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)
 

Roswell Provisions - Canton St - Roswell Atlanta Georgia

You can find Roswell Provisions at 955 Canton St, Roswell, GA 30075 - it's just to the right of Zest along the main Roswell town-center drag - look for the bicycle on the window and sign. Parking is along the streets (difficult) or in one of the several lots. I parked across the street at the Canton Street Antique market.

If you've been following along you'll know from my last post that while having dinner with some friends at Zest, we decided to try Roswell Provisions for coffee. Roswell Provisions is an independent market specializing in wines, fine cheeses, cured meats from the fabulous Patak in Austell, sea salt butter - you get the drift. They also have coffee and a display case full of desserts and baked goods. Conceptually modeled after Star Provisions at Bacchanalia, Roswell Provisions takes similar foods and places them in more of a small town setting.

 The interior of this fine establishment is a bit over-the-top and forced, but I think in a good way. At first view there's a lot going on with burgeoning French-Provencal decoration and object-de-art items at every view. I think the idea is to impart the feeling of European corner grocer, and yes they do that in spades. Everywhere you look is another item that blends well with the overall design concept - not my style (I tend towards a more modernist, streamlined look), but for the Roswell resident, and especially for the Roswell mother-of-two-point-five, I'm sure they feel quite at home. It provides a fantastic setting for the terrific grocery offerings.

This is a place that you have to walk around and explore - very nook and cranny holds something special and it's certainly worth your time to peruse. It's also very difficult to walk out of without holding a bag of goodies. On this night besides coffee we purchased a couple of baked sweets. We sat in one of the few tables towards the front of the store and enjoyed more conversation while nursing some very good coffee. We had a croissant stuffed with almond paste, a nutty pecan tart and of course my favorite, ice cream. All were good and a terrific end to a great evening. If you're in the area you must drop in - 'nough said!

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Alon's Bakery and Market - Across from Perimeter Mall - Dunwoody Georgia

You can find Alon's Bakery and Market at 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30346 in the Park Place shopping center across from the main Entrance of Perimeter Mall. Parking is in the lot out front if you're lucky or to the sides and back if you're not - this is quite a busy center with lots of traffic, it can be a bit difficult to navigate during prime hours but especially during closing hours.

I've known about and visited Alon's for many, many years as I worked at Indigo Coastal Grill back in the day, which was right across from the original, North Highland location. Alon's has always been my go-to place for delicious cakes and especially sheet cakes, most of those I've ordered for pick-up or delivery (they're good about catering and we've used them at our office location for several years). I've only visited the the Perimeter location for an occasional lunch.

This location has an awesome patio where you can sit, enjoy the Mall traffic and have a light snack or lunch. The interior is really mostly an amazing mix of market and prepared foods. You would think a bakery would be about all baked items, especially desserts, but this one offers so much more. I especially like the sandwich or salad options or a mix of the two. You'll also be able to observe some of the local fauna - I'm referring to the Dunwoody housewife - in all her ALTA glory. Quite funny actually - many of those visiting Alon's fit right into the stereotype and would fit right in at the local Whole foods.

Alon's also has a fantastic wood-fired oven and makes some good neapolitan-style  thin-crust pizzas and has a daily hot special. I've had less luck with these as the kitchen takes a really long time to get any hot food to you. In general if you stick with the sandwiches, soups, salads or prepared foods you'll do fine. With hot foods you had better have a lot of time for lunch or you will be late returning to the office.

For dessert, you'll like many of the cakes that Alon's features but my favorite is the Midnight Cake - try it and you'll see why.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)