Big Pie in the Sky

The Big Pie in the Sky Pizzeria does not have an impressive store front. It sits next to a coffee shop in a small corner of the Publix shopping center at 2090 Baker Road in Kennesaw.

Enter the shop, and you see about a dozen old school pizza parlor tables. Some are linked together party style.

Jeff stands at the register, ready to take your order. Before him is a small stainless steel topped bar. Behind the bar is a double doored beer cooler. Further in is the open wall to the kitchen, where pie doughs the size of bedsheets fly through the air.


Jeff took my order, and gave me a coke in a plain white styrofoam cup. If this place was going to impress me, it was going to have to be through service and food quality.

I ordered two medium pizzas, without once looking to see how big a medium is. I should have ordered one. At 16", I received a couple of good sized pies. A large comes in at 20" and an Extra Large a whopping 30".

Now, if you and a friend are extremely hungry and equally adventurous, you could try the Carnivore Challenge. The challenge is for two people to eat pie that houses a total of eleven pounds of meat. You get one hour. It'll cost you $50, but if you and your friend succeed, you share a $250 prize.

Big Pie in the Sky is the dream child of Chris Day and Dirk Tendick. The partners opened shop on Super Bowl Sunday in February of 2007. Business has been good ever since. Chris tells me some people come a couple times a week.

Repeat business is good advertising, but their best break to date came when the television show "Man Vs Food" shot an episode where the host tried to conquer the Carnivore.

Today, at the end of his day, Jeff spoke of the affect. Earlier this afternoon, two men brought thirty or so friends to watch them attempt the challenge. As soon as they were through (unsuccessfully), a busload of forty church group kids from Missouri came in. It seems some of the kids had seen the episode of "Man Vs Food".

By the way, the pies I got were delicious. The crust not too thick or too thin, and the sauce was good without overwhelming the taste of my chosen ingredients. It was a good value at just over $16 a pie, and the service was quick and attentive.

This place is a value worthy of your visit.

Las Palmas

I have visited this restaurant on a number of occasions, as it is near home and a family favorite.

As Mexican food goes, this place puts out a decent plate. Today I ordered the Supreme Nachos. The plate starts with a thin layer of cheese sauce, topped by chips, then pulled chicken on one side and ground beef on the other, with a small amount of re-fried beans. Top that with lettuce, tomato and sour cream and you have a decent salad.

The portion was large and delicious. I couldn't finish the plate, and that is unusual. Today, our service was sub-par (also unusual), but not terrible. The price range for lunch plates is a inexpensive $5 - 10.

Cheeseburger Bobby's

Outside the building is a huge balloon that says "Voted Best Burger". I see those kind of proclamations and I want to ask, "Voted by whom, and over what restaurants?"

The building size does not reflect on the dining room. The dining room is roughly one fifth the size of the building. Once inside, I ordered at the counter and was given a buzzer to let me know when my plate was ready.

To be consistent with visits to other burger joints, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger and fries. The fries were fresh cut, but a little soggy. The burger was very tasty, but smaller than the one I got at Canyons for about the same price.

I dressed the burger myself, the ketchup, mayo and mustard all came from packets. It tasted very good, but using the packets and dressing it myself made it more fast food than gourmet.

All in all, my visit was enjoyable, but pricey for what I got. This restaurant probably needs to decide who they want to be. Lower the price to compete with fast food or raise the service (and do away with packets) to blend in with gourmet burger joints.

Canyons Burger Company

I've tried Fuddrucker's - too corporate and I've tried Five Guy's - too stark. Today we visit Canyons Burger Company at 355 Chambers Street in Woodstock, Ga.

This place is sleek with a outdoor active theme. Brightly lit, with vaulted wood beam ceilings, the dining room is like a hip, start of the trail, mountain burger joint.

