My first week as an Atlantean is complete.

[democracyindanger]

Thoughts:

- It's not the intensity of the heat and humidity--it's the freakin' everpresence. All my years of being a good treehugger and resisting using AC in the car are over.
- Georgians can't drive. Sorry, it's true. I mean no offense, but it's true.
- There are a lot of cops. A. Lot. Of. Cops. But my California plates probably attracted them like flies.
- People are nice. I mean, that 'Southern hospitality' thing isn't bullshit.
- Republicans are the same everywhere: Idiots.
- Whaddya mean nobody knows where to get a decent Chicken Fried Steak or some Biscuits & Gravy?
- Krystal sucks. But I think White Castle sucks, too, so there you have it.
- Buckhead would be great...if I was a divorced 50 year old looking for a trophy wife.
- Guess I should just forget about fresh seafood.
- Please inform the roads department that leaving manhole covers sunk three inches below the surface creates a permanent pothole.
- My hotel has Gore's CurrentTV. How cool is that? Not that I ever watch it, but still.
- The AJC is a more informative paper than the SF Chronicle. But the editorial cartoon bit where it has one representing the 'left' and the 'right' is stupid, mostly because of the stupidity of the 'right' cartoon is given de facto status as the one of the 'left'.

That is all. And seriously, I needs me some good chickified steak. And good Mexican--none of this nasty meat-in-sauce-no-beans-or-rice-burrito crap. And I do mean crap.

[Casper]

1. Ah, we can fix you up.

Welcome to Atlanta!

I think you've hit on most of the things I felt after my first week - now lets see how you feel in a month, then three...

Mexican - most believe that the best sloppy, cheesy, need-a-nap-after-eating Mexican places are Nuevo Laredo, on Chattahoochee or Jalisco, in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center. If you're looking for the healthier, less-sauce and cheese, style then your best bet is Taqueria Del Sol (on Howell Mill and in downtown Decatur). The greens are absolutely yummy at Taqueria (and you are in the south, so you gotta eat greens) ;-)

Chicken-fried steak - I think your best bet for that stuff is going to be Busy Bee on Martin Luther King Blvd (near Atlanta University Center) or the classic, not to be missed, Colonade (on Cheshire Bridge).

And, since you've just arrived - you'll have to get registered to vote for November (too late for the primaries). Why not come out tomorrow to the Fulton Dem brunch and meet the Secretary of State candidates? Here are the details:

What: Futlon County Democratic Party Social Lunch
When: Saturday July 8, from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Where: California Pizza Kitchen in Atlantic Station
264 19th Street, Atlanta, GA 30363 Phone: [phone]
On West District Ave., between 18th Street and 19th Street.

Be sure to introduce yourself to me - I'll be the one with flyers for the upcoming Democratic Reunion Picnic. I'll even give you an "I'm the Decider. I Vote." button.

[democracyindanger]

2. Thanks

for the welcome--can't make the brunch tho. Maybe next time

And DEFINITELY thanks for the food info.

[RebelOne]

3. Welcome to the Atlanta area.

Don't complain about the heat and humidity, though. I moved up here from Miami, FL in 1989. And the humidity is nothing here as compared with it in South Florida. At least it is not year-round. And, yes, I have discovered Atlantans can't drive. They all think that they are on the Indianapolis Speedway. Have you been on 285 or I-75 yet? Even if you are traveling at 75 mph, someone is tailgating you. I can agree, the people are nice. Even when they cut you off in traffic, they will give you a friendly wave.

[racaulk]

4. Welcome to Atlanta!

I moved here from North Carolina during the summer of 2001, and I agree with a lot of what you said in your post. The southern hospitality thing isn't new to me, since I grew up in the southeast.

One thing I think you'll find very quickly is that there is no shortage of good restaurants in this city. I mean there are a lot of restaurants. IMHO, the best ones are the ones that are out of the way and that you would never know about unless a friend took you there first.

Looking for good Mexican? Here are a few suggestions:
--Zocalo at 10th and Piedmont in Midtown - this is hands down the best Mexican I have found in this city. Period. It's a little on the pricey side, but their food is excellent, the atmosphere is terrific, and their margaritas will knock you on your ass! I highly recommend this place!
--Frogs Cantina at 8th and Monroe in Midtown- a more casual and less expensive alternative to Zocalo, but the food and drinks are just as decent.
--Nava at Peachtree and Paces Ferry in Buckhead - this is more fusion/Southwestern food than your typical Mexican, but the food is excellent! You should definitely check this place out since you're in the Buckhead area.

And you're right, fresh seafood is pretty difficult to find. A couple of places you may want to check out:
--Atlanta Fish Market on Pharr Rd (near N Fulton Drive) in Buckhead - this is a combo market/restaurant, and the seafood is pretty high quality. A little pricey, but worth it if you're looking for good seafood.
--Ray's on the River on Powers Ferry Rd (near I-285 at the Chattahoochee River) - definitely a great seafood place if you're looking to get out of Buckhead. And no, I don't think they get their seafood from the Chattahoochee (at least I hope they don't!).

