Beside the Atlanta Food crew, I recently paid a visit to the Sandy Springs Gateway to mind the new kids on the block. The newcomers aren’t quite new because they’re established elsewhere, but recently opened their first Georgia locations in the Chastain Park area. The eateries have a few commonalities, location, Southern flagship, and traditional, local foods. Now, my thoughts were the outside footprint means little since in the Empire of the South, we know fresh and scratch-made when we taste it. We’ll be the judge of what’s Southern marked. These big and bold guys had some huge shoes to fill with claims of “the best” in town. According to my granny, those are fighting words, and I’d be a traitor to taste. Therefore, I visited to merely “inspect.” I wasn’t prepared for what my mouth experienced. Do the words, sweet, savory, goodness mean something to you?
Tupelo: Crispy Brussels, topped with fresh herbs, lemon and bacon.
Urban: Fresh Fruit & Chicken Salad
Urban: Lime-marinated Steak, Grilled Pineapple Ham, Chipotle Braised Pork
Urban: Broccoli Salad, Toasted White Bread, Hot Cheddar Pasta
Buttermilk: Summer Peach, Granny’s Apple, & I-40
Buttermilk: Granny’s Apple
Atlanta Food at Gateway
Tupelo Honey Cafe. Aesthetically pleasing Visible location Not too noisy Outdoor Patio I tasted the proclaimed “Best chicken in Atlanta”. I admit, it’s damn good, but the best? That’s debatable. It’s crunchy and tender but can use more seasoning. The gravy wasn’t a fantastic pair; it’s tasteless. Thankfully, my waitress placed the gravy on the side so I ate a small portion. Nonetheless, I devoured the chicken. By the way, I tasted the chicken breasts not the exclusive chicken served on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The small plates and sides were amazing! The tacos, fried green tomatoes, okra, corn souffle, and mac and cheese are one-of-kind. My final words are it should be treason to serve biscuits without butter. My table didn’t have a butter tray! It’s all good, I still enjoyed my meal.
Read Abby B.‘s review of Tupelo Honey Cafe on Yelp
Urban Cookhouse. I’m feeling the steelo of #eatlocalyall supporters. Urban Cookhouse sources food from local farms. The steak is marinated, 18 hours, then cooked on The Big Green Egg (by the way, this company too is local). Alongside is tender pork, shrimp, and turkey. I can taste the farm, fire, to table journey and it’s all worth the effort!
A video posted by TheChefInPearls (@thechefinpearls) on
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop. If the world could taste clouds, rainbows, and fairy dust, Buttermilk Sky Pies would considerably compare. The staff is in at dawn working magic. I adore these personal size pies, and my favorite is the buttermilk pie plus every cookie that’s offered.
Visit the recently developed ground and relish the homemade appetites. I’m truly a fan.
Disclosure: This experience was in conjunction with a press event but in no way impacts my opinion.
Special Thanks: Kristy, Kara, Bianca, & the location Managers at Tupelo, GM, Dwayne Sneed at Urban Cookhouse, and Ben & Kimmie at Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop!
Big shout out to the lovely Atlanta Foodie media crew: www.Technotini.com, www.datingwithpassports.com, www.thechefinpearls.com, www.payorwait.com. Join the media team and everyday enthusiast at meetup.com/Atlanta-Foodies-Meetup/.
Visit Atlanta and get around via Lyft! The most affordable way to explore!
I was born and raised in GA and my mom made the best fried chicken in the south. I’m sure all southerners can say the same. I’d love to visit Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop. Pie is my favorite dessert and I’m sure I can find lots of delicious sweet treats in that shop.
Alli, Buttermilk Sky Pie are located in a few states. You should check if it’s near you. And yes, every Southerner swears to have the best fried chicken 😉
I have been to Atlanta and the food there is so good, we are a bunch of foodie people. And love to try new and exciting things , Being a blogger gives you experiences you woud of never had.
Have you visited Atlanta lately? There are many food halls such as Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market. The restaurants are amazing. I’m glad we receive the new food spots at the Gateway!
Sounds like you got to try some tasty foods. That buttermilk pie sounds really good! I would love to try their other stuff too.
Buttermilk Sky Pie can ship pies. Find out here http://www.buttermilkskypie.com/order-online.
Atlanta is the absolute best for food in my opinion. I’ve been to Chicago, L.A., NYC – all the biggies. You can’t beat Atlanta nom noms.
I agree! Chicago has too much greasy food compared to Georgia. I’m not into the gourmet pizza and hot dogs. Atlanta has food for the soul!
Yum. I love southern food. I grew up on southern foods since my mother and grandmother were born and raised down in Tennessee. It’s all so delicious.
You’re lucky! More people across the country need your luck lol!
All the food looks delicious. I’ve never been to Atlanta myself, would love to be able to explore and try all the different foods. would love to visit someday!
If you visit, you’ll never leave 🙂
I have not done the Atlanta food scene but I am due up some culinary travel and you just made me want to go quicker
Come and food hop! We have a few food tours and I hear good things. You have to make multiple trips to get the full experience 😉
Loving all of that food. IT’s great to be able to experience new foods, thanks for sharing this!
No problem! You can see if the mentioned restaurants are near you. They are many locations.
I haven’t been to Atlanta except when I drove through it a few times. This event sounds like so much fun.
Please no more drive thrus, stop and experience our amazing places.
There’s nothing better than getting the chance to eat some good food made by the locals! It’s one way of getting to know the place. This is definitely worth a try!
I haven’t been in Atlanta but the food deserved a visit. I would love to go there too!
Yes, the restaurants above are centrally located. You won’t be disappointed!
That buttermilk pie sounds delicious, I’ve never heard of such a thing. The photos look great, you have me drooling!
You can order the pies online at the official website.
I’ve been to Atlanta for multiple events but I’ve rarely had time to explore it at all!
These sound like great places for some good food. I would have to try the Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop for this delicious looking treat. Yummy!! Thanks for sharing your opinions and the places.
These sound like great places to try out! I have a feeling my favorite would be the Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop. Sounds like heaven on a fork (or spoon)!
My family is from the south so I grew up eating amazing fried chicken. To this day I’m really particular about my soul food.