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.
Tip: Pick the shredded pork over a grain base with collards and mac and cheese. Same Summerhill block as Southern National.
Address: 72 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
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.
Quoc Huong Banh Mi on Atlanta's Buford Highway sells ten varieties at $5 each: grilled pork, combo, vegetarian, all on house-baked airy baguette.
Try: Vietnamese banh mi, 10 varieties
Tip: Cash only and closed Thursdays. The grilled pork is the most-ordered; the combo loads on three meats.
LanZhou Ramen on Atlanta's Buford Highway hand-pulls noodles to order: classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup, knife-cut variations, Michelin recognition.
Try: Hand-pulled noodles in beef broth
Tip: Watch the noodle-puller through the window. Order the classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup; it's why the line exists.
Arepa Grill on Atlanta's Buford Highway runs Venezuelan arepas under $13: pabellon with shredded beef, sweet plantain, cheese, plus deep-fried churros.
Try: Venezuelan arepas with stewed meats
Tip: Order the pabellon arepa: shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantain, cheese. The fried churros come three to an order.
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.
