Cali N Tito’s

There has to be at least a million places to get a sandwich these days.  But let me tell you. There is only one Cali-n-Tito’s.  Sit on the patio and enjoy the rustic ambiance as it transports you to a far away place. Once you regain your senses you will be amazed at the delicious food here.  I am a huge fan of the Cuban sandwiches as well as the tacos.

Cali - n - Tito's

The Chicken Cuban. Possibly the best sandwich in existence.

Empanadas

Beef Empanadas

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a tendency to order 3 different menu items and share. That is the plan anyway. When the food arrives I have found myself eating an entire sandwich, two empanadas and two tacos in one sitting. I implore you, take a weekend road trip to Athens Georgia and make Cali – n – Tito’s one of your stops. You will thank me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bo Bo Garden Asian Cuisine

There are a multitude of Asian restaurants to choose from, so there must be something special for one restaurant to stand out. Tucked into a humble corner of a strip mall on Buford Highway, you can find some of the most mouthwatering Asian cuisine in all of Atlanta. Bo Bo Garden has by far some of my most favorite Chinese dishes. Enter the house special beef. Easily the most tender delicious beef you have ever eaten.

 

 

Beef

House Special Beef

 

You simply must try the salt and pepper squid as well. I recommend dipping with soy and chili oil for a salty spicy crunchy delight. The list goes on. Their Crispy Chicken as well as the Walnut Shrimp are divine.

Dinner

Bo Bo Garden

Walnut Shrimp

Pitty Pats Porch

PittyPat’s Porch

There comes a time when you need to be comforted. Life can be full of trials and tribulations and when you need a safe harbor to pull into, aka, somewhere good to eat, and you want really good home-style southern cuisine, look no further than Pittypat’s Porch.

Pitty Pats Porch

The buffet will certainly not leave you hungry.

Located just east of Atlanta’s iconic Centennial Park, Pittypat’s Porch has been serving up this home-style brunch since well before I was born. An Atlanta landmark in it’s own right, the historical element that the restaurant has will educate you about the history of Atlanta, and make you want to go back.

 

Pitty Pats Porch

Some of the best fried chicken in Atlanta.

Another advantage of Pittypat’s Porch is the proximity to downtown and the ability to actually sit on the porch while you eat. It is a wonderful vantage point to dine on great southern fare, straddling of the old world charm and the new southern city, right from the front porch. There are plenty of rocking chairs so be ready for a relaxing and filling visit to Atlanta.

Fred's

Fred’s Meat and Bread


I have found in life that sometimes it’s the simple things that are the most rewarding. Albeit simple things can be difficult to master and appreciate, take for example a slow dance, but when done correctly, they can be the best. That brings me to the humble cheesesteak. With just three ingredients, one could speculate that there may not be enough subtle flavor nuances to make this sandwich a great dish. Well they would be wrong.

Freds

Indulge yourself.

The ratio on this particular sandwich is perfect. Soft, yet firm enough bread to hold it all together while adding texture. Gooey enough cheese to let you feel the indulgence. Then there is plenty of meat. This will give new meaning (and dimensions) to the “beltline”. You may want to bring a pair of walking shoes and schedule an hour on the beltline walking trail immediately afterwards.

Fred's

The Goods

 

All said, this sandwich is a keeper. Make sure to visit so that you can be the judge.  In the meantime, visit fredsmeatandbread.com to see all of their selections.

Freds

The cheesesteak at Fred’s Meat and Bread

 

 


 

Sokongdong Tofu House

As a newcomer to Korean food, I am always open to trying a variety of new choices, to make sure I am not missing out on anything. This practice led me to discover the seafood pancake at So Kong Dong and I am forever thankful.  It is one of those dishes that I didn’t even know existed, so I couldn’t even crave it.  Now, however, I am always craving this dish even when I am not even hungry!

