Hot Dish Review

Backyard Burger is yet another fast casual burger concept that may be coming our way. We stumbled upon it on our way back from Alabama last weekend. The space is arranged like a Wendy’s with counter service. Much like Smashburger, they have a few popular combos, but most folks build their own sandwich starting with a choice of Angus beef, turkey, or chicken breast, then add cheese and toppings, which is then delivered to your table piping hot.

Sticking with our turkey burger routine, LC and I both ordered one with bacon, cheese, guacamole, and mayo, completely eliminating the health benefits of the lower fat meat. I also added some harmless lettuce, tomatoes, and sauteed onions. Little T was craving a chicken sandwich with bacon and got her wish, then promptly removed the bacon.

My burger was a mess, especially with half the bun tossed aside, making it difficult to distinguish juiciness from sloppiness. All of our sandwiches had great grilled flavor with quality toppings. Little T and LC got combos with sweet potato fries that I gladly shared. Only a few dollars more than other fast food chains, Backyard Burger was a great alternative.

Happy 236th birthday U.S.A.!
Like Goin’ Coastal, YEAH! Burger is located so close to my condo that it has become one of our regular spots. In an effort to make healthier decisions, LC has been ordering turkey burgers lately so I switched from my usual bison, both of which are lower in fat than beef. Not that it really matters, they are all cooked in the same delicious grease.

On a recent visit we sat at the bar and ordered a couple of brews. We both added nitrate-free bacon, fatty cheddar cheese, and mayo to our turkey burgers to counteract whatever health benefits may have existed. And we split an order of sweet potato fries which are unfortunately never crispy enough.

Nevertheless, I love the 60′s inspired modern-vintage decor at YEAH! Burger and the countless combinations of organic ingredients to choose from.

LC also wanted to try their cole slaw. The last time I tasted it was at the media dinner at the original Westside location. Doty embellished the classic with a bit of mint….refreshing to B, disgusting to me. Seems like the mint has since disappeared and now it’s just plain ol’ organic slaw.

It just ain’t the 4th of July without a cheeseburger, beer, and fireworks! Happy Independence Day Hot Dish fans!

1017 N. Highland Avenue 404-437-7845

That’s what’s on the door at Ormsby’s, the location chosen by L for her birthday celebration. The burly dude checking ID’s gave me a hard time about carrying in a bottle of champagne (L’s gift), as if we would drink it unchilled. What are we, heathens?

Decor is cozy at this neighborhood tavern, enhanced by lots of wood and dim lighting, but it was difficult to note details since the place was packed full of young patrons trying hard to look like they weren’t trying. LC was conspicuously absent as I joined our table for about 20 guests directly beneath the stairs near the bocce court.

My only prior visit was a late night accident with B, finding ourselves inebriated at the bar downstairs. I ate something but have no recollection, so I was excited to finally try their reinvented pub fare.

As we played musical chairs, chatting and catching up, our server ran her ass off delivering cocktails one at a time. I started with a Guinness draft. L ordered hummus and pimiento cheese fritters for the table as we perused the menu which includes a whole section devoted to wieners….gotta love wieners. The fried balls of melted cheddar didn’t impress me, but the hummus was a winner.

Entrees ran the gamut from a short rib (the priciest item at just $18) to shrimp and grits. I cannot believe L’s husband PC didn’t order it….it’s his MO. But instead, he ordered the bangers and mash, 2 big housemade brats with taters and green beans. He gave out samples to me and BH, his best friend (and one of my coworkers) seated next to me. I found it more fatty than flavorful, making me happy that I went with the chicken wrap, an odd dinner selection for me.

Although not a dish I would order, I was more impressed with BH’s fish ‘n’ chips. Flaky cod beneath crispy batter, a dash of vinegar, and a plate full of skin-on fries.

The birthday girl shared an order of chicken and dumplings with one of her pals. The very thought of dumplings makes me gag. Needless to say, I didn’t try it.

As for my wrap, it was full of roasted chicken, chunks of freshly cut avocado, crispy bacon, tomatoes and sprouts, each ingredient’s distinctive flavor coming together to make the perfect sandwich (which unfortunately didn’t photograph well). My side of sweet potato fries weren’t fries at all, but rather wedges. I would not have ordered them had I known, but my ignorance turned out to be bliss as they were sweet and spiced just right.

And what’s a birthday without cake? I ordered a round of chocolate cake shots at the end of the evening….delicious.

1170 Howell Mill Road 404-968-2033

There’s nothing worse than a chain restaurant with a menu so all-encompassing that it is literally a book….except for an imposter that tries to emulate this concept.

