Chow Down Atlanta

The line up to the Bat Pan Cave can get really long. Like, 10 minutes long. But these are what you’ll get…

The Medio Dia. $11. Tender, moist, delicious roast pork with a tease of soft pork crackling. Hammy ham. Swissy cheese. Spicy mustard. Thin, soft pineapple sub. All wrapped in a piece of banana leaf then pressed. Good? Holy sandwich, Super Pan — Yes! There’s a substantial amount of tasty meat in there. It’s so juicy, you need a bib to eat it. It’s huge, too. And it smells so good especially the green scent emanating from the heated leaf. Except… I would have loved for the bread to be just a little bit thicker. Because I love bread. And the pineapple roll they use is fantastic. Definitely a must-eat here at the Pan Cave.

Pork Belly Buns. Whoa, $10. Two smallish Asian buns that were more yeasty and cakey than airy.  It felt like they were baked instead of steamed (to withstand the heavy filling, I’m guessing). Coconutish flavor. Super thick, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth, I’ve-died-and-gone-to-pork-heaven roasted pork belly. The layers your teeth will sink into as you bite is climactic: crispy skin, fat, meat, fat meat. Glazed lightly with a sweetish-tart tamarind sauce. Spiced with sambal. Truly outstanding. I want more.

Tofu Buns. $6. Similar to the pork belly buns except less taste. Buns and tofu don”t mix. Skip it.

BBQ Rib Bolillo. Whoa, yikes, $12. A good amount of adobo-flavored pulled beef rib meat on a toasted bolillo roll. Do not, I repeat, do not forget to douse your sandwich with the orange bbq sauce. You’ll thank me for it. Delicious. And, holy messy, Super Pan!

Beef Mole Empanada. $2.  Great appetizer.  The meat filling is exceptional.

Pork Empanada. $2. Holy Pork. Enough said. The phyllo pastry is so flaky.

Expect to pay $12-15 for a filling sandwich lunch. Is the price tag worth it? Holy goodness, it is. Are there less expensive sandwich places around? Of course. Now you have one more choice. Me? I’m definitely going back to the Pan Cave.

Super Pan
1057 Blue Ridge Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
(404) 477-0379

Technorati Tags: sandwiches, Virginia-Highland, Latin

Ate lunch here the other week for what must have been the hundredth time and I’m glad to report that everything’s as good as the day I first came in back in 2006 (if I remember correctly).

Pupusas are the specialty here. They’re like grilled corn tortilla savory pancakes with assorted fillings. I usually get the pork and cheese or the cheese and loroco filling. At $1.85 apiece, they are perfect appetizers or snacks.

My absolute favorite here is the Pollo Dorado Salvadoreño. It comes with crispy fried chicken chunks, salad, rice, refried beans, fried sweet plantains, and a bowl of pickled shredded potatoes. It is a lot of food and coming in at almost $10, it is so worth the price tag. These crispy fried chicken are addicting!

If you’ve never had fried sweet plantains with sour cream before then you’re missing out. The sour cream tempers the sweetness of the plantains and although the combination may sound odd, it works.

Other favorites here include: the whole fried crispy fish, the steak platter, and the tacos. The shrimp cocktail here is a famous dish and one of their bestsellers but I just can’t get myself to like it. Although the shrimp are fresh, big and plentiful, the sauce they swim in tastes more like tomato sauce. Good fresh salsa would have been a better choice. The staff is courteous, helpful, and prompt, although you might have to flag one down once in a while. The set-up reminds me of the mall food courts all over Asia.

Insider tip:
The salsas are forgettable so don’t waste your precious stomach space.
Located on the corner of Shallowford Rd and Buford Highway.

The scoop:
Rincon Latino
5055 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30340
(770) 936-8181

Technorati Tags: El Salvadorean food, pupusa, fried chicken, Buford Highway, Mexican, Latin American

This is another favorite of mine. Mambo’s Cafe has been around for two years and packs a mean lunch crowd. Formerly named Mambo Jambo, it is located in the space that is used to be occupied by Ya-ya’s Rotisserie Chicken. It is also funny to note that the decor is very similar to Palomilla’s — down to the yellow walls, hanging iron grates, and wood-enclosed bar. But food is much, much better here.

Each table gets a basket generously filled with perfectly grilled sliced Cuban bread and a side or spicy Peruvian aji sauce. The bread is to die for. The aji sauce (made with tons of chiles and jalapeños) is spicily good. It has the perfect consistency — not too runny yet not too thick. Just perfect.

I love Hispanic and Mexican chicken soup and always order it whenever I see it on the menu. Theirs has lots of chicken pieces and noodles but the broth (that tasted like it was from a can) was a little too salty for my liking. A steal at $3 for a big bowl. But will not order this again.

My Chuletas De Puerco Al Adobo — two center-cut porkchops, marinated in garlic mojo, grilled, then topped with grilled onions — was simply superb. The porkchops were thick, juicy, and tender and the flavor of the garlicky, limey marinade was evident all the way through. They were perfectly grilled, too. I love this dish and can eat it everyday.

The Mojo-Grilled Chicken Breast was also fantastic. The flattened chicken breast was big and thick. It was very flavorful just like my porkchops. Definitely a winner.

There are so many things I’m coming back for. Especially the paella which takes 30 minutes to prepare, and the Cuban sandwiches. Prices are pretty decent given the portions you get. My entree was $13.95 and came with fried sweet plantains, rice, and a cup of beans. Sandwiches range from $6-7. Really, I can’t wait to come back.

Insider tip:
Peruvian menu (in Spanish) available upon request.

The scoop:
Mambo’s Cafe
11770 Haynes Bridge Rd.
Suite 601
Alpharetta, GA 30004
770-753-4352

Technorati Tags: Mambo’s Cafe, Cuban cuisine, Latin cuisine, Peruvian cuisine, Alpharetta

Hungry for a hearty meal? Then you’ll have to try Mi Pilon on Buford Highway for some Latin-Caribbean food. This cafeteria-style joint offers home-cooked meals in a very casual, family-oriented atmosphere. Freshly-cooked entrees are showcased in a glass enclosed-bar and you basically just pick a dish or two (or even three as in my case). All selection comes with rice, beans, and plantains.

Staples such as roast pork (lechon) and roast chicken are solid choices. There’s also the stewed oxtail for those wanting to be more adventurous. The roast pork and chicken were tender and full of flavor. The oxtail was absolutely delicious and had that simmered-for-hours taste. The empanadas (baked flour pastry filled with ground pork) were also wonderful and were already a meal in itself.With daily special combos starting at $7.99, Mi Pilon offers great food at affordable prices.

Insider tip:
Combos come with either one or two dishes but you can request to have a 3rd one added (which is what I usually do).

The scoop:
Mi Pilon
5705 Peachtree Industrial Blvd
Norcross, GA 30071
770-797-2924

Technorati Tags: Mi Pilon, Buford Highway, Latin cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, Atlanta, restaurants