The Best Meals We Ate All Year – 2020

2020 sure has been a wild ride that we’re more than happy to get off of. But something good that come out of it were the amazing meals that helped get us through it all, thanks to the talented folks in the Atlanta restaurant industry. Here are the meals that the Atlanta Eats team enjoyed the most this year! Restaurants listed below in alphabetical order. 

The Alden – Lemongrass Pork Belly & Lunar Eclipse Dessert

Our High-Calorie Content Creator, Trisha, was wowed by the global flavors and hyperseasonal menu at The Alden in Chamblee: “Chef Jared Hucks’ travels and work in kitchens all over the world has led to a menu that’s so much more interesting than what you find at typical New American spots. And their desserts are always as delicious as they are beautiful.” 

Athen’s Pizza – Chicken Tetrazzini and Onion Pizza

A ton of our staff tapped into the healing powers of pizza and Italian comfort food this year. Athen’s Pizza was a favorite for our Director of Buffalo Wing Development, Megan and sales rep, Kimberly. The chicken tetrazzini was a big bowl of comfort for Megan: “This was the first to go meal I had post quarantine lock down. It was just comforting, delicious and made everything feel okay in the moment. It was also paired with their amazing greek pizza.” And for Kimberly, the onion pizza was “Greek deliciousness” with “the perfect crust.” 

Bole Ethiopian Restaurant – Veggie Platter

Cafe Intermezzo – Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake

Our Head of Produce, Anni, has a job title that’s a bit of a misnomer because for her, desserts and chocolate are much more her speed. And the hazelnut chocolate cheesecake at Cafe Intermezzo was the dessert that stole her heart this year:  “The cake, freshly made in their very own bakery, combines all the perfect ingredients to make this one decadent, well balanced and oh so satisfying. Who doesn’t love a cheesecake? And combined with chocolate and Nutella, it’s a total winner! Enjoy it with a hot Café au lait from the largest espresso machine in the world, and it’s a meal made in heaven. Intermezzo is most magical place that transports you straight to a European café with its authentic decor, classical music and the smell of fresh ground coffee beans; a culinary escape that we all needed more than ever in 2020.”

Choong Man Chicken – Garlic Soy Chicken

Choong Man Chicken’s Korean Fried Chicken was both a revelation and a regular delivery order in High-Calorie Content Creator Trisha’s household this year. The twice-fried garlic soy chicken in particular  was her favorite for its addictingly sweet taste and “perfect amount of crunch.” Locations in Duluth and in Midtown by Georgia Tech. 

Evergreen Butcher & Baker – Double Cheeseburger 

The double cheeseburger (served only on Sundays) at Evergreen Butcher & Baker was a favorite for our Director of Digital Carbs, Jorge. The husband and wife team make “incredible baguettes, sourdoughs and delicious pastries daily while [the husbands] breaks down whole animals and has premium cuts!” For the cheeseburger in particular, it really is built totally from scratch: “He breaks down the whole cow, she long-ferments and bakes the soft sesame buns, and makes the finishing touches in house – pickles and aioli.” Yum! 

Garnish & Gather – Beef Stroganoff

Gio’s Sicilian – Spicy Pepperoni Sicilian Pizza

Gio’s Spicy Sicilian Pizza was the favorite for not one, but two Atlanta Eats staffers. The “amazing crust” made it a favorite for our host, Steak Shapiro and the “perfectly crisped” pepperonis and thick, but not too thick crust made it our Executive Chef, Kyle’s got- meal. “During the height of lockdown, it was available on the delivery apps so it was something for my girlfriend and I to look forward to on Friday nights,” said Kyle. 

NFA Burger – Billy’s Classic With Tots and Sassy Sauce 

For OJ the editor, “It’s the people, it’s the pure talent,” that makes NFA Burger stand out in his eyes. His go to order were *four* Billy’s Classic burgers with a side of tots. A cult favorite all over Atlanta, Billy’s Burgers perfectly crisped burgers, melty cheese, and standout sassy sauce were first introduced to Atlanta via pop-ups but you can now get his burgers at his brick and mortar spot inside the Chevron Gas Station in Dunwoody.  

Where’s The Scoop – Rolled Ice Cream

“Flavor genius,” is how OJ described the team behind Alpharetta spot Where’s The Scoop. There are dairy and vegan rolled ice cream options alike, plus lots of tasty bubble tea! They eschew taking shortcuts with their product, making all their ice cream mixes from scratch with local milk from Mountain Fresh Creamery and raw honey from Georgia Honey Farm. One of their founders, Zak, studied Biology and Chemistry and loves the food science aspect of creating flavors for Where’s The Scoop. 

Want even more delicious food content? Take a look at last year’s list of the meals we enjoyed the most!