Chow Down Atlanta

I have been circling the city for my weekly stash of locally-made totopos. Assi Plaza Duluth didn’t have them, nor did HongKong Supermarket. Since I was already in the area, I decided to stop by Celia’s which I knew would definitely have them. And yes they did!

sincronizada on the left, lengua taco on the right

I have never been impressed with most of Celia’s food the few times that I have been. I do like their sincronizadas. Resembling quesadillas, they are more like tortilla sandwiches, but instead of flour tortillas, here they use masa harina (cornmeal dough). They are thinner, less pliable, and has no floury taste. Two tortillas are filled with your choice of meat (in my case, steak) then grilled lightly. They serve them topped generously with lettuce, fresh tomatoes, crema agria (Mexican sour cream), slices of fresh avocados, and lots of grated queso fresco. This is about the only thing on the menu that is good. The steak is tender, marinated well, and thus, flavorful. They use great quality queso fresco in that it is really fresh tasting, mild, and with hardly a hint of tanginess. The same can be said with the crema agria — it is not too sour, not too thick, very light, and so creamy.

I was quite disappointed with the lengua (beef tongue) taco. I love beef tongue. My Spanish grandmother regularly made stew out of it. For those newbies, beef tongue tastes like beef but the texture is more smooth and mushy. I did not mind that there was still the white, thin layer of skin in most pieces (a prepping short cut found in most inexpensive places). Although they were unbelievably tender, they were just utterly flavorless. Nope, no amount of salsa could have saved this one.

The taco al pastor didn’t quite do it for me either. It’s always the case here: the marinade just did not flavor the meat enough. I kept waiting for the taste of pineapple, garlic, cilantro, and salt to kick in but they never came. There were, however, tender pieces of pork that were authentically flame grilled right before slicing to give them a good crisp and char.

Bottom line: inexpensive food made the inexpensive way. My total bill for one sincronizada, two tacos, and 2 cans of Diet Coke came to, get this, a whopping $6.56. I thought the server made a mistake since I got two cans of soda but she said it was correct. A good place for cheap eats if you ever find yourself in the area.

Insider tip:
Daily and weekend specials.

The scoop:
Celia’s Carniceria
4664 Jimmy Carter Blvd
Norcross, GA 30093
(770) 806-0108

Technorati Tags: Taqueria, Mexican, Mexican grocery, Norcross

I’ve been to this place twice before back when they were still located on Peachtree Parkway. This new location in the heart of downtown Norcross is more upscale in ambiance and is filled with office people.

First up, the requisite chips and dip. The salsa is made with fresh tomatoes and cilantro and had good consistency. It was a little on the bland side but the saltiness of the chips complemented well. While I totally disagree with Foodie Buddha’s assessment, I absolutely loved the chips they use: totopos! These are thicker chips made by grinding corn kernels with water. The resulting dough is then cut and oven baked. I love totopos — the crunch, the corny taste. In Atlanta, you can find El Milagro (a local company) Totopos in the Mexican aisle at the BHFM. These totopos (and Jack’s Special Salsa) are staples in my house.

Zapata is well known for their Sopa Azteca. I’ve really enjoyed it the couple of times I’ve had it. On this visit, however, the flavor was just off. The broth tasted more like canned tomato sauce more than fresh tomatoes which overpowered the chicken broth.

The Crema de Chile Poblano was really good. It was creamy and rich. Like its American cousin, the milk and cream cheese flavors were distinctly there but they made it a Mexican version by including a very pronounced chile poblano taste. Beware, this is a very filling soup.

The Enchiladas de Mole was quite a disappointment. For a non-dessert eater like me, sweet food is a turn-off. This dish was overly sweet that it was uneatable. Worse, the chicken filling was also as sweet. The only saving grace was the rice which wasn’t Mexican rice but more like steamed sticky Jasmine rice which went really well with the refried beans.

The Crepas Cholula was a better choice. Two soft crepes were filled with absolutely delicious picadillo. The picadillo tasted like it was cooked for hours, simmering in a blend of Mexican spices. The mild chipotle cream sauce wasn’t all that bad. I liked that it had a good bit of chipotle taste and was whisked enough to render a frothy consistency. But there was just so much of it that it killed the taste of the picadillo. I’ll get this again but I’ll make sure to have the sauce on the side.

