Free-For-All Friday 7/12/13
Decatur Metro | July 12, 2013Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
- rss
Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed in the past week.
Comments close on Monday.
Any idea what CSX used to trim the trees back from the tracks? Looks like they just lobbed a few grenades. If anyone had been on my back porch they might be dead. Scary.
Most likely a flail cutter that looks something like this:
But it would have been on a wheeled excavator with a railgear attachment.
I work for a company that makes the rail wheel attachments for trucks and other rail equipment.
-Steve
http://www.dmfatlanta.com
They used a trimmer attached to a specialized rail car. I saw it slowly traveling down the tracks but not actually in action. Here is a link to a YouTube video of one working…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKZhJEVmyZE If the link does not work just do a Google search for CSX tree trimmer or John Deere CSX Tree trimmer.
AJC has a food review of “3 new Mexican restaurants in Decatur.” It’s behind the paywall, so if someone has access, perhaps they could post a summary? I’m wondering what the third Mexican restaurant is after Mar and Hola.
Calle Latina
Which isn’t Mexican.
Close enough for government work or AJC reporting.
Neither is Hola, for that matter, but close enough for John Kessler.
I liked his lead about the native Mexican friend who worked in a Mexican restaurant cooking fake Mexican and then went home and cooked for her family the authentic type of things her customers wouldn’t buy.
What is HOLA! then? Southwestern?
No one has ever accused the AJC of being accurate…
Calle Latina isn’t specifically Mexican, but it’s eclectic Latin “street food” so that doesn’t exclude Mexican. There’s a picture of the American ?owner? as a young child with his mother in Mexico where his father was studying. If I got the story straight, that experience was part of the inspiration for the restaurant.
I went to FFAF and a Yelp! Food Snob Frenzy broke out.
from a teaser article:
“In tomorrow’s newspaper, I’ll take a look at the sudden influx of Mexican restaurants in Decatur.
Hola Mexican Cantina brings loads of color and some welcome energy to a prominent street corner.
Mar offers “coastal Mexico fare” in a pretty renovation of the space that had long been Feast.
Calle Latina serves tacos, tortas and Venezuelan arepas in a fast-casual (i.e., order at the counter) setting.
None of these three can match Decatur’s two standbys — Taqueria del Sol and Big Tex Cantina — for their sloppy Mexican goodness. But my early impression is that Calle Latina makes for a nice change of pace, while the other two will need to improve their food and (crucially) their margaritas to make me look forward to a return visit.”
I wonder if Kessler has ever been to Oakhurst.
Kessler probably doesn’t even know that Oakhurst exists. Or if he does, he doesn’t think its in Decatur.
At least he didn’t mention Las Brasas.
Did you know he lives in Decatur as in City of?
That’s offensive. He lives in the heart of Decatur. Why the hate?
i didn’t sense hate, just annoyance that Kessler failed to mention Mezcalitos in the pantheon of Decatur’s Mexican restaurants, or even mention them at all.
Kessler doesn’t give much credence to many of the Decatur restaurants.
Over the years I notice that his highest praise was for those restaurants with a marketing budget.
Definitely agree on the margaritas; the one I had at Hola might as well have been a Lime-a-Rita in terms of tequila content.
You are right about Hola!’s margaritas, it’s too terrible for me want to go back for the food. Not that i wont, just that the desire is not strong.
Calle, on the other hand, I just visited for the first time on Tuesday, and it was delicious! NO margaritas you say? Who cares, the food was that good.
I loved the food I had at Calle Latina, but it definitely feels like more of a lunch place to me.
Pssshaw! Now you sound like Mrs J_T when I eat cold, leftover Mongolian beef and General Tsao’s chicken for breakfast – I’m not saying I did that this morning, but we did order way too much food at Canton Cooks last night
Anyway, breakfast, lunch, dinner, high tea, supper, fourth meal, whatever, good places and good food are good whenever you’re hungry!
