Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
-
Are you in the mood for pizza this holiday? Marco’s Pizza is offering customers a nice deal right after Labor Day.
Get This Deal From Marco’s Pizza
From September 5-7, customers can enjoy 30% off all menu-price pizzas using promo code LD30. Offer available for online and app orders only.
You get to choose from an assortment of mouth-watering Marco’s pizzas, such as the Magnifico lineup – all featuring our dedicated quality ingredients including fresh dough, original sauce and three fresh signature cheeses.
you’re a health nut and want more local healthy food choices, perhaps you’ll be interested in our Guide to Local Farmers Markets.
We also have special coverage of Black Farmers In Atlanta as well as How To Keto In Atlanta.
More Food Coverage:
Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta
-
As the nice weather facilitates more people out on the water, the deaths continue for Lake Lanier. Georgia officials confirm that an Atlanta man died while swimming in Lake Lanier over the weekend.
Edgar Steven Cruz Martinez, 23, visited the lake on Saturday, August 26, 2023 and went under the water for a swim. About 3 p.m. that day, first responders with the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office arrived after receiving a call about a possible drowning at Lake Lanier.
When they arrived, observers said that Martinez never resurfaced after going for a swim. Officials found his body in about 10 feet of water.
Martinez is the seventh person to drown in Lake Lanier this year.
Why Do So Many People Drown In Lake Lanier?
One of the reasons Lake Lanier has so many fatalities year in and year out is that people fail to follow safe boating practices, according to safety officials. Boating under the influence continues to be an issue on the man-made lake. People boating without safety vests on also has been frequently observed.
There are also some curious incidents that have occurred on the lake that have raised questions about its past. Read our Untold History of Lake Lanier.
-
Move over Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, the boneless Southern fried chicken empire, is expanding across metro Atlanta with the recent opening of its third location in the Peach State.
On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, Raising Cane’s opened in Buford near the Mall of Georgia. The new location has a garage door which the restaurant plans to use on sunny days, according to a press release.
Raising Cane’s Opens In Buford
The fast-food restaurant’s hours are:
How Many Raising Cane’s Are In Georgia?
Georgia has three Raising Cane’s locations so far. They are located at:
- Dacula: 3485 Braselton Hwy, Dacula, GA 30019 | (770) 871-2147
- Athens: 795 Baxter St, Athens, GA 30605 | (706) 548-2008
- Buford: 3300 Buford Dr, Buford, GA 30519 | (770) 871-2171
The eatery, which has close to 740 restaurants across 36 states, is continuing its expansion. Raising Cane’s, which began in Baton Rouge near Louisiana State University.
Cane’s is a focused concept known for its Chicken Finger meals – complete with crispy crinkle-cut fries, homemade Cane’s sauce, Cane’s toast and coleslaw.
Where Is Raising Cane’s Located In Buford?
Raising Cane’s is located at 3300 Buford Drive across the street from the Mall of Georgia.
Along with those delicious chicken tenders, each Raising Cane’s location has as part of its decor, disco balls, a velvet Elvis painting and the Raising Cane’s mural on exposed brick.
Final Bite
Fried chicken is a delicacy here in the South, and it doesn’t have to be boneless. Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
-
We all love to go out to eat from time to time, but there’s nothing like cooking at home. What’s for dinner? Homemade tacos!
Have you ever thought about creating tacos yourself? It’s not hard! You can make them just like your favorite Atlanta restaurant that serves Mexican fare. In this article, we’re going to show you how from the best taco recipe we have.
Before we show you how to create a taco that rocks, let’s get into what makes a perfect taco.
How To Make A Taco
A taco consists of a tortilla made of wheat or corn. If you cook it just a bit, you’ll have the right consistency and texture you need to fill the taco with ground beef, chicken or some other meat.
Speaking of meat, you may be wondering what you can put inside of a taco. Here are just some of the fillings you can use for a taco:
- Ground beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Fish (salmon, catfish, halibut, etc.)
- Cheese
- Vegetable medley
There is so much you can do with a taco and so many ways to create one. Because it is a dish that lends itself to so much diversity and variety, the taco is truly a global food.
Along with the meat filling, you want to add some other things, such as some type of greenery and spices, sauces and other condiments.
Here Is The Best Taco Recipe
To make this awesome taco, you’re going to need several ingredients, including cheese and other toppings. We’re going to go over everything, but first, let’s talk about the meat you need to use.
What kind of beef should you use?
It’s best to use 100% lean ground beef in your taco, but even 90% will work. You don’t want a lot of grease to be in your tortilla. So, you don’t want your beef to be too fatty.