Trying to chase the goodness of the picadillo (ok, fine, I was still hungry), an order of Picadillo Quesadilla was made. This was a total let down as the picadillo was squashed by the greasy, bland cheese it was mixed with. To add insult to injury, they used overripe avocados on the side of guacamole.

This place isn’t off my list yet. I’ve had enjoyable meals here in the past. It has lots of potential and they may have just had an off day on this visit. In fact, I can’t wait to eat their Picadillo Burrito: a lunch special on Thursdays.

Insider tip:
Prices average $7 for lunch.
Street parking available including a private lot a few feet away.

Zapata
15 Jones St NW
Norcross, GA 30071
(770) 248-0052

Technorati Tags: Mexican, Norcross

I get delighted when a Thai restaurant serves food that is almost as authentic as it can be. My favorite type of Thai cuisine is the one from the south and central parts, with its creamy curries, tongue-numbing spices, and palm sugar-sweetened dishes. Here at KoKai Thai Bistro, the food is more North and Northeastern, with heavy influences from the Chinese and the Lao. Northeastern and North Thai food are more savory and employ the modest use of coconut milk (read: watery curry dishes). Second to Korean, Thai food is my favorite Asian cuisine. I’ve spent many summers in Bangkok and I can dare say I have eaten every single street food there. Yes, including the bugs of the north and the snakes of the south.

KoKai touts itself as serving authentic street food. Well, the thing is, every food in Thailand is also sold on the streets so I guess they serve Thai food in general. The Tea Rose dumplings is a sweetish-salty appetizer adopted from the Chinese. Soft, steamed wonton wrappers are filled with savory minced pork and crab then topped with fried garlic and served doused with sweetish soy sauce. The serving is big, with 6 pieces, and better for sharing.

Larb Kai is a measuring stick when it comes to Notheastern Thai food and this one’s spot on. The ground chicken is perfectly flavored with green chillies, red onions, and lime juice. Scoop it out onto a piece of fresh cabbage and you get a crunchy, flavorful sensation. You will fall in love with this.

The Thai Boat Noodle Soup is a very common street food particularly in Bangkok, more so in the Floating Market (literally a market on the river and canals where goods and food are sold in small wooden boats). It is called Boat Noodle Soup because, well, you guessed it, it is sold on the boats on the river. For $4.95, you get a medium sized-bowl of rice noodles in a spicy beef broth. If you want authenticity, then choose the pork as it is more common in Thailand. This is a hearty dish, good for sharing, and eaten with other dishes (although this and an appetizer is an ample enough meal). The broth here is bold, simmered for hours, and has the perfect balance of salty-spicy flavors. Comfort food at its best.

Curries here represent all the regional cuisines in Thailand. The KoKai Beef Curry from the North is simply fantastic. The chunks of meat are fork-tender, the curry is thick and spicy, and there’s hardly any coconut milk in it as it should be. It is a thick stew and not the same as what you’re probably most familiar with here in the US which is the Southern Thai variety (sweet and creamy). If you like the more common Southern type, then go for the Panang or the Red Chicken curries, both are on the menu.

Stir-fry dishes, an influence from the Chinese, are a mainstay in any Thai restaurant. Here, the KoKai Grilled Chicken is a must eat. Chicken pieces have a totally different texture which they get from being grilled first and then sauteed. The light brown, savory sauce is infused with curry and the resulting spicy dish is quite delicious.

Desserts are not popular in Asia but must be included in any menu here in our Western world. If you must have it, go for the Sticky Rice with Mango. The sweet, sticky rice here is made with coconut milk and paired perfectly with a sweet cheek of a mango. Their creamy Coconut Ice Cream is a vanilla ice cream with coconut bits. A good choice if you like ice cream.

Overall, I am pleased that we finally have a Thai restaurant that offers dishes from all the regional cuisines in Thailand. Food here is good and fresh, the menu is well thought-out, the serving sizes are big, and the prices are extremely reasonable. It’s become a favorite of mine.

Insider tip:
The Thai Iced tea is a spice extinguisher. Get it.

The scoop:

KoKai Thai Bistro
5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd.,
Suite B-21
Norcross, GA 30093
(770) 409-9219

Technorati Tags: Thai food, Norcross, Jimmy Carter Blvd

I eat at the food court inside the Hong Kong Supermarket on Jimmy Carter just about every week. My new favorite is the bakery on the left side of the market (on the opposite side of the food court). This Vietnamese bakery makes the best croissants — huge flaky, buttery creations that are just irresistible. At $1 apiece, it’s difficult to buy just one. I buy a dozen chocolate ones every week. They’re great for breakfast and as a quick snack. Incidentally, they also have other flavors — plain, almond, ham, ham&cheese.

