The word “trend” implies a few things when you hear it. For food trends specifically, words like “craze” and “mainstream” come to mind, while visions of long-lines and secret menus are conjured. Truth be told, those experiences, as over-the-top and (dare we say) annoying as they might be, are what make trends so enticing. After all, who doesn’t want to get their hands on an elusive unicorn-shaped macaron?
Atlanta, however, is a place where food trends quickly become full-fledged businesses. Cupcakeries, burger joints and ice cream parlors not only survive but thrive in our market. Atlanta loves a good food trend. We embrace them. We support them. We tell our friends about them, and we share the heck out of them on Instagram!
What’s trending in Atlanta’s food scene these days? We’re so glad you asked. With multiple locations and menu expansions, one thing’s for sure: these so-called trendy foods might be here to stay.
Edible Cookie Dough
As their tagline implies, getting a scoop of “raw” cookie dough from Ponce City Market’s Batter Cookie Dough just might make your life batter better. After all, who hasn’t licked the chocolate chip cookie bowl even after Mom’s warnings? Batter, however, gives dough boys (and girls) the opportunity to nosh dough guilt- and tummy ache-free. Native Atlantan and founder Julie Abes says she knows the concept is onto something good. “Batter has gotten such great response over the past few months, and I see others’ amazement when they realize there is a place that sells egg-free cookie dough to eat by the scoop.” Even though Batter has only been open since late November, the store is already expanding. Earlier this spring they opened a second location OTP at Avalon in Alpharetta. Oh, and Instagrammers, nothing to worry about here. Julie says to snap as many photos of your delicious dough as you see fit! “I love watching the customers take a picture to post of their cup or cone of dough before they even eat it.”
Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De León Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Find more information at battercookiedough.com.
Related: A Gourmet’s Delight at Central Food Hall in Ponce City Market
Decadent Doughnuts
We know what you’re thinking: doughnuts have been trending for quite some time. We know. We agree, and we love them too! Before you run us out of town, hear us out: these doughnuts are different. These doughnuts claim to have 100 layers (100 layers!) of buttery, flakey, creamy doughnut. See? We told you these were different. Five Daughters Bakery, opening at Ponce City Market late spring 2018, is bringing Atlanta their famous 100-layer hybrid croissant, doughnut pastry only made more decadent with glazes and buttercreams.
Owners Isaac and Stephanie Meeks explain exactly how they can be so sure each and every layer is there. “The 100 Layer Doughnut is our version of a croissant doughnut that takes three days to make. Our process of folding in French butter creates 144 layers of croissant dough. Our doughnuts are made by hand and created fresh daily, which we believe adds extra love to the product.” The family of seven (five daughters, remember?) says expanding to Atlanta has always been on the horizon, and Ponce City Market gave them the perfect opportunity. SB Tip: 30A summer vacationers, visit Five Daughters’ Seaside airstream to get your doughnut fix at the beach!
Five Daughters Bakery will be located at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De LeĂłn Ave. NE, Atlanta, 30308. Hours are coming soon, so keep an eye on their website for the latest: fivedaughtersbakery.com.
Fabulous Fermented Foods
Maybe it’s a pinch ironic that the previous two food trends were more about satisfying a sweet tooth than taking care of digestive health, but that’s why life is about balance. We’re shifting gears to the fermentation craze, y’all, and specifically, kombucha. Melanie Wade is the founder of Golda Kombucha, Atlanta’s first kombucha company. As the Southern queen of kombucha, Melanie first started making the probiotic drink known for its health benefits in her kitchen. After selling it locally, she realized she had a business on her hands. Golda Kombucha is now available on tap or in bottles at hundreds of restaurants, bars and grocers throughout the Southeast, including over 100 Kroger stores, eight Whole Foods Markets, nine Central Market stores in Texas and over 100 small stockists. And it all started in the most Southern way possible: her grandmother’s recipe. “She is living proof of the health benefits of kombucha,” Melanie explains.
Golda Kombucha is only beginning. She recently expanded and launched Cultured South, her new parent company that will be a part of Lee + White, Atlanta’s much anticipated food and beverage district off of the Westside BeltLine. There, Melanie will open Georgia’s first kombucha bar and taproom. Plan to visit the taproom for their grand opening on Sunday, May 20, as a part of the brand’s annual ATL Fermentation Fest.
Cultured South is located at Lee + White, 1038 White St., Atlanta, GA 30310. Find more information at culturedsouth.com.
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