I have to drive to Atlanta this weekend to pickup our new car. I'll be in Doraville area off Peachtree. Anyone have some quality food recommendations near there? Not looking for fancy but sit down is ok. Thanks TKP.
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http://foxbrosbbq.com/fox-bros-home.html
Get the Frito Pie and Foxaroni as sides.
The Varsity
Only slightly /s
I love that place
WHATLLYOUHAVEWHATLLYOUHAVEWHATLLYOUHAVE
I'm extremely disappointed when I go to the Varsity at ATL in between flights and am not met with the same enthusiasm as the folks who work at the genuine article.
I've never had it. Is it a place everyone should try once? There is one not far from the dealership or do I need to go to the original? Even thought during COVID it's a much different experience according to reviews?
If you like chili dogs absolutely, otherwise you could probably miss it. I just love chili dogs. I've only been to the original once, otherwise I just get it every time I have a connecting flight at ATL. The food's about the same at both as far as I recall.
Oh also their peach pies are fantastic.
How I imgaine VT_Fencer when they are at Varsity...
My slight frame belies my ability to put away an awful lot of food if it's something I really like. I could probably do 5+ in a sitting there.
I once ate half a dozen blackberry cobblers with ice cream at Homeplace, and that's after knocking down a normal visit's worth of fried chicken, biscuits, ham, and beans.
The Varsity sucks. There...I said it. Fight me!
I know this comes across as a "hot take", but it really shouldn't. It's just grossly overrated regional fast food, like In-N-Out on the west coast.
Related true story here... I know of a fellow Hokie who lived in Atlanta quite a while ago during Paul Johnson's heyday (Josh Nesbitt/jonathan Dwyer years). On the years we would beat GT, he would create a fake account on their SB nation fan site with a handle that was usually some derivative of "the varsity sucks" and he would relentlessly troll the GT fans until he would invariably get banned. I've heard that he's since matured, but that's the only part of this story that I can't confidently confirm.
Why would I fight someone with such a clear level headed opinion.
I was impressed with how many hot dogs they could crank out. But I wouldn't call them good. Sheetz has superior hotdogs.
I was not a big fan. I used to have to stay at the Georgia Tech campus hotel a couple times a year, which was a short walk from the Varsity. I was underwhelmed. I would take any number of Sams Hot Dog stands, Stewart's Hot Dogs in Huntington, Joey's in Richmond, or Skeeters in Wytheville 100 out of 100 over the Varsity. The only reason to go to the Varisty is to check the "Atlanta Visitors Guide" box.
The best thing to visit in Atlanta is the Aquarium. It is amazing.
I liked the Coke factory. Come thirsty because you can taste pretty much everything they make, especially from different countries.
WARNING: try Beverly at your own demise, its disgusting.
EDIT: skip if you don't like coke.
I thought the coke place was super lame (but I also don't drink soda). The aquarium, CFB HoF, and Georgia Dome tour (this was pre-MBS), and CNN tour were my favorites.
The only time I like the Varsity is after going to a concert. Something about the contact high from all the weed swirling around makes it kinda taste good. Other than that, if I eat Varsity, I can expect to be lethargic until a rather hot one works it way out in sometimes short order. Reminds me of eating the old Shultz Dining Hall. Could always tell when guys on the hall went there because the stalls were always totally full up an hour after dinner time.
Don't go; it's a tourist attraction. Locals don't go.
My wife, Atlanta native, would like a word 😂
Bones
That is if you want to go to a nice steakhouse. If you do, get the grit fritters (if they sill have them, have not been in over a decade)
No looking for less fancy.
Oh man you're in my wheel house. IMO ATL is the most underrated (not best, but most underrated) food city in America.
If you're in the Doraville area, you're close to some really really good asian food (especially Vietnamese & kBBQ). I'd recommend:
+1 For Pho Dai Loi if you like Vietnamese. The vermicelli dishes are also really good if you don't want pho. One of the few things I miss from living in Atlanta
Skip the Varsity
These are solid reccomendations
Lee's Bakery is the best.
Holy ish! Those are all good eats..
Doraville has so many cuisines to eat up and down Buford Hwy.
If you like Dim Sum, Canton House off Buford Hwy (close to CDC HQ) is a great place.
Always visit the Hooters
You spelled 'Magic City' wrong. The wings are 🔥🔥🔥
My hometown!
If you don't mind driving into town:
Murphy's (not too fancy, my favorite restaurant in the entire city)
Doc Chey's Noodle House (2-3 locations around town)
The Varsity (it's an institution)
Antico Pizza and Gio's Chicken Amalfitano (next to each other, both incredible)
Chico and Chang.
Best jalapeno poppers I've ever had.
And the Mongolian beef sub was one of the best things I've ever had in the road.
Waffle House
Then I'll just go to Cookout.
I say that in jest lol. Though The Varsity >>>> both cookout and Waffle House
Twin Smokers BBQ if you like soul food. Near the College Football Hall of Fame!
Definitely go with the Asian reccs above the Varsity is ok for kids but not worth it otherwise
Pickup some donuts at Sublime donuts on 10th st for the ride home
Metter is the best place to stop midway between Sav and Macon
CFA on I75 the one at exit 172 Bass Rd is better than Exit 169
+1 for sublime
Ummm... Chick-Fil-A
I live and work right where you are referring to. A few recommendations for you that I haven't (and usually don't) see on these types of threads:
-Vintage Pizza - it's in Chamblee near the Chamblee MARTA station. It's actually on the first floor of an apartment building and has one side that is off limits to parties with kids and a great patio. They make excellent pizza and calzones.