While they no longer have the roast pork banh mi, the cold cuts is a great alternative. They don’t skimp on the filling here — the deli meat slices are thick and there are ample veggies to complete a great sandwich. The $3 price tag isn’t bad either.

I found the best Cháo lòng heo in Atlanta here. No Chinese or Vietnamese place can even come close. For $6.50, I had a huge bowl of boiled-for-hours rice soup filled with lots and lots of meaty goodness: pork slices, a big slice of pork sausage made with pork innards, and pork blood cubes. This is the best congee I’ve ever had outside of Asia. The soup is just so flavorful. Each order comes with a plate of fried baguette slices, fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, lime, hot sauce, and a cup of hot chrysanthemum tea. It’s comfort food at its best.

This is a wonderful place for cheap but delicious eats. Don’t miss it.

Insider tip:
The Vietnamese got their baking from the French. Need I say more?
There are two other types of congee: duck and chicken feet.
They only make a dozen croissants of each flavor. Call the day before and place an order.

The scoop:
No. 1 Hong Kong Bakery
5494 Jimmy Carter Blvd
Norcross, GA 30093
(770) 837-0270

Technorati Tags: congee, chao, Cháo lòng heo, croissants, Vietnamese, bakery, bahn mi, Norcross, Jimmy Carter

CLOSED — as of the week of April 27, 2009. Apparently moving to 1300 Indian Trail.

I was so excited to find out that there’s finally a Filipino restaurant in Atlanta. Okay, it’s not really a real restaurant, it’s more like a fast food stall (in a food court of an Asian supermarket), but nevertheless, it’s better than nothing. Opened less than two weeks ago, I’ve visited 3 times. The best Filipino restaurants outside of the Philippines can be found in California and New York. Having said that, don’t get your hopes up too high on this one. It pales in comparison — at least, in taste. But they make it up on price and quantity.

The daily menu consists of the following dishes where you can choose 2 items for $3.99 or 3 for $5.99. Steamed rice is included.
- Chicken Adobo — stewed chicken in soy-vinegar sauce
- Pork Adobo — stewed pork in soy-vinegar sauce
- Pancit Bihon — stir-fried noodles (similar to Singapore’s meehon)
- Grilled Porkchop
- Chicken Tinola — ginger-infused chicken soup
- Lechon Kawali — deep-fried pork tenderloin with skin
- Mongo — lentil soup
- Pork Sinigang — tamarind-flavored soup with pork and vegetables
- Fried Tilapia — deep-fried whole fish (average length is 8 inches or more)
- Beef Tapa — grilled marinated beef

Outside of the daily specials, they also offer deep-fried whole or half chicken, Lumpia (pork eggrolls), Crispy Pata (deep-fried ham hock), Shrimp Sinigang (tamarind-flavored soup with prawns), and Chop Suey (stir-fried mixed veggies in white sauce). While the soups are watery, the noodles are dry, and the stews and veggies are bland, the deep-fried dishes take center stage here. Meats are seasoned then deep-fried to perfection. The result is crispiness that’s out of this world.

So run, don’t walk, and get some artery-clogging goodness that’s simply exceptional.

Insider tip:
Best time to go is during lunch when everything is still available. By 7pm, most everything is gone.
Buffet on weekends for $7.99.
Located inside the new Hong Kong Supermaket on Jimmy Carter Blvd where Cub Foods (later on International Farmers Market) used to be.

The scoop:
Pinoy Cuisine
5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd
Hong Kong Mall
Norcross, GA 30093
404-806-9685

Technorati Tags: Pinoy Cuisine, Filipino food, Filipino, restaurants, Atlanta, Norcross

I got a tip from a Mexican friend who swears by Mega Taco’s house-and-hand-made tortillas. This place is located on Beaver Ruin road which is peppered with Mexican establishments. It sits in a sleazy-looking plaza right next to Little Giant Farmer’s Market. I love farmers’ markets so I went in to check it out and was so cheated to find out that it was nothing but a gigantic grocery store. Really, they probably have the inventory of 4 Krogers in there with aisles twice as long and twice as much. But I digress.