With pages of sandwiches, pastas, entrees, soups, and the tell-tale cheesecakes, Copeland’s dishes mimic those of the dreaded Cheesecake Factory, served in epic portions seemingly designed to triple diners’ cholesterol levels.

Sadly, this appeals to much of middle America. Over 100 menu items, including 16 flavors of cheesecake, gives the illusion of “something for everyone” when, in fact, common sense will tell you that it is impossible to execute that many dishes well. It’s hit or miss at best.

Among the horrific choices are two kinds of “pasta pizza bowls”, linguine, seafood, and sauce served in a cheese pizza bowl. Are you serious? Aunt Gladys can forget about getting into her Walmart bikini.

I met LC and little T at Atlantic Station recently to shop at H & M. It was lunch time and the options were somewhat bleak, so we did what most people would do….went to Copeland’s.

With the original four locations in Louisiana, the restaurant offers several Cajun and Creole dishes. But the menu also represents Italian, Mexican, and Asian cuisines, as well as homestyle Southern fried chicken and meat loaf.

Marathon holiday eating left us wanting something light so LC tried the Thai shrimp wrap while little T and I both ordered the chicken and avocado club on toasted brioche. His side of onion strings and our sweet potato fries, however, tipped the scale toward indulgence.

Our plates arrived with enormous sandwiches and overflowing with our greasy sides. I immediately noticed that our chicken clubs were not toasted, but rather grilled, requiring multiple napkins. Inside the butter-soaked exterior, the sandwich was layered with generous amounts of lettuce, tomato, avocado, Swiss cheese and bacon. The grilled chicken breasts, although tender, were overly salted.

On the other hand, the sweet potato fries were quite good, with a sweet glaze lightly drizzled over them. LC’s onion straws provided a satisfying crunch and flavor, but were room temperature upon arrival. Much like our sandwiches, the filling of his wrap was much better than the wrap itself, made with tough pita bread. I took a bite and noted that the shrimp tasted fishy, only slightly disguised by their surrounding lettuce, scallions, and crispy Asian noodles.

Our server, bless her heart, listened to our complaints and sent the manager over, who comp’d two of the three sandwiches. And then, per her training, she asked if we had room for cheesecake. No sweetie, not today….not ever.

265 18th Street 404-815-8800

I’m a city chick. I grew up in a small town and expect little from them in way of culture, diversity, sophistication….you get the picture. So Imagine my surprise when a colleague and I visited several locations in Cartersville and discovered a thriving mini metropolis….Mayberry style.

The new part of town near the interstate was as unimpressive as any suburb, with every ubiquitous retailer and restaurant chain you can think of. It was the quaint historic town center that charmed us.

Driving through it we spotted a cute corner store and deli and decided to stop for lunch there rather than Chic-fil-a. Called Swheat Market, the space was country chic, with mix ‘n match repurposed furnishings creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. But unlike its country cousins, this deli was on trend, using all organic produce, also sold in their market along with other natural products. And there was no shortage of patrons, dining on specialty sandwiches, soups, and a selection of vegetarian options.

Being unapologetic omnivores, FP chose the grilled chicken salad sandwich and I couldn’t resist their classic BLT, made with extra-thick sliced peppered bacon, and lots of fresh L and T, piled on toasted sourdough with gobs of mayo. We split a side of sweet potato fries which were unfortunately on my plate, so chances are the split wasn’t quite fair. The bread that held our sandwiches together was pleasingly crispy as were the sweet potato fries.

If you find yourself in that neck of the woods, give it a try. All I can say is….swheat!

5 E. Main Street, Cartersville, GA 770-607-0067

LC and I made a dinner pit stop at the Yeah! Burger in my neighborhood after a meeting late one evening last week. I love the burger joint’s modern kitsch decor and chef Doty’s religious use of organic ingredients.

Having just received our horrific cholesterol test results, we both opted for turkey burgers rather than beef. Despite my health and fitness habits, I’ve managed to have the overall cholesterol of an obese 80 year old man.

Truth is, I make some pretty mean turkey burgers at home, so I was curious to see how chef Doty could inject flavor and keep them juicy at the same time. LC topped his burger with cheddar, mayo, lettuce, and grilled onions, while I didn’t stray far from my regular, with pepper jack, mayo, lettuce and grilled onions, both on wheat buns. We split an order of house made sweet potato fries and their almost-famous bacon jam.

Our burgers were enormous rough, hand-pattied monsters, full of grilled flavor. No dryness here, they were likely soaked in butter. So much for watching our cholesterol! The sweet potato fries were, not surprisingly, fried, so we didn’t win any points there either. Although I love sweet potatoes any way you slice ‘em, these fries were not very crispy, and therefore not very impressive.