The menu is fairly diverse for a burger place. Along with the variety of Black Angus Beef burgers, they serve a Black Bean burger for the veggie folks, Turkey burgers for the meat but not beef people, and Portabello for - well, for those folks. No burger, thank you? Okay. Order chicken tenders or one of the fine salads. Add a side of fries (crinkle or sweet) or slaw, a soft drink or shake, and you are all set. We ordered the 360* Bacon Cheeseburger and the Chicken Tenders.

The Chicken Tenders were very meaty and lightly battered, served with your choice of sauces. The meal is completed by a side of slaw.

The 360* Bacon Cheeseburger is a Black Angus Beef burger topped with American cheese and hickory smoked bacon. Both dishes were accompanied by crinkle fries.

Hardly a chain (yet), there are two Canyons locations. I recommend you try the one we visited in Woodstock, or visit the Brookhaven location in the Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center at 3877 Peachtree Road NE.

My Cousin Vinny's

Let me start by saying the service by Trey was excellent.

I should have taken notice of the fact that at lunch only two other tables were occupied. I ordered a meatball sub (four tiny meatballs that were not freshly made, and not enough sauce) and pasta salad (too much Parmesan).


I have wanted for a long time to visit this restaurant. My desire is quenched. This is a small hole in the wall restaurant with an impressive brick pizza oven. With as many Italian restaurants as there are in the Kennesaw area, the pizza here had better be good, or Vinny's doesn't stand a chance.

Shop Downtown

I recommend walking down Main Street in your home town. My wife and I did that yesterday, and I realized how important it is. Support your downtown shopkeepers. These are your neighbors. They hire your neighbors. It means something to me to buy my necessities from someone who might learn my name. Might ask me about my family. Enough said.

http://www.shopacworth.org/

Watson's Gulf Coast Seafood

The front door of Watson's Gulf Coast Seafood sits on Main Street, but the true entrance is on Senator Russell Avenue in Acworth. The restaurant is basically two entities blended into one. The dining room is upstairs off Main Street, and the bar is downstairs off Senator Russell Avenue. Seafood upstairs and pub fare downstairs.

Yesterday, my wife and I went for lunch. The place is beautiful. The dining room is actually a room added on to the exterior of an old home. Hardwood floors and a loft (with seating) add to the charm.

My wife ordered a salad sampler consisting of Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad, and Waldorf Salad. The portions were appropriate and tasty. I ordered Fish and Chips, which consisted of two tilapia filets, french fries and cole slaw. Our meals were accompanied by four hush puppies.

While tasty, I found my tilapia to be extremely thin and small. Phyllis seemed genuinely pleased, but I am going to have to try another dish. Next time I visit, I will be visiting the pub...

Big Shanty Smokehouse

In the tradition of side of the road smokehouses, like Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, Al, comes Big Shanty Smokehouse. This is one of those places that you find by driving with your windows down. All you want to do is find where that smell is coming from.

There are no surprises. The menu board is posted on the outer wall of the "Shanty". The prices are reasonable, and your nose has already communicated the urgency to your stomach. Before someone gets hurt, you go inside. Hopefully you are early, because the dining room has a 30 person capacity.

In February of 2008, Chic Dillard and his partner Ronnie Schaeffer brought to us the favor that is Big Shanty Smokehouse. With a crew that includes his wife, Sissy, and his daughter, Shannon, and others, Chic provides a product that far exceeds any expectations.

I enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich and a couple of ribs. My new friends Tara and Mike had Chicken and pork sandwiches. The meat is flavored with Chic's secret rub, then smoked with just a hint of sauce. There is a small cup of sauce served on the side, but try the meat first. Don't miss out on the wonderful taste straight from the smoker.

The Shanty caters, and sells meat by the pound as well as group meals.

They serve no alcohol, are kid friendly, and are closed on Monday. Chic told me that they have a very loyal following, which is proved by the fact that The Big Shanty Smokehouse has shot up the Atlanta favorite restaurant chart, as seen on www.UrbanSpoon.com.

Keep the smoker fired up, Chic. I'm coming back.