I was told about this item on their menu called Molcajete which I so wanted to order but it was huge — one order is good for two persons (priced at a measly $13.99). An assortment of meats are served in a big molcajete (a footed stone mortar) and the picture looks very appetizing. But I was alone for a quick lunch so I settled for some cheesy cheese dip and tacos instead.

The cheese dip was cheesy and had the perfect consistency but I would have loved it to be spicier. For some reason, the jalapeño bits in it were tasteless. No heat whatsoever. The chips were big pieces, warm, and very crunchy. I was amazed at how every chip was unbroken — every single one of them including the very last one in the bottom of the basket. Neat. The salsa isn’t your usual tomato-onion salsa. Instead, theirs is made with smoky ancho peppers pureéd with what I sense is adobo sauce, tomatoes, and garlic. It was very, very good. And spicy.

Everything on the menu looks like huge portions and although I’m quite a big eater, I was running errands and just didn’t have time so I opted for three tacos instead: tripe, steak, and chicken. I must say, the corn tortillas were fantastic. They were really fresh, had great corn taste, and were substantially sized. Each taco comes with 2 grilled corn tortillas topped with heaping portions of meat. The tripe were stir-fried and very flavorful. I just didn’t like that some were chewy and some were more tender than the others. I’m wary when it comes to un-fried tripe but these didn’t have that funky smell in them. They were very good. The steak were moist and tender; as was the chicken. Both the steak and chicken were cooked in aromatic spices that were very tasty. These big tacos were only $1.50 each which can’t be beat.

This place really warrants a second visit so I can try other things on the menu (including and especially the molcajete). So far a great place for big, flavorful, and very inexpensive tacos.

Insider tip:
Located right across from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

The scoop:
Mega Taco Mexican Taqueria
2055 Beaver Ruin Rd
Norcross, GA 30071
(770) 248-0097

Technorati Tags: Mega Taco, Mexican cuisine, molcajete, tortillas, Norcross

Flying Biscuit Cafe has been my favorite place for simple breakfast or brunch.  I’ve been going for a while since before they became a chain and remember seeing famous celebrities all the time, including Justin Timberlake recently, who patiently waited in line outside for a good hour to get seated.  Or Toni Braxton (at least, while she was still popular) who was so low key.  I went to their newly-opened location in Norcross (across from The Forum Shops) last weekend and had to wait a good hour at 9am in the cold!  I guess nothing has changed despite the takeover — the lines are still long and the food still tastes the same.

My favorite breakfast here is the High Flyer. I hardly ever get anything else. It comes with two eggs, chicken sausage, grits or potatoes, an oatmeal pancake, and a flying biscuit. It’s like a sample platter. The chicken sausages are deliciously flavored with rosemary and not salty at all. The grits are creamy and has just the right consistency. The pancakes are fantastic — organic oatmeal topped with housemade peach compote. Really, this is the best pancake. The compote is not too sweet with the peaches still having a good bite to it. And the flying biscuit — it’s slightly flaky on the outside and soft on the inside. Not only are they so good, they’re ginormous! They’re probably a good 4 inches thick! The apple butter is so good with them.

Another favorite here are the French toast. They’re these soft, thick slices of bread topped with raspberry sauce and créme Anglais. I usually get the raspberry sauce on the side because although it’s delicious, it takes away from the real taste of the toast. No matter, it gives the toast a nice sweetish touch.

Notice how huge the biscuit is above? Anyway, they really have good food here. I love all the omelette especially the Clifton Omelette made with three large farm fresh eggs with goat cheese, mushrooms & fresh basil, topped with spicy tomato coulis. The Egg-ceptional Eggs with two fried eggs on black bean cakes topped with tomatillo salsa and sour cream is also a great option. For a heavier alternative, you must try the Turkey Meatloaf and Pudge. The meatloaf is so flavorful. And the pudge is a great accompaniment (it’s their recipe for mashed potatoes with sundried tomatoes, basil and olive oil.) One last thing, the Fried Green Tomato BLT is also a must try.

For simple breakfast and brunch, my favorite places are the Flying Biscuit and the Original Pancake House. Food is good and always made with the freshest ingredients.

Insider tip:
Cookbook by April Moon now available.

The scoop:
Flying Biscuit Cafe
Several locations.
5270 Peachtree Pky NW, Ste 120
Norcross, GA 30092
770-407-5885

[tags]Flying Biscuit Cafe, Delia Champion, flying biscuit, breakfast, brunch, lunch, The Forum Shops, Peachtree Parkway[/dinner]

My family used to go to Ted’s a lot when it first opened.  Until the novelty wore off.  Then we totally forgot about it for a couple of years.  We visited again three times in the last two months.  Most everything is still the same, except for a miss or two.