With the AJC, keep your eye on Mike Luckovich's cartoons. The man is brilliant I tell ya, brilliant!!! His cartoons always make me laugh! A recent example of his work:



:rofl:

And I agree, Krystal sucks. Absolutely disgusting! :puke: And you may as well just get used to the potholes, because they never seem to go away. Once you've driven around for a while, you learn where they are and you just avoid them.

And stay with us year-round. The humidity thing is just bad during the summer, IMHO. I use a humidifier in my apartment during the winter months because the air just gets bone dry. Well, at least in comparison to the summer--it may still seem fairly humid to you.

Again, welcome to Atlanta. Just keep your eyes and your mind open and I promise you'll find lots of exciting things and opportunities that this city has to offer! And especially if you like volunteer opportunities, you'll find no shortage of things to do here.

And keep your eye on the Georgia forum here at DU. I believe there is an occasional meetup of local DUers, even though I haven't made one yet, so it would be nice to meet you in person!

:hi:

[Vexatious Ape]

5. I can't believe your complaining

about the heat already. Just you wait until August. It could stay 95 and above for the entire month.
The rest of your observations are right on the money. Welcome to Atlanta.

[BooScout]

6. Metro Atlanta has over 4 million people.....

and is spread out all over the place. You cannot possible forment an opnion of it in one week.

My advice & my opinions.

There is a reason people call it Hotlanta. Atlanta is hell on earth in the summer with the mosquitoes, the heat, the humidty and the pollution. Learn to love A/C.....it boils down to your emminent survival and not what's good for the environment.

Georgia does have good drivers and those are the natives. It's all the translplants that can't drive.:P

Yes they're are a lot of cops. Especially in Downtown and Cobb County. If you have a lead foot.....stay out of Cobb County.........hell if you are a Liberal....stay out of Cobb County.
:D

Yep, Georgians are a very nice bunch.

Avoid Republicans. Again.....stay out of Cobb County.

Chicken fried steak and gravy? Ewwwwwwwww

I would kill for a Krystal right now........but then again I left Atlanta and am living in Wales and any greasy American hamburger would be a treat to me at this point.

Buckhead has been overhyped all my life (and that feels like a long time).

Fresh Seafood in a restraunt? The Altanta Fishmarket as someone already mentioned is worth it.

Fresh Seafood to cook yourself? Try the Dekalb Farmers Market.....hell they even have tanks with them swiming around in there.

The potholes? Be thankful you ahven't hit a sinkhole yet. :P

The AJC is pretty good. Luckovich is a genius and a Pulitzer Prize Winner.

Good Mexican? Go to Cobb County ...it's worth braving the Republicans.....Pappasitos Cantina. Or for my personal favorite.........got to Mexico City Gourmet in Decatur. (Actually it's just outside the city limits of Decatur but close enough).

Please tell me you are not going to live in Cobb COunty.:D

[UDenver20]

7. Haha... welcome to the ATL

- yeah, AC is a necessity.
- We don't yield - just drive offensively and don't flinch. And go fast.
- Yeah, but the cops are usually pretty decent.
- Yes, the people are nice. Too bad they can't replace some of that hospitality for intelligence in the voting booth.
- Republicans aren't the same everywhere: Here they're MEGA-Idiots.
- Get Chicken Fried Steak at (1) Mary Mac's on Ponce De Leon INVENTED COMFORT FOOD (2) The Flying Biscuit at Piedmont and 10th. Its your best bet for "southern meets organic" or (3) The Colonade on Cheshire Bridge Road. Its been around forever. So have most of its customers.
- Krystals are only good after a night of drinking.
- Buckhead is rediculous... and dangerous. If you're straight and wanna live somewhere trendy, look in Midtown, Virginia Highalnds, or Atlantic Station. If you're gay - Midtown's pretty much the place to be.
- McCormicks (by the CNN Center has GREAT (and fresh) seafood.
- Just wait until you discover the 2-inch sheets of steel which they just lay over unfixed potholes. They're GREAT for your tires.
- What hotel has Gore's CurrentTV? I didn't even know it still existed?
- Yeah, AJC is a pretty good local paper. Their metro section is good.

Mexican food - HANDS DOWN NO DOUBT ABOUT IT BEST MEXICAN FOOD EVER.... is El Torero in the Loeman's Plaza (Click here for directions: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&address=&city=atlanta&state=GA&zipcode=&formtype=address&location=cOjzAcEn6AGDg69GU8U%2bLUOruGVFLqqREYMjD%2fdxBx6KayDZcMTDsXBuzgAJeVQcLtCSNMupN9RUIRLmbRgN9ddoz2k72Mee&id=4395cb9a-00245-01a4c-90c10c40&q=el%20torero%20mexican%20restaurants&skip=0&cat=el%20torero%20mexican%20restaurants&gfilter=Atlanta%5fGA)

[ulysses]

8. Buckhead would still suck even then.

:D Welcome to town!

