Stoddards is a good option nearby.

Not actually in Atlanta, but in Norcross, there's a place called Thai Restaurant of Norcross with great green curry that is my favorite in the Atlanta metro area.

Great answers so far- since moving out of the Boston area, there are some Boston and New England foods that i definitely miss. I agree that lobster rolls (in the grilled split-top New England style bun), clam chowder, and whole belly fried clams are distinctly New England, and while both are often attempted outside New England, it somehow doesn't taste as good. Just my opinion...maybe it's all in my head.

Another Chinese food that is found in the Boston metro area- "Lobster Sauce"- the brown pork sauce that originated from cooking with chopped up whole lobsters, but you can order it without the lobster in American-Chinese restaurants in the Boston metro area. Looks like slop, but I love it and can't find it anywhere in the Southern US.

While we're on the topic, another food I miss from New England- cider donuts. Ok, not Boston-originated, and more New England-y, but why don't they make these elsewhere?

I had the same question after I moved to Atlanta from New England! You're right, lobster rolls don't taste the same without them.

Trader Joes used to carry split top buns on and off, but now, it seems like it's mostly off. H&F is the provider of choice for both restaurants & pedestrian, for a premium. Whenever I get back to MA, I usually fill my carry-on full of store-brand top split buns and put them in the freezer so I can have them whenever I need them!

One of my favorite sit down restaurants at the airport is One Flew South, in Terminal E. it's a respite in the busy airport, has good drinks and good food.

Awesome guide, opinionatedchef! I am formerly from Boston (haven't lived there in 3years) and was perusing the boards for this exact type of guide when I bring my out-of-town friends to visit (and staying at the Liberty Hotel, coincidentally like the original post-er). It is really different when you live there versus visiting.

I am working in and around Chicagoland Speedway in a couple weeks during race week...I've never been to Illinois before so I would love Chowish recommendations for both lunch and dinner options in the area! I tried searching but did not find any suggestions. Since I'm working, I can't travel too far so the idea of going into downtown Chicago is out. I'm pretty open on types of food- I usually veer toward hidden gems, mom& pop places that feature local cuisines/cooking styles, and not too expensive. Any must-visit places in this neighborhood at all? Am I doomed to soulless chain restaurants during my visit due to my location? (Though I've never been to Chicago area, I have flown through the airports before...so I have tried deep dish pizza and Garrett popcorn...love the popcorn, didn't like the pizza.)

I've been on a sushi kick lately. It *seems* healthy, and recent health issues have forced me to only indulge in clean, simple entrees that have less spices and sauces.

I haven't lived in Atlanta long, but long enough to realize that there aren't that many good sushi places in this landlocked city that I can frequent on a regular basis. All I'm asking for is good fresh fish that won't make me sick and won't break the bank- too much to ask? And why aren't more sushi places open for lunch on the weekends?!? Searching "sushi" has been a hit or miss endeavor so far. Here's what I experienced to date:

My fave- Gekko Sushi (@ Glen Iris & North in Old Fourth Ward): it's on my way home, it's so affordable with their happy hour discounted menu, their fish is very fresh, and their sushi rolls are creative and tasty...it makes me a little sad that more people haven't discovered this awesome place.

Ra Sushi- more of a fake sushi place, with lots of fried appetizers and a giant cocktail menu...it's more of a bar scene, with a good location in Midtown.

MF Sushibar- I agree, the sushi here is spectacular, but it's also spectacular on the wallet.

Zuma- good sometimes, bad sometimes...inconsistent.

RuSans- Don't even go there...$1 sushi scares me

Yu-ka in Buckhead- Open for lunch on weekend for me to get bento! But just average.

The place in Decatur Square- Eck- they served me HOT sushi.

Whole Foods or any other supermarket sushi- I choked on the cold rice.

What are your favorites? ITP please- even better if I don't have to get on the Connector.

Finally found zongzi (Chinese version, which is what I was looking for)! They had them frozen at Great Wall Supermarket in Duluth.

Downtown is pretty limited in non-chain options...You would have to head north or east for some more local non-chain options...short cab rides (or MARTA subway rides).

