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DEL.ICIO.USWanna Save Gas? These Cheap Eats Are on the MARTA Rail Line
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DUCK’S COSMIC KITCHEN: Small, but sassy. And they’re just a walk away from the Avondale MARTA station.
Photo: Brant Sanderlin/AJC
I spent over two hours week before last getting my car filled with gas. Makes a girl think. Since we’re all conserving — not just gas, but cash these days — my thoughts led me to MARTA. Yes, MARTA. After looking at Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s rail line, I realized that there are some very good cheap eats to get to with MARTA as the pilot. I’ll serve as co-pilot for now — feel free to add your own to the list:
On the Red-Orange Line, which runs North/South and Northeast/South:
Stop S6 College Park — drop in at the Brake Pad, right on Main Street, and have some fun pub grub and a beer.
Stop S5 East Point — breakfast or lunch at Thumbs Up Diner includes fat, whole wheat biscuits with house-made preserves or a fluffy omelette the size of your head.
Heading still north, switch at Five Points to the Blue-Green Line and head East towards Inman Park.
Stop E3 Inman Park Reynoldstown — drop into Krog Bar for a glass of wine and some fine bar nibbles.
Stop E6 Decatur — Duck’s Cosmic Kitchen (just a walk away from the Avondale Station, E7) has wonderful house-baked breads and pastries, plus a full menu of munchables.
Moving North from Five Points, head to Midtown, where there are a plethora of options.
Stop N4 Midtown — The pie’s the limit here, with pizza options at Baraonda, or a quick walk to Myrtle Street for a bite at Top FLR.
Heading towards the suburbs, walking once off the rail line is certain, but still doable. Look at it this way — you can have dessert since you’ve already walked it off.
Stop N9 Red North-South Dunwoody — Around Perimeter Mall there are lots of options, but I’d vie for a panini at Alon’s, where you can eat outside and enjoy a second scoop of the house-made gelati.
Moving North on the Orange Rail, head to NE8 Brookhaven/Oglethorpe and walk a short bit to Valenza, where you’ll feast on Italian without having to break the bank.
Know any spots you’d like to add? You can find more tips on eating well for less, suggestions for cheap or free entertainment and general ways to cope with the economy at Your Money.
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By AJ
October 10, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
How about all the choices at the Lindbergh Marta station. While mostly chains, you can get a reasonable priced meal there whether at Taco Mac, 5 Guys, Chili’s, Longhorn’s, and Urban Flats. There’s also a Market/Deli and a coffee shop. Again, nothing gourmet or so unique to Atlanta, but literally steps from the Marta trains/buses.
By Bob
October 10, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Also at the Lindberg Station right across Peidmont Rd. try Zestos. Great food with a variety of items such as hamburgers to tacos to salads to icecream. Daily lunch specials!!!
By Chief Wiggum
October 10, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
I live in a different world if places with $12-$18 entrees (some are even higher) are considered “cheap eats”, I guess.
Put me somewhere in the middle of Clark Howard and Meredith Ford when it comes to dining frugality.
By BeerFan
October 10, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Just outside the Downtown Decatur station is Brick Store Pub in the square. I don’t think any food item is over $10 and you can get phenomenal beers. Twain’s less than a block away. Very good food, a little more expensive, but not much. Plus, they make their own beers.
By amy
October 10, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
I haven’t lived in atl for a few years, but i imagine it’s still there….Brookhaven station-right across the street is Mellow Mushroom Pizza-you can sit on the patio and watch traffic and people go by on peachtree rd. and chow down on some pizza and beer. Also next door to it..jock and jill’s. I once witnessed a car accident, I know I know, but it wasnt’ serious, just someone rearended another person,-both were standing afterward, so it was kind of entertaining.
By Bad Brad
October 10, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
At the crack house two blocks from the College Park station they usually have a few bags of Doritos on hand. They’re complimentary.
By hud
October 10, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but Krog Bar doesn’t qualify as “cheap eats”.
By Patrick
October 10, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Anywhere on Broad Street downtown…steps from 5 Points or Ptree Center. There is Rosa’s Pizza, Reuben’s Deli, and a new Tin Drum. Also Loaf and Kettle relocated to Ptree and Ellis and thats definitely worth a stop.
By Fred
October 10, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Krog isn’t exactly right on the MARTA line, either.
By Kristin
October 10, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Raging Burrito in Decatur is good and cheap, there’s also a new irish pub (where Angel used to be) that’s also very good.
As a former GSU Student, be fore warned that pretty much everything on Broad Street closes at 7:00pm and is closed on the weekends.
By amy
October 10, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Ditto to what Kristin said, I worked at GSU and everything in that area (Broad Street) is only open for breakfast and lunch.
By AceyMan
October 10, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
On the N-S line at N4/Midtown is a good spot one block up West Peachtree at the corner of 11th called Charlie G’s. Good american fare, a regular crowd and they pull a nice pint of beer, too. Just the thing after a tough day at the office. (Shout out to Dusty and Jim!).
By Josh
October 10, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Vespucci’s Pizza on Peactree and 17th street about a 2 block walk from the Arts Center Marta rail stop. Hands down the best pizza in Atlanta.
By SteveO
October 10, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
I would classify MLK as being closer to Krog Bar then Inman Park. Either way, it’s about a 20 minute walk.
Why didn’t you recommend Son’s Place at Inman Park?
By Smokey
October 10, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Fox Bros. BBQ, in between the Inman Park and Candler Park stations. Yum.
By Darin
October 10, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
I second the Vespucci’s recommendation from the Arts Center station. I wouldn’t call it the best pizza in town, but it’s darn good and I like their calzone too.
Also in walking distance from that same station, there’s TAP, Trois, Tamarind Seed and Shout.
By Sean
October 10, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
True, everything on Broad Street at the Five Points station is closed after lunch, but there is a small mom-and-pop place right at the station called Sub City. They serve some damn good cheesesteaks and wings. Their grilled chicken salad is awesome, too.
By CBL
October 10, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Waffle House at Lindbergh. It’s one of the cleaner ones I’ve been to, and you won’t get mugged or shot like at the new one at 5 Points.
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October 16, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this
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By carol
October 22, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
You’ll find no better baked goods - especially the scones - or meals anywhere up & down the rail line than you’ll get at DUCKS!
I use MARTA from North Springs to East Lake so I have to stay on the train if I want to get there by rail…DUCKS is the best!