I grew up in a era and an area where the best restaurants where the chain restaurants. We would dine at Denny's - alright more like hang out after a late night or grab a bite at Bennigan's or TGI Friday's.
Metro Atlanta has no shortage of chain restaurants, but the city of Atlanta is well know for their unique restaurants. Whenever I have the opportunity to meet someone for lunch in-town I often try to get someone to make a recommendation for a restaurant I have not been to yet.
Today I met a friend at Taqueria del Sol on Howell Mill Rd. We were to meet a little after noon, but my morning meeting ended early so I got there around 11:30 thinking I would grab a table and get a little work done before meeting my friend. Taqueria del Sol is a restaurant where you order at the counter first and then grab a table where your food is served, so I was not able to grab a table yet. I would have sat at the bar area and had a beverage while I waited, but by 11:30am the bar area was already full.
I sat at the bench in the front of the restaurant and began to write notes for my ongoing to-do list. As the time ticked away the line to order food grew out the door and into the parking lot. I called my friend to inquire if we REALLY wanted to deal with this growing crowd. She assured me the food was worth it, that this was why the line was growing. As I sat there I saw someone who I know worked a good 30 minutes away from the restaurant come in.
My friend arrived and we stood in line for about 15 minutes. I ordered two tacos and the guacamole. The service was fast and friendly and the food was incredibly fresh. I understand how Taqueria del Sol, is NOT one of Atlanta's best kept secrets.
Tip - the line was not long from 11:30-11:45 but it stretched out the door until after 2:00.