-Pig-n-Chik BBQ. Also in Chamblee close by. I've been to Fox Bros. Pig-n-Chik is right there or better. It's a true hole in the wall place, crappy parking, looks a bit sketchy like you might not be safe there, and you might not be. But it's worth the risk.
-Baldino's - Doraville on Buford Hwy. Truely excellent subs and grinders.
-Speaking of Buford Hwy in Doraville and Chamblee - too many authentic Thai and Vietnamese places to list. If in the mood, just find one close by that rates well on Google or Yelp, they won't steer you wrong. Same goes for Mexican. ***Side note - near me in Lawrenceville, the best, most authentic Mexican food I've had is at a little diner counter that's inside a "Jalisco No. 5 Supermercado" Mexican grocery store. There are many of them similar around, they'll have a Taqueria sign outside with the store sign. They even have the truely sweetened with real sugar coke in those places. So good. There are many of them up and down Buford Hwy where you will be.
-I'd advise to avoid the Varsity. Especially downtown. It's a novelty that is not worth the trip in your circumstances. You'll be a ways from downtown, not worth it on any front to go down there right now.
-Another place that you WILL be close to, a personal favorite of mine ITP - 57th Fighter Group next to PDK airport. Excellent food, and there's a side that's dedicated to night life, dancing, etc. It's done up like an old WWII style Army Air Force base. Super cool place. Spent many a night there with the wife on the dance floor. If you are a single guy, have a little game, and can passably dance without falling, this place is quite the target rich environment as Maverick would put it, and there's usually a few that are more than willing to go "carnal knowledge on the premises". It's an older crowd, so beware of the cougars. I've literally been standing arm in arm with my wife and had a group of ladies tap me on the shoulder asking if I were single or not. ***for those in the know, it's a less crowded, less glitzy/tacky Johnny's Hideaway.
-Chamblee again - Galaxy Diner. Breakfast doesn't get any better. No frills, very basic place, but just plain good.
-If you want some other cool atmosphere and have the time, heading to the downtown Duluth area isn't far and you don't have to go downtown would be just what the doctor ordered. Good Word Brewing, Nacho Daddy, Truck and Tap, O4W Pizza, Pure Tacqueria, Dreamland BBQ, and more. Wife and I have done many a pub crawl down there, then uber'd home for not too much $$$. All of it is good quality. Same thing for Downtown Lawrenceville, but it's a bit of longer walk to get from the restaurants to the Brewery (Slow Pour). Universal Joint, McCrays, Foggy Bottom BBQ, Local Republic, Oyster Bay, multiple taco places. Pub crawled there many nights too.
-If you must venture in or near downtown, may I recommend Hankook Taqueria. Korean/Taco fusion, near Marietta Blvd. Might sound weird, but goodness they make the best taco's I've had in my life. Add in the sesame fried fries with the sweet chili katsup. Nuevo Laredo is a Mexican place close by that just seems to be on another level. Then, Scofflaw Brewing nearby is probably my favorite beer place in all of Georgia (although the Stillfire Brewing near my house is very close). The Scofflaw Basement IPA is something that is always stocked in our beer fridge. In fact, once you pick up the car, make a pit stop in just about any local Atlanta Kroger, you will likely find Scofflaw. Take a case home. Thank me later. ***If they have Creature Comforts Tropicalia in stock, get that too. CC is an Athens based brewery, and is a most excellent offering.
-Lastly - you will be very very close to the Oasis Good Time Emporium. If you have a thing for coked up, meth head strippers, that's your place.
I love hole in the wall especially BBQ and Southern places. Think that's makes them even better.
This is fake news. The only bbq in atl better than Fox Bros is Heirloom, but that's like 20 minutes from where Fireman is going.
But 57th Fighter Group is strong rec, very underrated among ATLiens. Really cool place.
Shocked some hasn't jumped in with Community BBQ by Emory. As long as the Mac and cheese hasn't broken then it is delicious.
Mac and cheese is an overplayed "southern side" dish and I would never order it at any restaurant.
There I said it!
Guess you haven't had the good stuff yet.
https://tenor.com/view/python-blasf%c3%aamia-monty-python-life-of-brian-gif-15396444
edited to add - well shinsky - can't get it to work.
hi all pls feel free to also drop recommendations in the TKP Eats thread
https://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2017/august/25/ot-tkp-crowdsources-so...
Just be leery of all the choking hazards throughout Atlanta.
So reading all the comments can y'all help me narrow it down to: Best BBQ in that area. Best southern or soul food in that area. Best Burgers in that area. TKP is such a great resource of knowledge.
What are you defining as 'that area'? How far are you willing to drive from Doraville?
EDIT: Based on your route, do the following
Here's a map - you should go through the city instead of up 285. The difference in travel will be negligible.
So anywhere along the route from Macon GA up 75 to 285 to Peachtree Exit. I'm not really familiar with Atlanta I've only been twice.
My only request is that you report back after eating. My tastebuds crave validation.
BBQ - near Doraville. Pig-N-Chik. If going through downtown and you want to make a pit stop along the way, can't go wrong with Fox Bro's.
Southern or Soulfood - dunno to be honest. I'm not a connoisseur of such things.
Best Burger - Vortex. Hands down. Do not look elsewhere. There's one on Peachtree St. and there's one in Little Fives on Moreland and the big skull entrance makes for an interesting start to the experience. Be prepared to be panhandled going to either. Peachtree St. might be closer to the interstate, the one on Moreland might have easier parking arrangements. If you go to Ptree St., you must ride the d*** of destiny and post pics on here later.