I agree on Calle Latina – we popped in on a Friday night and while food was tasty the lack of adult beverages made me think it of more of a day time spot. Though the couple next to us took matters into their own hands and snuck in a bottle of wine
. I had high hopes for MAR but after the mess of the soft opening (no food after 2+ hours and no apology or explanation from owner who was walking around) and this review, I am not sure I’ll be back. Hola was ok – they will let you order tacos a la carte if you ask (I agree on Kesslers’ comment that what comes with their 2 or 3 taco order is the type of rice and beans no one ever eats – except kids maybe). Big Tex – we went three times and were underwhelmed (plus at the time anyway there was not menu item, including tacos, that wasn’t fried/breaded), though haven’t been back in a year so perhaps a revisit is in order.
In my mind, Mezcalito’s in Oakhurt and Taqueria cannot be beat.
I like Matador as well or better than Mezcalito’s, but Rick Julian says I’m a no-taste freak who doesn’t respect the constitution when I say that. I may be confusing Rick with Walrus or Dawgfan or Dem about the latter part of that description, and the former part may actually be true, but whatever…
re: taste, that was definitely me–preferring Matador over Mezcalitos is like preferring Taco Bell to Taqueria, but you do have a constitutional right to be wrong so have at it!
Taqueria doesn’t have Dorito’s Locos taco shells and they will kick your ass out the door for asking about them. Case closed. Yo Quiero!
Calle Latina is approved for BYO now, so if you plan ahead you can bring some cerveza.
I need to try Calle,Went to Hola and was not impressed at all,very mediocre food,$15 nachos with dry chicken and more sour cream than cheese,won’t even mention drinks
Tried Mar too,not Impressed enough to return.
There are my negative comments of the day
Have a great weekend and find a good Taco
Do try it. It’s a whole different category of Latin food from both Hola! and Mar. In fact, all three are on different food planets.
+1. LOVE Calle! So fresh!
While journalistic accuracy is not necessarily expected, I don’t understand calling Big Tex Mexican. Their concept was Texas home cooking like their mama made. Does calling it a Cantina make it Mexican? On their good nights they have the best chicken fried steak outside Texas, and there’s nothing Mexican about that.
Big Tex’s menu started out more Mexican-oriented. Not so much anymore.
I think they have officially removed “Cantina” from their name anyway.
I ain’t never been to Mexico, so I don’t know what authentic Mexican food is like. If its more like what I get at the food courts at Plaza Fiesta and the Santa Fe malls, and less like the places in Decatur, (haven’t been to Mar yet) than we need a new descriptor.
I’m not sure what authentic Mexican is either (though I think mole is a key dish), but the food they serve up at Taqueria Los Hermanos in Tucker does the trick for me. Despite the name, it’s very seafood oriented. The specials are usually excellent and rather expensive, but there are cheaper options that are great too, like the enchiladas with shrimp and crawfish. The only downside is that their license is beer and wine only, so no real margaritas. I’m glad they opened a Staples nearby so I have another excuse to make the occasional trip out there because it beats any of the Mexican places in Decatur in my opinion (haven’t tried Mar yet either).
Ahhh, you must select a designated driver, bypass Tucker, and proceed directly to the Los Hermanos location at 4760 Lawrenceville Hwy in Lilburn. They have real margaritas (really , really, good margaritas). And the plaza has a Woo-Mart (not kidding, an Asian take on Walmart) which must be visited just so you can say you have been there.
Yes, I’ve been to that location a couple of times, but didn’t get a chance to try the margaritas. And I’ve been in the Woomart (Wumart, actually). Some interesting… artwork, if I recall correctly.
DUDE. This is our new favorite place. I obsess over the chicken chile relleno, though the brisket tamales and the mole enchiladas are also amazing. Also, they give you enough food for two or three meals, so there are always happy leftovers whenever we go. I’m almost glad they’re not closer or I would gain some serious weight.
Mar may be my chance to finally try Lobsters Stuffed with Tacos.
Anyone know if they take Players’ Club?
I have several of the soft-sided cold-pack thingys that vendors like Honey Baked, etc., freeze and put in the Styrofoam boxes when they ship frozen items to keep them frozen. Does anyone know how they can be disposed of? There is no indication that they are toxic in any way. Can I just open them and put them down the drain? What’s inside?
I get those pretty frequently and offer them up on freecycle. They always get snapped up quickly by people who can use them for a picnic etc.
So….can’t have a free for all without a mention of WalMart. Did anyone else see the rendering of the WalMart proposed for East Capital Street in D.C.? Can we have this version at Suburban Plaza, with residential over retail?
