My brain said crunches,but my stomach auto-corrected it to “cupcakes”.

My third year in Atlanta was filled with more food than usual. I met a lot of cool people. ate a lot of good food and just really enjoyed the time there with the fam and friends. Atlanta has had my heart since the very first time I went in 2015. Not only because they obvioulsy have incredible food but because I have made some lasting friendships there.

We typically go every year for Dragon Con which is a type of comic convention that draws thousands upon thousands of people every year and we did indeed make a visit while we were there. ( More on this on my Atlanta Travel Guide). Throughout the time we are there for the convention we eat lots of good food and I literally gain at least 6 pounds every time I go. Eating like this once a year is perfect, because I can enjoy all of it an then come back home. Although I often crave it when I am back home in New England.

This year I have some surprises for you. I am doing some separate features on a couple individuals. Both small business owners, both women, both black owned businesses and both incredibly talented. It is incredibly important to me to highlight small businesses and it is an added plus when I can highlight women owned businesses. It is a hope for all of us women who strive for more each and every day and I am so excited to share these extra stories with you!

So what were my must try’s this year? Keep scrolling and find out!

1. Mangos Carribean Restaurant
2. Nana’s Chicken n Waffles
3. Firepit Pizza Tavern
4. Full Commission ATL
5. Arden’s Garden
6. Ginya Izakaya
7. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
8. Kristi’s Heavenly Cobbler 
9. West Egg Cafe

Each of these unique in their own way, by the end of the trip I had eaten almost everything I had wanted to on this trip. I will be going more in depth on Nana’s Chicken N Waffles and Kristi’s Heavenly Cobbler in separate blog posts- so I won’t be writing as much for them or including all the photos in this specific piece. 🙂

Mangos Carribean Restaurant | 180 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

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Mangos was like being on the Islands. So incredibly delicious and down to earth with music playing, incredible food and the biggest plate of baked mac and cheese I have ever seen. It’s a must try if you are craving some honest to goodness amazing Carribean food.

Tips:

• Get the coco bread, you won’t regret it
• Its open late, so if you are craving food late night definitely a must try
• One Mac & Cheese side is enough for 4 people! I mean unless you want leftovers for the next day

Chicken Curry

Jerk Chicken Platter for 2

Side of Mac & Cheese

Nana’s Chicken n Waffles | 1040 Flat Shoals Rd SE, Conyers, GA 30013

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This place is close to my heart. We went twice and it was amazing both times. Its about 30 minutes outside Atlanta but worth every  minute of that drive. With good vibes, great food and a ‘feel right at home” atmosphere you are sure to love it just as much as I did. ( Stay tuned for my singular piece on them and their owner.)

Yes they have Beignets ( served with peach raspberry jam)

One of the many waffle offerings : Lemon Waffles!

Firepit Pizza Tavern | 519 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

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This was a quick, late night stop for pizza. Plus we had some “Unicorn Wings” which were out of this world. Great little spot for pizza and appetizers + they have a nice bar area.

Tips:

• One pizza is honestly enough for 4 people. We ordered three because we thought they were much smaller. HAHA
• Get the wings. you wont regret it.

Fuego Pizza – AMAZING

Unicorn Wings – Delicious dry rub

Full Commission | 519 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

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This was a solo visit and I fell in love with this spot. Perfect for brunch, perfect to chill. Great coffee and food.

Tips:

• Arrive early, I got there right at 945am or so and around 10 it started filling up quick
• Try the chedda bread with bacon & runny egg- life made

Latte, Chedda bread with egg + bacon & homemade blueberry poptart

Cheesy, breezy chedda bread

Poptart perfection

Arden’s Garden | 145 Auburn Ave Atlanta GA 30303

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This was a pit stop but it still deserves a mention. Cute layout, tons of fresh juice and smoothie options. Definite must try, especially to detox from all the food you eat when you go 🙂

Outside

Our two smoothies- delish!

Ginya Izakaya | Suite A-5, A-6, 1700 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Ginya is a staple. We go every single year without fail. Once we realized that it was incredibly, authentic ramen we just kept going. The flavors, the atmosphere, it is a great spot!

All of the noodles please!

Such a pretty display!

Chef’s assortment of grilled meats & veggies

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack | 1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

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I will always be thankful we decided to stop at this place after doing some shopping at Lenox Square Mall. I felt like I was in an Anthony Bourdain Part’s Unknown episode. It was darkly lit, there was live blues music and the food was not fancy by any means but honestly one of my favorite food experiences in ATL.

Tips:

• Do not under any circumstances opt out of the mac and cheese- MUST TRY
• The full rack of ribs and half a chicken is enough for three people.
• The pint sized sides are enough for 3-4 people.
• GET THE LIMEAID/LEMONADE

These ribs were saucy and fell of the bone- perfect

Mac & Cheese, collards, rum baked beans, & brunswick stew

So glad I tried the sweet potato pie!

Menu

Outside

Messy, delicious & perfect

Walls

Live music was awesome!

Kristi’s Heavenly Cobbler | Online presence | Orders

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I had the chance to meet the owner and try her delicoius cobbler through our friends. More on her later. For now take in this photo of the amazing “peachless” peach cobbler.

West Egg Cafe | 1100 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Our last stop in Atlanta was honestly so so good. I finally got to have my biscuits and gravy, banana pudding and fried green tomatoes. Things I always crave when I am in the south. All were delicious, hearty + the atmosphere of this place was incredible. The service was also stellar!

Tips:

• Get the banana pudding.
• The sausage gravy is really good.

Georgia Benedict

Blue Plate

Sour Cream Pancakes w/Chocolate Chips

Perfectly delicious banana pudding

Always remember to enjoy every moment,

Life as a Maven