Back in college I had a fairly severe addiction to Mexican food. When hangovers were more frequent and less crippling, responsibility nonexistent, and extra weight less likely to cling on for a lifetime, my BFF and I would spend our afternoons at La Parrilla in Athens drinking mugs of Miller Lite, snacking on a bowl of bean dip (hot cheese poured over refried beans), and browsing the latest People or Us Weekly. The servers knew our names, our orders, and our propensity to say yes to another round. They knew we wanted taco salads either with or without cheese depending on whether or not we were on Weight Watchers that day.
One day, during what you could call either the high or low point of our college career, we went to La Parilla twice. Lunch and Dinner. It was that day we realized we had an actual addiction.
I've had this post rattling around in my head for a while and been avoiding writing it because people are PASSIONATE about their Mexican food. Guaranteed someone's going to get mad about my choices, but they're mine and that's that. If you would like to voice your opinion in the comment section I encourage you to do so. ;)
I grade Mexican Restaurants on the things I enjoy: overall vibe, salsa, cheese dip, guac, margs, salsa, taco salads, tacos, and fajitas. Enjoy.
Read MoreI've lived in Atlanta my whole life. I was there for the opening weekend of Underground Atlanta. The day 400 opened my dad took us for a joy ride from top to bottom, gleefully tossing his $50 cents in the toll. We attended almost every Olympic event possible, and we spent time in the Olympic Village and the brand spanking new Centennial Olympic Park. My friends and I went to Phipps Plaza as soon as it opened and then became regulars at the movie theater. When Kevin Gillespie returned from Top Chef and took his place back at Woodfire Grill, I had reservations the first week. I rejoiced at the opening of Atlantic Station and took my family down to stroll the avenues and check out the shops. I support the local festivals, and we make an annual trek to Chomp and Stomp and the Piedmont Park Arts Festival. I was one of the first to learn about what was The Streets of Buckhead and had a front row seat as they finally built Buckhead Atlanta. I'm a member of the High Museum of Art and Zoo Atlanta, and I go to the Botanical Gardens Night of Lights every year...
I love Atlanta. It's in my blood. I cheer for her success. I always believe in the spirit of Atlanta and that her next big break is around the corner... unless it's actually here...
The opening of the Atlanta Beltline, Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market is the truest representation of Atlanta Spirit I've ever seen. The sense of community is palpable. People are meeting and walking and enjoying each other and their community. We go almost every weekend, and there is always something new and exciting happening. We saw our favorites, The Whiskey Gentry in the park, and the next night we accidentally got caught in the lantern parade. We ate burgers at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall and sampled beers at Hop City Beer. We go for margaritas and tacos at Superica and walk over to Jeni's for ice cream.
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