I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed writing about food until I wrote an article listing the best places to eat around Georgia Tech, which you can find here. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to write another one! This time, I’m taking it back to my pseudo-hometown of Roswell. (“pseudo” because I’m technically from Toronto but moved to Roswell when I was 8.) The suburbs of Roswell have relatively less to offer if we’re referring to sites and attractions. Sure, it boasts a lovely historic district that is always bustling on the weekends. However, there is only so much you can do before you choose instead to drive 45 minutes south to midtown Atlanta to ride your bike along the Beltline or see the High Museum.
Over the past 11 years living in Roswell, I have discovered that the town has much to offer in terms food, and I thought I’d share some of my favorites! Check them out:
1. Rhea's III
I used to pass by this burger joint every day since it’s only a 5-minute drive from my house, but I never even acknowledged it until my best friend took me for the first time a few years back. And I’ve been countless times since. Rhea’s touts the slogan “Best Burger in Roswell”, and from my experience, they definitely live up to it. Not only do they make a mean BLT (with the necessary side of fries), but their food also comes at affordable prices. You could eat an entire meal that costs almost as much as an ice cream cone from Bruster's right next door. The customer service is also excellent: the waiters work with haste, and you’ll have your food within 10 minutes -- even when it’s crowded. I’ve been there numerous times that the waiters remember my order, and I can’t tell if I should be embarrassed by that or not…
2. Fickle Pickle
Located on Roswell’s beloved Canton Street, Fickle Pickle is a restaurant known for its sandwiches and typical Southern cuisine with items like fried green tomatoes, sweet potato fries and peach iced tea. If you like pickles, their famous Cajun fried pickles are a must-try, and a half order of them is a perfect appetizer for two or three people. I also love their Brie BLT (sense a pattern?), which consists of brie, arugula, tomato, bacon, balsamic glaze and basil mayo on grilled sourdough. What could be more mouth-watering? Although it’s the only entree I’ve tried, I’ve also heard great things about the Asian Salmon Salad and the Tuna Melt. Check out their menu and reviews here.
3. Adele's on Canton
Another treasure can be found on Canton Street, and that would be Adele’s on Canton. Their menu contains Cajun-style dishes inspired by New Orleans’ cuisine, which means they have po’ boys -- basically the best sandwiches you’ll ever taste. If you don’t know what po’ boys are, they are essentially French baguettes containing meat or seafood. I was skeptical when my friend suggested we try Adele’s since I’m not a huge fan of seafood, but I’m glad I followed along. They have just as many non-seafood options as they do seafood ones, and as soon as I took a bite out of their Ham and Swiss Po’ Boy, I knew I would be coming back. I mean, anything on a baguette must be delicious. I went with two friends, and we also tried their beignets, called “French Quarter Beignets”. Let’s just say, there was not even a speck of powdered sugar left on our plate… Check out their menu here.
4. Stax Burger Bar
Like Rhea’s, I drove by this restaurant hundreds of times before I actually stepped foot in it. I tried Stax for the first time back in February, but what I ate wasn’t as memorable as the Veggie Burger I had when I went a second time in August. I’ve never tried any sort of veggie burger, and this was definitely a great version of one for a first-timer like me. If you love mushrooms, you will thoroughly enjoy this portobello, red peppers, cheddar, tomatoes and arugula concoction on a brioche bun. Stax is also relatively inexpensive if you compare it to Fickle Pickle, Adele’s and others on Canton Street, which affords a nice, charming atmosphere. But if you’re looking for a cheap, quick bite to eat, consider Stax as an option! You can find their menu here.
5. Zest
Surprise, surprise. Another restaurant on Canton Street. Zest is located right at the heart of Canton Street, among others like Ceviche, Little Alley Steak, Salt Factory Pub and more. It has a sushi bar and is also known for its tapas, or “small plates”. If you look through their reviews on Yelp, you might see many mixed responses, maybe even more bad than good. However, if you try their Spider Rolls or Volcano Rolls, you can’t go wrong. The prices may be higher than what you’ll find at Tokyo Boat, but the quality matches up. Their sushi is the best I’ve tried even after going to Vuu and Benihana. If you’re shooting for something fancy, head to Zest on the weekend, grab a table outside and enjoy the hustle and bustle that is Roswell’s historic district! Check out their menu here.
6. Land of a Thousand Hills
For a coffee-lover like me, there’s bound to be a coffee shop somewhere on this list. Land of a Thousand Hills is just past Canton, up on Atlanta Street. This cafe is where I went with only my iPad to craft many college essays during the fall of my senior year. This cafe is where I worked until 11pm on a Saturday night making a movie trailer for my English class, a project requiring multiple cappuccinos. It’s where I’ve met up with friends to catch up, chatted about favorite childhood movies and read for pleasure. All with my favorite drink, a Rwandan Chill, by my side. LOTH, as many call it, also has a pretty comprehensive selection of teas if you prefer those over espressos. Check out what they have to offer here.
If you are visiting Roswell for the first time or if you've lived in Roswell your entire life and want to try something new, definitely check out one of these restaurants. And if there are any places you recommend that aren't listed above, please comment!
