Authentic Restaurants in Alpharetta?

Every Friday, Roots in Alpharetta features an article on food and dining in a series I like to call Foodie Friday.

This is a tough topic to write about. It is also risky. I’m not an expert on all manner of authentic cuisine. So as a blogger, I run the risk of getting angry comments such as…

“You don’t know the first thing about authentic Elbonian cuisine. I’ve been to Elbonia. I’m one sixteenth Elbonian on my maternal grandmother’s side. Cafe a la Body Odor is NOT authentic, I assure you! I’m never reading your blog again.”

It has been my experience that you’ll find truly authentic cuisine near a community of ex-pats of some sort. Thus you find amazingly authentic Asian food in Chamblee along Buford Highway or Korean in Duluth. Don’t expect to find grub like this in Alpharetta, right? You might be surprised. Here is my take on the most authentic restaurants in Alpharetta. In some cases, a restaurant might be the only place in town with such a menu. I’ll take what I can get. And please comment if you think I’ve missed something or am totally off base.

Chinese

I hate to break it to you, but General Tso’s Chicken is not authentic. I know, I was crushed when I learned too. Don’t get me wrong, I love the stuff. So where do you go in the burbs for the real deal? Try Asia House on Jones Bridge in Johns Creek. They offer the only dim sum around here. I’ve yet to go, so I can’t offer an opinion.

Indian

Is there an Indian community in Alpharetta? Absolutely! This area is flooded with good Indian restaurants. Most all have pretty good lunch buffets at a reasonable price. I don’t really have a favorite though. I’d suggest a few:

Madras Chettinaad on Old Milton. Old timers will remember this place as Minerva. They have completely remodeled the place and it is beautiful inside. South Indian cuisine is their specialty. Easily the biggest variety in town.

Sri Krishna Vilas on Windward. Another beautiful restaurant with a good buffet. To me, this place feels the most authentic.

Sai Murali on Windward. Formally known as Dosa House, formally known as Andy’s. This is a little hole in the wall Indian joint. The variety is sparse, but I like their meat dishes here best.

Cuban

I’ve written about how thin the selection is for this. By far the best option is Mambo’s Cafe on Haynes Bridge. Love this place. Watch out for the green sauce that comes with the bread. Yikes!

Caribbean

Forget Bahama Breeze. If you haven’t been to Caribbean Fiesta on Haynes Bridge and Old Milton, you’re missing out. This is a strip mall delight. I’ve tried the jerk chicken and pork. Love the stuff. The portions are generous and the prices reasonable. Maybe next time I’ll get up the nerve to try ox tail. Get there early for lunch and watch out for the limited parking.

New York Style Pizza

Verra-Zanno in Johns Creek. Hands down my favorite. Delicious bread, slightly singed crust, premium ingredients. I love this place. Brooklyn Joe’s in Milton is a distant second. People get passionate about their favorite pizzerias. Don’t want to start a pizza holy war, so I’ll just leave it with these suggestions.

Italian

I’m not prepared to say that any of the restaurants near Alpharetta offer authentic Italian cuisine. I have a few favorites, including Casa Nuova in South Forsyth. Authentic? Probably not.

I’m going to cut if off here. Alpharetta also has a few Thai restaurants, some Irish/English pubs, Greek/Mediterranean and that sort of thing. I’m not about to call any of these authentic. If you disagree, by all means let me know!

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