Restaurant Recommendations around Atlanta

LDR

Later this year I will be traveling to Georgia, to go to a class at Myron Mixon's compound in Unadilla.  I'll also hit Rodney Scott's place in Atlanta.  I'll have an extra day, so are there any other must-see places?

kl8ton

@DoubleEgger

JohnInCarolina

kl8ton said:

@DoubleEgger

He does not wander these plains any longer, but I will ask him for recs.

pgprescott

Rathbun steak in Bucktown is great. He has several restaurants of varying cuisine and atmosphere. 

Downtown is Atlanta Fish Market if you dig seafood. It’s outstanding food in a vibrant atmosphere. 

I’m sure there are dozens more. 

RRog17

Fox Bros. BBQ
Bones

kl8ton

JohnInCarolina said:

kl8ton said:

@DoubleEgger

He does not wander these plains any longer, but I will ask him for recs.

Oh I know. I was hoping it would have the effect of the bat signal. I miss him. I've chatted maybe through email or text twice since he left. I had remembered he was looking for a very specific piece of CI and I found myself in a vintage CI store/both. 

Langner91

Because Atlanta is closer to the sea than Iowa, I always try to find seafood when I am there.  I don't usually have to go far from the airport, so my favorite place is Spondivits.  A bit of a dive, but great seafood!

JohnInCarolina

Atlanta recs, courtesy of DoubleEgger:

BBQ - Rodney Scott for whole hog 

BBQ - Fox Brothers (get the wings , Frito pie) 

BBQ - Heirloom Market - brisket is easily best in town. 

Diner Style and Meat and Three 

Marietta Diner (open 24/7 - get a dessert)

Mary Macs Tea Room ( my favorite) 

Busy Bee  (James Beard) 

Nice Joints

The Optimist (seafood)

Bacchanalia  (swanky) 

Miller Union ( staple) 

Fia  (don’t let the hotel restaurant fool you.)

Lazy Betty (hot restaurant in ATL) 

Interesting spots and others 

Gunshow (cart style - highly rated)

Masterpiece (chinese) 

Rumi’s (Persian)

Food Halls

Ponce City Market Food Hall 

Chattahoochee Food Works

Buford Highway is easily the largest corridor of interesting places to eat in Atlanta. The real deal is here. 

https://atlanta.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-buford-highway-chamblee-doraville-atlanta

BBQ Related Things to do:

BGE Global HQ (old egg collection) 

Playing with Fire BBQ store (Big Green Craig)

Atlanta Grill Company (recommended) 

caliking

Heck.  Now I want to go to ATL. Would not have expected anything less from @DoubleEgger.

lousubcap

Paging @Buckwoody Egger.  

LDR

Thank you all!

Oddly, in fifty-eight years, I've been through Atlanta heading elsewhere, but I've never actually visited Atlanta.  I scheduled extra time so I can be a tourist, and like most trips, the first order of business is deciding where to eat.

Buckwoody Egger

Very impressive and plentiful Atlanta list. If there is a missing desired item for any particular category I can chase it for ya. Some thoughts. 

Heirloom Market is online order centric now and if you show up to eat there, it’s small patio eating only.  They also have some very good wings.  Fox Bros has awesome T-shirts and dekalb ave loc is the best to hit. Go early or off peak to avoid wait. 

Not listed above but maybe in the BuHi link (didn’t look) — Food Terminal has a few locations now but their Buford Hwy location (and not sandy springs) has “yum yum wings” on the menu as an app.  6 basic fried wings then covered in a salted egg yolk paste with a sprinkle of cilantro.  Very unique and love them.  

Mamak has a vegetarian restaurant that is excellent. Near BuHi on Chamblee Tucker. I have never otherwise recommend vegetarian but if you have a travel companion not interested in the meat sweats, there ya go. 

Atlanta botanical gardens is a must-do.  World class. 

northGAcock

If by chance you are on the north side of the ATL (lunchtime only), and you are a fan of Rubens, check out Joey D’s Oak Room. It’s an open face Ruben served with a whole dill Pickle……better come hungry. 

gamason

Varsity Chili dogs and onion rings
Mary Macs
 
Fox Bros and Heirloom BBQ is ok at best.. I do better on the Egg

ksmyrl

100% agree with Fox Bros. 

If you want a steak go to Hal's The Steakhouse on Old Ivy rd. Old school dimly lit mobster vibe that allows cigar smoking at the bar, you'll need a reservation at least several days in advance.  BEST STEAK IN THE ATL. Great martinis too. 

