Atlanta Recommendations Please

[Michael Ambrosio]

I will be visiting Atlanta for the first time next week. I would like suggestions for the best places for Southern/Soul Food, especially Fried Chicken, and also Barbecue. And if there are any other places that a visitor shouldn't miss, no matter what the syle of food, I would appreciate hearing about then as well. Thanks in advance.

[cgwally]

I agree that Busy Bee is known for fried chicken. Watershed in Decatur has lines on its fried chicken night. Atlanta seems to have been passed over when it comes to a distinctive BBQ taste, but a few yummy places include Fox Bros BBQ, Daddy D's and Fat Matts.

[ted]

Agree on Fox Bros for Q. Beyond that, I'd try one of the Sam & Dave's or Swallow at the Hollow. If you have to stick intown, Rolling Bones is another option, though it's more TX inspired Q. You couldn't pay me to go to Fat Matts- it's nasty.

I haven't been to the Busy Bee in a long time, but I've enjoyed it in the past. And Greenwood's in Roswell (same owner and across the street from Swallow at the Hollow) is also great for Southern.

[JHLI]

Check these out but they have some quirky locations and parking situations. Busy Bee is near a downtown university complex and is supposedly always crowded. Might need to park across the street at a Publix shopping center. Carvers is a place they say you need to call to make sure the owners are not on vacation leaving the restaurant closed. It has community tables.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/carvers-grocery-atlanta

http://www.thebusybeecafe.com/

This blog may help: http://blissfulglutton.blogspot.com/
Look at the fried chicken category in the drop down menu.

[hueyjock]

Michael,

For a different meal, try the Varsity at North Avenue. They serve hotdogs and hamburgers. It is an Atlanta tradition.

Gary

[RetiredPowerGuy]

We just happen to have had fried chicken last weekend at what the owner told us was the 2nd oldest restaurant in Atlanta. It was the Colonade in Buckhead area. It's the real deal for Southern/Soul food. When the owner found out we were first timers there, she brought us a tray of 4 sides they were noted for that we didn't order (all Southern/Soul). The meal was one of the best we've had in a restaurant lately. We were there on Sat night and had about a 45 min wait. She said they had a very large regular group of patrons. Don't think you'll be dissapointed. (note: they don't take credit cards)

[bbstx]

I am inordinately fond of the fresh potato chips scattered with Maytag blue cheese at the Buckhead Diner.