Arepa Grill on Atlanta's Buford Highway runs Venezuelan arepas under $13: pabellon with shredded beef, sweet plantain, cheese, plus deep-fried churros.
Tip: Order the pabellon arepa: shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantain, cheese. The fried churros come three to an order.
Address: 4166 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
Hankook Taqueria on Atlanta's Westside puts Korean BBQ inside taco shells: tongdak crispy chicken with spicy aioli, lettuce, Monterey Jack under $14.
Try: Korean-Mexican fusion tacos and burritos
Tip: Tongdak crispy chicken tacos are the move; ask for extra spicy aioli. Closed Sundays.
Yalla at Krog Street Market in Atlanta runs Middle Eastern fast-casual: $12 shawarma pita with fried eggplant and tahini, falafel, fresh laffa bread.
Try: Middle Eastern shawarma, falafel, kebabs
Tip: Chicken shawarma pita with fried eggplant and tahini for $12 is the sleeper. Eat on the market patio.
Bell Street Burritos at Atlanta's Krog Street Market does California-format burritos for $9 to $13: rice, beans, generous protein, hot sauce, walk-up service.
Try: California-style stuffed burritos
Tip: Get the namesake burrito with hot sauce and a Mexican Coke. Counter service, fast turnover.
Pielands in Atlanta's Virginia Highland does NY round slices and 16-inch square Noni pies: pesto, marinara, house-pulled fresh mozzarella, fold-friendly cheese slices.
Try: New York-style pizza by the slice
Tip: The Green Granny square slice with pesto and house-pulled mozzarella is the move; standard NY cheese is the cheap default and folds correctly.
Souper Jenny in Atlanta's Buckhead cooks six soups a day under $14: chicken tortilla, the dad's turkey chili, plus daily-changing seasonal sides.
Try: Daily-changing soups, sandwiches, salads
Tip: Chicken tortilla soup is the default. Servers are local theatre actors; you get a show with the cup.
Buena Gente Cuban Bakery in Decatur presses real Cuban sandwiches for $14: lechon in housemade mojo, $5 croquetas and guava pastelitos to start.
Try: Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, guava pastelitos
Tip: Sandwiches start at 11:00 only; before then it's pastries and Cuban coffee. Closed Mon-Wed.
