Freds Meat and Bread - Krog Street Market - Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of Fred's Mean & Bread in what I think of as the food court of Krog Street Market at 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307- along the back-side across from the restrooms near  where the line to Hop City forms. Parking is a bit sporadic for Krog Street Market - meaning that the spaces get filled up quickly and there's usually some attendant out there collecting money (not sure if that's legit or not). I generally park on one of the side streets and walk a couple of blocks.

If you haven't been to Krog Street Market (which was formerly some music studio) - it's basically an open-air building that's been divided along the sides, ends and down the middle with various stores, food stands and restaurants. I don't think there's a food court per se, rather there are a few tables and standing counters in an open area in front of Hop City where you can eat your food and have a great craft draft. On this evening we hit a few of the food stands including my favorite Gu's Dumplings - we also got a few burger-and-fries from Fred's. 

The menu at Fred's is very simple, and you know how I like simple:

* Bacon Cheeseburger
* Burger Stack
* Veggie Burger
* Meatball Parm
* Korean Fried Chickn Sandwich
* Cheesesteak Sandwich
* 'Shroom Shire Cheesesteak
* Pimento Cheese Club
* Crispy Smoked Catfish Po-Boy
* Italian Grinder
* Cauliflower & Eggplant Banh Mi
* Roasted Turkey
* Various sides including Hand-cut fries, garlic fries, pommes frites (not sure how these are different other than the aioli), bbq fries and old bay fries

On this occasion we ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger and it was quite good - juicy, cheesy, bacony. The Roasted Turkey Sandwich that someone ordered was okay but nothing special (guy was on a "healthy food kick"). The fries were excellent. The other thing to buy from Fred's is the cheesesteak sandwich - it's quite good but we refrained on this occasion. The hand-cut fries everyone raves about - they're good but a bit greasy. I've been meaning to come back and try everything else but I usually end up at Gu's - now that Gu is opening a new restaurant back on Buford Hwy I'll have a better excuse to try the other sandwiches.

Service has always been pretty good - it is an order-at-the-counter type place though so my expectations are fairly low. The line to order can get quite long - which for me sucks and will keep me from getting in it - be smart and have one person order the food while others are picking up the beers from Hop City (and have a third grab some table or counter space).

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Chinese Dhaba - Global Mall Food Court on Jimmy Carter

You can find Chinese Dhaba at 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 in the food court at Global Mall on the West side of Jimmy Carter from I85. This spot has several interesting Indian restaurants including the much visited Ashiana on the ground floor. Chinese Dhaba shares the food court with several other restaurants like Sri Krishna Vilas.

I've you've never had Indian style Chinese food you're in for a treat. The food in general is very spicy with quite a bit of heat - I used to visit Hot Wok on Tilly Mill back in the day and the food here is similar, only you order at a window instead of from a menu seated. Indian Chinese food tends to be served two different ways, with or without gravy. I prefer the "dry" or no gravy style as I think the flavors are better but the choice is yours - note that the "wet" style tends to be runnier than you would typically find in Chinese restaurants that aren't Indian style.

Chinese Dhaba is a no frills operation with a limited menu including some of my favorites. There are also photos conveniently arranged on the wall so you can get an idea of what you're buying. This was my first time trying the food so I went with something spicy - the Chicken Chili (dry). It came with a plate of white rice and a pile of wok-fried, lightly breaded chicken covered on peppers and green onions. They'll also provide a side of chili-sauce that's quite good - I piled it all on and was finished in less than 10 minutes. The flavors were spot-on and delicious - also the spice level here is a bit higher than your typical American palate. At $7.50 the Chicken Chili (dry) is delicious and a spicy bargain - if you're a fan of spicy food I think you'll love this dish.

I don't normally recommend food-court restaurants but both Chinese Dhaba and Sri Krishna Vilas are worth trying.  Ashiana downstairs is also OK for a quick bite - the buffet is rather limited but you can get in-and-out very quickly, plus the people running it are very kind. The service at Chinese Dhaba seemed a bit lackadaisical to me but I can see how working in a mall would do that to you, especially when dealing with dumb Americans who aren't familiar with the menu.

Next time I visit I'm going for the Chicken 65 and perhaps another round of the Chicken Chili.


-- John

(also posted to Yelp)

Sarku Japan - Perimeter Mall Food Court - Dunwoody GA

Sarku Japan is located at 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta GA 30345 in the food court of Perimeter Mall. To be expected, this is mall food, but perhaps above average and atypical. There are several locations in the various malls around town and for what is really fast food, Sarku does a great job.

I hate to admit it, but I used to eat at Sarku fairly frequently - sometimes weekly, as the previous location of my office was across the street from the mall and it's just too easy and convenient to walk there for a quick lunch, the mall also provides enough variety that just about any picky eater in the group can find something. Sarku is the Japanese teppanyaki-style, fast-food restaurant in the Perimeter Mall food court. The staff at Sarku are very friendly - they will try to upsell you the double-meat option or an egg-roll but for me the basics are the best options. 

I always go with the chicken teriyaki but opt for all veggies (mostly cabbage with the usual effect) instead of rice, asking for a cup of water instead of soda. It's a nice, quick and inexpensive low glycemic meal. If I'm really hungry I get the double meat option for an extra $1.49, otherwise the $6.95 chicken is fairly filling and super cheap. Don't be lulled into the "extra sauce" at the end - it doesn't add much to the flavor and has a lot of wasted calories. Use the hot sauce (bottles at the end) instead if you want to "flavor up"... also, if you want chopsticks they're hidden behind the "extra meat" sign next to the cash register. While there grab a Sarku card - 5 punches and your next lunch ($6.95 value) is free.

Seating at the mall can be tricky - during prime lunch hours it's often easier to walk to the other end of the mall in front of Nordstrom's - there are tables there that can seat up to 4 people. Otherwise it might be easier to pack-and-go. For dessert, hit the Chic-fil-a on the other side for a handspun milkshake (if the line isn't too extensive) - speaking of lines, I see complaints about the line at Sarku - it is long but in general moves quickly. The other option is a dipped cone at the DQ next to Chic-fil-a.

(also posted to Yelp)

-- John