We will be traveling to Atlanta and staying at the Laurel Hill BB (McLendon Ave) off the 248C exit of I75/85.

I'm looking for great local restaurants with fresh fare (prefer American or Italian) with entrees less than $20. Prefer restaurants where take out is an option. Not interested in "fast" food, chains, or anything fried. Would like to find places within 15-20 minutes from where we are staying.

Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance for any help!

About 5 minutes by car is a bar/restaurant called P'Cheen (http://pcheen.com/). I've eaten here a few times and have never been disappointed. Take out is an option as well. For Italian, Fritti (http://www.frittirestaurant.com/fritti/splash.html) is slightly closer, but I dont know if they offer take out. They have calzones, small pizza's, and pannini's. I've also eaten here a few times and like it as well.

Both places offer entrees for less then $20.

The original Flying Biscuit is on McLendon. I always go for breakfast but others say lunch/dinner is good.

Agnes and Muriels is American on Piedmont Rd and isn't expensive...

We have lots of good eats in Atlanta.

I think one of the original posters requirements was that it not be a chain restaurant. Flying Bisquit has recently become a chain restaurant.

Dude: FB currently has 2 restaurants which in my mind does not a chain make (though I did read they sold out to some group and are on their way to chain status)...still, FB isn't something the OP is going to find elsewhere and it def does not have the corp. chain-y feel and the food is good and in the stated price range IMO.

Nickimotos on 10th and Piedmont has great sushi.

Within walking distance - Flying Biscuit, LaFonda Latina and Fellini's Pizza.

Nearby in Decatur, lots of choices including Watershed (killer fried chicken on Tuesdays), Taqueria del Sol, Cafe Lily, Sushi Avenue (great!) and Sage (spotty but I still like it)

The Flying Biscuit and Watershed are owned by Indigo Girls.

FB a chain? Puh-leeze. Not yet anyway.

By walking down the the FB, Fellini's, LaFonda corners and going to Decatur and wandering around you'll find lots of great local restaurants with fresh fare. (I know, I know, you don't want fried, but the chicken is great on Tuesday at Watershed's and the rest of the menu is great all the time).

The Flying Biscuit was recently acquired by Raving Brands which owns, among other chains, Moe's. Expect it to multiply wildly.