Posted by Foodie Buddha
on August 06, 2010
After 45-years at the intersection of Lindbergh and Cheshire Bridge, The Varsity Jr. is sailing off into the sunset. One of six outposts of the institution, the original plan was to rebuild the family-owned location. I first heard about this via a ton of people on twitter and my heart sank as the information was confirmed by 11-Alive just a little bit ago, this thing seems set in stone. They have all the gritty details, so I won’t bother to give you all the he-said, she-said. What I will tell you is that this sucks! The Varsity Jr has been at the same place since before I was born and while I’m a Fenway type of guy, the plan to rebuild it seems reasonable to me. This isn’t right! And while I’m not so bold as to think my word alone carries any weight, but maybe with some help it will. Thus, I’ve started a petition to save the Varsity JR.. We don’t have much time, but let’s see what a little elbow grease can do!
VIVA LA FROSTED ORANGE!!!!
Posted by Foodie Buddha
on July 01, 2010
When word spread that Woody’s Famous Philadelphia Cheesesteaks in Midtown had closed, Atlanta’s food fans took a collective sigh. Though not everyone found the place destination worthy, Woody’s had a distinct personality and better than average grub. Opened in 1975 by David Pastoria, the free standing hut had served as a fixture of quirky Atlanta for roughly 35 years.
But 12,784 days is a stretch and Pastoria had his fill of the restaurant life. Though I’m not exactly sure of the new ownership structure, Steven Renner decided that Pastoria’s departure was the opportunity he needed. So in early June of this year, marked with a little elbow grease and some TLC, Renner gave Woody’s Cheesesteaks a new life in its old location.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on April 13, 2010
Bobby and June’s Kountry Kitchen is a place of romanticism and idealized memories. Every city has a place (or two) like this, a breakfast joint that serves as a tribute to times gone by from era’s long past. It’s here we find this simple little shack, nestled in the bosom of high-rises and traffic jams. Sitting proudly on 14th street in the cleavage between Midtown and Westside, Bobby and June’s bright yellow sign and weather tested wood planks immediately call attention to this Atlanta institution.
It’s a popular eatery amongst those that attend Georgia Tech, as it serves as a comfortable mixture of Waffle House meets Fox Bros. With its very own barbecue pit, Bobby and June’s moves seamlessly between the world’s of Meat & 3’s and diners. It was this history that coaxed me out of bed one recent morning, inviting me in for a meal where calories aren’t to be trifled with and organic is a term that applies to the Streak-O-Lean on your plate and not a food movement. Though I’m much more likely to see a sunrise on my way to bed than on my way out of it, the opportunity to rejuvenate the Ambiguously Foodie Duo was just too much to pass up.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on August 18, 2009
Overall: 
Few Atlanta institutions are as unheralded as the White House Restaurant. While it may not have the following of the Colonnade or the name recognition of the Varsity, the White House holds up just fine in a comparative analysis. Part Greek diner and part meat and three Southern eatery, this Buckhead breakfast/lunch spot has been around in one form or another since 1948. Walk in on any given day, at any given time, and you’ll find a number of devout followers getting their fix.
Demosthenes Galaktiadis took ownership in 1970 and relocated the restaurant some four years later. Ever since, the restaurant has sat comfortably in a cookie cutter strip center on Peachtree marked by a truly bland facade. To put it another way, there is nothing about the place that will remind you of its presidential namesake, save for a handful of pictures of past Commander in Chiefs and some knock off presidential seals.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on April 01, 2009
Yesterday marked my first sandwich tour stop in over a week. It was a needed break; but, I am happy to be back in the saddle. After hitting up a handful of “gourmet” sandwich shops, I thought it would be good to return with a trip to a straight forward bakery. Henri’s Bakery … this is your cue to enter stage left. Though I’ve done a full review of HB, this Atlanta mainstay deserved some tour love.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on March 27, 2009
Today, MTV ran a bit piece on hip-hop’s ultra cool Big Boi. In the article, Georgia native Antwan André Patton (a.k.a. Big Boi) talks, albeit briefly, about where he likes to eat around ATL. He named only one spot:
“[We] do a little bit of everything," Big said. "R. Thomas is this nice little joint on Peachtree — 24-hour health-food joint, organic," he explained.
Mister Patton also mentioned how he loves to shop and visit uh… adult places… in around town.
Nice to see an Atlanta institution like R Thomas get some love. As Big Boi mentioned, this little Brookwood Hills restaurant offers up a pretty diverse sampling of health conscious cuisine. I myself have an affinity for their deluxe chips and their breakfast options. Everything on the menu is available 24-7 and is pretty solid. While they won’t win any culinary awards, R serves up a kitsch experience with consistent food. I kind of think of it as the yang to the ying of Dynamic Dish. Certainly worth a visit if you haven’t been there before.
R. Thomas Deluxe Grill Restaurant Address & Information:
1812 Peachtree St. NW Atlanta, GA 30309 // P: 404.872.2942 // R. Thomas Website // R. Thomas Menu
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on March 10, 2009
As a compendium to What’ll Ya have?, I wanted to follow up with this handy little guide. The Varsity has developed its own unique terminology for a number of items on their menu. Here they are in all their glory. For those of you who have never been (and those of you still looking to learn), please read on!
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on March 10, 2009
Overall:
Alright Missy, you win!
Grease pit or fast food heaven? Atlanta institution or eye sore? Classically decorated or more dated than Mick Jagger in hot pants? The Varsity, or more simplistically: The V, seems to be that type of place. In my 20+ years as an Atlanta denizen, people seem to find it a rather polarizing establishment.
I am always surprised by the amount of vitriol thrown in the general direction of The Varsity. The V is perhaps the institution of all Atlanta institutions; while the staff has become watered down in recent years, the good still vastly outweighs the bad. This is the quintessential example of a restaurant where the food takes a back seat to everything else. Service hiccups notwithstanding, I enjoy several menu items and find the Varsity worthy of an occasional visit.
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