Although it’s nearly impossible to spend less than $30 for two burgers, a side, and 2 beers, there’s no doubt that Yeah! Burger serves a tasty product that’s worth a few extra bucks.

1017 N. Highland Avenue 404-437-7845

Driving all night is not the best way to start a vacation. Nevertheless, me, little T, LC, and his sister’s son double T, hit the road late on a Thursday night headed for West Palm Beach.

We stopped once to nap for about an hour while the kids had the pleasure of sleeping most of the drive. When we arrived, we loaded up on snacks at a gas station and made our way across the bridge to the condo on Singer Island. But LC was on dead empty and promptly passed out on the sofa.

So, I was in charge of entertaining the kids and, most importantly, finding something we could all eat. I called LC’s Dad for advice since he and LC’s Mom had vacationed there recently and he recommended a few spots nearby.

After a thorough tour of the grounds, me and the kids hung out at the pool for a couple of hours, then hit the beach briefly before heading back up to the 23rd floor. With my remaining ounce of energy, I drove us down the beach to Johnny Longboat’s Tropical Grill. Its proximity made it the obvious choice, given my direction dyslexia.

The open-air restaurant was beach casual, with a typically kitschy nautical theme, complete with an enormous crab looming over the bar. It’s the kind of place where the locals hang out and visitors come back for the respectable food and fun atmosphere…perfect for kids and drunks alike!

LC’s Dad said they had fantastic fish ‘n’ chips, so that is what double T ordered. Perusing the lengthy menu of sandwiches, burgers, and entrees, little T and I landed on the same thing….beach chicken wrap with sweet potato fries. Fresh and tasty, the wrap was filled with all of my favorites….grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, sprouts, tomatoes, and lettuce. The fries were crisp with a hint of sweetness.

Our sandwiches also came with a small container of coleslaw. I usually wouldn’t care about the slaw, but their version was so delicious. There was some seasoning I couldn’t place that made it extra good. I ate all of my serving and little T’s too.

While double T finished his crunchy fish and fries, I ordered an additional chicken wrap to take home to LC. He needed some fuel for the days ahead on this long, long weekend.

2401 Ocean Avenue 561-882-1333

On our recent visit to Six Flags, me, LC and his daughter rode everything from the Georgia Scorcher to Goliath, my favorite roller coaster on the planet! We were exhausted, hungry, and thirsty.

And we’d had enough of amusement park food, despite the yumminess of the burger and fries we scarfed down at lunch. Back in my neighborhood we stopped by Diesel, one of a handful of places I would dare enter all sweaty and without makeup, my pants still damp from Thunder River.

Little T wasn’t too excited until I told her about their amazing sweet potato fries. I was looking forward to an ice cold beer and their kickass spinach salad topped with a fried green tomato slice, boiled eggs and bacon (see photo from last post). LC was in the mood for the spicy Creole shrimp.

Once seated, however, I realized that many of our favorites had been taken off the menu, replaced by dishes I didn’t want. So we ordered some beers and relaxed in the heat of the Summer, too tired to get up and go elsewhere.

At least the sweet potato fries remained and little T ordered them, along with a basket of corn dog poppers. LC almost went with his standard hot wings until I persuaded him to try the chili that had piqued his interest. Add an order of fried pickles and he was happy.

As for me, I was screwed. I was craving salad so I tried the wedge, with blue cheese, tomatoes, and bacon. I hate iceberg lettuce, romaine’s white trash cousin, but there were few options. Our tattooed server, who is always awesome, delivered it sans bacon. Not her fault, but hell, that’s the only reason I ordered it! It was crisp and refreshing, but lacked the creativity of the spinach salad.

I ate plenty of little T’s sweet potato fries too, and tried LC’s chili which was a high octane combo of beans, ground beef, and plenty of spice, topped with melted cheese. It was fatty and delicious, packing quite a pleasant punch. We were stuffed.

Other menu additions included a section of meat and two sides. Heavy choices like meatloaf just didn’t make sense given the season. By the way, they haven’t updated the menu on the website in ages, so you won’t see any of the new dishes or a lot of the old ones, for that matter.

We still like the place. It’s laid back, nearby, and has a patio, but I’m still craving that spinach salad.

870 N. Highland Avenue 404-815-1820

Shortly after arriving home on my 9 1/2 hour flight from Frankfurt, LC and I were sitting on the patio at Diesel, enjoying the gorgeous weather, some refreshing beer, and some good food.

Weary of brot und wurst, I needed to refuel on some good ol’ American, starting off with a Miller Lite….can’t get more American than that!

Having already had breakfast, lunch, and dinner on European time, I found myself back in the states in the early afternoon, confusing my mealtime clock. No worries, LC and I would get a few items to share, mix ‘n’ match, like we always do.

