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I am going to my first Hawks game in the next couple of weeks so I am looking for a places for me and 2 buddies to eat before the game. I'd prefer someone place that isn't like a Taco Mac style place, but rather something a bit nicer. However we will likely be wearing jeans and a nice shirt, so nothing that is too over the top.

Any ideas?

Funny you say no to Taco Mac - there's one in the CNN Center that actually looks into Phillips which is kind of cool.

Dantana's is the other sports bar in CNN Center, but I can't say that I enjoyed it too much.

McCormick & Schmidt's is on the corner of the CNN Center directly opposite the GA Dome. I enjoyed a meal there some time ago, but it's been awhile. It's a little pricey, but not absurdly so (well, compared to Atlanta - not Athens. Not sure if your username means you're still there...). Can't remember the dress, but considering it's in the CNN Center and it'll be a game day, I can't see that it would be an issue. Menu link

If you want to break out big $$, then Prime Meridian is also in the CNN Center. I haven't eaten there, but the people I know who have give it very good reviews. I wouldn't expect to get out for under $50... before drinks... for each person. Dress would probably be an issue, but as I said, I haven't been in the dining area at all - although it's still close enough to an event that any dress standards would be more relaxed. As an aside, if the CNN Center is crowded, then the bar there is a good place to hide. It's up the stairs on the Phillips side of CNN and you enter into the bar. No one cares about the dress at the bar.

If you OK with a short walk, then you're getting into personal preferences and hopefully we'll get a lot of members to chime in on here. Personally, I like Sidebar although that's probably because it always seems that whoever I end up with parks nearby (this is weirder than it sounds... several different groups with no knowledge of each other happen to all park at the same parking deck which is a healthy walk from Phillips/GA Dome). It's a bar and the menu is a basic array of bar foods, but the food itself is actually pretty good. If it's crowded, there's actually a back room where you can always find a seat and get a waitress. Just go to the bathrooms and take a Left (to the Right is the bathrooms). One thing about Sidebar to understand (once again, the username): on CFB Saturdays, it's a Florida Gator bar.

Ted's Montana Grill is walking distance.
Ted Turners offices and penthouse sit on top of the restaurant.

Stats is walking distance but it's a higher end sports bar. I have never ate that but I would like to soon.

Yeah I know about Taco Mac being there, reason why I said it.

I've been to Dantanna's quite a bit. We know the owners and while I like it, I'm not a huge fan of the CNN Center one.

I think we are okay with a walk, or maybe even a short cab/car ride.

My username is an older one (over 7 years) so it has been a while since I was in college. That being said, all three of us are UGA graduates so a Florida place might be an issue.

I don't really think money is too big of an issue. It is our big "celebration" meal.

uga_dawgs24 wrote:Yeah I know about Taco Mac being there, reason why I said it.

I've been to Dantanna's quite a bit. We know the owners and while I like it, I'm not a huge fan of the CNN Center one.

I think we are okay with a walk, or maybe even a short cab/car ride.

My username is an older one (over 7 years) so it has been a while since I was in college. That being said, all three of us are UGA graduates so a Florida place might be an issue.

I don't really think money is too big of an issue. It is our big "celebration" meal.

Yeah, that changes things a bit...

I wouldn't suggest Sidebar - not because it's a Florida place (I didn't know about that for years until I went to their website, but every CFB Saturday I wasn't going to Phillips or the Dome either), but it's a bar. A bar with good food for a bar, but a bar nonetheless. Not sure I'd call it a pre-event "celebration" dinner.

I asked my wife who knows the restaurants in the city better. I have to admit that when I commented on the dress, the conversation went to "I wonder what type of shoes they're wearing". Still I don't think any are 5* places, so jeans and a nice shirt should suffice.

I basically went to urbanspoon and let her look at a list of places around the Dome/Phillips and these are the ones she named as places that she knew were good. All are within a mile or 2 according to the site:
Busy Bee (Meat + 2, Soul Food place - she hasn't eaten there but always wanted to)
Bocada (small plate place with a semi-hipster vibe)
Alma Cocina ("Nueva Latino" - I wouldn't have thought it was good from the website, but she said it was... I take no responsibility)
Ray's in the City (This one is actually mine - good seafood place)
Publik Draft House (She didn't actually eat there, but said she did enjoy the bar)

She also forced me to add 2 to the list since Bocada was on Howell Mill. These are JTC Kitchen and Miller Union. (As an aside here, this was probably more due to me having two good suggestions when our Anniversary comes up, but I wouldn't let that stop you from going. The nicest I dress is business casual - even for an Anniversary.)

There are tons of places though and there were some that got "Top 100 Restaurants" marks on urbanspoon that aren't on this list. Once again, I'm hoping for some more personal recommendations.

Best places to eat pregame or post game IMO

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER

The Smoke Ring in Castleberry Hill, 5 min walk from arena, free parking.
Hudson Grille , great food, usually fast service
PARK BAR - great food, fast service
STATS , little further of a walk, but again good food

I tend to stay away from the big Corp places like Taco Mac, support the little guys

STATS. Best bet!! And you have the tables with the beer tap. Cant go wrong there.

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone.

I am very much a supporter of the little guys. One of my favorite places to go is Local Republic out in Lawrenceville (great beer selection, great shrimp and grits, though I usually get the specials) and a local Caribbean restaurant.

I've looked at STATS. The beer on tap at the table seems interesting. Though yelp gives it a solid 3 stars...and that is after around 200 reviews.

Prime Meridian seems nice. A bit expensive, but that doesn't really matter to me that much.

I would probably enjoy Rays in the City. The other two...probably not so much.

I know it is a chain but Ruth's Chris seems like it wouldn't be too bad. It is steak, everyone loves steak.

I originally thought about Morton's, but ti seems there are some conflicting reports about the dress attire, so I left it be.

I heard yesterday on the radio that STATs is the headquarters for 680's college gameday.

While it was a bit of a walk...we went to Max Lagers. Had to walk across Centennial then another 2 blocks. The food was very good. Wings were some of the best I have ever had.

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