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.
Tip: Get the namesake burrito with hot sauce and a Mexican Coke. Counter service, fast turnover.
Address: 112 Krog St NE #1A, Atlanta, GA 30307
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.
Belen de la Cruz in Atlanta's Westside bakes Argentinian empanadas for $3.80 each: beef, chicken, vegetarian, gluten-free, plus dulce de leche pastries.
Try: Argentinian empanadas
Tip: Three empanadas plus a dulce de leche pastel makes a $15 lunch. The chimichurri travels well in a takeaway tub.
Maepole in Atlanta's Summerhill is the under-$15 Southern grain bowl: seared chicken or shredded pork, collards, mac, vegan and keto options on the same line.
Try: Build-your-own Southern grain bowls
Tip: Pick the shredded pork over a grain base with collards and mac and cheese. Same Summerhill block as Southern National.
Lee's Bakery on Atlanta's Buford Highway runs the city's most-argued banh mi: BBQ pork combo for $6, coconut bubble tea, generous portions.
Try: Vietnamese banh mi sandwich
Tip: Order the BBQ pork combo with a coconut bubble tea. Cash works fastest at the counter.
