Atlanta's Best Cheap Eats 2008

Midtown slacker favorite specializes in inexpensive, flavorful meals.

Reviews:

• “Best J*rk Chicken anywhere”
• “cheap gourmet pasta and home cooking”
• “great chicken! love eats!”
• “there’s a place in my heart for Eats”
• “Decent Food – Cash Only”

Eats or email Eats

North Avenue landmark serves up throwback fast food and neon-drenched, old-Atlanta nostalgia.

Reviews:

• “Best Historical Landmark for Good Eats”
• “Gross”
• “WHAT CAN YOU SAY……”
• “Yummy…in the tummy”
• “All American Drive-In———Great For The Kids "

Tips: Study the menu before getting in line—the Varsity has its own menu shorthand. A “naked dog” is a Varsity signature hot dog without chili; a “bag of rags” is a bag of potato chips and an “FO” is an orange-flavored, slushy milk shake.

The Varsity

Authentic Cuban restaurant serving up salads, sandwiches and wraps in a casual, family-friendly setting.

Reviews:

• “My Favorite Restaurant”
• “OK Food, BAAAAAD customer service”
• “Ask for Fernando!”
• “Yummy Cuban food; Great value”
• “Very good food and good prices…. for casual, fast dining”

Tips: Cuban milkshakes with guanabana, mango and papaya juices are the perfect accompaniment to meals.

Papi’s

Low-key intown pizzeria features thin-crust pies, quality ingredients and top patio real estate.

Reviews:

• “I Love this place!!!!!”
• “Best Pizza in the South”
• “Service with a sneer, cheap beer, decently -priced pizza with a flavor above all said”
• “Good pizza outside of Chicago or NY”
• “Yum!”

Tips: Check the signs before pulling into the parking lot behind Fellini’s. Not all spaces are designated for restaurant patrons.

Fellini’s Pizza

Loud blues and pit-smoked barbecue make this a favorite neighborhood locale.

Reviews:

• “Best Ribs, Stingy side orders”
• “Good Food, Crappy Music”
• “KC rib review”
• “Best ribs in town”
• “Great beer selection!”

Tips: Take advantage of the 15 draft beer selection with $5 domestic and $8 premium pitchers on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Maddy’s Rib & Blues Joint

Fast-food nostalgia has a Chubby Decker and some tater tots.

Reviews:

• “Best Fast Food for a Turkey Burger!”
• “A Must Try”
• “Only one in Atlanta”
• “Forget the Big Chains”
• “Old School”

Tips: Milkshakes come in all varieties from basic vanilla to chocolate banana. The arctic swirls are also a big hit; go for the Heck of a Job Brownie variety.

Zesto Drive-In

Atlanta’s immensely popular taqueria cuts a futuristic figure in downtown Decatur.

Reviews:

• “Cheap and Good”
• “Staff’s rude behavior towards customers is uncalled for !”
• “Possible Problem in Peppers”
• “quick and in a hurry”
• “Best fish tacos ever!”

Tips: If the line’s streaming out the door, see if you can snag a seat at the bar.

Taqueria Del Sol

Midtown pizza joint dishes up pies to those in need of a fast fix.

Reviews:

• “A full belly = a happy mouth!”
• “How do you improve on a classic? Ask Nancy!!! "
• “OMG! Absoutly the BEST pizza I have ever eaten!!!!!!!!!!!”
• “best pizza in town, and the best bartender”
• “AMAZING”

Tips: Valet parking is free.

Chicago’s Nancy’s Pizza or email Chicago’s Nancy’s Pizza

Hungry patrons are unleashed to do their worst at Atlanta’s first do-it-yourself stir-fry joint.

Reviews:

• “Hip, Unique, Fun place to go, and great food!”
• “Crowded, loud, and expensive”
• “OMG”
• “Great Food for the price. Youll leave very full.”
• “Great Price and PLENTY of food!”

Tips: Not to worry—if your first attempt at a culinary masterpiece falls flat, you can go back for a second try. And a third. It’s all-you-can-eat.

The Real Chow Baby or email The Real Chow Baby

Gussied-up Harlem-concept eatery serves up its namesake grub into the wee hours.

Reviews:

• “Stonecrest”
• “Soul Food Joint”
• “Best Soul Food & Waffles”
• “Worth the Wait!”
• “midnight marta to gladys”

Tips: Hats, T-shirts, aprons and coffee mugs are available for sale so you can take a piece of this place home.

Gladys Knight and Ron Winans Chicken & Waffles