Heirloom Market BBQ in Atlanta merges Korean and Southern BBQ since 2010: gochujang-marinated pulled pork, brisket and the Korean pork sandwich on a steamed bun.
Signature dishes: Korean pork sandwich, Spicy Korean pork, Brisket
Must order: The Spicy Korean Pork sandwich; the brisket Brunswick stew is the secondary play.
Tip: Cash and card. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Get there early; the brisket runs out by 14:00 most weekends.
Address: 2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
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.
Signature: Pulled pork, Mac and cheese, Brunswick stew
Order: Pulled pork plate with mac and cheese and Brunswick stew.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Cash and card. Family meals scale to feed six and travel well.
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 and Frosted Orange.
Signature: Chili dog, Onion rings, Frosted Orange
Order: Two chili dogs (called Naked Dogs Walking), an order of onion rings and a Frosted Orange.
Tip: Walk-up counter inside; carhop service paused. Order in Varsity slang for the full experience: 'two dogs walking' = two hot dogs to go.
Fred's Meat and Bread at Krog Street Market in Atlanta opened 2014 with chef Todd Ginsberg's burger and sandwich counter. The double cheeseburger anchors the city's burger debate.
Signature: Cheeseburger, Cuban sandwich, Fried chicken sandwich
Order: The double cheeseburger or the Cubano sandwich.
Tip: Counter ordering; pickup at the window. The Bocado burger across town is the spiritual prequel; both run by Ginsberg.
Giovanni Di Palma's West Midtown pizzeria in Atlanta opened 2009 with wood-fired Neapolitan pies certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana since 2010.
Signature: San Gennaro pizza, Diavola pizza
Order: Pizza San Gennaro (with sausage and Vesuvius peppers); the Diavola for spice.
Tip: Communal tables, no reservations. Wine is BYOB at the original Hemphill location. Buckhead and Decatur sister locations take reservations.
Ladybird in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta sits on the Beltline with a summer-camp-themed kitchen and a wide patio. Cast-iron cornbread, smores and burgers run the menu.
Signature: Cast-iron cornbread, Fried chicken sandwich, Smores
Order: Cast-iron cornbread with honey butter, then the fried chicken sandwich.
Tip: The patio is the Beltline's largest; runs dog-friendly. Brunch on weekends is busy; reservations on Resy.
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; James Beard Outstanding Bar finalist.
Signature: Belgian moules frites, Burger, Beer cheese fondue
Order: Moules frites in Belgian saison, with a Cantillon or Dupont on tap.
Tip: Upstairs Belgian Bar runs rare Belgian beers; downstairs is the casual pub. Reservations on the front bar only.