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-17/business/37149841_1_wal-mart-plans-steven-restivo-first-store
Unlikely, given that the nearby Fuqua development at Scott Blvd & N Decatur proposes to build a 200-unit apartment building.
I have bats roosting in the vents of my attic. While I greatly appreciate the less buggy yard, they are making a bit of a racket and I’m pretty sure some guano is making its way into the attic itself (EWW!). Any recommendations for some one or something to encourage the bats to roost elsewhere and help determine what sort of clean up needs to be done?
Be sure and avoid bat bites. They are not vampires but they can transmit rabies. If you are bit, seek immediate medical attention.
Recruit owls.
I would call Wes at AAA Trapping. They are good at fixing where critters get in, and I know I have talked with him about bats before even though we haven’t had that particular critter. Bonus: he usually has some baby animal that he has caught recently in his truck. 770-995-0803
Late spring and early summer is baby season for bats, so if you can be patient for a few weeks it would be kinder to your colony – and the pups may be the cause of some of the noise. You can exclude bats pretty easily by blocking the vent, which is a favorite roosting site, after making sure all the bats are outside – dusk. While their guano has a distinct odor, it is generally easy to clean up with household products. Bats can carry rabies which is transmitted through bites, but it is rare and their teeth are tiny and can’t penetrate leather work gloves. The National Wildlife Federation’s website has good bat info on their kids page (posting a link puts this in moderation, sorry). And be sure you use a licensed professional if you hire someone, as bats are protected, in addition to being adorable insectivores and threatened by white nose disease.
I was a Bat Mom, raising orphans, for several years. If you want more info, ask DM to connect us.
We just discovered this problem, which has been going on and off since last spring. I thought the droppings on my back steps were from rats, but when I had the pest people out to remediate for rats, they discovered the bats. They told me that the droppings can take the paint right off the house and you certainly don’t want to handle it, which made me feel even more icky about it being on my steps.
Anyway, it turned out they are ENDANGERED Big Brown Bats. They can be scared away if the babies are all ready to fly, but cannot be trapped or relocated. The ones roosting in my attic vent were all flight ready, so they were encouraged to leave with a blast from compressed air, the vent covered with mesh, and a lovely big bat house placed a few feet away on the roof overhang. The reasons for having the bat house are to discourage them from moving to the vent in the front of the house and yet keep them around to eat the bugs.
I cannot recommend highly enough Crocodile Dave and his workers. They did a neat, fast, efficient job, and although they’d already been here for four hours putting in the rat abatement, they called for reinforcements with a longer ladder and bat box, and stayed another hour and half to fix that problem. They even gave me a bit of a discount on the mesh they put up over the vent. Do give them a call if you need help relocating your bats.
I know it has been asked before, but I will do it again. Does anyone have a favorite security system company they would like to recommend?
Smith & Wesson
I bet that brand would top the list of most stolen security systems.
Yeah, not very effective unless you are home.
Add string and doorknob?
We recently had ADT come to our house and I asked them to leave within 20 minutes(lots of reasons but basically didn’t feel safe with them watching my house). We then called Ackerman. They came out quickly to see what we needed and scheduled the install for three days later. The installer was professional, pleasant and got everything installed in under an hour.
We have had Ackerman for four years and no complaints.
+ 1000 for Ackerman. Reasonably priced, great service and nice people.
I’d recommend you research AT&T Digital Life. It’s an awesome service that is revolutionizing home security and automation.
1) 5 Diamond certified monitoring (only 5% of home security firms achieve this).
2) Communicates to monitoring service via Wireless, with broadband backup so no need for a land line.
3) Very easy to use home automation options like remote management of door lock, cameras, water, etc.
4) System allows you to easily set up temporary pass codes, text alerts and other custom programs to address your specific needs. (like send a text alert when the kids turn off the alarm, take a picture of the front porch when motion is sensed, etc.)
Full disclosure, I am an AT&T employee, but I am also a customer who has been very happy with the service.
Agreed. I always wanted to install home automation, but X10 never really seemed to get their act together. AT&T Digital Life is the one of the first commercial-ready solutions supported by a major player, and we really like it.