I personally use Pace Taco mild seasoning and sprinkle it over my beef.
As an alternative, you can also use Yoders Canned Taco Seasoned Beef if you want everything already done for you.
Instructions
- Turn your stove’s heat up to medium high
- Add your ground beef in a skillet
- Add garlic pepper, salt, oregano, garlic powder and chili powder
- Cook the beef while tossing it periodically
- Once the beef is about done, add tomato sauce
- Add water if you want to stretch the sauce, but if not, no water
- Once the sauce is brought to a boil, set oven to low
Here are just some of the non-meat fillings you can use in a taco:
- Salsa
- Shredded cheese
- guacamole
- sour cream
- vegetables
- lettuce
- onion
- tomatoes
- chiles
Now let’s get into the measurements of the ingredients you need the best taco recipe to take shape:
Taco Ingredients
- Taco shells (hard shells or soft tortillas)
- 1 lb. 90% to 100% lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 white onion cut in 1/2 inch rounds
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1/4 cup water (optional)
Nutrition Information
524 calories; 44 g protein; 12 g fat(1 g sat); 90 mg cholesterol; 10 g fiber; 60 g carbohydrates; 60 mcg folate; 19 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 2,435 IU vitamin A; 20 mg vitamin C; 240 mg calcium; 4 mg iron; 1,250 mg sodium; 508 mg potassium
Once you prepare your ingredients for a taco this way, it will take about 30 minutes and the yield should be four servings. Make your plate and enjoy the best taco recipe you’ve ever had!
To make it official, you can get some taco tools as well:
Bonus: How To Make A Fish Tacos What kind of fish to use Cod Haddock Catfish Tilapia Grouper What to put on fish tacos Chopped cabbage Diced tomatoes Salsa Diced onion Shredded lettuce Coleslaw Shredded Cheese Instructions Cook fish in oven or on stovetop for 10-13 minutes or until brown Heat up your tortillas Break up fish into tortillas and proceed to add toppings Ready to serve Final Word
You might not realize it, but tacos are one of those dishes that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Taco may be a Spanish word and a traditional Mexican dish, but Americans have fallen in love with it.
If you’ve had success with making tacos after reading this article, post a pic in the comments so we can see what you’re working with!
Tacos aren’t the only things you can make at home with great success. Burritos, tostadas and even chalupas can be make pretty easy from your own kitchen.
Atlanta restaurant are one of the hottest things happening right now. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
-
A new Atlanta restaurant is serving great food on the Beltline: Breaker Breaker is a full-service restaurant and bar concept that opened its doors on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, in the city’s Reynoldstown neighborhood.
Breaker Breaker comes to us from the team behind Grindhouse Killer Burgers, which is one of the best burger spots in Atlanta.
Now Serving In Atlanta: Breaker Breaker
The 9,000-square foot space features a 60-seat interior dining space along with a 25-seat indoor/outdoor bar. There’s also counter-style service available on the patio for about 100 guests. The outdoor area is shaded underneath a huge steel canopy that comes from the building’s past life as a warehouse.
Breaker Breaker serves lunch and dinner Wednesday – Sunday from 11:30 am – 10 pm.
What’s On The Menu At Breaker Breaker?
The menu at Breaker Breaker, which is the brainchild of Chef Maximilian Hines, features seafood you’d find in a dive bar along with some awesome fried platters and the like. Here are some menu faves:
- Gulf Fish Ceviche, Hush Puppies with hot honey butter
- Charbroiled Oysters with house garlic butter and Parmesan
- Jumbo Cajun Shrimp Boil loaded with sausage, potatoes and market veggies
- Classic Fried Platters of Shrimp, Gulf Fish and Chicken Tenders
- Shrimp Po-Boy Sandwich Basket
- Blackened Grouper Sandwich
- Cajun Roast Chicken Club
- Fried Chicken Sandwich topped with creamy slaw and hot sauce
For vegetarians, the menu also includes dishes like Fried “Calamari” made with hearts of palm and enoki mushrooms, a fresh and herbaceous Cabbage & Crispy Rice Salad, and a Mushroom Chopped Cheese sub with griddled mushrooms, onions and Swiss cheese.
Read the Breaker Breaker Menu.
Where Is Breaker Breaker Located In Atlanta?
Breaker Breaker is located on the former Stein Steel Co. development on the Eastside BeltLine Trail in Atlanta’s Reynoldstown neighborhood at 921 Wylie St. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers’ team of Merritt Lancaster, owners Alex Brounstein and Johnny Farrow began to make plans for Breaker Breaker four years ago.
