Zac Rates Atlanta: Day Two

Recently, my fiancee, mother, father, brother, and I spent the better part of a week taking in Atlanta. I hadn’t seen my family in months and thus we had much (an engagement, a promotion, milestone birthdays, etc.) to catch up on and celebrate. Doing so gave us the opportunity to take in some of the best – and worst – that Atlanta had to offer.

Day Two

The second day of our Atlanta excursion began with a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame (250 Marietta Street Northwest). As several members of our group attended D-3 schools not known for football prowess and/or had minimal interest in college ball, this became a destination due to logistics (it was practically across the street from where we were staying) rather than to fervor. Nevertheless, it proved to be one of the better museums of the trip.

First and foremost, the Hall is very well-organized. Upon entry, each visitor is given an RFID-chipped badge and an opportunity to select a school. The foyer contains a massive wall of helmets, and after your selection, your school’s helmet will light up. Come within close proximity of any of the Hall’s many displays and kiosks, and you will be recognized by name. Some will give you a chance to answer trivia questions, others will display information, and others still will play videos. This is a very effective way to utilize technology to promote interactivity.

Speaking of interactivity, did you ever want to call a broadcast or attempt to kick a field goal? You can do that here too. The ever-patient staff won’t mock you for your futility, and you’ll likely end up having fun no matter how badly you fare.

For those with more interest in the sport, there is much, much more to appreciate. One room breaks down each Hall of Fame Class by year. Another houses trophies in all their shimmery glory. Gameday traditions, rivalries, and even uniforms round out a comprehensive list of exhibits.

At $20/ticket for adults, the price is reasonable for the experience offered. Also, those irked by massive lines at other Atlanta attractions will find a welcome respite here. We showed up on a Sunday morning and had no wait, but even later in the day, there wasn’t a huge crowd.

Though it certainly helps, you do not have to be a college football fan to appreciate all the College Football Hall of Fame has to offer. Modern, comprehensive, and welcoming, this museum is a winner.

9/10

Following the Hall, we walked a short distance to the nearby MARTA station, caught an eastbound train to Inman Park, and walked some more until we reached the Little Five Points neighborhood. Described as the Haight-Asbury of the Southeast, this area had a distinctive alt vibe. Record stores, tattoo parlors, retro fashion, and funky murals give the neighborhood a colorful character.

Criminal Records (1154-A Euclid Avenue NE) is one such shop, and one worth visiting. In addition to music, this place offers comic books and graphic novels, cult films, and much more. The selection is promising (the mainstream comingles seamlessly with the rare and offbeat), the ambiance isn’t forbiddingly elitist, and the pricing is moderate: not highway robbery but easily beatable online. Were I an Atlanta resident, I could see Criminal Records becoming a regular haunt.

8.25/10

Day two of the trip ended on a quest for Southern cuisine. Though there was no shortage of options in the area, we settled on the venerable Pittypat’s Porch (25 Andrew Young International Boulevard). This establishment dates back to 1967, and it looks its age – not necessarily a bad thing when you are craving homestyle cooking. Though the menu included everything from ribs to pork chops to salmon, three-fifths of our group opted for the fried chicken. My fiancée and I, the holdouts, went with shrimp and grits and fried catfish respectively.

True to form, the food took a while to arrive. Fortunately, Pittypat’s had an excellent salad bar (the sideboard) to tide us over. The availability of pickled watermelon rind proved to be a pleasant surprise. When our entrees finally did arrive, they largely met expectations. My shrimp were nicely blackened, and the accompanying grits were creamy enough without being runny. Though not the best preparation of this dish that I’ve had (the long pepper strips were odd), it did not disappoint. The fried chicken (moist on the inside, crispy on the outside) was similarly well-received though the chunkiness of the mashed potatoes was off-putting. Pittypat’s also offers desserts that should not be missed. Both the pecan pie and the bread pudding were very sweet yet had satisfyingly complex flavors (thanks to the use of Southern Comfort and bourbon-based sauces, respectively). All told, the meal delivered.

With entrees in the upper teens and twenties, the food here is no bargain. Mary Mac’s Tea Room offers much of the same fare for less. However, Pittypat’s pricing isn’t out-of-line for the immediate area. Our server was personable, knowledgeable, and left no reason for complaint.

Pittypat’s Porch has a few rough edges and plenty of competition, but if you are seeking a good Southern meal, you can still get it here.

8/10