Chow Down Atlanta

Another quick lunch spot on Peachtree and 17th, this place is known among the Midtown lunch crowd for its tacos. Steak tacos, that is. Theirs is made with sirloin steak and grilled to a perfect medium-rare (unless you opt to get it at a different temperature, in which case, they’ll be gald to nuke it in the microwave for you) . You then get to dress it up the way you like it with the assorted toppings they have. All orders come with rice, beans, and a side salad. Their steak tacos are really good. The meat is tender and flavorful. The rice and beans are ho-hum but the salad is competitive — crisp and fresh with a very good vinaigrette dressing.

The Taco Salad is quite good, too. I found the fried tortilla shell a little on the greasy side but the chicken (sauteed in spices) was very flavorful. Likewise, I also enjoyed the Nachos Supreme which came with with lots of melted cheese and chicken chunks (though a bit dry). Overall a good choice for a Mexican place that’s a notch above fast food.

Insider tip:
Chips and salsa are free for the taking. Patio seating available. Food averages $7.95 per order.

The scoop:
1389 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 875-5005
Open for lunch only.

Technorati Tags: Sausalito West Coast Grill, Mexican, steak tacos, Midtown, Peachtree St., 17th St, taco salad

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

This is another one of those places I waited to open. It sits in the middle of a Korean plaza sticking out like a sore thumb. So I came in opening day and was impressed. Very impressed. It was bright, airy, and spotless. Food wise, the prices are cheap and everything taste delicious. It actually reminds me of Las Tortas, only cleaner.

It’s not your usual Mexican place. It’s actually more artsy with contemporary colors and fixtures. Did I say it was spotless? It was so clean you can eat off of the floors.

I’ve tried mostly everything they offer. The burritos are hefty and jam-packed with meat, veggies, and rice. It’s quite a filling and delicious meal. As with most Mexican places these days, they offer a salsa bar and the roasted jalapenos are always a great addition to any meal.

The Carne Asada taco is my favorite. You get two corn tortillas topped with meat, onions, and cilantro. Add salsa from the bar and you’d think you’ve gone to Taco heaven. Don’t be surprised with the size of these tacos — although they are small, they are cheap so plan on eating two (or three).

Prices start at a measly $2.50 to $5. Everything is made fresh to order. You can’ beat this place for quick, inexpensive, yet delicious meals. Mexican friends swear this is a good place. They’ve even brought their moms who also gave their seal of approval.

Insider tip:
This is not your typical Americanized Mexican restaurant. Having said that, don’t expect them to have cheese dip. They don’t. insist and they’ll make you happy by giving you liquid milk-cheese.

Located inside a Korean plaza across from the old Sports Authority and Bally Fitness. Next to the car delearships near Gwinnett Place Mall.

The scoop:
King Taco Mexican Grill
3473 Old Norcross Rd Nw, Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 623-0990

Technorati Tags: King Taco, tacos, burritos, sopes, Duluth, Mexican cuisine

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

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

I’ve meaning to write about PURE but like most restaurants that I visit frequently, I tend to drag my feet thinking I’d do it next time. But since my pictures are getting stale (from having been taken a looong time ago even though I eat there all the time), I decided to take some fresh photos just the same. PURE Taqueria is a popular joint among North Fulton residents who don’t mind waiting at least 20 minutes for a table during lunch. Of course, there’s also the out-to-lunch office workers whose clock-watching glances are a dead give away. Nevertheless, if you go to PURE, be prepared to wait. For a table. For your food. For a drink refill. For your bill.

But the wait is so worth it. Especially if you get the fish plate. During my visit they had Pescado Veracruz: a filet of crispy-fried snapper and freshly-steamed mussels in a tomato-based broth that was so wonderful I had to eat slow to savor every bite. Saying it was delicious was putting it mildly. The crunch of the fish complemented the tenderness of the mussels with a mild yet full-flavored broth that put them all together in one happy dish. It came with a side of not-your-typical Mexican rice (theirs is moist, plump, and very well-seasoned compared to the usual dry, orangy, bland kind you get elsewhere), and a cup of flavorful charros (beans in tasty broth) that only decorum is preventing you from slurping the entire serving in one breath.

PURE is well-known for its fish tacos made with fresh grouper, lightly battered, fried, then dressed with a poblano-cabbage slaw. But I much prefer the Cabeza tacos made with beef cheeks (yes, Virginia, Cabeza means head in Spanish) which are so tender and tasty. The Queso Fundido with peppers were a bit too oily for my taste but since I knew the wait for our mains could be long, I happily munched on it. No matter, the salsa will keep you occupied while waiting.

Insider tip:
Open from 11am. Located in a residential area (wonder how the next-door neighbor feels) and resembles an old PURE gas station. Additional seating available on the attached covered patio. Try the salsa sampler not on the menu. Free Queso Fundido coupon available on the website until June 30.

The scoop:
PURE taqueria
103 Roswell Street
Alpharetta, GA
(678) 240-0023

Technorati Tags: PURE Taqueria, Roswell St., Alpharetta, North Fulton, Mexican cuisine, tacos, fish, kids menu