Atlanta’s Most Iconic Dishes
It’s hard to distill Atlanta’s diverse dining scene into just a few dishes. There are so many fantastic plates around Atlanta, but only a few have stood the test of time and made it to icon status. Here’s our take on those icon status dishes! Items listed below in alphabetical order.
1. Antico‘s Margherita D.O.P.
It’s so tough hosting out-of-town guests, because you have to explain to them that it’s not only Southern food we do well here but pretty much all types of cuisines. There’s no doubt that Antico’s hot-out-the-800 degree oven stands up to the best pies across the country. And while all of their flavors are fantastic–we’re especially partial to the truffley Sophia pizza–their Margherita pie is classic.
2. Busy Bee Cafe‘s Fried Chicken
When you’re looking for the best fried chicken in town, you might as well go for a veritable Atlanta institution. Busy Bee Cafe has been operating in Atlanta since 1947, opened up at the height of the segregation era by self-taught cook, Lucy Jackson and is still Black-owned today by restaurateur Tracy Gates!
3. Fox Bros BBQ’s Chicken Fried Ribs
Atlanta is home to many a great ‘cue–but it’s Fox Bros BBQ that’s arguably the most renowned across the Southeast (and a favorite of our host, Steak Shapiro!) Owned by twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox, these Texas natives marry together Texas heat and Southern spice for some of the best BBQ in town and beyond. Try their chicken fried ribs for a perfect example of that Southern cuisine + Texas BBQ combo.
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4. Gu’s Kitchen’s Szechuan Dumplings
Gu’s Kitchen, along with other institutions like Chong Qing Hot Pot and Tasty China, was one of the first spots to put Szechuan cuisine on the map in Atlanta. But arguably, it’s their Zhong Style Dumplings that are the most popular dish in ATL. Get it at Gu’s Kitchen in Chamblee or Gu’s Dumplings in Krog St. Market and Halcyon in Alpharetta.
5. Home Grown‘s Comfy Chicken Biscuit
It’s Southern at its best! Home Grown is a hugely popular brunch and biscuit spot in Reynoldstown. The dish is so popular, Home Grown installed a a comfy chicken biscuit counter that you press when you order one and the number of biscuits they’ve made is well into the thousands! The line is often out the door but the wait is worth it!
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6. Ippolito‘s Garlic Knots
There is something nostalgic about an Italian restaurant like Ippolito’s, with that local look and that local feel. About a menu full of Italian classics. There is something that feels like family and tastes like togetherness. Oh, and something that tastes like cheesy, garlicky, buttery goodness that was handmade in heaven and delivered to your table by angels… Ippolito’s famous garlic knots are responsible for many-an appetite casualty. Diners are forced to have their Stromboli bagged and their Chicken Parmigiana tagged before trying even one bite. Which is a shame, because their signature dishes are pretty solid. From pizza and calzones to an array of pastas with plenty of homemade sauce options, Ippolito’s is Italian food the way you remember it.
7. J.R. Cricket‘s Lemon Pepper Wet Wings
Atlanta is a wing town. Buffalo, lemon pepper, even Korean Fried Chicken style–we love it all. And we have to hand it to J.R. Cricket’s for being one of the first to start to install that wing love in ATL back in the 80’s. While buffalo is perhaps what they do best, it’s their lemon pepper wet wings that have become legendary thanks to the show Atlanta from Donald Glover. Despite the name, they’re more a wet buffalo wing with a dash of lemon pepper seasoning. It’s American Deli you’ll have to visit for a true wet lemon pepper wing.
8. Kyma’s Wood-Grilled Octopus
We’re really proud to have a chef like Chef Pano in Atlanta. He even beat celebrity Chef Bobby Flay pretty recently with his signature lamb pie! A part of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, a favorite among well-heeled Atlantans, Kyma and Chef Pano’s fresh and modern take on Greek cuisine has been delighting Atlanta for years. The wood-grilled octopus is a signature, but we’re especially partial to the massive prawns and eggplant stew side.
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9. LanZhou Ramen‘s Hand-tossed Noodles
It’s dinner and a show, all-in-one, and a not so hidden gem but pretty darn popular spot on Buford Highway. We love the taste of this place’s hand-pulled and knife-cut noodles, as well as their pan-fried and soup dumplings, but it’s getting to watch the chef make these noodles by hand that makes this place so much fun. LanZhou is also a great cheap eat.
10. Mary Mac‘s Tea Room’s Fried Chicken
Mary Mac’s is an Atlanta instituion. Opened up in 1945 post World War II by Mary Mackenzie, “tea rooms,” or women-owned restaurants, were becoming a thing in the South. Dig into their crispy fried chicken and other Southern favorites, and we also love the mac n’ cheese. It was super creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection! Crispy on top, made with a sinfully indulgent mix of cheeses.
11. NFA Burger’s Smashburger
Few Atlanta spots have instilled the kind of rave following that NFA Burger has. But their simple burger is simply one of Atlanta’s best. Perfectly smashed angus beef patties, four pickles so that each bite is perfectly balanced, melty American cheese, a potato bun, and a bit of a totally addicting mayo-based sauce called “sassy sauce.” It’s simply perfection.
12. The Varsity‘s Chili Cheese Dog
What’ll ya have? Every Atlantan has probably been to this Atlanta institution at least once and tucked into a chili cheese dog and/or frosted orange. It’s been open and operating since 1928, and their claim to fame is being the world’s largest drive in. A good cheap eat and a must-do for any tourist!
13. The Vortex‘s Quadruple Coronary Bypass
Atlanta has long been a burger and steak town, and the Vortex was one of the first that really tapped into that love for burgers and took it to a whole new level. Their quadruple coronary bypass is postively iconic and totally befitting of the name. 4 griddled patty melts, 8 slices of Texas toast, 28 slices of American cheese, 20 ounces of tots. This dish clocks in at an estimated 9k+ calories, and you can also enjoy it as an eating challenge and get the meal free if you eat the whole thing in 30 minutes.
14. Waffle House‘s All Star Special
It’s not Waffle House, it’s Waffle HOME. Is there a restaurant as wildly beloved as Waffle House in Atlanta? The smothered, covered hashbrown and of course, the waffles keep us coming back time and time again. But it’s the all star special that’s probably the most iconic. You get toast, you get grits, you get eggs, bacon, and a waffle. Name a better value–we’ll wait!
