Location. Location. Location. Typically a restaurant better have all three of those things to survive (as well as great food and service). But what if your location is not ideal? Or even just plain awful? In that case you better have food so crave-worthy that it acts like a culinary homing beacon, a savory signal to the stomach that the extra work to get there will be worth it no matter how far off the beaten path you go. Well, this week I found one of those spots.
In a year devoid of much culinary intrigue, I might have consumed the most unexpectedly rewarding meal from a restaurant that I never would have found without a GPS. Full transparency: the name caused me to seek it out: Hotchick Peas. A huge fan of Middle Eastern grub including shawarma, falafel and hummus, my gut told me this would be solid so plugged it into Waze and headed out.
Soon I found myself getting off I-85 and Chamblee Tucker and on an access road called Presidential Parkway which is populated by motels and low-rise industrial office park buildings. Before long I came upon a bright and fresh development called Prep, a commercial kitchen facility that is home to all kinds of food business from food trucks to catering kitchens to little brick and mortar restaurants. It almost feels like a little hidden artist colony but exclusively for restaurants and chefs. Back in there are several small restaurants, coffee shops and after winding through the maze of buildings and back alleys I finally arrived at Hotchick Peas.
The tiny space has a couple of tables inside and a couple of tables outside. Chef Saeed Hamana from Nazareth cooks in the open kitchen, making the pita fresh on the grill, rotisserieing the lamb and chicken shawarma, frying up the falafels and mixing the tabouli and hummus. The menu is simple but the preparation and execution are as good as I have ever tasted--and that includes in Israel! I sat outside on a small table and just melted eating this food...and I have been craving it ever since. Also, Israeli salads, baba ghanoush, roasted lamb shank, Kufta Angus beef kebabs, wild-caught herb-crusted salmon, and their namesake item, hotchick peas, a garbanzo bean dish made with herbs and spices like serrano peppers, are all delicious and doled out in large portions.
Hotchick Peas is a perfect spot for a savory escape--you really do feel like you are in the middle of nowhere when you are back there. Also, order for delivery or pick-up and if/when you need catering if want to put some exotic spice and authenticity into a party. Really nice people and spectacular cuisine worth seeking out--just trust your GPS and let your stomach's compass take you there.
For more visit follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram
