Chow Down Atlanta

This place is packed to the rafters every time I go for lunch. Honestly, I don’t see what the hype is all about. So far, I love the grilled shrimp tacos with tender, huge shrimp. The enchiladas and burritos are just okay, not bad, but nothing to rave about either. The charros (beans in broth) are delicious. As well as the tamales which are only available on Fridays.

Let me put it this way, the food is fresh but I’m not going out of my way to go there. The few times that I’ve eaten there was always to meet someone who lives in the area. There are so many Mexican places in Atlanta that are just about as good or a lot better. But I do like the fact that there’s a more-than-decent Mexican restaurant in the Tucker area.Insider tip:
There are a number of specials served daily.

The scoop:
Tacqueria Los Hermanos
4418 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker, GA 30084
678 937 0660
Inside the Publix shopping plaza

Technorati Tags: Taqueria Los Hermanos, Mexican cuisine, tamales, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, Tucker, Hugh Howell Rd, Atlanta restaurants

My family has been a fan of churrascaria for many years now way before the craze even hit Atlanta. Back then, we’d had to go to New York City just to get our fill. So you can just imagine our excitement when Fogo opened in Atlanta in 2001. Throughout the years, we’ve seen waiters become meat slicers and meat slicers become assistant managers who turn into regular managers and then on to head managers. But what has remained the same is the outstanding quality of the food and the impeccable service.

In a nutshell, Fogo is a steakhouse with a twist complete with a lavish salad bar. Men in gaucho attire parade around with slabs of meat in skewers and stop at every table to give diners a slice or two. There are 15 different cuts of meat accompanied by side dishes brought to each table which include fried bananas, polenta, mashed potatoes and hot-off-the-oven cheese bread. The gourmet salad bar is a vegetarian’s dream complete with fresh buffalo mozzarella, hearts of palm, fresh vegetables, and other Brazilian side items.

While some might balk at the price tag ($44 for dinner/$29 for lunch - beverages and dessert not included), you do come out ahead considering the selection of food available and the fact that you can eat as much as you like. They have an extensive wine list plus a variety of desserts and after dinner drinks. Fogo is definitely a meat-lover’s paradise.Insider tip:
The lemonade is fabulous. So is the Papaya Cream dessert drizzled with cassis liqueur.

The scoop:
Fogo De Chao
3101 Piedmont Rd. Atlanta
404-266-9988
Lunch M-F 11am-2pm
Dinner daily from 5pm
Valet parking available

Technorati Tags: Fogo De Chao, Piedmont Rd., Buckhead restaurants, Atlanta, churrascaria, Brazilian cuisine, salad bar, steakhouse, all-you-can-eat

Hi there foodies! I’m somewhere in hot and humid Asia as I type. I thought of showing you guys a glimpse of my gastronomic experiences by starting a Postcards To Atlanta series. In its first installment, allow me to showcase my meals at 40,000 feet — I flew over 4 hours to the US west coast (food was blah), had a loooong layover, then flew 3 hours to Vancouver, and then another 13 hours to exotic Asia. Airline service was impeccable as usual and my amazing meals consisted of wonderful dishes…

To Vancouver: Chicken with Coconut Milk and Shrimp on Skewers over Glass Noodles

To Asia: I was fed way too many times. But my internet connection is getting funky so I’ll update tomorrow and tell you details about the meals above…

Next, I’ll show you what I’ve been gorging on for the last few days. Prepare to be amazed.

I’m a bread person. I would rather eat bread than dessert. Yeah, call me strange but I’ve been known to skip dessert for a good loaf of bread. All to myself. Eaten in one seating. I can smell bread from a mile away. Another alternative to Star Provisions and Alon’s (though not in the same caliber) is Great Harvest Bread Co.

Great Harvest boasts of using 5 simple ingredients to make their breads in-store: whole-wheat flour, filtered water, fresh yeast, salt, and something sweet. All the breads are pretty good so it just really depends on what your bread preference is. I love simple yeasty breads with plain butter so baguettes, sourdough, and white bread do it for me. But aside from breads, the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are amazingly delicious, as well as their cakes, scones, and muffins. Free samples are always available and you can taste any bread and spread
sold in store just by asking.

Insider tip:
Each location’s selection varies and have a bread schedule that differ from each other. Baguettes are usually only available on Saturdays and are gone by noon.

