Rep Yo' City: ATL Shawty!

Due to popular demand, we are revisiting Atlanta for a Rep Yo’ City series. (Check out the original Rep Yo City: ATL Shawty! in our last issue) On Travel Tuesdays throughout the month of May, we’ll be sharing a few of our favorite things about the ATL and we’re giving you a chance to share your fave things as well.

Spending four years in Atlanta at Emory University, I’ve grown to think of the ATL as a home away from home. As the place where I established some of my firsts tastes of independence of adulthood, Atlanta holds a special place in my heart.

I must admit that Atlanta is where I expanded my palette. Call it the life of a starving college student. Being hungry enough to try anything forced my taste buds to grow up. From my first time really appreciating fresh lettuce and tomato on a sandwich at Emory’s Dooley Den during my freshman year to my first almost addictive experience with calamari during my junior year. Here are a few of my favorite food memories from ATL:

• Maddy’s: A Ribs & Blue's Joint- Even though I didn't try Maddy's until my junior year, it might have been my first real experience with Southern BBQ, and it did not disappoint. With a hearty helping of chicken, ribs, baked beans, my first taste of Brunswick Stew, potato salad and the slice of white bread, which serves almost like an edible napkin, I was properly introduced to what Southern BBQ had to offer.
  
• Chick Fil-A- Chicken Biscuit (not to be confused with the McDonald's version, which is okay but just not the same)- the succulent chicken and the buttery goodness of the biscuit combined with a side of hash browns is the only thing that got me and my roommate out of bed and on to campus. If I had $5 to my name, two of them were devoted to my breakfast love. I have to admit that I was skeptical but it changed my life a little bit.
  
• Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles- The smothered chicken is more than a generous portion of crispy fried chicken smothered in a thick gravy that reminded with every bite that I was in the South (and loving it). Served with their macaroni and cheese that is so full of cheesy flavor that it could stand on its own.
  
• Mary Mac’s biscuits were enough to be a meal on their own. I remember them melting in my mouth and oh so warm, buttery and delightful. Something about those biscuits made me envision a granny somewhere.
  
• Fellini’s- The pizza that reminded me little bit of NY pizza from home. Also, the place that made me crave pizza and salad at a time when I didn't even eat salad. Perfect for a late night snack run, Fellini's pizza was definitely a crowd favorite.
  
• Popeye’s Fridays- A tradition that one of my friends shared with a few of us, every Friday for several weeks, we'd make our way to Popeye's for whatever our college budgets would allow. She always got a two piece and a biscuit, and I usually got red beans and rice and always got the strawberry Fanta.
• Krispy Kreme- The perfect treat on a late night drive. One of the greatest feelings is to drive by the Krispy Kreme on Ponce de Leon and see “hot” light on. Krispy Kreme donuts are always good, but when they are hot they are A-MA-ZING. They melt in your mouth almost like cotton candy but then the taste is finished with that sweet glaze.
  

I really want to hear about your favorite foods in the ATL. (So that I can make a list and try all of them next time I visit.)