Gamason mentioned The Varsity on North Ave and Spring street. Greasey chili dogs and onion rings, not the "best" food in town but likely the most well known Atlanta institution. Get a Frosted orange, 2 chili dogs, rings, and a fried apple pie. Then make your way to Emory Midtown hospital for an angioplasty. 

The GA aquarium is worth the visit if you have time and so is the World of Coke. College FB Hall of Fame. Center for Civil and Human Rights. All good places of you've never been. 

When down by the airport go to Porsche Cars North America HQ. The museum there is worth the trip to ATL...assuming you've had your Hal's steak already. If you have time and about $600 the Porsche driving experience on their track is top shelf. 

Finally, the boy and I enjoy the NASCAR ride along experiences. While not ATL exclusive Atlanta Motor Speedway is a cool attraction on the south side. 

You've got alot of great advice from others. I'm happy to answer any questions at all...ATL (suburbs) native with no plans of going anywhere anytime soon.  

LDR

It's late in the year before I go, but this list makes me ready to go now, and consider sticking another extra day onto it.  Thank you!

caliking

Buckwoody Egger said:

...

Not listed above but maybe in the BuHi link (didn’t look) — Food Terminal has a few locations now but their Buford Hwy location (and not sandy springs) has “yum yum wings” on the menu as an app.  6 basic fried wings then covered in a salted egg yolk paste with a sprinkle of cilantro.  Very unique and love them.  

...

This sounds delicious

Ozzie_Isaac

Krystal's or Captain D's

LDR

Ozzie_Isaac said:

Krystal's or Captain D's

I'm, pretty sure I would hit Waffle House first - I very much like Waffle House, but we always seem to make breakfast at home.  When I was in college they had an all-you-can-eat deal in the evening.  My fraternity would go there in a group, and I doubt they made any profit off of us.

Gamecockeggman

The Varsity is a landmark.  But please see all of the above

Wolfpack

La Grotta in Buckhead is really worth a visit.  Don’t let the entrance shake you as it’s in the basement of a small apartment building. Truly outstanding Italian food with excellent service. 

U_tarded

Langner91 said:

Because Atlanta is closer to the sea than Iowa, I always try to find seafood when I am there.  I don't usually have to go far from the airport, so my favorite place is Spondivits.  A bit of a dive, but great seafood!

My wife and I moved to Atl in September from Utah.  Spondivits was just right by our hotel when we stayed here on a scouting trip.  There is something special about it.  We live a couple of miles away in College Park now and around our hood are tons of solid brunch places 

For brunch we’ve enjoyed all in College Park:
breakfast boys
real milk and honey 
Nouveau 

We have became regulars at a Thai restaurant in Hapeville called Paper Plane, great craft cocktails and if you go Wed-Saturday the bartender has a speakeasy menu he changes up.  My favorite was a 30 day barrel aged old fashion he had made and aged in a small oak cask.  The food menu is smaller there but they have a sister location with a more extensive menu call Spoon on the East Side.

One of the silly places we like to take people when we have had out of town visitors is the DwarfHouse in Hapeville, it is the original location of Chick-fil-a with a sit down cafe and different menu.

@LDR Thanks for starting this thread it has given us a bunch of new things to try.  

rekameohs

ksmyrl said:

Gamason mentioned The Varsity on North Ave and Spring street. Greasey chili dogs and onion rings, not the "best" food in town but likely the most well known Atlanta institution. Get a Frosted orange, 2 chili dogs, rings, and a fried apple pie. Then make your way to Emory Midtown hospital for an angioplasty. 

While the one across the street from the North Avenue Trade School is the original in Atlanta, they do have five other locations.

They have switched to No-Cash, so bring your charge card.

Langner91

Does Tattletale serve food?

BigGreenRam

Umi Sushi is the best meal I've eaten in Atlanta

Heirloom BBQ is incredible

Rathbun Steak is my favorite steakhouse

Antico Pizza is great Wood-fired pizza

ksmyrl

Langner91 said:

Does Tattletale serve food?

Indeed they do. Or they did in 2004...about the last time I was there. Nothing to write home about. But the service was great. 

Langner91

ksmyrl said:

Langner91 said:

Does Tattletale serve food?

Indeed they do. Or they did in 2004...about the last time I was there. Nothing to write home about. But the service was great. 

I mean if it is good enough for Mötley Crüe, it must be good!

Girls, girls, girls
At the Dollhouse in Fort Lauderdale
Girls, girls, girls
Rocking in Atlanta at Tattletale
Girls, girls, girls
Raising hell at the Seventh Veil