Orient Express

I have not been able to frequent this restaurant as much lately, and it is my loss. The decor and service are impeccable, and the food divine. My favorite is General Tso's Chicken, but the decision is tough. I have had the Mongolian Beef, the Beef with Broccoli, and many other dishes.

Click the title to check out their menu. The prices are higher than what I typically spend at lunch, but well worth it.

Those of you who work or live near Vinings, for this restaurant, I am jealous.

More Metro Atlanta

Varsity
61 North Ave NW
(Midtown) Atlanta


The Varsity is more experience than food. This is a must see for all who visit Atlanta. Started in the late 1920's, it is the world's largest drive in. Walk inside and you are at the world's largest street hot dog vendor cart (or so it seems). From the long counter, to the employees barking out the orders to the cooks, this place has long been a shrine for the Atlanta hot dog lovers.


Flip Burger Boutique
1587 Howell Mill Rd NW
Atlanta


from an earlier entry:
"You have to try this place. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding! Thanks, Karen, for helping me enjoy my visit! I will be back, and I will bring friends."

Other Atlanta Favorites

For comparison, here are some restaurants rated highly by Atlanta area patrons. By visiting each site you can get an idea of what my peers and/or I think of them. These are straight from the UrbanSpoon rankings. Please add your input by visiting and voting.

Metro Atlanta Sampling:

Fogo de Chao
3101 Piedmont Rd NE
Buckhead


A favorite of many, the food and service is outstanding. Never have I felt so well taken care of. Expensive, yes, but for a special event, or those with a bottomless wallet, the place to go. The food service is a circus to behold.

Vote to Get Them Noticed

As many of you know, I link my restaurant entries to their corresponding web pages on the UrbanSpoon website.

UrbanSpoon offers a service to restaurant patrons, enabling them to see what other patrons and critics think about specific restaurants.

In the upper right hand corner of each restaurant page, visitors are given the opportunity to "Like" or "Don't Like" that establishment. UrbanSpoon goes on to rank restaurants in order of popularity based on the visitors' votes.

UrbanSpoon provides a list of the top 100 restaurants in a given metropolitan area, or in some cases by state. Travelers and those who plan ahead can then peruse that list and predetermine what restaurant they might like to try.

The inherent problem is this: the list is only 100 restaurants long, and in a large area, like Atlanta, for instance, there can be many more than 100 worthwhile restaurants.

The solution is a two step process. One, familiarize more patrons with the UrbanSpoon setup. Two, get restauranteurs to put an UrbanSpoon "Vote For Me" link on their websites.

This blog entry is an attempt to satisfy step one. In response to some Facebook followers' requests, I am going to show some links (just click on the UrbanSpoon square that follows each entry) for a portion of the restaurants close to my home that have reviews posted on UrbanSpoon. From there, the reader can explore other restaurants simply by using the search feature on the UrbanSpoon page.

Here we go:

Acworth Area:

Daddy's Country Kitchen
4525 S Main St


A small, unassuming building in the SaveALot shopping center, Daddy's provides home cooking on the buffet. The price is very reasonable, and this hole in the wall is very down to earth.




Fish Head Grille
4220 S Main St



This oyster bar type restaurant has been an Acworth mainstay for years. It has a loyal clientele, and a very high approval rating.



Fusco's via Roma
4815 S Main St


An excerpt from a prior post:
"Using the freshest of seafood and organic beef, the chef ensnares me with the aromas of an Italian kitchen with roots that are generations deep. The dining room, dark and romantic with lighting in just the right places, uses the gutted out historic building to enhance the mood."




Henry's Louisiana Grill
4835 Main St


An excerpt from a prior post:
"When she (Wendy, my server) came to me, I ordered my bowl of red beans and rice (which I heartily recommend) and cornbread (which is more like dessert). Henry offers a wide variety of Cajun food, including Chicken Oo La La, Shrimp etouffee, and the occasional gator dish (yes, alligator), but I almost always get the red beans and rice. Especially when I have a sinus headache, if you get the picture.

