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)
 

Roy's Cheesesteaks - Smyrna Georgia

You can fine Roy's Cheesesteaks at 2900 Highlands Pkwy SE, Ste 1, Smyrna, GA 30082 at the end of a small shopping center. Parking is in the lot out front and there appears to be plenty - getting into and out of the lot is a bit awkward but manageable. The location is off South Cobb Drive and Highland Parkway.

I attended one of Lindy F's most excellent Sandwich UYEs, something I'd intended to participate in but have had a hard time due to my weird scheduling. This one coincided with a few other events - I think I went to three separate things on this same day with this being my second. Roy's is a cute, privately owned establishment that specializes in Cheesesteaks, as you would imagine by the name. It's basically fast-casual before that label became vogue, where you order at the counter and they call you up as the food is ready. I think there were about 10 or so of us so there was quite an assortment - I arrived a bit late so most had already started eating.

I went for a foot-long Philly with bacon and jalapenos - this was quite good with just the right amount of everything. The sandwich includes some Zapp's chips so I selected the New Orleans Kettle Style Voodoo - hey if you're going to do heat you may as well go for the gusto! I thought the Philly one of the best I've had in Atlanta with the right toasted hoagie, plenty of filling and cheesiness. Quite good.

Service here was excellent with very attentive people behind the counter. In all a great experience and it was awesome to get together with Lindy and her group of sandwich freaks - heh.

-- John
(also posted to Yelp)

Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs - Buford Highway - Doraville Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of Baldino's Giant Jersey Subs at 5697 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30340, just about across the street from the Buford Highway Farmers Market. This is a free standing building with limited parking so best to come as a group (you can thank me later).

I don't write about sub-shops much as I'm really not a big sandwich fan, with the exception of burgers and Reubens. Usually if I'm out with friends and they want to get the classic sub, we head to Subway - it's easy, predictable and they usually have some deal on a 6" sub. Occasionally we'll hit Firehouse or Wich Wich if there's one nearby but honestly I've had maybe 2 subs in the last year or so - it's just not something that comes to mind when I'm thinking lunch.

I had heard about this location of Baldino's for some time via neighbors and friends and happened to be in the area on my own so I decided to drop in. This was one afternoon after running some errands, so the line only had about 6 people in it and the restaurant was only half-full. You come up to the counter where you see the options on the boards up-high. There's also a daily special for $3.79 - what? Can they really be that cheap? Turns out that Baldino's is not only awesomely delicious, but also super cheap! You can get out of this place super cheap, I think I spent around $7!

The menu features all the regular cold-cut combinations you will find elsewhere plus a few items unique to this chain like the Italian Battalion with extra pressed ham, boiled ham, hard salami, cappacola, peppercini and provolone cheese; and the American Army with extra turkey, boiled ham, roast beef & provolone cheese. They also welcome the challenge of making those gigantic party subs - can't wait to order one of those for a party!  

Today I went with the current daily special, the #7 Baldino's Extra Special with thinly sliced layers of pressed and boiled ham, extra provolone, extra salami and cappacola on a wheat roll with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato and extra jalapenos, upgrading with chips and a soda. It took less than 10 minutes for the sandwich to be ready. The first thing you notice is how big this is for a 6" sub. The second, as you take that first bite is the quality of the bread - Baldino's bread puts Subway's bread to shame - this soft hoagie/Italian roll is both delicious and super soft. The third thing you notice is the layering of flavors, where each of the meats combine with the cheese and spreads - you get both the combination of flavors and each distinct flavor as you chew. I may have just converted to sandwiches!

I thought the people behind the counter very nice, if very business-like and straightforward in what they're doing - it's obvious they are very used to big lines and fact processing times. The restaurant was very clean and appeared to be full of local workers and business men - nary a hipster in the joint. I had a great experience, totally unexpected with great food. If you like subs you'll love this place. If you don't like subs you'll still love this place!

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Newks Eatery - Dunwoody Atlanta Geogia

You can find this location of Newk's Eatery at 1181 Hammond Drive, Suite 1000, GA 30346 in the Perimeter Expo shopping center anchored by Best Buy. This is the shopping center just south of Perimeter Mall adjacent to I285 - Newk's is located in about the center of the two buildings. There's plenty of free parking in this very busy shopping center and a MARTA station (Dunwoody Station) is conveniently located between it and the mall.

