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DEL.ICIO.USWhere Have All the True-Blue Joints Gone?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
REXALL GRILL IN DULUTH: One of the area’s best family-style joints.
Photo: T. Levette Bagwell/AJC staff
I spent the holiday weekend in Destin, Fla. and trekked back to a local favorite of mine: Elmo’s Grill on Highway 30-A in Santa Rosa Beach.
We stumbled sunburned into Elmo’s several years ago for the first time, where they serve some of the best fried shrimp and oysters, EVER, and an evening’s worth of seriously watered-down rock-n-roll from bands called “Kimosabbe” and the like.
We left hours later, saturated with fried shrimp and beer, having danced the electric slide and the limbo line until we were too exhausted to move.
Elmo’s is a true joint; the kind of place that serves great local seafood and lots of Panhandle hospitality. It’s also a slice of real Americana.
Atlanta’s growth is making little mom and pop joints like Elmo’s harder and harder to find, and rising fuel and food prices are going to affect smaller businesses like these. That’s why we need to support them.
Where’s your favorite family-style joint or dive in the city? I love Kool Korners, Rexall Grill, Chef Liu’s, Palomilla’s and Blu to name only a few … what’s your pick?
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By Jen
June 2, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
For a new place I like Fox Bros BBQ. For a place that’s been around I like Fellini’s.
Mostly I like these places because the food is consistently satisfying and I can walk to them from my house….and they serve beer.
By Lisa
June 2, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
I agree with Jen. My brother & I stumbled upon the location of Fox Bros BBQ, and we go there whenever we have a chance. I absolutely love their ribs and the green beans they have as one of their side items. It is to die for.
By lisa
June 2, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
For “family food” my favorite is Matthew’s on Main Street in Tucker. The creamed corn is yummy but I’m not fond of the green beans - they season them with a smoke flavor. For “bar food” and beer, my favorite is Cafe Hot Wing on Ga 85 in Riverdale. Cold, cold beer and excellent wings! (Plus the owner is super nice!)
By Ooops!
June 2, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
And here I thought you were talking about bars…
So, if you were, which you are not, but I am telling y’all anyway…
The BEST dive was M&A’s…Mike and Angelo’s. I miss it dreadfully.
The runner up is 5 Paces! It will do in a pinch, but at 34, I am starting to feel a bit old. Ha!
By scott
June 2, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
dewey destin destin fl hunts oyster bar panama city fl hickory pig gainesville ga
By Big Chicken
June 2, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Rocco’s in Marietta. New location is a little more upscale than the original, but it’s still homey, with good cheap bar food and cold beer.
By Arnold Jackson
June 2, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
PALOMILLA’S is pretty kick arse… it ain’t a dive tho…
Ming’s BBQ and Chinatown square food court.
By H from Marietta
June 2, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Kool Korners on 14th make the best Cuban sammiches ever!!!
By John
June 2, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
If three people blog how great Fox Brother’s is, does it make it not a dive? I rarely actually eat there but I get it to go at least once a week. The pulled pork is the best in the city. I always get some “stew” and collards also..mmmm..mmm! The patio is nice also..well shaded and spacious and you can watch the trains across the street. It’s also really honky tonky inside and the owners are always friendly.
By Meridith Ford
June 2, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Hey Ooooops: I want more about Mike and Angelo’s — where was it? What was it? Sounds like a place I’m sorry I missed…
By ada
June 2, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
My favorite is The Blue Ribbon Grill in Tucker, just down the street from Northlake Mall. Fantastic burgers, great for all ages!
By Corey
June 2, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Fuzzy’s. But obviously they aren’t open right now. Also, US Cafe on South Cobb Pkwy. has always been a good dive.
By otis
June 2, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
What about Daddy D’Z, BBQ Joint on Memorial Drive and Hill Street?
By Kent Peterson
June 2, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Greg Luganis was a great dive - r.
By reservoirDAWG
June 2, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
My memories of Fuzzy’s are , well, fuzzy.
By DT
June 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Euclid Ave Yacht Club (EAYC)in lil 5… Universal Joint (ujoint) in Oakhurst…or anywhere in East Atlanta. Good stuff.
M & A (RIP) had great burgers… and Swami Gone Bananas. That Kent Peterson fella sure is funny.
By Buck
June 2, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
I love Ryans Steakhouse
By Buck
June 2, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
I love Ryans Steakhouse
By InTownGal
June 2, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Moe’s & Joe’s on North Highland…mostly b/c they serve Pabst on tap and the place has not changed AT ALL since it opened in 1947. Great wings and burgers.
By DB
June 2, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Carvers by Georgia Tech. Hard to find but some of the best southern cooking I’ve ever found in Atlanta. DT and Kent Peterson are hilarious.
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Erin
June 2, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
El Myr in L5P is awesome. Great food, amazing margaritas and the folks are friendly too! If you could ever have a place that served healthy quesadillas, their Hazadilla is the best… Loaded with chicken and lotso veggies! No grease!
By Mr. Special
June 2, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Northside Tavern!….doesnt serve food - but, its a great dive bar. Good music.
Daddy D’z is the definition of a dive - good food…
I dont know who DB is - but I hear DT and Kent Peterson are really, really funny. Greg Luganis is Kent’s hero… he even wears his speedo to beach dive bars.
By DB
June 2, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
I think Erin likes El Myr.
By The Mayor
June 2, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Slow day at work DT? Welcome back from Chi-town