“We didn’t have an initial concept in mind but recognized from the start that this was a special piece of property,” Brounstein says in a press release. “After many rounds of conversations, we landed on bringing the experience of sleepy Gulf coast dive bars to this pocket on the Beltline, creating a really relaxed and casual atmosphere for the neighborhood.”
The eatery’s beverage program features beach-centric cocktails like the Amity Island, made with black cherry vodka, peach liqueur, blue curacao, lemon and gummy sharks, and the frozen Sleeper Cab, which includes Highclere Gin, Campari and watermelon juice. An assortment of wines and beers are also available, including the restaurant’s signature Longhaul Lager, which is a nod to the big-rig transport trucks that delivered the raw steel beams to the property.
Final Bite
So, now we’ve got a new reason to head to the Beltline. If you’re in the mood for seafood, Atlanta has quite a few good places to choose from, but Breaker Breaker is a no-brainer.
-
A good credit score is essential to keeping the purchasing power to buy the things you need and want.
A lot of people no less than zero about their credit scores, so i”m going to break down all you need to know about them, including where to get them and what’s a good credit score range.
What Is A Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number assigned to consumers who borrow money. The higher the score, the lower your credit risk.
If you’re under 18, you may not have a credit score yet.
As soon as you turn 18, you may notice a bunch of credit card offers in the mail. That’s because by law you’re fair game to be solicited to get a credit card.
How To Get Your Credit Score
Let’s say you apply for that credit card and get it. Then, you’ll be assigned a credit score. It will be used by lenders to access your credit risk.
Here’s How To Get Your Credit Score:
Every year, you have the right to request one free copy of your credit report from three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
You can can request your free credit report online at AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-322-8228.
If you have any discrepancies on your credit report, you can dispute it.
When you get your credit report, here’s what you should do:
- Go over your credit reports with a fine tooth comb
- Make sure you know which open accounts you have
- Make sure you know which closed accounts you have
Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean
Once you receive your credit report, you’ll see scores ranging from 300 to 850. Here are the credit score ranges for a consumer:
- Excellent Credit: 850-800
- Very Good Credit: 799-750
- Good Credit: 749-700
- Fair Credit: 699-650
- Bad Credit: 649-600
- Poor Credit: 599-300
What Is A Good Credit Score Range?
A good credit score range is one that is between 700 to 749. The credit scores are determined by he Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), which created the scores that lenders use to issue credit.
What Is A Good Credit Score To Buy A House?
If you have fair credit, you can still get credit, it just will be at a higher interest rate. Lenders will generally let you qualify for a mortgage with a credit score above 650.
What Is A Good Credit Score To Buy A Car?
If you want to buy a car, you can typically qualify with a credit score around 650, which is again in the fair range.
The truth is that there’s no uniform, agreed-upon minimum that lenders abide by. There’s just so many other factors at play, like how much your downpayment is.
-
The students at Spelman College in Atlanta are about to get “sluttified.” The popular plant-based restaurant Slutty Vegan is poised to open a location at Spelman within the Atlanta University Center (AUC).
The new location will be the 13th Slutty Vegan that has opened over the past three years when the fast-food eatery began as a food truck. The expansion of part of a $25 million investment that owner Pinky Cole received to grow her brand.
When Is Slutty Vegan Opening At Spelman?
Slutty Vegan is set to open on the campus of Spelman on August 16, 2023.
The opening is the second metro Atlanta location of Slutty Vegan in a collegiate setting. Earlier this year, Slutty Vegan opened on the campus of Georgia Tech in Midtown.
Where Is The Slutty Vegan At Spelman Located?
The location of the restaurant is 350 Spelman Lane SW. Here is a map to help you find it.
Atlanta-based vegan burger chain Slutty Vegan is expanding yet again, this time with a location in the Atlanta University Center neighborhood on Spelman College’s campus.
The menu will feature standout favorites like the “Side Heaux,” One Night Stand,” “Sloppy Toppy,” “Big Dawg,” and more.
Final Bite
Cole’s plant-based empire is quickly gaining a foothold on the Atlanta dining scene, but it’s not the only food in town. When it comes to trendy eateries, outdoors and inside, Atlanta’s food and drink scene has it all.
-
One of the greatest culinary creations over the past 20 years has been the chicken sandwich. Move over, Popeyes, you’ve got some competition in Atlanta.In this article, I’m going to share some of the best places that serve chicken sandwiches in Atlanta, not to be confused with fried chicken.Who Has The Best Chicken Sandwich In Atlanta?
The crunchy crust, the customary pickle. Who ya got? The chicken sandwich has come a long way over the decades. Remember when it used to be bone-in?
