Tempo Doeloe - Doraville - Atlanta Georgia

You can find Tempe Doeloe at 5090 Buford Hwy, Ste 110, Doraville, GA 30340 in the Intown Plaza shopping center. This plaza is also home to Spicy Ga Ga Duck and China Hot Pot (aka Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot). The parking for this plaza is pretty tight but I've been able to find a space near the front - might be a good idea to carpool just in case. 

This is an interesting restaurant featuring the cuisine of Indonesia presented in authentic flavors, ingredients and combinations. Most restaurants that are similar are more a fusion of Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, etc. The experience is fast casual where you order at the counter and get your dishes delivered as they are prepared - my sense is that this is a family run business and in conversations with the people here the effort is to bring more "at home" styles of cooking to Atlanta as a dining experience.

In general the dishes were very simply prepared - nothing fancy - but the flavors were really distinct, on the strong side, with multiple layers. There was more turmeric than I expected and the flavors are really earthy - they reminded me a bit of Ethiopian cuisine but that may have more to do with the stewed chopped greens - I could just see myself eating this with injera.

  On the night we attended (this was part of my regular weekly Buford Highway "Clawr" restaurant group) it was empty except for us - so we had the full attention of staff (a woman, maybe the chef/owner?) who was great at answering questions. We discussed the food for some time and enjoyed it immensely.




(also posted to Yelp)
 

The Halal Guys - Chamblee - Atlanta Georgia

You can find The Halal Guys at 4929 Buford Hwy NE, Chamblee, GA 30341 right at the northeastern quadrant of the intersection of Chamblee Tucker Rd and Buford Highway. The bright-yellow mansard-style roof is hard to miss - it was the former location of some Latino chicken-joint. Parking is towards the back and the northern side, and it basically sucks - they really need 30-50% more space - I usually drive past and park at the lot in front of the Family Dollar and walk back but sometimes get lucky. If I see a lot of cars I don't bother pulling in.

This is the first Atlanta location of the very famous New York food-stand The Halal Guys - I'm not sure if they've opened any other restaurants in the Atlanta area but I haven't heard of any. This is a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in beef and chicken served Mediterranean style - they also have some pretty decent falafels. The interior is very diner-ish with a line that extends to double doors and a very simple menu. You can either get a chicken or beef gyro sandwich (your basic pita wrap) or a Platter with Chicken, Beef, Combo or Falafel (the platter comes with rice and a pile of lettuce and tomatoes, with pita wedges). You can get extra protein ($2) extra falefal ($1) or extra sauce ($0.50) - all the entry prices are super cheap so you can get our of here easily for under $10. They also have a couple of side-options including hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel or fries ($1-3 depending on what it is) and a chunck of Baklava ($2.50) as their only dessert. I actually like this very simple menu - makes things easy and super fast for those queuing up to be served.

I've now eaten here about a half-dozen times. My preference is the combo platter with chicken and beef, the creamy white sauce and extra hot sauce. They will warn yo about how hot this stuff is but I find I can handle quite a bit - if you like heat don't pass it up - it's yummy. The portions here are huge - you will get filled up - as for the sides and the rest, nothing really spectacular and it's dead-on what you would expect from a New York street vendor. Honestly I think there's better food not too far distant (Mediterranean Grocery comes to mind with their delicious shawarma about a mile away). I do like the patio here at Halal Guys - nice place to watch the idiots driving by (of course in the heat it sucks but it's surprisingly pleasant during the cold months). The experience would be vastly improved with several pints of beer, but hey, you can't have everything.

The staff here are for the most part efficient and now that the crowds have died down a bit (fighting for parking and queuing up in long lines was a bitch), the experience isn't bad - you might actually find someplace to sit. My wife doesn't care for the place but I'll sometimes come by myself and indulge in the fiery hot sauce covering a combo platter - so worth it.

(also posted to Yelp)

Willy's Mexicana Grill - Druid Hills - Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of Willy's Mexicana Grill at 2566 Briarcliff Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329 - this is in the shopping center across from Loemann's Plaza at the Northwestern corner of the Briarcliff Rd and North Druid Hills Rd. There's parking out front but the negative is that the shopping center can be a bit tough to get into and out-of due to the proximity to the shopping center, etc. For instance, if you're approaching from I85 you need to head north on Briarcliff to enter the shopping center.

We were on our way to a concert at Lakewood Amphitheater and needed something to eat before the show so we just pulled off on North Druid Hills and looked out the window - I know, very scientific but it is "Old School" and you know I'm def in that category. We spotted this Willy's which I hadn't known about prior to the random search, so you see, sometimes things just work. As people that have known me for long know, I'm a big fan of the Willy's Burrito over just about any other chain. I think they do the best job with ingredients and portions and I just like the flavors. The only downside is that the various branches (my go-to is the one near the Concourse on Hammond, by the way) tend to loose a bit of food quality and consistency. Also I've eaten in a few where the service wasn't what I was used to - but I guess that happens.

This particular location is practically new, with all new equipment, industrialized furnishings, wood, ceramic and glass interiors and well-positioned menu boards. This is fast-casual from before it was called that, so you get in line and order at the counter. The guys behind the line assemble however you tell them to make your items. On this day I ordered a Willy's Salad with Adobe Chicken - my wife ordered a chicken burrito with black beans. My other favorites here are the nachos - these are some of the best in Atlanta and an amazing value - comes with choice of meat, sour cream, pico and guac salad.

I've since eaten at this location a few times and the service in general has been good, with enthusiastic people behind the register and taking your custom order. I like this Willy's but I wish the parking situation was better. After you get a burrito go next door to Sublime Doughnuts and enjoy an Orange Dreamstar doughnut (only one - more and you'll fall asleep in the car) - you can thank me later.

(also posted to Yelp)