Atlanta, Georgia Restaurant Reviews

If you are visiting or a long time resident of the Atlanta area, you know that great dining is an essential part of a cities' soul. In the ATL, as it is fondly called by some locals, there are some very well known establishments and a few unidentified restaurants that will really leave your stomach satisfied and even your wallet happy. Here is a short list of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fogo de Chao- Located at 3101 Piedmont Road, N.E. This upscale steakhouse offers southern Brazilian style food. If you are a carnivore and crave meats, this is the absolute place you should be pulling up a chair. Severs dress in the traditional attire of South American Gauchos and serve cuts of meat from skewers. The entire restaurant is filled with the aromas of the meat which is roasted on open fires. It is all you care to eat and you actually have to signal the servers to stop bringing food to your table. Top sirloin, filet mignon, bottom sirloin, pork loin, beef ribs, sausages, rib eye steak, and chicken will be offered to you until you can say no more. Side items and a salad bar with cured salmon and fresh cheeses also await you. If you desire, you can top off your meal with a delightful dessert such as crème Brule or turtle cheesecake. The price is hefty around $50 per meal but very much worth it. I suggest visiting during lunch time at the reduced price of about $30. Hours are lunch Monday- Friday from 11:30-2:00 and dinner from 5:00-10:00. Monday -Thursday. Friday nights are 5:00 until 10:30, Saturdays from 4:30- 10:30 and Sundays 4:30-9:30. If you plan to drop in at dinner time, be sure to call ahead for reservations or be prepared to wait while enjoying the mouthwatering smells.

Thumbs Up Diner- This is a little café at 573 Edgewood Ave. NE that prides itself on breakfast foods. It opens at 7:00 each morning on Mondays through Fridays and at 8:00 on weekends. Doors close at 3:00 in the afternoon each day. I suggest that you get there early. The place is terribly crowded on weekends and you should be prepared to wait. Bring along an mp3 player or newspaper. You will understand why the lines are long when you dig in to the food. There are numerous varieties of egg dishes at this place. Choose your ingredients and your specialty cheeses to create your unique omelet or scramble. Likewise, you can't go wrong with the catfish and grits if southern fare is what you desire. A whole-grain biscuit with fresh preserves is included with the famous scrambler skillet. Prices are pretty reasonable. Most dishes might run you no more than $10 or $12. Just remember to bring cash. No checks, credit, or debit cards are accepted at this place.

Johnny's New York Style Pizza- Locations abound throughout the Atlanta region but a great spot is one of the early locations at 834 Virginia Avenue in Hapeville, Georgia. Hapeville is actually right next door to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. As the planes land and hit the air, try a slice or whole pie of some really delicious pizza. Johnny's is always hot, fresh, and full of flavor. It is the closet taste to real New York style pizza that you will find in this region. The store is open from 11:00- 9:00 Mondays-Thursdays, 11:00-10:00 on Friday and Saturdays, and 4:00-9:00 on Sundays.

The Evergreen- This elegant establishment is hidden away on the eastern side of Atlanta and sits within the Marriott hotel at Stone Mountain Park. Overlooking a calm and peaceful lake, this restaurant offers one of the best views and buffets in town. Soups, salads, and at least 4 different entrees await you at this bistro. Lunch and dinner are offered and the menu changes daily. Nonetheless, you can expect superior food, a variety of desserts, and high quality service. Reservations are not required but you might want to call to check opening times and guarantee seating. Lunch prices are around $18 for the buffet and dinner is about $25. Be prepared to pay the Stone Mountain Park entry fee of $10 when entering the park gates.

EATS- Now this is my kind of place. Do not allow yourself to be fooled by the outside. It is plain, simple, and serves some downright good cooking. Eats is open from 11:00 each day until 10:00 each night and located at 600 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE. They specialize in Jerk Chicken and the menu is the same each day. You can choose to build your own pasta plate or choose jerk chicken, regular baked chicken, or meatloaf. You also get a choice of veggies from things like corn on the cob, green beans, black-eyed peas, collards, rice, and baked sweet potato. The two things I like best about this site are the portions and the price. Big portions and small prices are a real winner for this spot. Your typical meat and three vegetables cost less than $8. They will have you smiling every single time.