The restaurant’s close proximity to my house, plus its spacious patio and laid-back vibe, make it an easy choice. Not to mention, we’ve had some pretty darn tasty food here. A dozen hot wings and sweet potato fries have become our standard order, to which I added the spinach salad.

A big bowl of fresh spinach came out first, topped with bacon, mushrooms, boiled eggs, candied walnuts, and a fried green tomato. It was a brilliant composition of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy. We both loved it, although there was too much breading on the tomato.

More beer was ordered as we relaxed, leisurely eating the spicy wings and crispy, sweet fries. Happily, I got my second wind. Was it time for dessert? Almost. But first LC wanted to get an order of the BBQ shrimp, swimming in a spicy Cajun broth served with bread for dipping. They were good but I was full so he polished them off.

Now it was time for dessert!

The first warm days of the year usually find me on a patio with a margarita in my hand. Spring fever! Last week I left work early to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of sunshine with my man.

We went to Tijuana Garage in L5P just down the street. They used to have a lush patio several years ago, then the place changed names a couple of times, finally reverting back to the original name and concept. In the past, the food was alright, but like many restaurants with a great patio, it was more about the atmosphere.

I was hoping the food had improved over the years, noting the revised menu online. A whole page is devoted to tacos, cashing in on the current taco craze. If you can wrap it in a tortilla, it’s a taco. They offer an Athenian taco, just like a gyro, and one called Chee-burger, Chee-burger….no explanation necessary. Twenty-eight tacos to choose from including six vegetarian options.

LC and I chose the hightop in the corner and ordered some queso with jalapenos, guacamole, and most importantly, margaritas. I knew he would love the margarita called Skinny Monster made with Herradura Silver tequila and fresh squeezed lime juice because the menu says “say goodbye to sour!” He hates sour mix. They were $8.99 each and not available by the pitcher, unfortunately.

Along with the menu changes, the patio had been renovated. It wasn’t nearly as cute as I remembered. The uncomfortable black metal tables and chairs were still there, the epitome of discomfort, and there were fewer plants.

Our salt-rimmed margaritas arrived with a bucket of really good chips. I was impressed with the consistency and flavor of the queso as well as the guacamole and salsa.

Although it was a beautiful afternoon, it was getting a little chilly so we moved to a table near the patio bar, partially protecting us from the elements, yet still outdoors. Then we ordered tacos, two each, with a side of sweet potato fries.

My love of sweet potatoes is no secret. Fried, baked, souffled, pureed, I love ‘em any way I can get ‘em. I was expecting fries cut lengthwise, but instead, Tijuana Garage cuts them like thick waffle fries. If they were regular potatoes I wouldn’t have liked them, but with sweet potatoes, anything goes. They were crisp and yummy.

I ordered a Playa del Carmen taco filled with blackened shrimp, pico de gallo, Mexican slaw and chipotle aioli and a carne asada taco with grilled skirt steak, diced onion, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and fresh cilantro, both on corn tortillas for $3.99 each.

Playa del Carmen is one of my favorite towns in Mexico. The beaches are beautiful and the food is spicy! So I was a bit disappointed with my shrimp taco, especially since it was on a flour tortilla. I added some guac and ate it anyway, however I sent back the carne asada in favor of the corn tortilla I had ordered.

The best tacos I’ve ever eaten were in Playa del Carmen, made with incredibly tender beef, diced onion, and cilantro on homemade corn tortillas. That was five years ago and ever since, I have searched in vain for that taco. But no one has been able to match the tortillas’ intense corn flavor. Tijuana Garage was no exception, although their carne asada stands up to any other in town.

At this point, both LC and I were on our third margaritas. He was enjoying his Cabo fried fish taco made with the same toppings as my shrimp taco and a Tennessee Twister filled with slow-cooked pork, housemade bacon BBQ sauce, southern slaw, and jalapenos. I tried a bite, but I’m not a BBQ lover so it was just OK for me.

It was now evening so we moved yet again to a booth indoors. I had never been inside the restaurant and was surprised how spacious it was. More margaritas.

Along with tacos, Tijuana Garage serves all of the expected Tex-Mex favorites including burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas. They also offer weekend brunch with creative dishes like cinnamon plantain crepes and a breakfast relleno.

A shot of Herradura Silver here is $7.50, which doesn’t sound so bad until you know that it is $3 at Pure. If I was judging them strictly on tacos, I may give an edge to The Original El Taco. Aside from the high drink prices, we really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, inside and out. We will definitely return to enjoy the patio in the months to come!

351 Moreland Avenue 404-537-2858