Korean BBQ$west-midtownMon 11:00-15:00, Tue-Sat 11:00-21:00
Hankook Taqueria on Atlanta's Westside puts Korean BBQ inside taco shells: tongdak crispy chicken with spicy aioli, lettuce, Monterey Jack under $14.
Try: Korean-Mexican fusion tacos and burritos
Tip: Tongdak crispy chicken tacos are the move; ask for extra spicy aioli. Closed Sundays.
Middle Eastern$inman-parkSun-Thu 11:30-20:30, Fri-Sat 11:30-21:30
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 $12 is the sleeper. Eat on the market patio.
Californian$inman-parkMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri 11:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-22:00
Bell Street Burritos at Atlanta's Krog Street Market does California-format burritos for $9 to $13: rice, beans, generous protein, hot sauce, walk-up service.
Try: California-style stuffed burritos
Tip: Get the namesake burrito with hot sauce and a Mexican Coke. Counter service, fast turnover.
Pizzeria$virginia-highlandMon-Thu 11:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
Pielands in Atlanta's Virginia Highland does NY round slices and 16-inch square Noni pies: pesto, marinara, house-pulled fresh mozzarella, fold-friendly.
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.
Cafe$buckheadMon-Sat 11:00-16:00
Souper Jenny in Atlanta's Buckhead cooks six soups a day under $14: chicken tortilla, the dad's turkey chili, plus daily-changing seasonal sides.
Try: Daily-changing soups, sandwiches, salads
Tip: Chicken tortilla soup is the default. Servers are local theatre actors; you get a show with the cup.
Caribbean$decaturWed-Fri 08:00-14:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-14:00
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.