The boneless chicken explosion — popularized by none other than Atlanta’s Chick-fil-A — has brought the chicken sandwich to restaurant menus across the Southeast.Let’s dive right into the top places to grab a chicken sandwich in Atlanta.Boxcar Betty’s
950 West Marietta St NW, Atlanta, Ga. | (843) 225-7470
Photo credit: Boxcar Betty’s Boxcar Betty’s is owned by Roth Scott and Ian MacBryde, who opened the first location in Charleston. The Atlanta eatery’s menu boasts the Boxcar Chicken Sandwich, which comes with Pimiento Cheese, Peach Slaw, House Pickles, Spicy Mayo; the Chicken “Not So Waffle,” which has Bacon Jam, Maple Syrup, Pimiento Cheese, Tomato. The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich has Blue Cheese Sauce, Tomato, Bibb Lettuce.
Argosy
470 Flat Shoals Av. SE Atlanta, Ga. | (404) 577-0407
Here’s what one reviewer says about Argosy. “Fabulous, as always. They’ve got this Covid thing down and are still serving refreshing drinks and delicious food in a super spacious outdoor ‘yard’. They’ll get you chairs once you order, which you do just inside the patio door. Then they bring your order to the table packaged to-go so you’re completely self sufficient. Someone pops by here and there to check in. With cooler temperatures on the horizon, this is going to be a go to.”
Farm Bird ATL
3365 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
When it comes to hot chicken sandwiches, Farm Bird ATL is up there. Here’s how to order.
Delilah’s Everyday Soul
Chattahoochee Food Works | 470-827-4567
The Southern Belle chicken sandwich boasts a scrumptious piece of fried chicken layered with a fried green tomato, a slab of bacon, bread and butter pickles, pimento cheese, house hot sauce with all the trimmings. Absolutely worth it. Read all about it.
Scoville Hot Chicken
4969 Roswell Rd #220, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Scoville Hot Chicken opened in March 2021 to rave reviews.
Here’s what one customer says about Scoville Hot Chicken. “Anyone who gave this restaurant anything below a 5 star rating must have misclicked or does not like chicken. After touring Nashville and eating at multiple staple hot chicken places, I can say that this was better than all of them. The “hot” spice level was hot enough to make me feel it for the rest of the day but not unbearable. The chicken itself was crispy on the outside and very juicy. Fries were superb, sandwich had many toppings that were not found on most others. We received the food quickly and the workers were very nice. 11/10 food, 11/10 experience.”
Popeyes
The undisputed king of chicken sandwiches is the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, which came out in 2019 to rave reviews. Here’s where to get the Popeyes Chicken Sandwich in Atlanta, Georgia.
How Crispy Express
71 Georgia Ave SE Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30312 | (678) 705-3531
We tried How Crispy Express, which opened in Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood in 2022, and we’re glad to report that it’s pretty good.
Scoville Hot Chicken
4969 Roswell Rd #220, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Scoville Hot Chicken opened in March 2021 to rave reviews.
Here’s what one customer says about Scoville Hot Chicken. “Anyone who gave this restaurant anything below a 5 star rating must have misclicked or does not like chicken. After touring Nashville and eating at multiple staple hot chicken places, I can say that this was better than all of them. The “hot” spice level was hot enough to make me feel it for the rest of the day but not unbearable. The chicken itself was crispy on the outside and very juicy. Fries were superb, sandwich had many toppings that were not found on most others. We received the food quickly and the workers were very nice. 11/10 food, 11/10 experience.”
Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s debuted a chicken sandwich in 2020 and it is very good, if I do say so myself.How much is Zaxby’s Chicken Sandwich?The Zaxby’s Chicken Sandwich costs $3.99 in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The sandwich is priced similar across America.Hattie B’s
299 Moreland Ave NE Atlanta, Georgia 30307 | (678) 888-4884
The Hattie B’s Chicken Sandwich is a work of art. I didn’t expect so many explosive flavors when I tried it earlier this year.How Has The Best Chicken Sandwich?
It’s kind of difficult to determine who has the best chicken sandwich. The reason is because in addition to many sit-down restaurants that offer the chicken sandwich, many fast-food restaurants also have a chicken sandwich including:- Burger King
- McDonalds
- Wendy’s
So it really depends on where you want to eat and how much of a hurry are you in when you’re hungry.Final Word
The chicken sandwich wars are heating up in Atlanta, Georgia restaurants as many old and new restaurants are adding the fan favorite to their respective menus.