My only gripe is understanding the packages and pricing. It’s very a la cart-oriented, so it’s hard to look at the website and determine exactly what you are going to pay. But the representative who comes out to your house is very helpful in cutting through the chaff.
Any more thoughts? I;d always thought I wouldn’t bother. Certainly 1/2 the time I’ll forget to set it, then the other 1/2 I’ll trip it accidentally….. but maybe I’ll consider……. it conflicts with my sense of the world though….. but again still considering.
+1 for Ackerman
We have Bulldog Security and I have been very pleased with the system and the monitoring service. Also had a good experience with Ackerman (at a previous house) but Bulldog’s monitoring was cheaper and you don’t sign a contract.
http://www.bulldoghomesecurity.com/#&panel1-1
AMSA – Alarm Monitoring Service of Atlanta. They will monitor anyone’s equipment (not just that which they have installed) and when the alarm goes off, we get a call from an English-speaking individual stationed in the United States. Have been using them since 2005 and are very happy.
And a second question: To any of you who are growing okra this year, how tall are your plants now?
Pretty short – about a foot or two, but I’m also trying okra for the first time and our garden hasn’t been getting much sun. They’re starting to produce, though.
Our okra plants are about 3 to 4 feet high and starting to produce. We have about 150 + plants that came in so we should have tons of okra this year.
I highly recommend Security Services of Georgia. We have used them for years. They are a small company with a lot of personal service. The owner, John Dunning is a great guy! Their number is (678) 444-4999.
Seconded for Security Services of Georgia and the personal recommendation of John.
you beat me to it! john is fabulous and they are very responsive…every time we’ve set off an alarm accidentally they call right away. we switched from ADT about a year ago and our bill is half what it used to be.
One more for Security Services. Very pleased with service and cost.
The CoD sanitation workers are top notch! Not only are they good at their job (even when they have to handle the crappy CoD trash bags- specifically the yellow ones), but they are always friendly, smiling, and enthusiastic. Our guy even remembered what my son was for Halloween!
Awww! Many of them meet the kids when the elementary schools do expeditions like “community workers” or “our community”. This aspect of Decatur is beyond priceless and worth the risk of occasional crime sprees.
Agreed, however their early pickup last Wednesday (instead of Friday because of the 4th) combined with a very extra early arrival in the morning on my particular street meant that most of us didn’t get things on the curb early enough for them. Now, with all the extra recycling due to the fourth our bins are very full and garbage extra stinky. It will not be one of their easier days on our street.
Yes! The gentlemen who pick up the bags at the dog park are somehow able to remain pleasant during the course of their duties. One time, my dog was barking at them and I yelled at him (dog): “God&$%#it! It’s your %#€&ing mess they’re picking up!” Without missing a beat, one of the guys says, “I’ve taken enough of your $#*t!”
Awesome.
I need suggestions of places to take my teen for beginning driving practice. With the older child we used Wachovia Bldg lot and DeVry – both no longer available.
DeVry was the best with striped roads, parking spaces and stop signs . It had no traffic on weekends and very little in the evening. I understand why it must be locked up now but I sure will miss that space during this round of driving practice.
My mom taught me and my sibs in cemeteries. A road-like system with very little traffic.
But I am pretty sure that unlike pedestrians, zombies never have the right-of-way.
Hah! Also a great reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. Smart Mom!
Stone Mountain Park. Start off in the huge parking lot across from the police station. Huge, empty, flat. The road around the mountain is one way for driving practice with no oncoming cars. Also lots of little turnoffs to practice parking, etc.
Avondale Pattilo UMC near the Kensington MARTA station. The Kensington MARTA station would also work.
I-285 because they can’t be any worse than most of the folks I see out there. Trial by fire!
For learning the extremely basic car moves: DHS Parking lot on weekends is ok if you want something nearby but it’s not as good as some of the other suggestions here that are further away.
Once you get onto the road, I apologize to the community behind 315 Ponce but it’s a good area to practice very early in the morning on a weekend. It doesn’t have much traffic or potential for speed but it does offer lots of practice in signaling, turning, maneuvering past parked cars, and when you get there–parallel parking. The hard part is getting a 15 year old to get up at 6:30 AM on a weekend morning but that’s a good test of how committed they are to learning to drive safely. If they aren’t committed and responsible, just wait. No reason for a teen to be on the road until they are totally ready and mature enough.