The scoop:
Great Harvest Bread Co.
2173 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 / (404) 633-0769
10305 Medlock Bridge, Duluth, GA 30097 / (770) 622-0222: Great Harvest Duluth
3894 Due West Rd., Marietta, GA 30064 / (770) 421-9998: Great Harvest Marrieta

Technorati Tags: Great Harvest Bread, bread, bakery, cookies, scones, muffins, Atlanta

Well it’s that time of the year for this global foodie to travel yet again. Destination: Asia! Yes, I will be eating my way through Asia for 5 weeks starting June 3 with scheduled stops in Hongkong and Bangkok (and maybe some other cities). The last time I was in Asia was about 5 months ago staying eating 4 weeks in Hongkong, Bangkok, Singapore, and a few other tiny beaches in between. This time of the year, the weather will be brutally hot and humid but the food will be glorious just the same.

While internet connection now abound all over Asia, I may not be able to respond to comments as quickly as I can. You must understand, I’m there to eat. Still, I already have posts lined up and scheduled to be published while I’m away so you won’t even know I’m gone.

Have a good half of the summer and I promise to post thousands of pictures when I get back.

Chloe

Well, what can I say, it’s cheap eats so don’t expect much. That being said, Korean-owned Bob’s offers all you can eat southern food for less than 7 bucks and that already includes a bottomless drink! Think greasy, overcooked, bland food and canned veggies. But if your budget is tight and you’re in a hurry then this is the place for you.

Main entrees include fried chicken, roasted chicken, country steak with gravy, fried gizzards and chicken livers. Veggies include steamed cabbage, green beans, corn, fried okra, yams, carrots, and collard greens. There’s a small salad and dessert bar as well as chicken noodle soup, fried rolls and corn bread. All that for a little over $6 with drinks included. Now that’s cheap eats!

Insider tip:
Specials added daily. Located inside the Kroger plaza on the corner of Pleasant Hill and Peachtree Industrial Blvd

The scoop:
Bob’s Home Cooking
3455 Peachtree Industrial, Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 497-9677

Technorati Tags: Bob’s Home Cooking, buffet, Southern cuisine, country cooking, fried chicken, Duluth, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Pleasant Hill, restaurants, Atlanta

Aside from the Vietnamese Bahn-mi, I so love Mexican tortas. These sandwiches are a quick way to satisfy hunger and are very inexpensive. Las Tortas Locas makes the best Mexican sandwiches around. Trust me, others just don’t compare. I’ve been eating their tortas for years now. The big oval bread is freshly-baked and lightly grilled then filled to the brim with huge chunks of flavorful meat, cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes and mayo. At less than 5 bucks a sandwich, it’s the best deal for your money. There are many types to choose from and each one is equally good.

If tortas isn’t what you have a taste for, there are other items on the menu that are sure to satisfy you including the 2-tortilla tacos served open-faced. There are also your usual burritos and quesadillas. Add to the that a variety of free salsas to mix and match to complement your meal and you’ll understand what the line during peak hours is all about.

Insider tip:
The Peachtree Industrial location is only a walk-up stand in a gas station. Other locations are self-serve restaurants with plenty of seating. Most locations only accept cash. Asking for directions is like pulling teeth; worse, most times they just hang up on you since most employees only speak Spanish, so better print your directions before venturing out.

The scoop:
Las Tortas Locas
5841 Roswell Road: 404-844-4445
2493 Chamblee Tucker Road: 770-457-0099
6101 S. Norcross-Tucker Rd. Suite A: 770-491-0106
1026 Windy Hill Rd. Suite 6: 770-805-0304
6405 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.: 770-368-8747 (very limited seating)
4140 Jonesboro Rd. Suite A5: 404-608-1450
345 Pat Mell Road: 770-803-0303

Technorati Tags: Las Tortas Locas, Mexican cuisine, Mexican sandwich, tacos, salsa, Atlanta

Well it’s that time of the year for this global foodie to travel yet again. Destination: Asia! Yes, I will be eating my way through Asia for 5 weeks starting June 3 with scheduled stops in Hongkong and Bangkok (and maybe some other cities). The last time I was in Asia was about 5 months ago staying eating 4 weeks in Hongkong, Bangkok, Singapore, and a few other tiny beaches in between. This time of the year, the weather will be brutally hot and humid but the food will be glorious just the same.

While internet connection now abound all over Asia, I may not be able to respond to comments as quickly as I can. You must understand, I’m there to eat. Still, I already have posts lined up and scheduled to be published while I’m away so you won’t even know I’m gone.

Have a good half of the summer and I promise to post thousands of pictures when I get back.

Chloe