I live in Atlanta now. Where are some good, cheap, places to eat. Not chains or tourist traps, but small, out of the way places. How about a good mexican restaurant, or good southern food? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Jason, try http://www.zagat.com/ ... Select the city (Atlanta), click the "More..." link in the Lists section, and then select "Best Buys" in the top lists. There seems to be a good variety of cheap eats listed.

This link MAY take you there directly:
http://www.zagat.com/list/results.as...1&LID=31&VID=1

1. The Varsity for greasy burgers and dogs.
2. Waffle House for breakfast or "munchie relief".
3. El Toro, for Mexican.
4. Po Folks, for cheap southern.
5. Krystal, the southern White Castle, but better.

Try "Eats" (yes, that is the name of the restaurant) for great pasta and jerk chicken for very nice prices.
Mary Mac's Tea Room for Southern Food is pretty good and unique. (Both are off Ponce De leon near downtown)
Roasters (off Lenox Rd. or near Cumberland mall) has wonderful rotisserie chicken, ribs, and veggies for reasonable prices.

As for Mexican...boy I wish I knew of a good place. Marquitos off Roswell Rd in North Sandy Springs and one off Holcomb Bridge in Norcross is pretty good. Casa Grande in South Buckhead is still the best in my opinion, but a little pricier. The steak fajitas are to die for. I am from Texas...so I can say it is very difficult to find very good Mexican here.

Check out the Rib Ranch in Buckhead. Great, cheap BBQ. Looks like a dump, but the people are 1st Class, and the food is GREAT. Best ribs in the world!!!! Cold beer, too.

For cheap eats in Atlanta - definitely check out Eats on Ponce DeLeon, for good Mexican, try Nuevo Laredo on Chattahoochee, just west of downtown. Other good cheap food: Cabbagetown Grill, Vortex, Doc Chey's Noodle House, and Taco Stand. I'll second Mary Mac's Tea Room for good southern, but you should try the Colonnade, as well.

Jason, what part of Atlanta do you live in? I can add some good cheap places in town (many have already been mentioned), but if you live in Alpharetta, they're not worth the drive.

For cheap eats in ATL I'd recommend La Botana for Tex Mex it's on the north side of town - Savoy Rd (it's the inside access road on the top end) Great food cheap served with 5 star service

I too agree with the Vortex for the best burgers

There is also a real dive with amazing burgers over in Marietta - Carey's - be sure and check out the "interesting" juke box.

Pappy Reds on the northside for BBQ - as well as Frankies for italian.

We spent a day in Atlanta last summer, thought Vortex and Mary Mac's were excellent.

Doug

Brian, I live in Vinings, about 10 minutes from downtown. So I am mostly interested in restaurants in Midtown, the Highlands, Buckhead or other intown neighborhoods. I did try Nuevo Laredo as someone suggested. I thought it was pretty good, but not as good as all the hype I have read on Zagats and CLN. Sorry it took so long to reply, I thought my question had died.

A wonderful list from an ex college student (attended Emory).......

Ponce De Leon Road

1) EATS - Pasta with your choice of toppings for under $5.00

2) Tortillas- Oddly enough, they serve tortillas with your choice of meat, cheese, veggies for about $2.00 each

3)La Fonda Cantina - Cuban food.. what is cuban food, just amazing chicken and rice or steak and rice yum.

4) Harry's In a Hurry
Try thier take out meals... Where else can you get a full turkey dinner for under $6.00 or try thier ribs or honey ham ..... yummmmm
With mac and cheese and mash potatoes

Plent of healthy things tooo! Amazing soup
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Corner of Clairmont Road and North Decatur Road (near Emory University)

4) Los Loros - Wonderful, friendly mexican food Dinner specials are
$5.50 or $6.50 Sample dish
the #4 includes two tacos, an enchilada and a chile con queso, excellent sangria and cheap beer.

5) Athens Pizza
-Not just pizza but pasta and other greek/italian foods
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Peachtree Road (by Buckhead MARTA)

6) The Corner Bakery
Macoroni and Cheese and a piece of garlic bread for $5.00

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Briarcliff Road and N. Druid Hills Road
in the Loemann's Shopping Plaza
Fortune Cookie
7) Chinese Food , on Sunday afternoon they have a wonderful buffett

8) St. Charles Deli
a NY style deli, Boards head
Amazing sandwiches
Burgers
Waffle fries for $2.95
Very clean and friendly staff
Try their New Orleans Pasta Dinner special... soooo yummy

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Clifton Road and McLendon Ave

Flying Biscuit
Awesome breakfast... but there is always a line on weekends...
You must try a biscuit from this place!