[CottonBear]

9. Welcome to GA!

Don't worry it will get more hot and humid before the end of summer. :evilgrin:
However, you have our glorius autumn weather complete with High School and College football seasons to look forward to! You simply must drive down to the coast and visit historic Savannnah, Tybee Island and Cumberland Island. You will find all of the fresh seafood that you desire! Do make a trip over to Athens sometime! You will find a unique (and blue!) college town filled with art, music, theater, culture, sports, beautiful museums and the State Botanical Garden. You need to attend a UGA football game (if you can find a ticket!) It is a real spectacle! Yeah, people think they're freaking NASCAR drivers. Let them go around you. They'll tailgate each other at high speed while you drive comfortably at a reasonable speed all by yourseld. It's safer that way. Have you learned to say y'all yet? BBQ and sweet iced tea and blackberry cobblers should be on your list of Southern foods to try soon! The North Gergia Mountains in fall are spectacular! The leaves are simply georgeous! Hike to the top of Brasstown Bald for a great view!

:hi:

[xzyra]

10. Welcome!

Glad you're here!

A few more comments:

1) The post about the 2 inch steel plates in the road -- that was *not* a joke. Watch the edges of those things and the handles - they gouge.

2) If you are gay: midtown, if you are lesbian: Decatur or midtown.

3) A friend of mine who likes to eat visited Atlanta and she said "Atlanta is like an theme park where the attraction is food." If you are looking for ethnic food (Mexican, any kind of Asian), take yourself to Buford Highway. I can't remember the name of it, but there is a *really* good Mexican cantina on the corner of Buford Hwy and Chamblee Tucker road -- they roast chickens all day in the back, it is really yummy. Try Pho' #36 in Asian Plaza for the best Vietnamese noodle soup (this is further down Buford Hwy toward I-285)

4) I grew up in Detroit, so the only thing I find lacking here is good Italian/Greek foods, especially sausages and meats. For the best meats in town, go to the Oak Grove Market, corner of LaVista Road & Oak Grove. They have cooked food and also sell fresh meats. Better even than the farmers market meat.

5) Take yourself to the Dekalb Farmers Market early and often. They have an incredible collection of cheese, at about 1/3 of the price in a grocery store. You can also get fantastic organic veggies, all sorts of spices, meats, fish, beer, wine, breads, staples, and other yummies. Our family shops there 1x week.

6) If you want Indian food, check out Chat Patti (SP?) by the Target on North Druid Hills & Briarcliff.

7) I avoid Buckhead like the plague. Recently, however, I was forced to go to a French restaurant, Anis, for a work dinner. It was really good, decent price, and interesting decor. Seemed to a renovated house, had a neat outside dining area. There seemed to be a few other funky looking restaurants on that same street. I was surprised.

8) I think of summer in the south as winter in the north. Instead of running from my heated car to heated office or home, avoiding outside as much as possible, I'm moving very slowly (reducing my chance of heat stroke) from my air conditioned car to house or office, spending as little time outside of air-conditioning or the pool as possible. You will acclimate a little, and then your northern friends will laugh at you when you freezing in 70F weather.

Welcome!

[democracyindanger]

11. THANKS ALL

Lots of good stuff in all your--uh, I mean all y'alls posts.

And these mosquitos are gonna suck me dry by September.

[CottonBear]

13. You're welcome!

Minor point: I think it's Atlantan not Atlantean.
A lightwieght, long sleeved shirt and bug spray are the answer to the skeeter problem.
Just be glad you don't live below the gnat line in South Georgia. :scared:
:hi:

[Broken_Hero]

12. So, the question now is...

when are you going to catch a Braves game? ;)

[Rosemary2205]

14. I'll second Mary Macs

on Ponce de Leon. They are what comfort food is all about.

[MsTryska]

15. so where exactly are you located?

In town? OTP? that sorta makes a big difference when it comes to where to hang out and where to eat and whatnot.

[democracyindanger]

16. Virginia Highland

My immediate need is a good pizza delivery joint. Some people have said Fellini's; more people have said that Fellini's is overrated.

[MsTryska]

17. You picked a good place to settle

right in the thick of things.

Fellini's is good for a standard NY-Style slice.

Mellow Mushroom is cool for a good pie in general - but it's unlike any other slice - the crust is good,nice and chewy, the sauce is zesty, but a little runny, and the cheese is well - cheese.


I like them both when i'm in different moods. If i'm missing NYC - then Fellini's it is.