With a variety including bibimbap, short ribs, and bulgogi, Sokongdong Tofu House may need to be the first place you go to try Korean cuisine. All of these selections, including the seafood pancake, where absolutely delicious.

Seafood

Mezza Luna


Italian food can be some of the best cuisine out there when it is prepared well with fresh ingredients and with traditional recipes.  Unfortunately it can be quite expensive and often misses the mark. Thankfully, Mezza Luna has come on the scene with old world recipes and preparation as well as exceptional quality! Tucked into an unlikely plaza on Spring road in Smyrna, this little gem is big on flavor and hospitality. Who doesn’t like listening to Frank Sinatra covers by a live singer while eating delicious Italian? I know I do!

 

Seafood

Clam, Mussels, Squid, Shrimp, Risotto

 

 

Mezza Luna

Linguine and Clams

 


 

Golden House

Golden House

Chinese food remains one of the top tier cuisines in the world and one of the most famous dishes is roast duck. Crispy skin and fatty juicy meat is quite the dining experience especially when it is prepared well. The Golden House does do duck very well indeed. We tried the duck two ways, where they slice the breast meat for you and use the rest in a duck salad of sorts.

Golden House

Family Style Dinner

 

The presentation is a real spectacle as well as they bring it out to your table and slice it right before your eyes. Not a lot of places serve duck in Atlanta with quite so much flare.  You can also enjoy the squid and walnut shrimp, dim sum and many other Cantonese dishes that you may not find elsewhere.

Golden House

Sliced Peking Duck

ElReydelTaco

El Rey del Taco


If you are anything like me, you have at least three or four Mexican restaurants that you frequently go to depending on where you are that day and what you are in the mood for.  It may be a margarita that you are craving or it may be guacamole that you are after.  Well let me tell you, if it is taco night for you and your family, there are no better tacos anywhere in Atlanta than the ones at El Rey del Taco.

ElReydelTaco

Tacos

These babies are the real deal, steak, onions and cilantro. Add a little bit of their heavenly spicy avocado sauce and you have the perfect hand held food. I will also attest to the torta’s that they prepare. They make one of the best Chicken Milanese torta’s I have ever had. Crispy chicken, fresh tomatoes and creamy avocado and warm soft bread, you will wonder why you haven’t been eating tortas your whole life..

El Rey del taco

Milanese Sandwich

 

Hummus and Pita

Jerusalem Bakery and Grill


If you are like me, sometimes you really crave for something besides what you have been having, whatever that may be. I, for one, absolutely love great middle eastern food.  With a wide variety of flavors and textures, Jerusalem Bakery and Grill gets very high marks for providing great kabobs, delicious shawarma, as well as fantastic falafel and hummus.

Hummus and Pita

Shawarma Plate

When you eat at the Jerusalem Bakery and Grill, you will wonder why there are not more places that serve such great fare. From the meat to the sides and the fresh pita, it really makes for an experience that is hard to come by (for me), in Atlanta.

Chicken Shawarma

Chicken Shawarma

For the on the go types, try the chicken shawarma, a great authentic alternative to other shawarma lamb sandwich places you may have seen. Do yourself a favor and check it out, you will thank me later.

Greek Fest

Atlanta Greek Festival

If an outdoor festival along with incredible history, and great food sound like something you may be interested in, I highly recommend the Atlanta Greek Festival. Happening in the fall at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Clairmont Road in September, this festival has become one of my favorite to attend. The family friendly atmosphere, traditional music, merchants selling their wares, and the smell of lamb smoking in the background, you can’t beat this for a beautiful afternoon.


 

Greek Fest

Lamb on the Spit

Seeing the whole lamb rotating on the spit really gets my imagination going. I often wonder why I don’t have one of these set up in my backyard. The best part is, you can then buy lamb by the ounce. I am talking delicious!


 

Lamb

Pulled Lamb

And do you want to know what is awesome? if you don’t have time to actually attend the festival, they have a drive through so you can still enjoy the food. How amazing is that.