Did anyone attend the City meeting last night regarding a possible buyer/developer for the Howard Ave./Hillyer Place property?
Several years ago, this property was the focus of intense neighborhood opposition to a mammoth condo project. It has languished ever since.
I spoke to the surveyors while they were measuring — presumably a row of retail plus apartments, but would like to learn more.
I would be surprised to see retail on that lot given the lack of traffic. Howard at that location doesn’t seem like a busy enough road to pull that off. The businesses on the next block east toward Ice House are more service-oriented. Residential makes more sense, and would help the retail businesses to the west (and Felinis) but the lot is such a small footprint and you’d need to go up a ways to get density. I can understand why nearby residents might oppose that. Now we know why that lot sits empty, I suppose. If it were my money, I’d be scared doing mixed-use there given the farther along projects (W Ponce, Calloway, and Trinity Triangle) that are seemingly better positioned.
But, yeah, knowing what was presented/said at a meeting would be interesting.
Intense neighborhood opposition to development? I find that hard to believe.
The meeting was run by Lyn Menne. It’s purpose was to inform the neighbors that a couple of different potential buyers have expressed interest in the property and approached the city about appropriate development. So she wanted to get input into what folks hopes and concerns are prior to any changes and start a process of productive engagement between residents, developers and the city.
There is a 57 unit, 52 feet high (from mean ground level) condo plan on the books for that lot which was approved in 2006. The current owner, or any new owners, can build that building as long as they stick with the approved design. The approval process for this design was tortuous and costly for the city, neighbors and Cartel Properties. It was the first big fight concerning C-2 zoned property next to R-60. The final project is considerably smaller scale than the initial design proposal — removing street level retail and accompanying parking.
But Lyn said that the market has changed and the potential buyers don’t seem inclined to take a risk on condos. Since it is C-2 there are lots of potential things that could go in there. The neighbors expressed support for townhouses and or live/work units while listing concerns about building height, drainage, noise, historic design appropriateness, etc.
The most interesting thing to come out of the meeting was Lyn’s proposal to include the neighbors and developers in early design discussions so that they avoid protracted fights. The idea is to ask the developers to come to a meeting with several design ideas and a bottom line in terms of unit numbers and sizes, so that neighbors can express concerns early and perhaps offer design alternatives that they will be happy to live with, while the developers can plan a project that they can make money on without wasting time. No one believes that the lot is going to remain empty and I think everyone saw the idea as a positive step towards realistic progress.
Thanks for a great report. I hope this will serve as the model for an “engaged” development process with all concerned. Howard Ave. has great potential.
Well, it does fall along the Dequator, which I think we all agree is the place to be.
Do you get a royalty with every use of that term?
Pierce does.
I need to notify my agent and IP Attorney to get on the ball to streamline royalty payment process. Money has been rolling in!
I started learning to drive at North DeKalb Mall– when it was far busier than it is now. Early weekend mornings would probably be pretty empty there. Another possibility would be the Georgia Perimeter College campus on weekends, which I believe has stop signs and lane markings (I know the Dunwoody campus does). It should be close to empty on weekends during the summer.
On weekends you might also scout out one of the larger office parks, though I can’t think of a specific one in Decatur.
I missed our fireworks last week and I can’t wait until September. Lets talk about the biscuette article on race.
Avondale rescheduled their fireworks earlier than CoD, maybe end of August- check their website. Or, you could go to a Friday night Braves game:)
I think charity was trying to stir the pot, but the AE fireworks are rescheduled for Labor Day weekend. I’m kinda glad we’ll be able to enjoy both AE and Decatur fireworks this year. Thanks Mother Nature.
I didn’t know there was a racial aspect to biscuits. I thought it was more of a cultural thing. Whatever the case, this white Yankee prefers English muffins or bagels.
Following up on the crime wave, teens busted with weapons but facing no major charges. Awesome. And this article was the first I had heard about a woman shot in Kirkwood walking her dog.
http://eastatlanta.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/dekalb-police-chief-more-cops-to-patrol-southern-end-of-the-county
Anyone know what’ up with the sidewalk on Third just south of East Lake? Moved here months ago and it’s been nothing but a huge hole with yellow tape around it the whole time. I keep hoping to see movement on it but haven’t yet.
