Atlanta's Best-Kept Secrets

by Jonathan Baker - Citysearch Editor - 221 Reviews - 109 Lists

Updated: September 15, 2008

Some insider knowledge we like to keep for ourselves--like the secret parking lot for the Variety Playhouse, or what pools we like to sneak in during the summer. Some, however, are just flat awesome, and we can't help but spill the secret--like the one about these $5 steak sandwiches. Read on!

On this page:$5 Car Wash at the Cactus, Secret Filet Sliders at the Palm, $3 Honor-System Keg at Elliott's, Free Chick Fil A Sandwiches, Secret Sea Urchin at Nakato, $5 Steak Sandwiches at Morton?s, Straits' Beer for a Buck, Thaicoon's Secret Noodle Menu.

$5 Car Wash at the Cactus

  1. 1 3.5 Star Rating: Average Cactus Car Wash
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    575 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 (map)

    There is no $5 wash advertised at the always-popular Cactus, so you just have to say, "Give me the $5 wash, please." Now this isn't getting close to any kind of detail-oriented job, but it'll work in a pinch. As an added bonus, there is free WiFi inside.

Secret Filet Sliders at the Palm

  1. 2 4 Star Rating: Recommended Palm Management Corp
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    3391 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 (map)

    You won't find these jokers on the menu at the Palm, the cartoon-decorated steakhouse that specializes in amazing amounts of expensive surf 'n' turf. Pony up to the bar and rock some swagger when you order these bad boys. Atlanta's most potent trio are filled with filet mignon and dressed in heavy Bearnaise, certainly worth the $18 price tag.

$3 Honor-System Keg at Elliott's

  1. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Elliott Street Deli & Pub
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    51 Elliott St, Atlanta, GA 30313 (map)

    In what is maybe the coolest DIY move ever by a bar, dive-tastic Elliott's in Castleberry Hill brings the thunder, old-school style, by setting up a self-serve keg of rotating IPA beers (with a chalkboard honor system) for $3. Every day. And while this part is no secret, their sandwiches wrapped in butcher paper are well worth it.

Free Chick Fil A Sandwiches

  1. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Chick-Fil-A
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    3905 N Druid Hills Rd, Decatur, GA 30033 (map)

    That Truett Cathy sure sticks to his guns. For everyone in the South who swears at the man when they crave Chick Fil A on the one day they aren't open (Sunday), he offers this as consolation: Bring in your church bulletin as proof you observed the Sabbath and get a free chicken sandwich.

Secret Sea Urchin at Nakato

  1. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Nakato Japanese Restaurant
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    1776 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (map)

    Celeb chef Nobu Matsuhisa does a sea urchin tempura at his famed LA and NY restaurants, but you can't find this delicacy on any menu in the A-T-L. Never fear. Head to one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in the city, Nakato, request it and impress the chef at the same time.

$5 Steak Sandwiches at Morton?s

  1. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Morton's The Steakhouse
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    3379 Peachtree Rd NE #101, Atlanta, GA 30326 (map)

    From 5pm to 7pm everyday, Morton's breaks from its usually expensive ways and offers up a tray of its appetizer steak sandwiches for a mere $5. If steak isn't your thing, the entire appetizer menu is half-off, and we recommend the crab dip, too.

Straits' Beer for a Buck

  1. 7 3 Star Rating: Average Straits Restaurant
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    793 Juniper St, Atlanta, GA 30308 (map)

    When you think of the beverage menus at mogul-owned, fine-dining Pan Asian establishments, unique beers for $10 a pop come to mind. (Ahem, Spice Market.) However, Luda's Singaporean jewel, Straits, does $1.50 Tiger beer every day, leaving you with more money to spend on their kung pao lollipops.

Thaicoon's Secret Noodle Menu

  1. 8 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Thaicoon & Sushi Bar
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    1799 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (map)

    This spot off Briarcliff Road serves normal Americanized Thai and sushi six days a week. That is, of course, until Sunday brunch when they pull out the handwritten, home-cooked noodle menu that is all about authenticity, driving those of Thai descent to flock to this Druid Hills eatery.