Atlanta Eats

Two weeks ago I went to Atlanta to work at a Christian music festival, Atlantafest, to promote Messiah.  I was fortunate to go with a colleague that enjoys food as much as I do, and we were both fortunate that our festival didn't begin each day until 3 p.m. which gave us plenty of time to try out some of Atlanta's best foodie hot-spots.  My first, and probably favorite, was Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' Chicken and Waffles.  I learned of this place from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network and it lived up to its expectation.  

We walked up to the hoppin' restaurant right at lunchtime and had to wait - always a good sign.  Each of us scoured the menu and decided on the "Uncle Ron's": three pieces of dark southern fried chicken.  As we ordered, we vowed we'd never eat it all.  I got mac and cheese and squash casserole for my side.  The chicken came out and it was moist, crunchy and delicious!!!!  Yes, we both ate all three pieces of chicken (six large pieces were consumed at our table that afternoon).  Although the chicken was the highlight, the second best item on my plate wasn't the mac and cheese (or squash), but the creamy, sweet-yet-savory corn muffin that came with my meal.  The deliciousness of this corn muffin rivals any cornbread muffin I've ever had.

My second favorite spot that we visited on our Atlanta epicurean voyage/music festival jaunt was Sublime Doughnuts.  We decided to become mass transit junkies and take the MARTA all over, including the stop at Georgia Tech's campus.  Thinking a one mile walk isn't that far (right?) we got off at midtown station and began our trek towards Sublime.  Well, a single mile really isn't that far in a typical situation, but in 95 degree, direct sun, muggy Georgia heat, it's not that easy.  All that kept us going was the thought of a doughnut (and there was no guilt involved with the idea of eating a doughnut since we were walking so far!).  We reached the dingy strip mall that houses Sublime and pure joy set in - finally, air conditioning!!!

We went in and the owner described each of the luscious-looking doughnuts for us.  I opted for a Strawberries and Cream while my counterpart chose a Chocolate Wild Berry Fritter.  It was a fantastic doughnut, and although we were sweaty and felt awful, it was a delight to sit on a stool facing a window, look out into the steamy sunshine and delight in my freshly made treat.  

Knowing that I'll be back in Atlanta again this fall is all the better now that I have a few places that I'll journey back to each time I'm there.  Next time I'll be sure to bring a box of doughnuts home for Kevin and Eli, too.