We walk that 3rd Avenue block 5-7 times each week. The area encircled by yellow tape has only been present about 3 weeks. Granted, the apparent water line repair to that home could take less time but if you “moved here months ago,” then the time frame of “a huge hole with yellow tape around it the whole time” is incorrect. Perhaps the elderly family is lacking funds to complete the repair.
All I know is it’s been that way for about 2 months. Wasn’t trying to offend anyone, I just didn’t know what was going on, and wondered if someone did.
Best new restaurant in Decatur is Mar. They have worked very hard to improve delivery from the kitchen and have succeeded. The Margaritas are excellent. I am not sure you can find a menu like this anywhere else in the Atlanta area. The owner’s live in our city and want to offer good quality for good value. I am not sure I have ever seen a chef work harder at quality and presentation. My comments are only as a happy customer. I have no vested interest other than seeing this unique restaurant succeed.
I was disappointed the first week open, but sure hope it works out. It is the polar opposite of Hola.
I was disappointed as well. Margaritas were good but the lobster taco was so spicy I wanted to vomit. And the service was unknowledgeable about the menu and way over attentive. As I was taking a bite of a taco the were reaching over me to remove a plate. The server didn’t ask us at the end of the meal if we wanted anything else and immediately brought us the check. It was our anniversary so I was in no rush to leave. I really, really wanted to like this restaurant cause the space is really cool. I love what they’ve done with it since Feast was so dark. But no bueno for me and the mister.
I have been 2x and love the cerviche options and drinks… nicely designed space (although prefer patio given noise issues). Service has been great (knowledgable, friendly, effective) both times. In fact the other day I thought it might have been a just toooooo personal.
They were also very busy, and I didn’t see anyone I know. So plenty of folks are finding there way there and having a good time.
I know they’ll do great!
What, you got something against shoulder massages from your waitstaff?
Anyone seen SHARKNADO yet? Not really sure what channel SyFy is on the cable but…
Just heard about this shortly ago. Cannot believe I had missed it somehow. I will be looking for listings over the weekend, to be sure!
Per my neighbor, who called DPD non-emergency, 9:30 AM a white lexus, Clayton Co plates, black male with white tanktop on……. was in my driveway pulled out and down the block, then back to my driveway (400 block of Avery St). She called DPD and they drove off.
Call 911.
…and ask them if they can teach me reading comprehension.
i acknowledge i’ve been a bit tough on El Matador in Oakhurst, and was thinking about why that is when it occurred to me it has nothing to do with the service–which has always been good; a fair amount about the food–which is consistently meh; and mostly about the fact i’ve never quite gotten over Sweet Devil Moon moving out of that space several years ago–maybe that’s the source of some undeserved latent hostility.
SDM rocked so effin hard and was one of my favorite places around–great people, great vibe, great food, great space. Then they got stars in their eyes and moved to Midtown, only to close after a relatively short run there.
Oh, Sweet Devil Moon, you’ll always be the one that got away.
+1 Rick.
That’s OK. I’ll probably never really accept Saba because Calavino’s closing broke my heart. Thank God she bounced back in EAV but I so wish she could have hung on in Oakhurst a bit longer. I have no doubt that place would have benefited from the Great Decatur Foodie Renaissance. At least I can still hop over to Urban Cannibals to get my Calavino fix, with the added of bonus of running into Doria Roberts, or at least enjoying one of her brownies. Speaking of which, hmmm, it’s almost lunch time…
Very reasonable reaction Rick – SDM was so interesting and came at a time before Oakhurst was a desitination, it was like our little secret. Then they had to move….
I like Matador, but you have to be very selective.
Kids eat free, video games for the kids after the quesadillas are scarfed, cold/reasonably-priced beer, serviceable margaritas, the white cheese dip and the white cheese dip.
I’m glad we have the option of cheap and meh Mexican within walking distance.
I have similar feelings about Heaping Bowl & Brew.
I reserve my HB&B nostalgia for the EAV location. The Oakhurst expansion just never seemed to live up to the original and is probably what led to the demise of both. Fortunately that didn’t happen to Melton’s, even though the rats later tried to drive them out of their original location as well!