When I have guests in from out of town, I usually take them to Fox Brothers BBQ (Texas-influenced southern BBQ, so maybe not truly local), more for the "roadside" ambiance than anything. It's east of downtown and a couple blocks from the Candler Park Marta stop. Ribs, pulled pork and brisket are good choices here, along with the mac & cheese and the "Tomminator" appetizer (tater tots with Brunswick stew and melted cheese).

The other frequent request from out-of-town guests are suggestions to get fried chicken...lots of opinions on whose is better. A couple options close by are JCT Kitchen on Howell Mill Rd in the Westside, South City Kitchen on Crescent St in Midtown, Parish on N Highland Ave in Inman Park.

There are alot of non-Southern/local options as well...since you're coming from LA, skip any suggestions for Mexican or Asian foods...they'll be comparatively disappointing. Hope you have a good trip!

Anyone know if where I can find zongzi in metro Atlanta? I'm doubtful that it's even a remote possibility that any place here sells it but if anyone would know, it would be chowhound-ers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zongzi

I had always loved Lily's Kitchen in Waltham for chinese american takeout- my fave dinner combo was the shrimp with mixed vegetables with rice and chicken wings. The owner's kids (or who I assume are their kids) are sometimes in there coloring or doing homework...reminds me of my childhood days when I hung out in my parents' chinese american restaurant after school.

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Lily's Kitchen
70 River St, Waltham, MA 02453

I love Hankook Taqueria, a hole in the wall type of place located in an industrial area on Collier Rd (North of Howell Mill)- they have food inspired by the Korean taco trucks that are popular in southern California and other cities. Not authentic Mexican nor Korean, but with lots of fusion flavors and ingredients (last time I was in, they were experimenting with a "cordon bleu" taco). My favorite is the fried fish taco (would be even better if grilled, but still good!) with sesame salad on top...they also have tofo taco and calamari taco that are both good. Not a taco, but try the sesame chili flake fries too! Hankook has a popular food truck of their own- Yumbii, which has the same delicious fish taco and sesame fries.

Ecco has an alcoholic beverage called lemonade provencal (last I went, it was no longer on the menu but you can ask for it)- a tart lemonade w/ vodka, hint of lavender and a sugared lemon peel, which is my favorite part.

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Ecco
40 7th Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306

My favorite bread is at a very hidden (back of a warehouse-y looking building & and martial arts studio in Watertown) location- milk bread at Danish Pastry House. Great macaroons too.

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Danish Pastry House
205 Arlington St, Watertown, MA 02472

Thinking of the most common routes you'll probably take, I recommend stops at:
- Rein's Deli off I-84 in Vernon CT (this is probably close enough for you to visit from W Hartford anyway)
- Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier near Kittery ME off I-95
- Standard Baking Co, Portland ME
- St. Viateur Bagel, Montreal
- Bilboquet (sorbet), Montreal
- Noodle Factory (homemade noodles & dumplings), Montreal
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury VT off I-89
- Simon Pearce restaurant in Quechee VT off I-89
- Mocha Joes Cafe in Brattleboro VT off I-91

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Standard Baking Co
75 Commercial St, Portland, ME

Mocha Joe's
82 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier
16 Chauncey Creek Rd, Kittery Point, ME 03905

Simon Pearce Restaurant
1760 Quechee Main St., Quechee, VT 05059

Highland Bakery (Brunch, Peanut butter french toast)
Horseradish Grill (Fried Chicken & biscuits)
Ecco (small plates & drinks)
Murphy's (Brunch)
Fox Brothers (BBQ)
Brick Store Pub (Giant beer list & pub food)
One Midtown Kitchen (Sunday has a $25 3-course special)

I'm a recently transplanted Bostonian- I find I keep bringing my guests from the North to these places! So far, Buford Hwy (Asian options, at least) have not been that impressive compared to Boston area places...I would skip it if you only have the weekend.

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Ecco
40 7th Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306

Highland Bakery
655 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

One Midtown Kitchen
559 Dutch Valley Road, Atlanta, GA 30324

Highland Bakery (and I'm sure, many other places) has small pecan pies (with chocolate chips) that can be packed in individual little boxes. You can probably find in NYC, but these are pretty scrumptuous. They also sell bags of stone ground grits. www.highlandbakery.com