Courtesy of Southern Living Magazine
ATLANTA -- How do you think Atlanta's restaurant scene compares to other cities? Southern Living Magazine thinks it's top tier and has placed Atlanta on its top-ten list of the tastiest towns in the South.
The article cites, "Global flavors on Buford Highway (Vietnamese, Korean), a wave of new hotspots, and a passionate farmer's market scene (selling everything from seasonal pizzas to paletas)" as reasons the city was named as one of the most exciting foodie destinations.
We stopped by three popular and distinctive restaurants for their perspective.
Steven Satterfield's restaurant Miller Union is highlighted in the magazine.
"There are many great restaurants in Atlanta. And I'm proud and happy to be on that list of mentions," the Executive-Chef and co-owner of the Westside restaurant that focuses on fresh food, buys from local farmers and changes its menu weekly depending on what's in season.
The magazine says he's one of the heritage minded restaurant stars that have "put updated Southern traditions on the national map."
"Southern doesn't always have to be greasy and fried," he said.
Still, always a favorite, the restaurant that is focus is on fresh and local farms, also serves fried chicken on Saturdays.
Even Caradmom Hill serves fried chicken. Open one year, Asha Gomez's restaurant is a fusion of Indian and Southern American cuisine. Cardamom Hill was recently named of the fifty best in the United States by Bon Appetit.
"It's exciting to be part of this city and the landscape of what this city is turning out to be," Gomez explained. "We have brilliant chefs in this city. It should be Atlanta!"
The magazine also mentions all of the delicious pizza you'll find at farmers markets and the wave of new hot spots. Antico Pizza Napoletana on the Westside has been hopping since it opened three years ago. And it recently landed the highest score in Zagat's first-ever pizza survey of "Best Pizza in 23 U.S. Cities" -- beating New York City.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank is a fan. Chris Rock, Owen Wilson and Ludacris have also dined on their pizza pies. Owner Giovanni Di Palma is in the process of creating a Little Italy at the corner of Hemphill and Ethel by developing a piazza and developing other restaurants.
JD Edge calls Atlanta home but as a commercial pilot often dines in other cities. Still, he really appreciates the restaurant options in the city he calls home.
"Once you get outside the chain restaurants, there's a lot of really small restaurants that are doing some really good work," he said. Antico Pizza Napoletana is also one of Edge's favorites and has dined at the restaurant several times.
Southern Living wants to know your favorites and why Atlanta deserves the title of the Tastiest Town in the South.
Among the other cities named in the article are Asheville, Austin, Charleston, Memphis, Miami and New Orleans.
To vote for Atlanta as the "Tastiest City in the City" click here and press VOTE.