Best of Fooda Atlanta 2023

At Fooda, we thrive on connecting hungry workers with outstanding local restaurants. In a city as sprawling and diverse as Atlanta, there’s no way that we could ever do this job alone. That’s why we rely on our customers to tell us about their favorite Fooda delivery and takeout places, caterers, and food trucks on our Best of Fooda awards. The votes have been tallied, and the people have spoken! Here are the Best of Fooda Atlanta 2023 winners.

Popup Awards

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Best Popup Entree of 2023 – Ponko Meal – Ponko Chicken (Midtown Atlanta)

ponkochicken.com

You can almost feel the anticipation when Ponko Chicken’s food truck rolls into the company parking lot. The air fills with that enticing aroma of perfectly fried, panko-coated delights, and everyone around starts to act just a little bit giddy. This isn’t just about eating great fried chicken (or excellent fried tofu, for plant-based diners among us), it’s about sharing a truly excellent meal with your coworkers, teammates, and friends. That’s the magic of a Ponko Chicken popup experience.

Runner Up: Jerk Chicken – Island Takeaway

Best Customer Service – Willie B’s Sisters Southern Cuisine

facebook.com/WillieBSistersSouthernCuisine

If you know about Willie B’s Sisters Southern Cuisine, you know that there’s a world of difference between “soul food” and “food for the soul.” They serve all the classics, from ribs and fried chicken to collards and cole slaw, but the menu items are only part of the experience. They want their customers to leave with full bellies and unbreakable smiles, and it shows in everything they do. Perhaps that’s why Willie B’s Sisters received more than a third of the votes for this category. They love cooking great Southern comfort food, but they love their customers even more.

Runner Up: Piccadilly

Most Likely To Visit Outside Of Work – Gyro Cafe

gyrocafeatlanta.com

If you’re in the mood for the savory, spiced goodness of authentic Mediterranean food, chances are that you’re already thinking about dropping by the Gyro Cafe. The iconic dishes that define Greek fast-casual cuisine are all here, from aromatically captivating lamb and beef gyros to masterfully seasoned falafel. When it’s lunch break or day off, and you’re craving a fresh Greek salad, homemade hummus, or a lusciously flaky and sweet baklava, why would you go anywhere else?

Runner Up: Asian Fusion Cafe

Best Overall Popup – Island Takeaway

facebook.com/islandtakeawayanddining

It’s safe to call Island Takeaway one of the Atlanta area’s best-kept secrets. It’s the kind of place most people learn about through word of mouth (they don’t even have a website), serving their always-changing menu of authentic Caribbean cuisine out of a small takeout shop. When Island Takeaway shows up at a Fooda popup event, however, there’s nothing secret about it. Their incredible Jamaican dishes are gone in an instant, leaving only the lingering aroma of perfectly cooked jerk chicken, oxtail gravy, and other flavorful island favorites. How good is their food? In a deeply competitive category filled with outstanding local restaurants, Island Takeaway won more than a quarter of the total votes. Yeah, they’re that good.

Runner Up: Willie B’s Sisters Southern Cuisine

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Delivery Awards

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Best Delivery Entree of 2023 – Ponko Chicken Tenders from Ponko Chicken (Midtown Atlanta)

Fooda’s voters are absolutely obsessed with this crave-worthy favorite, voting into the top spot of multiple categories. That’s impressive, because the Atlanta area is already home to some of the best fried chicken restaurants in the country. How does Ponko Chicken stand out from the competition? With their Japanese-American take on this Southern classic, of course. It starts with succulent cuts of fresh chicken soaked in homemade batter, generously coated in panko breading, and then deep fried in rice bran oil. The result is a deliciously light spin on fried chicken, served with Japanese-inspired updates of classic Southern sides.

Runner Up: Chicken Tikka Masala Rice Bowl from NaanStop

Most Likely To Visit Outside Of Work – Henri’s Bakery and Deli

henrisbakery.com

Founded way back in 1929, Henri’s Bakery & Deli has been an Atlanta-area tradition for just shy of a century. While the menu has been updated over the decades, one thing that hasn’t changed is the company’s passion for serving classic deli dishes and gourmet baked goods. With multiple locations and an event-ready food truck, there’s no better place in the city to pick up a hot pastrami on rye, a fresh-made turkey po-boy, or a sweet tooth-satisfying French fruit tart. 

Runner Up: Cafe at Pharr

Best Overall for Fooda Delivery – Ponko Chicken (Midtown Atlanta)

The deep-fried delicacies at Ponko Chicken are always in high demand. While their signature panko-coated chicken tender plate is hard to beat, their menu also includes a range of Japanese-American fusion items, including fried hot dogs, fried chicken tacos, fresh salads, and sandwich options. With praise-worthy tofu-based alternatives for vegans, Ponko Chicken is perhaps the one restaurant that everyone at the workplace can happily agree on.

Runner Up: Cafe at Pharr