The interior of this location of Newk's features both internal and external seating via a small patio with three tables covered by read umbrellas - there's not much of a view from the patio as it faces the front and parking. The interior is larger than it appears at first glance with the line forming up to the right to a counter that wraps around the food assembly. Newk's is a fast casual restaurant so you order at the counter. After ordering you can watch your salad being made or just have a seat with your order number - on my first occasion eating there (shortly after the restaurant first opened its doors to the public) the food delivery was slow, however this has improved the second time with the same very hectic and busy lunch crowd.

The menu features Specialty Toasted Sandwiches, Fresh Tossed Salads, Artisan Pizzas, Pairings, Mac & Cheese, Little Newk's Favorites (kid's menu), Soups, Desserts and Beverages. I believe the restaurant is designed to compete with the likes of Panara Bread or the local Atlanta Bread Company. I have yet to try the pizzas, electing instead to have a turkey sandwich and side salad. Sid had a veggie sandwich and a side of beans. I thought my sandwich was good but nothing special - I don't believe Sid liked his selection at all.

If you don't feel like waiting for your food there's a section of ready-made sandwiches - however you will still need to wait in line to pay - too bad they don't have the payment kiosk where you can scan, pay and go. 

Newk's provides a table where you can get some free add-ons to your meal, including croutons, cheeses and pickles (I liberally applied the hot peppers). The restaurant is relatively clean but very busy during lunch so the tables aren't the tidiest - the staff seemed overwhelmed a bit but very friendly. To me this is more-of-the-same rather than anything special - a solid addition to an area that already has similar fare.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)

Gruby's New York Deli - Sandy Springs Georgia

You can find Gruby's New York Deli at 860 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 in Sandy Springs near Northside Hospital. There's also a Subway and Moe's in the same shopping center, but I'm not sure why you would eat at either with Gruby's nearby. Parking in the lot is quite busy, I believe mostly due to the UPS Store but luckily there's additional parking in the back.

Gruby's is the closest deli I've found in Atlanta to those famous delis in New York - you can sidle up to the counter and order cuts of meats, sandwiches to go and what you would think of ordering form a typical deli. What makes Gruby's special though are the sandwiches served when seating to dine. These are massive double-layer sandwiches you'll have a hard time finding South of New England.

There's a common line to order and be seated, when busy you may have to stand for a while but there's a mural of NYC overhead to keep you distracted. There are several classic photos of NYC on the walls to keep things interesting. The interior is not posh, however it is very functional and there's plenty of space with some overflow to covered tables outdoors. Once seated the service is very quick and very good. The menu has many options (some are more inclusive to breakfast which finishes before lunch - they do have some breakfast options that are offered all day). I always focus on the House Specialties page.

While I've visited Gruby's many times over the years, I finally spent a few minutes taking these images. I tend to order either the Bronx Bomber (which my friend Mike who grew up in Jersey assures me is the same as a sandwich they call a "Sloppy Joe" up there) is a particular favorite. The other sandwich I like quite a bit is the pastrami Reuben - you can get it just about any way you like it, with pastrami or corned beef. Today I opted for the Matzo Ball Soup as a start and I really should have ordered the half sandwich as I ended up taking half back to work. As a side I went with the slaw - while not the creamy slaw Southerners are used to I felt it more like what I've experienced in NYC - a bit wetter but still quite good and fresh. My dining companion went with an Egg sandwich.
 

The Bronx Bomber is quite good - a combination of Turkey, roast beef (I ordered it rare - something else I like about Gruby's, whether rare roast beef or beef tongue, you can order variations and they don't blink an eye) and pastrami (my preference over corn beef) with a touch of Russian dressing (the real stuff, not that crappy Thousand Island) and slaw. Simply delicious and one of my favorite sandwiches. It comes with a nice Kosher dill spear - I sometimes get the fries but they aren't my favorite (seem to come from a bag?),

The Matzo Ball Soup was very good but may be a bit off-putting to some - the broth has a distinctive garlic taste that some may not like (I love it though). The ball was humongous, light, fluffy and quite good (if you've never tried, it's difficult to get this this size without them being doughy).

Service is quite good but this place is quite busy - at times it can take a while to be served, especially when they're slammed. Still, the sandwiches are worth it.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)