ahhh, I can taste it . . . but since the smoking laws changed a few years ago, and Diggers decided to stay smoking, it does get a bit smokier now than in the past. But if you can put up with the second hand, then the sandwich is well worth it.

Stay away from Waffle House, Krisky Kreme, Chic-Fil-A. They are lame chains.

JP

I love shrimp and grits at Buckhead Bread Company. It's owned by the same group as Buckhead Diner.

rgds,

drew

Buckhead Diner was fantastic! I arrived late, about 90 minutes before closing and still had exceptional service and food. It was Thursday night but there were still plenty of people in the place, and people were still arriving when I left shortly before closing.

Excellent place, I'll be back the next time I'm in Atlanta!