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PizzeriaVirginia Highland
Pielands in Atlanta's Virginia Highland does NY round slices and 16-inch square Noni pies: pesto, marinara, house-pulled fresh mozzarella, fold-friendly.
TryNew York-style pizza by the slice
TipThe Green Granny square slice with pesto and house-pulled mozzarella is the move; standard NY cheese is the cheap default and folds correctly.
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CafeBuckhead
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.
TryDaily-changing soups, sandwiches, salads
TipChicken tortilla soup is the default. Servers are local theatre actors; you get a show with the cup.
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CaribbeanDecatur
Buena Gente Cuban Bakery in Decatur presses real Cuban sandwiches for $14: lechon in housemade mojo, $5 croquetas and guava pastelitos to start.
TryCuban sandwiches, croquetas, guava pastelitos
TipSandwiches start at 11:00 only; before then it's pastries and Cuban coffee. Closed Mon-Wed.
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ArgentineWest Midtown
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.
TryArgentinian empanadas
TipThree empanadas plus a dulce de leche pastel makes a $15 lunch. The chimichurri travels well in a takeaway tub.
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Soul foodSummerhill
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.
TryBuild-your-own Southern grain bowls
TipPick the shredded pork over a grain base with collards and mac and cheese. Same Summerhill block as Southern National.
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VietnameseBuford Highway
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. Family-friendly.
TryVietnamese banh mi sandwich
TipOrder the BBQ pork combo with a coconut bubble tea. Cash works fastest at the counter.