You hear your stomach growl and feel the hunger pains. However, when you look in your wallet you find that your funds are limited. Not to worry, even in Atlanta there are economical restaurant choices. Variety is plentiful, from barbecue to catfish or sushi to tacos. Portions are generous. So never fear, you won't go hungry.
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-12am / Sat 11:30am-2am / Sun 12:30pm-12a
Fellini’s is at the heart of the Atlanta pizza debate. With its oversized New York style slices, legendary salad, and quirky staff, this local icon is a fast favorite of all who are night owls or broke. There is nothing elegant, pretentious, or even polite about any of the locations, most of which seem to be garage-turned-restaurants. However, repeat customers are treated with a smile, kids are welcome to watch the pizza-tossing, and service is prompt and efficient. Whole pizzas tend to taste a bit fresher, but slices are the perfect choice for a fast and cheap lunch or post-barhopping binge.
Estimated Cost $4-10 pp
PIG N CHIK 4920 Roswell Road, Fountain Oaks Shopping Center, 404-255-6368 5071 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., 770-451-1112
Skeptics may shy away from eating BBQ in a strip mall. The guys at the Pig N Chik have set out to prove them wrong. From pork to chicken to beef, all meat options are moist and smoky, with the sauce on the side for you to add. Portions of sides and entrees alike are generous. For the strong of gut, the “Redneck Nachos” are a standout menu item; a pile of crinkle-cut fries are covered in pulled pork, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce. They are a decadent (and affordable) heart attack in a basket.
Estimated Cost $6-12 pp
EATS 600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, (404) 888-9149
Hours: Daily 11am-10pm
A favorite amongst the college students of Atlanta, Eats offers two lines: pasta and “chicken.” In recent years, the chicken line has added a turkey meatloaf to its menu, but the (mis)nomer sticks. The somewhat new addition of a turkey lasagna plate ($6 for a portion as big as your head plus salad and garlic bread) has regulars aflutter. Others prefer to stick to the standards of jerk chicken/black beans/rice plus cornbread or pasta with housemade pesto. The new acceptance of credit and debit cards makes Eats a possible destination even for those who refuse to carry cash.
Estimated Cost $5-10 pp
ZYKA: THE TASTE 1677 Scott Blvd., Decatur, GA 30033 • Tel: 404-728-4444 • Fax: 404-636-5551
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday: 12:00 PM to 10:15 PM, Friday - Saturday: 12:00 PM to 10:45 PM, Sunday: 12:00 PM to 10:15 PM, Closed on Mondays
You might think that authentic Indian food cannot possibly come from a restaurant that shares a building with a Montessori school. Nor served on Styrofoam plates. Decatur’s Zyka is therefore a mystery. Their daily menu is supplemented by special dishes that are updated frequently. They are known for their “Chicken 65,” which is marinated and dry-fried, served with tamarind and cilantro sauces and jalapeno rings. With a wide offering of vegetarian dishes, traditional flatbreads, chicken, lamb, and condiments, Zyka’s menu lends itself to a family-style dinner of sharing with friends or family.
Estimated Cost $6-12 pp
MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 985 Monroe Street. Atlanta, GA, 404-917-1100
The friendly owner-manager of the Mediterranean Grill always pushes a sample of the red lentil soup on you as you wait in line and try to suss out your meal choices. It’s hard to pass up the “Business Lunch” special, which at only $5.95, includes 3 types of grilled meat, rice, salad, pita bread, and a beverage. Sandwiches, soups, small plates, and entrees round out the menu. The shish kabob plate and sandwich are both exceptional. All sandwiches can be worked into any number of combos, including or not including a drink, salad, potatoes, etc.
FIGO PASTA / OSTERIA DEL FIGO Multiple locations 1170 B Collier Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318, 404.351.9667
Hours: M-F 11:30-9:30, Sat 4:30-9:30, Sun 4:00-9:30
1210 Howell Mill Rd. Atlanta, GA 30318 404.351.3700
Hours:M-TH 11:30-2:30/5:30-10:00, FRI 11:30-2:30/5:30-10:30, Sat 12:00-10:30, Sun Closed
Doing the math, it is actually impossible to spend more than $10 on a pasta-sauce combo at Figo Pasta. With the myriad choices of long, short, and stuffed pastas plus a long list of homemade sauces, you could keep trying new combinations for months. Maybe even years. Knowing that this level of decision making is daunting, owners Mirko and Sandro have suggested some favorite pairings on the menu. They also have weekly specials that reflect the season and the chef’s inspiration. Never pass up the calamari if it’s available; it may be the lightest crispiest version in town.
OK CAFE 1284 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30327 (404) 233-2888 Hours: (Mon - Thur) 6 am - 12 am, (Fri) 6 am - 3 am, (Sat) 7 am - 3 am, (Sun) 7 am - 12 am The 50's are long gone, but the feel and taste of a true diner can still be found here. The look is complete from the décor to the waitresses' uniforms. Whether you get a late night craving for breakfast or a lunchtime need for a burger and fries, you can be satisfied at the OK Café. They also offer all the old standbys including homemade potato chips, onion straws, malts and a bottomless cup of joe. So whether it's a bit of nostalgia you're after or just good old American food, slip into a red vinyl booth and grab a menu.
Estimated cost per person: Under $10
SOTO JAPANESE RESTAURANT 3330 Piedmont Road N.E., Buckhead, GA 30305 (404) 233-2005 Hours: (Mon - Thur) 6 pm - 11:30 pm, (Fri - Sat) 6 pm - 12 am For excellent sushi prepared by award-winning chef Sotohiro Kosugi plan to stop here. The menu changes nightly so there are continual surprises and great variety. A few highlighted items include tuna tartar, seared garlic-pepper tuna belly and an orange cup with mango and scallops. To get food prepared by a master, choices galore and spend under $20 is a combination that seems just right.
Estimated cost per person: $10 - $20
TAQUERIA DEL SOL 1200-B Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 352-5811 Hours: Lunch: (Mon - Fri) 11 am - 2 pm, (Sat) 12 pm - 3 pm; Dinner: (Tue - Thur) 5:30 pm - 9 pm, (Fri - Sat) 5:30 pm - 10 pm The tacos are cheap, served fast and range from meat to fish, but that isn't the best part. They are also delicious. Unique flavors abound with jalapeno cole slaw, spicy turnip greens and poblano soup. Hot chips are accompanied by excellent salsas, guacamole or cheese dip. And if you're in the mood for a margarita, these are the best. So whether you're looking for a quick, inexpensive meal or a place to chat and sip a margarita, Taqueria Del Sol fits the bill.
Estimated cost per person: Under $10
DOC CHEY'S NOODLE HOUSE 1556 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307 (404) 378-8188 Hours: (Mon - Sat) 11:30 am - 3 pm Even though this restaurant only serves lunch, the menu provides a range of noodle dishes with Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese flavors. Highlights include Thai Coconut-Chicken Soup, Chinese Chicken in Black Bean Sauce, Japanese Miso Ramen Soup and Vietnamese Pho. Near Emory University this inexpensive restaurant with its abundant entrees, such as the Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowl, will be as popular with you as with the college students.
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Atlanta, GA