Wendy never let my tea glass get empty, and took time to speak, even though I was alone and there were a few larger groups that she had to attend to."



Hong Kong Star
3451 Cobb Pky NW Ste 9


This is one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. The food is very good, and the staff is very attentive. I like the decor, as well as the opportunity to sit and watch the kitchen staff as they entertain us with their culinary skills.



Johnny's New York Style Pizza
3451 Cobb Pkwy NW Ste 1


I really enjoy the pizza here, and the atmosphere is that of a authentic northeast pizza joint. Bring the whole family, watch the ballgame, drink your favorite beverage and eat a good pie.



Mexico Tipico
4417 S Main St


Another Acworth mainstay, this restaurant has avid, loyal patrons. I came here until I moved closer to their second location. Great chicken with rice and fresh veggies!



Miss Ls Sandwich Shop
4817 S Main St


Set in the quaint shopping arena of downtown Acworth, Miss Ls has the air of an old time tea and sandwich shop. Good sandwiches at a decent price.



The Old Mill
4271 Southside Drive


The Old Mill is a wonderful place to take someone special without getting the feeling of being bankrupt the day after. A wonderful Surf and Turf style menu and a date friendly decor, complete with subdued lighting and a piano, accompanied by the occasional train passing by.


Prezzano's Pizzeria
3979 S Main St



An excerpt from a prior post:
"A lot of restaurants have good food. Some have great service. Combine those elements with a mix of positive attitudes and you get a good family restaurant. Prezzano's hit the mark. Good job, Dallas, and good job to your team."



Waterstone Grill
4849 N Main St


The reviews have gotten better and better from day one on this restaurant. Situated in a string of good eateries, the competition is fierce. I haven't been, but it is on my wishlist.



Watson's Gulf Coast Seafood
4416 Senator Richard B Russell Sq


This is another on my need to try list. The posted reviews are mixed, but the word of mouth is very good, which is just another reason to list these restaurants.

So any other spots in Acworth come to mind? Let me know. Kennesaw, Cartersville, Woodstock and Marietta to follow.

Marietta Diner

From the same folks who bring us Pasta Bella, Cherokee Cattle Co. and Marietta Fish Market comes the Marietta Diner.

I will not pretend to introduce you to this now famous landmark of the Metro Atlanta dining community. The shiny chrome edifice and the 1950's design and decor are well known in these parts.

Having already tried the Cherokee Cattle Co., I have made it a goal to eat at all four establishments in this collection of eateries. To my delight, today was the day to try the Diner.

True to its roots, the Diner boasts a menu loaded with comfort foods, local fare, breakfasts (they are open 24/7) and desserts aplenty. Lunch specials can be purchased for less than $10, and come complete with soup and bread. Dinner prices range from $10 -20 or so.

I ordered Country Fried Steak with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (I know, I should have ordered a green vegetable), and split pea soup. Phyllis ordered the Tilapia, zucchini and cream of potato soup. The tilapia comes on a bed of angel hair pasta with capers and a cream sauce.

We spied on a couple of other tables and our decisions were hard to make. We saw a beautiful Tuna Salad come out along with some oversized burger plates and huge desserts. The cheesecake serving we saw come out was at least four inches tall and six inches deep.

If you are traveling through Marietta, make the stop. If you live here, and have not tried the place, SLAP YOURSELF and GET IN YOUR CAR.

Visit the Marietta Diner at 306 Cobb Parkway S in Marietta, Ga.

Spaghetti Warehouse

Years ago, this was a family favorite. The dining car in the middle of the room, the chandeliers, the great Italian food.

Everything but the ambiance has changed, though. My daughter and I were there last night. My Spaghetti feast was great, but her lasagne was more tough than edible, and they never did get her tea right.

Pay attention, SW. It doesn't take much of a slip to lose footing in this highly competitive business...