Snackboxe Bistro in Doraville, Atlanta runs Laotian street food: sai oua sausage, papaya salad and sticky rice from chef Linda Khamphouseane. Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024.
Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The crispy rice salad (nam khao) is the cult order; sticky rice comes with most plates.
Address: 6035 Peachtree Rd Suite C111, Doraville, GA 30360, Atlanta
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; the broth simmers overnight.
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.
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; the broth simmers overnight.
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. The Heap (potato and egg skillet) the cult order.
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.
The Original Hot Dog Factory downtown in Atlanta runs loaded hot dogs since 2017: the Atlanta dog with slaw, the lemon-pepper wing dog and the philly cheese dog.
Try: Loaded hot dogs
Tip: Counter ordering. The Atlanta dog with slaw and chili is the canonical order. Multiple metro locations.
Papi's Cuban Grill in Atlanta runs Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja and rice plates since 2008. The Cuban sandwich is the marquee item; the cafe Cubano runs as the closer.
Try: Cuban sandwich and ropa vieja
Tip: Counter ordering at the Midtown location; full-service at Buckhead. The Cubano with plantains is the lunch combo.
