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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.
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VegetarianBuford Highway
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.
TryVietnamese banh mi, 10 varieties
TipCash only and closed Thursdays. The grilled pork is the most-ordered; the combo loads on three meats.
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ChineseBuford Highway
LanZhou Ramen on Atlanta's Buford Highway hand-pulls noodles to order: classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup, knife-cut variations, Michelin recognition.
TryHand-pulled noodles in beef broth
TipWatch the noodle-puller through the window. Order the classic Lanzhou beef noodle soup; it's why the line exists.