Chow Down Atlanta

I’ve been to a bunch of Jason’s Deli around the city and I find that the one at The Forum in Norcross has the best “service”. The staff is friendly, courteous, very efficient, and they hardly make a mistake on my order. I also like that it’s bright inside. And they always have those mini gingerbread muffins. Always.

       
A fresh take on fast food, Jason’s Deli is my go-to place for inexpensive, healthy meals (with sandwiches made fresh to order). My current favorite is the Chicken Club Wrapini — a wrap made with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, fresh sliced Roma tomatoes, purple onions, cheddar and Swiss cheeses and homemade ranch dressing. Served hot, it is perfect with a cup of chicken pot pie.
Insider tip:
Gingerbread and jalapeño mini muffins, assorted nuts and crakers, as well as soft serve ice-cream are free with any meal.

The scoop:
Jason’s Deli
Several locations. Check website for locations.
Hours vary. Hours not available on their website.

Technorati Tags: Jason’s Deli, The Forum Shops Norcross, fresh food fast, chicken club wrapini, gingerbread muffins

I’m sure you know this place. You’ve passed by it all the time. The one where you see aromatic smoke coming out of its roof. They have the best Mexican grilled chicken. And for $3.99, you can’t beat this lunch:

Lunch Special Number 5: small grilled chicken breast, pork tamal, salad, rice, beans. All for $3.99. Neat, huh! The chicken is so flavorful, moist, tender, delicious. The tamal is surprisingly moist and filled with tender pork — also delicious.

And for the adventurous… Tripe Taco (for less than 2 bucks). Which isn’t technically tripe (though the menu says so) but chitlings, really. (Incidentally, tripe is from the stomach while chitlings are intestines. Big difference.) In any case, these chitlings were awesome — crunchy, not smelly, and tasty. I loved it.

As with any cheap places, this one’s packed to the rafters during lunch time. Service is efficient but tend to get slow. Overall, a solid place for cheap but good eats.

Insider tip:
Parking is limited, avoid peak lunch times. Lunch specials start at $3.99 — the grilled chicken is highly recommended.

The scoop:
El Norteño Mexican Restaurant
4929 Buford Hwy
Atlanta, GA 30341
(678) 209-4601
Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.–midnight; Sun., 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

Technorati Tags: El Norteño Mexican Restaurant, Buford Highway, cheap eats, Atlanta, Mexican, Mexican grilled chicken

I like going to Figo (and its sister Osteria del Figo) for its inexpensive yet good pasta dishes made with the freshest ingredients. I like it even more that they make everything from scratch, on site everyday. Including the pasta. And with the ability to mix and match items to suit your mood, what’s not to like?

The Caprese was deliciously fresh with red, ripe saladette tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella cheese and sprigs of basil. The pastas are all good — cooked al dente and drained well (read: not watery). My party of four had (left to right pictured above) Wild Mushrooms ravioli, Penne, Pappardelle, and Gemelli. The sauces we chose completed our selected pasta: Pollo on the ravioli, Siciliana on the Penne, Bolognese on both Pappardelle and Gemeli. While I found the Bolognese a little on the dry side (or maybe the Gemelli soaked it up before we were able to eat it), the other sauces were just perfect — hearty and really full of flavor.� The Crespelle we had for dessert was ordinary but how else can you jazz up crepes with nutella? I did like the home-made whipped cream.Expect long lines during peak hours and do try the daily Specials posted on the board. Make sure the pepper shaker they give you is visible as it serves as a table marker and helps with delivering the food to the right table.

Insider tip:
For ambiance, go to the Howell Mill location (Osteria del Figo) — it’s also bigger, too.

The scoop:
Figo Pasta
Four locations: Howell Mill, Decatur, L5P, Buckhead (with Virginia High coming soon)
Average cost of meal: $10

Technorati Tags: Figo Pasta, Osteria Del Figo, pasta, Italian food, daily Specials, Buckhead, Decatur, Howell Mill, Little Five Points