First the hits.  The Bison burger is really fresh and very good depending on the location.  The one in Norcross (at The Forum) and the one in Midtown both make consistently great burgers:  the ground meat is seasoned very, very  lightly before grilling, just enough so that the real bison flavor gets to stand out.  I also like that my burgers always come out at the perfect temperature. The one in Cumming (The Avenue), unfortunately, makes theirs bland. And they tend to overcook their burgers.

The Bison Chili is fantastic.  Always. It is meaty and flavorful and only has a few beans in them. I don’t like beany chili — I’ve had some where there are more beans than ground meat. The chili here is really so good. There are big clumps of ground meat despite having been simmered for hours. Partner this with their heavenly fresh baked rolls and it’s already a meal in itself.

The Bison Meatloaf is also very good. But I’ve gotten one or two orders at different places that were dry. This meatloaf tastes just like beef meatloaf so for those who are apprehensive in trying bison, this is a great way to initiate yourself. I really love bison meat because it tastes great — it’s not gamey at all and it actually tastes much like beef. No to mention it is leaner and contains less calories and cholesterol than beef or chicken.

The Pot Roast lately, has been watery most times especially at the Cumming location. However, when you do get a good one, it is fork-tender and the sauce is smooth and flavorful. It is available on Saturdays and one day during the week.

If ever you get a craving for a bison burger or just want a light lunch of bison chili, head on over to Ted’s on Midtown or Norcross. They make it good. All the time.

Insider tip:
You must leave room for the Malted Chocolate Milkshake made with Haagen-Dazs ice-cream.

The scoop:
Ted’s Montana Grill
For locations, click here.

Technorati Tags: Ted’s Montana Grill, bison burger, bison chili, bison potroast, Midtown, Norcross

Back in maybe 1997 (or 98, I can’t remember exactly), a friend of mine who grew up in Texas called me from her cell phone, literally, from the sidewalk of Windy Hill. Except there is no sidewalk on Windy Hill.  That time.

“I am on Windy Hill, jumping up and down! (sounds of cars honking in the background) Guess what they’re building? (dead silence) PAPPADEUX!!!”

And I’m like, what’s the big deal? So when Pappadeux finally opened, we had to go on day one.

There are several reasons why chains are generally more successful than independent restaurants. The most important one is that the taste of the food is always consistent: consistently good or consistently bad. The fact is, their recipes are kitchen tested and most food arrive at the locations pre-cooked or pre-prepared (at least, for the lower-end ones). The menu, also, is set for most of the life of the restaurant. So, you can visit 10 years from now and the menu has hardly changed. Pappadeux has been successful all these years for their consistency in the the taste and quality of their food. Although portions are no longer gigantic (a crowd-drawer for sure), they are still big enough to warrant to-go boxes.

My favorite here is the Crabfinger Dinner or Appetizer — tasty crabfingers with a light dusting of batter; they are good-sized, too. The Seafood or Pappadeux Platter is a great way to have a taste of everything. But the most surprising thing here are the crab cakes. They are fantastic. They have just a tiny bit of filler to hold the patty together. The lemony creamy crawfish sauce is just so delicious and complements the sweetish crab meat. Really, I thought I was in a high-end dining spot for a while there! I never fail to order this every time I’m here.

Another solid item here are the seafood entrees. I love the fried oysters and fried catfish and even the broiled fish dishes. Entrees come with their seasoned fries but I go for the more hearty dirty rice. The rice is slightly spicy and peppered with bits of sausage. It’s really good.

Pappadeux aims to bring New Orleans to Atlanta and succeeds in quite a few ways. Including the noise level.

Postscript: This post is dedicated to one of my ‘bestest’ friends, MSB, who passed away in 2006 due to breast cancer. The very same one who called me from the sidewalk of Windy Hill. She would have been 37 this year. I must have been nostalgic today. Will have to eat at Pappadeux this week in her honor.

Insider tip:
Lunch buffet available weekdays at the Alpharetta location. Incidentally, this is the location where there’s hardly a wait during peak times although they are always crowded.

The scoop:
Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen
3 Metro Atlanta locations. Click here for more info.

Technorati Tags: Pappadeux, Pappas, seafood, Cajun cuisine