Price: $$$
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Quality of Service: 5 out of 5
Food Overall: 5 out of 5
It’s no secret that I’m a sweet and savory fan. Chocolate covered bacon. Caramel and Sea Salt. Pork and Apples. Duck and Cherries. But there is no greater S&S combo in the world that that of poultry and pastry. Specifically, Chicken and Waffles.
At Gladys & Rons (Yes, Gladys Knight & Ron Winan), you’re treated to the kind of comfort food you deserve in this fine city. This restaurant, with its elegant décor and friendly staff, serves up all kinds of home cooked favorites from the South, like fried green tomatoes, catfish and shrimp & grits.
But we’re here to talk about the C&W, are we not? ‘The Midnight Train’, named after Ms. Knight’s hit song, is your ticket to ride to the land of tastiness. You get 4 jumbo fried chicken wings, a large waffle, and I opted for two sides and a corn muffin to try the wares while I was in town.
First, the chicken: This is good bird, my friends. It’s fried, yes. But it’s a light fry, so it’s not drowning your waffle in grease or weighing you down. The chicken is tasty, and not overly seasoned, so you get that feeling that this is a place that relies on the quality of it’s meat rather than hiding it behind seasonings.
The waffle is the same way. Simple batter, slightly sweeter than most waffles, but oh so light and fluffy. It’s not a Belgian, but traditional C&W isn’t. This was pure love on a plate. The corn muffin was fresh and, well…corny I guess. This wasn’t a box mix for sure. The green beans had a nice crunch to them still (fresh snapped), but they did swim in a heavy butter sauce. The black eyed peas were well seasoned and hearty.
I normally don’t do ‘restaurant souvenirs’ unless the joint is worth its salt. Needless to say I bought two different coffee mugs from here. Should I decide to grace ATL with my presence again (or rather, should she have me back into her food-laced bosom), G&R is a definite requirement.
After all…it’s just Da(m)n Good Food. With Chicken and Waffles.
Gladys and Rons Chicken & Waffles
529 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA. 30308
404-874-9393
http://gladysandron.net/
Price: $
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5
Every once in a while, you get hungry. Ok, well, it’s probably more than ‘every once in a while’. But I don’t mean that ‘I think I should eat something because I feel faint’ hungry. I mean the ‘I require the sacrifice of several animals and wheels of cheese to satiate my enormous appetite’ hungry. Welcome to Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria.
A co-worker brought me here after a conversation that I was a foodie and had a blog about the places I visited. She also mentioned that this was one of the spots featured on the popular cable TV show ‘Man vs. Food’, where the host tried the Carnivore Challenge. He didn’t finish it. And now, I know why.
First off, this is a little joint tucked inside an otherwise empty shopping plaza. It’s a tiny restaurant, but it is booming with customers. Their daily special is a slice with any two toppings and a fountain soda for $5.00. Good deal, but most hearty folks would say ‘Yeah, but just one slice?’ My friend, you don’t even need that much at Big Pie.
Living up to its namesake, this was the biggest slice of pizza I’ve ever seen in my life. I decided to take a tiny step in Adam Richman’s footsteps and try a slice of the Carnivore pizza. This slice was served to me on a medium pizza tin, and was the length of two butter knives.
When I picked it up to fold in half (as it was so topping heavy, you had to fold it or you’d lose all the meaty goodness), it resembled an overstuffed burrito in its sheer girth. It was intimidating to be sure, but I finished the entire slice.
Not as a goal, or some claim to fame, but because it was that good. The sauce was light, with a nice homegrown tomato flavor. It wasn’t bogged down by herbs or hidden by unnecessary flavors. Simple but delicious. A nice, crispy crust surrounded my vessel of flavor. The cheese was layered thick, and perfectly gooey, but did not overpower the sauce or the toppings.
Oh yeah…the toppings. For the Carnivore, it’s topped VERY GENEROUSLY with the following dead species: Pepperoni (nicely spicy), Ground Beef (and a ton of it), Italian Sausage (great notes of fennel and sage), Ham (good, salty cuts) and Bacon (no more needs to be said about the wonder meat).
This was absolutely the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve had a 1lb. burger in Vegas. Why? Because after the lunch in Vegas, I walked around and later had dinner. I ate this slice of pizza at lunch and didn’t eat until dinner. The NEXT night. I was that full. It was an amazing slice, and I’d definitely go back. Next time though, I may split a piece with a small village.
From the flavors to the atmosphere to just the good times with friends, this is a great please to store up for the winter before you hibernate.
After all…it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.
Big Pie In The Sky Pizzeria
2090 Baker Rd NW Suite#A103
Kennesaw, GA. 30144
770-420-8883
http://www.bigpieinthesky.com/
On a recent work-related tour to Atlanta, I was able to find some downtime to take in the local culture. And by culture, I mean their hot spot eateries. Join me, won’t you?
Price: $$
Atmosphere: 3 out of 5
Quality of Service: 3 out of 5
Food Overall: 4 out of 5
Not quite fast food, but not necessarily a restaurant, Cheeseburger Bobby’s in Marietta, GA. is a great lunch stop for those craving something a bit more distinguished than two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese…you know what I mean.
The joint is simple enough: Red & yellow accents highlight the inner workings of this circular meat grilling factory, condiment bar next to the register with the stand alone soda fountains. You walk up, place your order, then grab a seat until it’s ready, and they bring it over or you can go grab it yourself.
Actually, the set up reminded me of a ‘Fuddruckers Light’, if you will. Now the menu is your typical drive-in faire: Hot dogs, fries, chicken sammies, shakes, et al. But CB’s is doing something that a lot of places don’t seem to have, and that’s showing your meal a little TLC.
I ordered the Bobby’s Smokehouse Burger with a side of fries. The meat was perfectly cooked to a nice medium, with that slight pink middle. It was juicy. It was a decent size. It made a burgerphile like myself crack a grin from ear to ear.
The BBQ sauce on top was sweet and tangy, with notes of molasses and a touch peppery. The cheddar was just sharp enough to let you know it came to the party, and the bacon was crisp and not overly fatty. Top it all with whatever you like (lettuce, pickles, onions…’da woiks’) and a soft, fresh bun and you’re good to go.
Well, not quite. Something must accompany this tasty treat, should it not? In true American fashion, ‘french’ fries were my side order of choice. And boy, were they tasty. Fresh cut potatoes, fried up to order, with that little piece of skin on each one to let you know these weren’t shipped from some frozen warehouse in some far off land.
The food, while served ‘semi-fast’, was not done in that style at all. Yes, it was a burger and fries. No, it wasn’t greasy, flimsy or leaving you wanting more. Perfectly portioned, and just an all around great choice for a quick lunch to get you back out into the working world.
Besides, the staff walk around at the end of your meal with free ice cream samples to try and entice you into buying something else, which didn’t work with us, but it was a nice treat and just enough to fill that tiny ‘sweet tooth’ craving for the day.
So if you’re out that way, and get a hankerin’ for a good burger spot, look no further than CB’s.
After all…it’s just Da(m)n Good Food.
Cheeseburger Bobby’s
125 Barrett Pkwy
Marietta, GA. 30066
770-919-9110
http://www.cheeseburgerbobbys.com/cheeseburgerbobbys/flash/index.html