Thinking back on the numerous restaurants that failed there, the space does seem to be cursed. I’ve joked that if Saba ever closes up shop, Six Feet Under is the only logical next tenant.
Heaping Bowl and Brew (EAV) brings back some good memories. Step-mother-in-law lived near there when it was still pretty much “pioneers” only and we had lots of dinners there. Loved that place. Never visited the Oakhurst location.
We loved that place too. We lived in Grant Park in the mid 90′s and I remember when EAV was first starting to gentrify. We ate many a bowl at Heaping Bowl and were disappointed when it closed.
Are you sure it wasn’t the 50 health score they received within the last two years that put them on the news??? We went to Matador almost weekly, mainly for the short walk and atmosphere (agree the food is meh…), but when I saw that 50 I just couldn’t stomach it again. We’ve never been back.
+1
One thing I find a tiny bit off-putting about Mescalito’s in Oakhurst is that there is an extraordinary amount of attention paid to regulars, to the point where it detracts from the service given too not-so-regular diners. I get being loyal to the people who keep coming back, but it’s a little much at times.
Conversely, the service in their new location off Memorial Drive is ABYSMAL, but it’s directly attributable to under staffing.
Having said that, I love their food.
Matador @ Glenwood is closed.
They deserve to be closed.
Agreed. Even Los Loros is better.
If it makes you feel any better, we go fairly regularly and the service is great one time and quite spotty another.
My husband and I love Mezcalito’s, and we find that we get fantastic service at the bar and just so-so service on the patio, which I don’t like anyway because it feels so cut off from the rest of the space. We both really like the food, too. We don’t mind Matador, either, their tacos are decent, but they are two entirely different Mexican experiences.
agree, the worst service we’ve had has been on the patio too.
i need to be able to brow furrow someone into paying more attention when i’ve been waiting too long, and no one’s on the patio often enough for me to.
leads me to tackling servers doing drop offs at neighboring tables before they scurry away which is actually kinda fun after you have a couple of their silver margaritas in you.
This explains our one mediocre experience there after getting rave reviews from friends. We were on the patio. Will try again.
Mark – I’m glad you had an observant neighbor because that sounds EXACTLY like the MO of the miscreants who are attacking Decatur.
I hope DPD, APD, DeKalb PD or any other form of the PoPo gets em!
Come on out to the United Methodist Children’s Home fundraiser tomorrow. Live music from Flap, DQE and Bon Vivants starting at 11 am.
http://www.umchildrenshome.org/2013/06/24/july-flea-market/
With all the talk about development impacts on the neighborhood surrounding 315 W. Ponce, I’m surprised no one’s mentioned the roadwork taking place on Fairview this week. It appears this may be related to some of the traffic calming measures that had been proposed a while back. RIght now they’re working on the intersection of Fairview and Montgomery, cutting in new concrete curb features around the four corners. Possibly the pseudo roundabout that had been talked about there?
There’s also something going in up on Ponce Place, and there’s other markers and barrels around as well.
They are kinda weird. I cant imagine plants doing well in such a small space (granted this year they would probably do okay with all the rain, but a normal summer they would just cook). And why didn’t they go ahead and make them bio swales like what is done in Portland and elsewhere? Its a missed opportunity for the city to really “go green”.
Just kinda seems like a waste of tax dollars to me as they’ve been executed. Kinda like the faux brick cross walks that are falling apart. Go all the way or not at all IMO.
The island that is it be cut in at the Clairemont/ Ponce Place will be a disaster. Making the already sharp turn right off of Clairemont will have people running into the island or around on the wrong side. I feel sorry for the residents on either side who wil be losing the ability to park beside their homes.
I have a strange but strong feeling that the people who actually live there are quite pleased with this development.
hearing reports of lots of homes without power here in the O tonight.
damn gang thugs, what won’t they steal?
They evidently came back several times overnight. We lost power near the FAVE around 3 am and again around 6 am. The little ones in my house apparently wake up when the ceiling fans stop. Gonna be a long sleepy day today…
Has anyone ever used one of those “we buy gold” type places? Which one?
