I’ve lived around Atlanta long enough to remember when everybody in the city gave a collective sigh of relief when the gigantic old Sears catalog distribution building between North and Ponce was repurposed as City Hall East. Just as long as something, anything, was putting that big old space to good use. Sadly, City Hall East only lasted for about twenty years and never used more than a third of the space; budget cuts during Mayor Franklin’s day forced the closure of the facility, and it sat idle for another five years. Earlier this year, private developers began turning the space into condos, with a mall and food court called Ponce City Market on the lower floors, and quick access from the shopping area to the Beltline. Continue reading “Hop’s Chicken, Atlanta GA”
Tag: georgia
Hickory Hut BBQ, Dallas GA (take two)
I first visited the Hickory Hut in Dallas GA almost four years ago. I was looking to expand our coverage of barbecue in Atlanta’s western suburbs, but picked a lousy night to do it. On that occasion, Marie was exhausted and the girlchild was in a particularly rotten mood, and while the food was pretty good, it probably would have been kinder to postpone the drive out to Paulding County. Continue reading “Hickory Hut BBQ, Dallas GA (take two)”
Chapter 1300: Ann’s Snack Bar, Atlanta GA
For our 700th metro Atlanta restaurant, we wanted to go someplace special. Over the years, I’d wanted to go with Marie to Ann’s Snack Bar many times, but we couldn’t coordinate schedules with enough time to spare. There was one instance where I almost stopped by on my own, but found the restaurant closed for the day. Happily, everything worked right when she had a Friday off and came to meet me for a long lunch. Continue reading “Chapter 1300: Ann’s Snack Bar, Atlanta GA”
Barbecue Kitchen, College Park GA (take two)
As we continue revisiting barbecue restaurants in the Atlanta area, College Park’s Barbecue Kitchen was definitely due for a second look. We first visited the Virginia Avenue business more than four years ago, and it was the third of three big meals we had in one day. Stuffed before we arrived, we didn’t get as good a feel for what the restaurant can do as we should have. So earlier this month, Marie and I had lunch here, but unfortunately we were not really thrilled with the experience. Continue reading “Barbecue Kitchen, College Park GA (take two)”
Mason Tavern, Decatur GA
You know how that first week after the time change, it feels like the middle of the night when it’s only seven o’clock? And how the rain doesn’t help? Well, a couple of weeks ago, Daylight Savings Time ended and Marie and I accepted an invitation to visit Mason Tavern, the newest restaurant from the Concentrics Group. It opened earlier this summer, on Clairmont in the same strip mall as Community Q. They’re aiming for an above-average “community gathering place,” and, with Chavez Hernandez, formerly of Saltyard, in charge of the kitchen, they’ve assembled a new Southern menu with many of the usual suspects in this category of late – hot chicken, pork belly, brunch – and a particularly interesting beer menu. All of the beers they have on tap are from Georgia brewers, which is wonderful. Continue reading “Mason Tavern, Decatur GA”
The Brickery, Sandy Springs GA (take three) (CLOSED)
We have a crowded schedule at the best of times, and November and December are just about the worst of times, so we made sure to get over to the Brickery Grill and Bar for what will probably be our last supper there a few weeks ago. After a quarter of a century, the Sandy Springs institution will be shutting its doors in a few weeks. Developers have bought the dying strip mall where the restaurant currently resides and will soon be erecting some gigantic thing or other, apparently because the traffic at Roswell Road, Hildebrandt, Hammond, Mount Vernon and Johnson Ferry isn’t terrible enough already. Continue reading “The Brickery, Sandy Springs GA (take three) (CLOSED)”
Mickey Pigg’s BBQ, Alto GA
In the previous chapter, I mentioned that a couple of barbecue places along US-23 in northeastern Georgia had been patiently waiting for us to give them a visit. Tomlin’s was one, and Mickey Pigg’s was the other. From the city limit signs, it would appear to be in the town of Baldwin, but it claims an Alto mailing address. It’s about fifteen miles north of the far end of I-985, and it’s celebrating 21 years in business. Continue reading “Mickey Pigg’s BBQ, Alto GA”
Marie, Let's Eat! 