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American BBQDecatur
Community Q BBQ in Decatur, Atlanta runs Southern-style smoked pork, brisket and ribs since 2010 with mac and cheese that became a local cult side.
OrderPulled pork plate with mac and cheese and Brunswick stew.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card. Family meals scale to feed six and travel well.
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American dinerMidtown
Frank Gordy's North Avenue drive-in in Atlanta opened 1928 and remains among the largest drive-in restaurants in the world by daily volume, with chili dogs.
OrderTwo chili dogs (called Naked Dogs Walking), an order of onion rings and a Frosted Orange.
TipWalk-up counter inside; carhop service paused. Order in Varsity slang for the full experience: 'two dogs walking' = two hot dogs to go.
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SandwichInman Park
Fred's Meat and Bread at Krog Street Market in Atlanta opened 2014 with chef Todd Ginsberg's burger and sandwich counter. Located in Inman Park.
OrderThe double cheeseburger or the Cubano sandwich.
TipCounter ordering; pickup at the window. The Bocado burger across town is the spiritual prequel; both run by Ginsberg.
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Neapolitan PizzaWest Midtown
Giovanni Di Palma's West Midtown pizzeria in Atlanta opened 2009 with wood-fired Neapolitan pies certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana.
OrderPizza San Gennaro (with sausage and Vesuvius peppers); the Diavola for spice.
TipCommunal tables, no reservations. Wine is BYOB at the original Hemphill location. Buckhead and Decatur sister locations take reservations.
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AmericanOld Fourth Ward
Ladybird in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta sits on the Beltline with a summer-camp-themed kitchen and a wide patio. Kitchen leans american camp-themed.
OrderCast-iron cornbread with honey butter, then the fried chicken sandwich.
TipThe patio is the Beltline's largest; runs dog-friendly. Brunch on weekends is busy; reservations on Resy.
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BelgianDecatur
Brick Store Pub in Decatur Square, Atlanta opened 1997 with a Belgian beer focus and pub menu. The upstairs Belgian Bar runs the rare brews.
OrderMoules frites in Belgian saison, with a Cantillon or Dupont on tap.
TipUpstairs Belgian Bar runs rare Belgian beers; downstairs is the casual pub. Reservations on the front bar only.