The Atlanta dining scene exploded after Guy Fieri discovered its noteworthy food. Now you can try southern food at its finest at these eateries featured on “DDD.”
When Guy Fieri debuted the show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” on Food Network in 2006, it was meant to be a one-off special. Almost 20 years later, it is still in production as one of the most popular food series on TV.
Fieri’s team does some serious research before scheduling city visits. They seek out restaurants that are doing something different, make their recipes from scratch, use family recipes, and generally keep it all low-key, hence the “Dives” portion of the title.
I imagine Fieri didn’t have too tough a time finding Atlanta restaurants to feature on “DDD.” The South is famous for its unassuming, down-home comfort food, and Atlanta, despite being a big city, is the hub for the best of it. Originally, 19 restaurants made the cut, and 14 are still in operation today, many expanding into new locations.
So let’s get to the good stuff, namely the 14 restaurants here in Atlanta worthy enough to pass muster with the king of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.”
Southern and soul food
The Colonnade
Located at: 1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE
Since 1927, Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant, The Colonnade, has been dishing out southern favorites like fried catfish and beef stroganoff, much to Fieri’s delight. Now coming up on its 100th anniversary, The Colonnade’s fried chicken and fried shrimp account for 50 percent of its sales.
The Silver Skillet
Located at: 200 14th St. NW
The Silver Screen found The Silver Skillet years ago. You might recognize its classic stools at the diner counter or its green-and-brown booths from a host of movies, including “Trouble with the Curve” and “Remember the Titans.” Since 1956, The Silver Skillet has been packed to the gills with happy customers, and its Lemon Ice-Box Pie was named one of the 5 Best Pies in the USA by “Life Magazine.”
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
Located at: 1133 Huff Rd. NW #D
It’s unlikely Fieri was looking to fall in love with a salad, but he did just that at Twisted Soul, helmed by Chef Deborah VanTrece. The Michelin-recognized restaurant, which focuses on variations on soul food like red beans and rice arancini, captured Fieri’s heart with the Southern Seafood Louie Salad.
Buttermilk Kitchen
Located at: 4225 Roswell Rd.
A veteran of TV fame, Chef Suzanne Vizethann is a former “Chopped” champion and owner of Buttermilk Kitchen, home of the all-day chicken and waffles and cinnamon rolls big enough to share. Fieri’s favorite? Sweet tea-brined chicken that is double-dredged for extra crunch, fried, then served on a buttery biscuit smothered in red pepper jam.
Folk Art
Located at: 3 locations in Inman Park, Hapeville, and Decatur
This 100-year-old grocery store-turned restaurant kept growing into three locations, in part due to the fame it gained from making the Fieri list. But Folk Art has continued to evolve past the meatball burger, adding an Impossible Burger, a veggie sandwich, and a shrimp po’ boy to its lunch menu.
LowCountry Steak
Located at: 1010 W. Peachtree St. NW
Owned by Chef and TV Host of “Turn Up the Heat” G. Garvin, LowCountry Steak sure does serve steak with all the fixins’, but Fieri was blown away by the side of lobster mac & cheese and the richness of the donut bread pudding. There’s lots to love here, including pan-seared trout and seafood pasta.
All things BBQ
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Located at: 1238 DeKalb Ave. NE
If it’s good enough for the Atlanta Falcons, and it’s good enough for “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” it’s definitely good enough for you. Fox Bros Bar-B-Q is Texas-meets-Atlanta, with brisket, pulled pork, and wings. It’s the official food of the Falcons (and the Texans are still jealous).
Noteworthy deli sandwiches
The General Muir
Located at: Emory Point, 1540 Avenue Pl.
A hybrid of a Jewish deli and a southern comfort establishment, The General Muir features pastrami cured and smoked in-house and hand-rolled bagels cooked in a kettle. It’s Michelin and James Beard-recognized, a feat for a humble deli, so make it your next lunch stop.
Gastropub delights
Wrecking Bar Brewpub
Located at: 292 Moreland Ave. NE
For brews crafted onsite and meats that are cured and smoked in-house, check out Wrecking Bar Brewpub in Little Five Points. Fieri raved about the house-cured pastrami kimchi melt, but the pork schnitzel is the perfect complement to the craft ales.
Authentic Mexican food
Rreal Tacos
Located at: 12 locations across Atlanta
After Fieri visited Rreal Tacos in 2019 and praised the mole chicken tacos served on homemade tortillas, the restaurant grew from a single building in Midtown to 12 locations across Atlanta. Customers praise the restaurant’s authentic approach to Mexican food.
Hankook Taqueria
Located at: 1341 Collier Rd. NW
Chef-Owner of Hankook Taqueria, Tomas Lee, is known around Atlanta for his Korean-Mexican fusion. Fieri took particular note of his bulgogi kimchi fries, but Lee’s nachos and quesadillas consistently draw attention from his happy customers.
Yumbii
Located at: 3 locations in Moores Mill, Toco Hills, and Midtown
The Southeast’s first food truck, Yumbii, serves up its famous sesame fries (winner of Best Fries in Atlanta) and Yumbii-style wings alongside Nashville hot chicken and panko fish. Fieri loved the Korean barbecue tacos, describing the blend of ingredients as “a flavor bomb.”
El Tesoro
Located at: 2 locations in Edgewood and West End
Fieri thought El Tesoro earned its name, which translates to The Treasure. That’s because ingredients are fresh, and Mexican staples like barbacoa and dishes like carnitas stay true to tradition. El Tesoro also has a huge outdoor space and a relaxing vibe that customers appreciate.
Fried chicken choice
How Crispy Express
Located at: 71 Georgia Ave. SE
If you want a quick bite that you won’t soon forget, seek out the place Fieri featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” for its oh-so-tender chicken. How Crispy does chicken and only chicken, deep fried and served with a variety of flavor choices like Hunny Boi and Crunchy Boi. It’s proof that doing one thing well can draw the attention of a national TV show…as long as it’s mouthwatering good.
If you appreciate a great meal that doesn’t put on airs but hits a homerun with your taste buds, head to the Atlanta restaurants made famous by “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.” Guy Fieri has done the work for you. Now all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
