5 to Try: Pork Belly

by Jonathan Baker - Citysearch Editor - 213 Reviews - 108 Lists

Updated: June 01, 2009


Let's be honest. Pork belly might not sound like something most of us would see on a menu and immediately spring for. One bite of this well-marbled and tender swine, however, will make even the most questionable a believer. We've found five unique spots around town that all use this hot ingredient in different ways.

5 to Try: Pork Belly

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Restaurant Eugene
    Read Reviews

    2277 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309 (map)

    One of the pioneers in the pork belly caravan, this super high end Southern eatery busted out the belly years ago on its seasonally-revolving menu. Served over corn succotash or sometimes paired with beets or even apples, this Berkshire black beauty is dished with only subtle accompaniment--because when it's that good, there's no reason to hide it.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Rathbun's Restaurant
    Read Reviews

    112 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 (map)

    Perhaps our city's best and most inventive restaurant, Rathbuns takes the pork belly and spins it into an Asian-taco appetizer. Wrapped in soft tortillas and dusted in a hoisin orange glaze, these baby bites taste like gussied-up moo shu pork, minus the clumsy wrapping job. Heavy on the succulent, perfectly cooked belly, this is a steal of a small plate for under $8.

  3. 3 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Holy Taco
    Read Reviews

    1314 Glenwood Ave, Atlanta, GA 30316 (map)

    Pork belly isn't merely reserved for the super-high end and gourmand-driven fancy spots. East Atlanta's Holy Taco, a hip taqueria off Flat Shoals dishes unique tortas on toasty bolillo-like rolls from Alon?s bakery. The tender pork-belly torta comes with taco-like toppings, including pickled jalapenos, shredded lettuce and is slathered with a zesty homemade aioli.

  4. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Honey Pig
    Read Reviews

    3473 Old Norcross Rd Ste 304, Duluth, GA 30096 (map)

    It's hard not to love barbecue pits, even if they're not your traditional Southern grub. The Honey Pig is a "samgyeopsal jip," meaning pork-belly house, so obviously their heart is in the right place. This Korean 'cue in Duluth roasts its meals for all to see on a cast-iron, dome-shaped device that looks like a wok turned upside down--think a domed hibachi. The "honey pig" dish is their signature pork belly and comes sizzling hot (and nicely presented) alongside squid, fried rice, vegetables and soup.

  5. 5 3.5 Star Rating: Average Shaun's Edgewood Social Club
    Read Reviews

    1029 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 (map)

    It is unfortunate that it is so hard to find dim-sum-styled Chinese pork buns--the sweet 'n' soft rolls that are stuffed with a barbecue-pork substance--because these roly poly poppers trump the standard pot sticker. Leave it to captain badass, Shaun Doty, to come up with an appetizer pork-belly bun with a hint of mint that is near inhalable. See the picture above for mouth-watering details.