Plates You MUST Try From ATL Airport District Restaurant Week
As a fairly new resident of College Park and a brand new member of the Atlanta Eats team, ATL Airport District Restaurant Week was the perfect opportunity to explore my new hood’s food scene! The district is comprised of East Point, College Park and Union City…3 small, independent cities grouped together in south Atlanta near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. College Park used to do a solo Restaurant Week, but because of the incredible food available in the surrounding area, Restaurant Week expanded to include the entire Airport District. From March 18 through March 26, 2017, people flocked to the area to try local restaurants’ special Restaurant Week prix fixe menus and discounted signature dishes.
In my tour, I hit 3 restaurants…2 of which were new to me, and 1 that became my go-to place immediately upon moving to College Park. That’s Kafenio, a little Greek coffee shop and restaurant located on Main Street in College Park. I first discovered it the day I moved in, when my still-in-boxes kitchen forced me to explore the new neighborhood in search of caffeine! Kafenio hasn’t disappointed yet…I’ve come to rely on it for delicious brunch (you’ve got to try their Odysseus omelet, absolutely stuffed with feta), take-out falafel and sweet-tooth fixes (giant lemon bars, anyone?). Restaurant Week was no exception…I visited Kafenio with a large group, and we sampled the entire appetizer menu (dolmades are a highlight!), as well as tasty main courses (Greek salad, the gyro combination), and of course, wine!
Photo credit: Kafenio
My next Restaurant Week stop was The Corner Grille. Also located on Main Street, it’s been a College Park staple for years. Owned by Louisiana and Texas transplants, Corner Grille’s Cajun-influenced menu impresses with many seafood options including its catch of the day and their specialty, Cajun pasta. During Restaurant Week, we enjoyed superb service (especially in dealing with a shellfish allergy) and delicious entrees: a perfectly cooked burger and an incredible version of shrimp and grits. But dessert was really where the magic happened! Corner Grille’s beignets were on par with the best New Orleans has to offer. I left dinner still licking powdered sugar off my fingertips!
The final stop in my Restaurant Week tour was Debbie’s Delights in East Point. I’d been meaning to try this cute little daytime place for months, intrigued by their décor (a colorful wall of old cereal boxes) and pork-free, breakfast-centric menu. On the Sunday morning I visited, Debbie’s was serving a specialty menu that included highlights like a hearty “kitchen sink” platter (every breakfast food you can imagine, all on one plate) and chicken & waffles. I opted for the salmon croquettes…fried, seasoned patties with onions, peppers, and sizable salmon chunks with eggs over easy and smothered potatoes. The potatoes were honestly some of the best breakfast potatoes I’ve ever had (Debbie, tell us your seasoning secret!!) and the ambiance, with fresh flowers and a door open to the breeze, was perfect for a peaceful morning meal.
Though ATL Airport District Restaurant Week is over, I can’t wait to continue exploring the unique, delicious spots that Airport District has to offer. Next time you’re headed to Hartsfield-Jackson, make time to stop for a snack in the neighborhood instead of just rushing off to your terminal!
