Landmark Diner

Goal was to find places that have kid food that also have grown up food, so ended up here.

This is a Diner in the Buckhead (Atlanta area).  They are open 24 hrs.  And once you walked in you realized they must've had a party room, which is now become a Comedy Club that sometimes has magic shows.  I guess whatever it takes.  

They do have a bar here beside the diner fares.  But I will say majority of their food besides the burgers and stuff, the dishes has Mediterranean flavors. 

Have had mozzarella sticks in a long time.  Not realizing that they put in extra fries on there.  Dang it, I can't eat them all.

I ordered a slice of lasagna.  This thing is heavy duty, it has multiple layers and came with a side of Greek Salad.   I love feta and onion as a combo, but not exactly sure how that mesh with Italian food together.  More so because the lasagna's cheese is different from feta.  There's tons of meat, tons of pasta on that layering and definitely tons of cheese.  But that's also translates to tons of food.  Don't forget they have array of pies, cakes, and cookies on the dessert display.  I didn't even have the room to eye it.

We were there while folks were stuck in traffic, so not alot of people.  So service was attentive.  The pricing is high for the diner, but given the operating cost for 24 hr restaurant, I can see why.   They have Chicken Fried Steak, Chopped Steak, and Veal cutlet, in additional to Greek and Italian dishes.  We were really there for the kid menu, so that worked out. 

Landmark Diner

Buckhead

3652 Roswell Rd, NW

Atlanta, GA 30305

404-816-9090

https://www.landmarkdiner.com/

   

 

Johnny Rocket's

When you travel with a kid, you're bound to tied to eating kid food.

Since I haven't been to a Johnny Rockets at least a decade, I decided to sacrifice myself on that one.  Plus our server gave us this cute ketchup smiley face, why not. 

The kid got Grilled Cheese and a plate of fries with another smiley face.

What did I get? I got chili dog (yes if you're counting this week - it's my 2nd one).  Plus tater tots.  I'm always a tater tot fan first, then onion rings, then fries.  Of course, fries are everywhere so I have that more, but if they offer tots, I definitely get it.

As you know, their gimmick is the 50s style diner.  The whole decor and music does get you dancing there.  This location is actually in a very high end mall in Atlanta, but because there are so many offices near by, it does get super busy with lunch crowd.  Plus, there's a Lego Discovery Center directly across, the kids bound to want soda and fries, which makes this perfectly situated. 

Johnny Rockets

inside Phipps Plaza

3500 Peachtree Rd

Ste G9

Atlanta, GA 30326

404-233-9867

https://www.johnnyrockets.com/

 

Cheesecake Factory

I haven't been to Cheesecake Factory in forever.  

I got their Guava Sprakler - which Guava and Pineapple with lime soda, zero proof.  I love their bread, always fill up on them before the food gets there.

Since it's Friday, I got Fish and Chips - they fried battered cod.  Got the fries at the bottom and cole slaw for a measure of veggies.   The fish is pretty fresh, at the end of the day, fried food is fried food.

The space looked pretty as part of Cheesecake Factory signature.  The service was tough because there's a huge conference in town and where we went there were alot of offices buildings around, so you see the servers running around like crazy.  

Cheesecake Factory

at Lenox Square Mall

3393 Peachtree Road NE

Ste 3076a

Atlanta, GA 30326

404-816-2555

https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

 

Varsity

One of my MUST STOP when in Atlanta is Varsity. 

They've been featured on alot of food travel shows but I came here as a tourist/working 16 yrs ago and it just have history and fun atmosphere. 

They are not serving anything fancy by any means, but it has history.  

So what did I get?  Chili Dog, Onion Rings, and Fruit pies (which comes in Apple & Peach).  And their famous Varsity Orange Shake.   If you imagine orange Fanta but more like a creamsicle-slushy - that's Varsity Orange Shake.  They also have a non milk shake version too. 

Honestly, they only serve burgers and hot dogs, they have to be fast to accommodate for students at Georgia Tech and before the game.  So fast and volume is the name of their game.  They used to be the largest Drive-In, but now people just order to go.

My Fav - the fruit pies.  They are nice warm and fresh.  Truly designed for you to hold on to it and eat while watching the game.  The trust is thicker, so it is less likely to fall apart as a food to go. 

Don't underestimate this diner, Clark Gable visited here, multiple Presidents came here, and it was even a backdrop of movies.  If you couldn't go to the location, be sure to catch them while you're at the airport but just a heads up, they do not have fruit pies at the airport location. 

One thing that needs to be mentioned, they have a long history but also has their own lingo.  As you walk up, no one will greet you; but they will say What'll Ya Have, What'll Ya Have - that's really their greeting.  So you can order then.   Great place to go, plenty seatings, keep your eyes peel. 

Varsity

61 North Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30308

404-881-1706

https://thevarsity.com/

 

Lee's Bakery - Atlanta

I had to go to Atlanta for a work conference, snuck out one night to hang out with my friend Holly.  She recommended this Vietnamese place that is the place-to-be in ATL, so of course, we have to go check that out.

First off, this place is known for their Banh Mi.  It does taste good, very fresh ingredients, warm meat inside and of course, crunchy baguette.  

They have a deal that you get half of Banh Mi and a small bowl of beef pho.  That was all under $8.  Good food and good deal, can't be beat! 

I ordered the 3 colored drink, which has red (adzuki bean), mung beants, and grassjelly with coconut milk.  It's a very traditional Vietnamese drink.  But Lee's is really famous for their smoothie with boba in them.  People line up to get those when I was there.

I guess one thing about this place is that it's in the same shopping center of 2 other very good tasting and good deals places, except the others were taco joint and a Cuban food place.  And you can easily miss this place because it's behind a gas station.  But for the locals this is a very popular spot.  We see a constant stream of people getting orders to go.  They also have a bakery there, you can tell the mom and pop gets up early to bake their own baguette and other pastries.  Definitely a must try!

Lee's Bakery

4005 Buford Hwy Ste C

Atlanta, GA 30345

404-728-1008

https://www.facebook.com/LeesBakery