PITA HOUSE is a nice mostly Mediterranean restaurant up in the Willy’s plaza at N Decatur and Clairmont. It is now managed by some very nice people from Eritrea, near Ethiopia. Hopefully they will eventually serve Ethiopian food too. I encourage people to try their restaurant; the falafel and grilled vegetables are excellent!!
Sorry if I’ve missed this conversation before — I couldn’t find it by searching. I would like to refinance and am wondering if anyone has recommendations of who to use to help? Thanks!
Back to Latin food: Taqueria del Sol now has a kid’s menu. That may be old news but they didn’t have it when they first opened, hence we haven’t gone with the picky eater in years. Having cheese quesadillas on an official kid’s menu will make all the difference.
TDS is the closest to the kind of food I remember eating in the Southwest when I lived in a couple of states out there.
While strolling through Decatur Cemetery this evening (Saturday), I ran into Dozier “Sureshot” Howard, DHS Class of 71 and a member of the 1970 Decatur High State Championship Basketball Team (caps for emphasis). The Howards are well known in Georgia history and politics and a few years ago, when Decatur had real influence at the state capital, droping the name “Howard” would open any door. Anyway he told me that his mom, 99 year old “Honey” Howard has recently been feeling poorly but she enjoyed watching the Braves today whip the Reds with both Dozier and older sibling Pierre at her side. Although Mrs. Howard’s birthday is in November, I’m sure she would enjoy hearing from all her friends and admireres wishing her well. Posted with Dozier’s permission.
I like the new front on Noodle. Looks elegant. I was surprised that the porch overhang isn’t waterproof but it should give good shade if shade is ever required here again.
My 2 cents:
MAR food is good, tequilas good, service hit or miss. Dined 3 times. Since I am allergic to Salmon and Tuna and the kitchen cannot guarantee a separate grill, I am limited to what I can eat there. The patio is nice. The cupcakes are awesome but at $7-8 a cupcake, you need a financial plan.
HOLA! chicken enchiladas are awesome, house margaritas are worth the $5.95 and the $3,00 draft beer special was nice. Guacamole is very spicy. We have dined there every week sense they have opened.
CALLA : nice daytime spot. Good food.
BIG TEX: we so wanted to like it. Food so-so, service:wierd at times. Don’t have to go back.
want to try Paper Moon. Any comments?
Brinks for security.
We never can get into Paper Moon. And that’s if we can find it. I think it’s really for top secret members only and just pretends to be a public establishment. You probably have to have an app downloaded on your smartphone that tells them that you are approved for entry. It feels like a 21st version of a speakeasy. But that’s based on just standing on the stairs, peering in, and finding out that there’s a 45 minute wait. Again.
Lol we’ve done the simulate peer in, 45 minute wait thing at Paper Plane. I think our plan will be to put our name in, go have a drink @ Victory or 246, and come back for an even better drink.
Paper Airplane is quite good. They know their spirits, and all of the small plates I’ve tried were delicious.
Since I’ve been reminiscing about “old” Decatur restaurants (and feeling very generous about my capitalization this evening) I’ll mention PA’s size reminds me of “The Supper Club” that used to occupy the retail front to the right of what is now Big Tex.
I find this jewel box approach to drinking and eating very attractive, and even theatrical. The Supper Club, as I recall, was always prix fixe and you only had a couple of menu options. It seated, maybe 20 people, and was a terrific experience both times I dined there. The mood and decor reminded me of a David Lynch set. (Amazingly, it lasted several years, then the owner opened Billy Goats Cantina in Oakhurst where Mezcalitos now sits. Sold that after maybe two years. It too was terrific.)
PA has a bit of the Lynchian vibe for me too depending on the time of night and composition of the crowd. Their retro decor has details like a 80s Pioneer receiver perched behind the bar, and a few other items that share that anachronistic bent.
Do it and be done to.
At a loss for words?
Embedded video fail.
Yes!!!
No!!
AJC article about intown crime mentions Decatur but doesn’t actually refer to any Decatur incidents: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/residents-crime-perception-based-on-painful-fact/nYpPg/. Maybe it was referring to Postal Decatur.
Well, I sincerely hope that you emailed the author to clear this up
Note, I used the
because I’m pretty sure that someone else has already done so…
I think the crimes in City of Decatur weren’t scary enough to be included in the article. All the crimes mentioned in the piece involved shootings.