The fastest, cheapest, frequently best food on Atlanta's streets.
Vendors, food trucks and stalls: the cheapest, fastest, frequently best food in Atlanta.
Reuben's Deli on Broad Street in downtown Atlanta has run a NY-style counter since 1986: pastrami reubens, the Atlanta Dog with chili and slaw.
Try: Atlanta dog and pastrami reuben
Tip: Yell your order from the doorway; only eight tables. Closed Sunday. The pastrami reuben is the first-timer order; ask staff about the secret-menu Old Tuesday.
El Rey del Taco in Doraville, Atlanta runs Mexican tacos, tortas and aguas frescas out of a 24-hour Buford Highway counter since 2002. Open daily 09:00-02:00.
Try: Tacos al pastor
Tip: Tacos al pastor with a side of grilled onions is the canonical first order. The horchata is fresh-made daily.
Eddie Hernandez's Taqueria del Sol in Atlanta runs Southern-Mexican tacos and chiles rellenos at counter speeds. The West Midtown location opened 2003.
Try: Tacos and chiles rellenos
Tip: The fried-chicken taco with peach salsa and the chiles rellenos with corn pudding are the cult orders. Counter ordering; no reservations.
The Varsity at North Avenue in downtown Atlanta since 1928 runs chili dogs, onion rings and Frosted Orange at a drive-in counter format. Located in Midtown.
Try: Chili dog with onion rings
Tip: Order in Varsity slang: 'two dogs walking' = two hot dogs to go. The onion rings and Frosted Orange are the standard upsell.
Mamak in Doraville, Atlanta runs Malaysian-Chinese street food inside Asian Square on Buford Highway: nasi lemak, roti canai, curry laksa and Hainanese.
Try: Nasi lemak and roti canai
Tip: Closed Thursdays. The roti canai with curry dip and the nasi lemak are the canonical first orders; weekend lunches fill fast.
Pho Dai Loi 2 on Buford Highway in Atlanta has run Vietnamese pho and bun since the 1990s. The pho tai (rare beef) is the canonical first order.
Try: Pho tai
Tip: Cash and card. Open every day; lunch hours quieter than dinner. Pho dac biet (everything bowl) is the upgrade order.
Lee's Bakery on Buford Highway in Atlanta runs Vietnamese banh mi and pastries since 1996. The $6 banh mi remains one of the city's best food values.
Try: Banh mi
Tip: Cash and card. The classic banh mi dac biet (special sandwich) with pate and cold cuts is the move; baguettes baked in-house daily.
This Is It Southern Kitchen in Cascade and West End, Atlanta runs takeaway-counter soul food: fried chicken, ribs, wings and Southern sides since 1985.
Try: Wings and ribs
Tip: Drive-through and walk-up. The whole wings with a side of mac are the move. Multiple locations across Atlanta.
Thumbs Up Diner on Edgewood Avenue in Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta runs all-day breakfast and burritos since 2002. Open daily 07:00-15:00. At 573 Edgewood Ave SE.
Try: Burrito and pancakes
Tip: Cash and card. No reservations; line builds by 09:30 weekends. The Heap with chorizo runs the heaviest breakfast in town.
Atlanta Breakfast Club on Ivan Allen Jr Boulevard in downtown Atlanta runs all-day Southern breakfast: crispy chicken biscuits, chicken and waffles.
Try: Crispy chicken biscuits and chicken and waffles
Tip: No reservations; the line builds before 09:00 weekends but moves fast. The crispy chicken biscuits with grape jelly are the canonical first order.