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Anywhere

Publix Food Stores: the Deli

Try a Boars Head Sandwich or take some chicken wings to go... SOOOO good!
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Good Pizza

Rocky's Brickover
(peachtree or the location on N. Highland) (a little pricy but good)

Johnny's Pizza
(look it up, they also have a pasta night)

Hope this helps... Atlanta has nooks and crannies tooo!

Try Virginia Highlands (Ponce De Leon to N. Highland road) Or take 85 to N. Druid Hills Road, head south on briarcliff road, make a right onto ponce de leon, make your first right onto n.highland road)

East Atlanta Village has cheap eats too
(ponce deleon head south on moreland, head through a shady area, take a left on greenwood,)

Emory Area
(Either 85 to Clairmont Road exit, head south towards, north decatur road... or
take ponce de leon, head north on briarcliff, then take a right onto n. decatur road)

Almost forgot about the late night places:

Only 2:

1) The Vortex
(one in little 5 points, take ponce de leon and head south on mooreland ave or there is another on Peachtree Road downtown )

Burgers and chicken sandwiches,,, a little odd decor, but a very cool and friendly place honest...

2) The Landmark Diner (can get pricy so look at the prices before ordering) but open 24 hours and very good... if you are a chic dont take offense by the friendly Italian? or Greek? Cashier... he is nice! Great food!

If you liked Mary Mac's, please try the OK Cafe. It's at West Paces Ferry and Northside Drive, and definitely the best southern food I've found here.

If you head up I-75 to look at the leaves changing colors - there is a wonderful new restaurant at Exit 290 (Cartersville @ Hwy. 20) called Wings of the World. They have a variety of things on the menu (pasta, steaks, sandwiches, burgers) although they specialize in wings of several different flavors. A different homemade soup daily that is wonderful (especially the seafood bisque and the ham & bean!) and the prices are great!

If you go, you'll definitely enjoy!

I can't believe no one has suggested MOG's in Ansley Park. This is where all the doyennes from the Piedmont Driving Club go when they want to eat grilled cheese sandwiches and beer.(I always see Mary Schwab there with ketchup on her chin.)

I am the Queen of Atlanta Cheap Eats. So I appreciated the question and have gotten some good suggestions from the other posters.

Cheap Eats I know and love:

U.S. Cafe is a definite burger dive but some of the best bovine around. Located on South Cobb Drive, about two miles north of 285 on the right in a strip mall. Great milkshakes, too. Despite the grungy look of the place, it is a gem.

In Vinings, I like the N.Y. Pizza exchange. Not too pricey and a decent outdoor patio.

Old Spaghetti Factory on Ponce. Iced tea is free. Great italian, usually under $10. Good for lunch. I think people have forgotten it's there.

Eats, also on Ponce, already mentioned. Definitely and consistently pleasing.

As for Mary Macs, I think it used to be MUCH better and the Collonade has 'em beat hands down.

If you wander down Howell Mill (going northwest of 75), try Taqueria Del Sol. You order at the counter and they bring it to you. Great fish tacos and pretty cheap.

If you keep going down Howell Mill until it becomes Marietta, try Joseppi's wings and subs. They just opened and are already attracting a following.

If you head northeast of 75 on Howell Mill (toward Buckhead), try the Homespun Cafe in the shopping center behind Blockbuster. Great burgers and killer daily desserts. Yum!

I also recommend Great Wraps (many locations) and Zaxby's (chicken fingers) for fresh, cheap quality food.

Bon appetit!

The Vortex is great, and I can't believe no one said The Varsity!

I GUESS NO-ONE HAS EVER BEEN TO FAT MATT'S RIB SHACK. IT IS THE BEST. I GO THERE EVERY TIME I VIST AND IT'S DELICIOUS. WALK IN, ORDER AND WAIT FOR THE DELIVERY TO A TABLE WHAT A GREAT PLACE AND VERY FRIENDLY. EAT ON