Lunch? Get thee to the west side
Eggplant caponata with burrata at Bocado
There’s no getting around the fact that Atlanta’s not a great lunch town. Sure, there are plenty of places to grab a sandwich or burrito, or if you’re so inclined, Buford Highway offers a wealth of international options.
But what about having lunch prepared by a well known local chef? What about a lunch worth extending the lunch hour for, or one that’s worth going over budget for a mini-splurge?
It seems like all the best options these days are on the west side. Miller Union serves one of the best lunches in town thanks to the thoughtful menu, the lively scene and those great ice cream sandwiches that are lunch only on the menu. Bocado is my go to for an original sandwich, a small plate or a great bowl of soup. There’s also JCT Kitchen & Bar, which is always energizing, and Star Provisions.
I wish more of the city’s top restaurants served lunch. Are there any that I’m missing?
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178 comments Add your comment
sportschick317
October 3rd, 2010
4:43 pm
Umezono – Windy Hill@41.
Also Douceur de France bakery and cafe – Great soups, salads, sandwiches and other French fare. Owners are from France. You can smell the butter in the air!!!
junieA
October 3rd, 2010
4:57 pm
John – you asked for Dunwoody, N. Fulton area. N. Fulton – I go to Marlow’s Tavern, Le Mekong, and Grace 17.20 for lunch. Relish in Roswell. The Patio and Not Enough Thyme are popular with the tennis crowds. Mittie’s and Wildflour are also good.
sally sue
October 3rd, 2010
5:05 pm
Home Grown ga on Memorial….just good honest food for the $
Gordon
October 3rd, 2010
5:16 pm
Matthews in Tucker. They have pork chops on Thursday that will make your mama sneek home and put on your plate and tell you with a straight face that she cooked them. They also have some of the best fried chicken in the whole country.
I Require Clean and not Sharing with 6 Legged patrons
October 3rd, 2010
5:22 pm
No Matthews for me. Went once years ago and watched roaches crawling around the glass of the food displays. Never went back and decided to not say anything to all my co-workers because we had a very short lunchtime and I thought what they don’t know won’t hurt them. Well, one big mouth had to tell everyone when we got back to the office, so I was the one ostracized. Stupid me. I ate the lunch but wasn’t over joyed with it. Maybe they should look at where the food is being served from.
Gordon
October 3rd, 2010
5:23 pm
Iknowanidiot, if you are afraid of the competition from locations OTP just say so. The AJC covers the area of metro Atlanta and I am sure John Kessler includes them with his comment’s of ATLANTA. Now just TRY to act like a grown up and stop your pouting.
I Require Clean and not Sharing with 6 Legged patrons
October 3rd, 2010
5:31 pm
Dear mr Kessler, Do you know who operated a wonderful little lunch, sandwich shop in the rear of a bottle shop on the lower level of Lenox Square on the east side. It was before that part was enclosed as it opened to the parking area close to The Storehouse. It was around 1970 and I would love to know the ingredients of the spread they used on their roast beef sandwiches. It was an herbal spread of some sort. It was a great place. Standing room only and I don’t remember any tables. Just order, pick up and go.
Angela
October 3rd, 2010
5:38 pm
I’m usually in Kennesaw at lunch so my preferred lunch spot is Papi’s Grill (Cuban). I also really like Mellow Mushroom and (if I’m in Midtown) Jason’s Deli.
Sandy O.
October 3rd, 2010
5:39 pm
Uncle Julio’s has great fish tacos and they have a convenient Dunwoody location off Hammond Drive.
wengs
October 3rd, 2010
5:48 pm
Come ‘n’ get it in Marietta!!! Formally known as Fat Boy’s!!!!! Still the best chicken fingers!!!!!!!!!!!
SophyB
October 3rd, 2010
6:43 pm
Will you people stop griping about restaurants OTP being mentioned?? John specifically asked for NFulton/Dunwoody places – try reading the posts.
Roswell – Rice Thai (love that red curry) & Fickle Pickle (might be too ladyish for you, John)
I still miss Hofer’s Bakery in Sandy Springs. They had the BEST sandwiches when I used to work near there in the late ’80’s. YUM!!
jbooyze
October 3rd, 2010
6:47 pm
Flat rock ..best in town
Jimmy
October 3rd, 2010
6:51 pm
Auburn Avenue Market. AfroDish. I’m hooked on their Oxtail soup and fried plantains.
Mel in Midtown
October 3rd, 2010
7:04 pm
Come on! If you are in the “biz” or a restaurant owner /manager, have the respect to not use this blog to tout your own establishment under the guise of a customer. It’s obvious to the rest of us. You know who you are!
J L Perry
October 3rd, 2010
7:31 pm
If you want some GREAT ribs, try Mustard Seed, check out the reviews on the internet. It is small, but the Ribs are outstanding, and they are open for lunch Wednesday to Saturday at 11 AM.
big rojo
October 3rd, 2010
7:37 pm
QT has the best international selection for lunch!
Vince
October 3rd, 2010
7:39 pm
JCT Kitchen & Bar’s “Angry Mussels” are unbelieveable!
e-tard
October 3rd, 2010
7:51 pm
Reubens on Broad St.
CT
October 3rd, 2010
7:55 pm
Three Blind Mice
Bob Cox
October 3rd, 2010
8:03 pm
I agree, Mary Mac’s is terrible. Worst experience I have ever had based on the expectation.
Brenda
October 3rd, 2010
8:17 pm
Cleveland Style Deli isn’t a top Atlanta Restaurant however they do offer the best lunch sandwiches downtown Atlanta. The Cleveland Style Corned Beef or Rueben Sandwich is great, the Gourmet Turkey Burgers are the delicious. And they they top offer pork, chicken or fish with Cole Slaw & BarBQ Sauce. Don’t forget to grab a “Betta Than Sex Cup Cake” for dessert. I forgot to mention the Turkey Chili. Yummy.
Eric
October 3rd, 2010
8:28 pm
I’ve been to Cleveland Style Deli. Its new to downtown and if you are from up north and miss Corned Beef Sandwiches you have to go there. Its in the Auburn Ave district. Great choice
Food Lover
October 3rd, 2010
8:31 pm
Best Lunch Dunwoody/Sandy Springs
World Peace Cafe-Best vegetarian
East 48th Street-Best Italian NY style deli served with love
Wright’s Gourmet-Best overall sandwich and salads
Circle Sushi-Best Sushi
Goldberg Bagel Company best Kreplach true cure for the common cold or flu
kim
October 3rd, 2010
8:36 pm
Hottie Hawgs BBQ in Riverside on Main Street– Great lunch spot
JacketFan
October 3rd, 2010
9:05 pm
Son’s Soul Food
EATS
Papi’s
And those are just the ones near me …
Food Lover
October 5th, 2010
11:36 am
Forgot Com for Vietnamese
Katie K
October 5th, 2010
8:10 pm
Another Westside gem – Hankook Taqueria!
Mike M
October 6th, 2010
12:41 pm
Mirage Persian in Sandy Springs is a great place for lunch. Great fresh kebab and rice entrees all served with cup of hot lentil soup. Their kebeb wraps are a great value, all below $9 and again with a cup of soup. I specially like the lamb and chicken kebab wraps.