If there’s been a clear winner in food items the last two years, the chicken sandwich is it. Many eateries are now serving a thick piece of chicken, usually the breast, between two buns and it is delicious. Here in Atlanta, there are several restaurants that make a mean chicken sandwich.
If you want to check out some other romantic restaurants in Atlanta, these are hard to beat. But Atlanta also has trendy restaurants, pop-ups and time-tested landmarks that continue to draw big crowds.Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
-
Breakfast is becoming an all-day affair in the Atlanta area. A new restaurant, The Breakfast Bar, just opened in Duluth, Georgia.
The eatery fashions itself as a new elevated and experimental breakfast restaurant you don’t want to miss. A grand opening was held on us on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
What’s On The Menu At The Breakfast Bar?
On the menu, you can find locally sourced ingredients matched with handcrafted cocktails in a family environment. On the menu, you’ll find:
- Atlantic Salmon: Blackened Salmon, Braised Collards and 5 Cheese Creamy Macaroni and Cheese)
- Honey Chicken: 3 Whole Wings, Dusted Ranch Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze, and Cheese Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Maine Broiled or Fried Lobster Tail: Lobster, Cinnamon maple yams, and garlic spinach
Where Is The Breakfast Bar Located?
The Breakfast Bar is located at 3585 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Duluth, Ga. 30096. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
Interested in dining outside? Here are the best Atlanta restaurants for outdoor eating and here are those with great patios.
If you want to take your dog to the park, here are the best Atlanta parks for Fido.
More From AtlantaFi.com:
-
Tamika Newhouse says by the time she was 12, she knew she would be a famous author. “I have always told stories through the written word since I learned how to write,” she said.
Once she was published at the age of 20, she began to look for ways to generate excitement around her work by creating event-filled book signings.
Meet Tamika Newhouse: Founder Of Black Writers Weekend
“There’s where my concepts of books, music, food, and fun came into play,” she says. “No one was doing it like that then so I began to brand them and invite other authors in a collaborative effort to bring more readers in. I eventually utilized my book club to create an award show for underrepresented authors and it expanded into a three-day festival.”
That festival is Black Writers Weekend, a refreshing event to celebrate black writers in film and publishing. The event takes place this year August 4-7, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Experience the only weekend where you’ll meet your favorite author, screenwriter, podcaster, artists, and film & television stars,” she says.
In addition to getting the opportunity to network with like-minded literary minds, you can also expect:
- Meet up with friends at one of the Lit crawl locations which boast several authors in collaborative book signings.
- Intimate book chats with literary rock stars.
- Vibrant panels featuring Black male authors and screenwriters.
- Indulge in rooftop parties and socials so that readers can party with their favorite writers.
- Movie screenings, masterclasses, parties and more!
“Black Writers Weekend was explicitly created for creatives and culture lovers,” she says.
Newhouse says the event, now in its 14th year, is just one of many concepts she’s devised to showcase her work as well as that of other black authors.
“Today, I have elevated well over 10,000 writers and worked with every major studio and publishing house you can think of all because of my unique approach to book signings. It has been a blessing to bless others,” she says.
Although school systems are under duress these days from multiple issues,
Newhouse says reading should be especially important to the black diaspora, which has historically been prevented from educating their descendants.
“Think about our history, how our ancestors could not talk in their language, and they were forbidden to learn and to write,” she says. “Our bloodline, our culture, our sounds, our stories, our looks, and our energies have influenced every culture on this planet, and we must celebrate ourselves by telling our stories through written words, music, movies, and fashion.”
As a black writer, Newhouse says it’s important for scribes to make space for themselves, especially in a world where the history of African people and their descendants has been deliberately hidden.
“It is important to me because we are the mecca of everything, and I refuse to allow them to silence us,” she says. “So, I will be the platform that helps make us loud and proud! Go Black King! Go Black Queen!”
Black Authors You Should Read
Newhouse says if you want to check out some of the best authors in the diaspora, here are her top picks. We’ve included some notable works of each author.
- Terry McMillan: Getting to Happy, Who Asked You?, Disappearing Acts
- Eric Jerome Dickey: The Son of Mr. Suleman: A Novel, The Other Woman, Pleasure
- Mary Monroe: Empty Vows, The Book Woman’s Daughter: A Novel, Mrs. Wiggins
- Octavia Butler: Kindred, Parable of the Sower, Clay’s Ark: Patternist, Book 3
- And of course, Tamika Newhouse: The Words I Didn’t Say, The Ultimate No-No, Cookie: A Fort Worth Story
When Is Black Writers Weekend?
Black Writers Weekend is set for August 3-6, 2023. Learn more here.
More AtlantaFi.com Stories: