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, $5 croquetas and guava pastelitos to start.
Try: Cuban sandwiches, croquetas, guava pastelitos
Tip: Sandwiches start at 11:00 only; before then it's pastries and Cuban coffee. Closed Mon-Wed.
Argentine$west-midtownMon-Wed 11:00-20:00; Thu-Sun 11:00-21:00
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 $15 lunch. The chimichurri travels well in a takeaway tub.
Soul food$summerhillDaily 11:00-21:00
Maepole in Atlanta's Summerhill is the under-$15 Southern grain bowl: seared chicken or shredded pork, collards, mac, vegan and keto options on the same line.
Try: Build-your-own Southern grain bowls
Tip: Pick the shredded pork over a grain base with collards and mac and cheese. Same Summerhill block as Southern National.
Vietnamese$buford-highwayMon-Sun 09:00-20:00
Lee's Bakery on Atlanta's Buford Highway runs the city's most-argued banh mi: BBQ pork combo for $6, coconut bubble tea, generous portions. Family-friendly.
Try: Vietnamese banh mi sandwich
Tip: Order the BBQ pork combo with a coconut bubble tea. Cash works fastest at the counter.
Vegetarian$buford-highwayMon-Wed 09:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 09:00-19:00
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.