If you need some new spots on your to-try list, read on to find out where some of the top chefs in Atlanta are eating when they're off the clock Read our first installment here, our second installment here and find out where to eat in Atlanta around the clock by reading the AJC Fall Dining Guide.
"I have two kids, and in general, four to five nights a week, I chef. So we go out with our kids. We love going to Amazza in the Old Fourth Ward. Good pizza, the meatballs are tasty. … My kids are picky so we eat at Shorty's on Lawrenceville Highway. It's like what California Pizza Kitchen used to do. The curry pizza (called) Ravi Shanker has got curry veggies and curry stuff on it. They have pretty fun pizza and they have a killer big, sloppy turkey sandwich. If we are doing a nicer night without the kiddos: No. 246 in Decatur. It's our overall favorite of Ford (Fry's) restaurants. For sushi, I like Sushi House Hayakawa. It's not flashy at all." – Billy Allin, Cakes & Ale, Proof Bakeshop and soon-to-open Bread & Butterfly Café
"If it's barbecue, I go for brisket where they really hit it. Fox Bros. and Community Q do it well. My latest find is Good Luck Gourmet. There's a lot of flavors we can't wrap our arms around. For an authentic taquería: El Rey de Taco. Ask for the handmade tortilla. The carnitas are really rich and porky and not dried out." – Ford Fry, Rocket Farm Restaurants
"If I can get away, it's usually after the lunch rush is over at Star or Dub's and before dinner service. We go to Bone Garden Cantina. It's close. It's good. They have tacos. … We like a dish at a place that used to be called Ume Zono. Now they call it I Love Sushi. It's up in Smyrna. It's pork katsu don, a pork cutlet smothered in onions with a cooked egg on rice … Ameer's on Briarcliff: They make good hummus and baba ganoush. I really love Houston's. My dish is the grilled artichoke." – Anne Quatrano, Star Provisions
"Umaido up in Suwanee. It's a great little Japanese place. They have spicy miso ramen that is fricking awesome. They have rice bowls with fried pork and pickled ginger. It's just delicious." – Ryan Smith, Staplehouse
"There is a little place not far from my house: Thai of Austell. Nothing but 15 seats. Two sisters run it. I get me a little pad Thai and chill out. … I also get cocktails at Kimball House. Get me a drinky-drink and see Miles (Macquarrie)." – Duane Nutter, One Flew South
