Those who live in town rarely cross that oh-so intimidating border to that other part of the world affectionately known as ‘OTP’ (outside the perimeter for newcomers/visitors). They grumble about the lack of personality, the strip malls, and more importantly - the lack of good restaurants. Chains need not apply.

Luckily there have been some really great restaurants popping up OTP. I recently experienced INC Street Food in Roswell and recently made my way north to Marietta for a new restaurant just 2 months old - Chicken and the Egg!

Chef and Owner Marc Taft was most recently the General Manager at Pacci, which was closed after the Marriott group purchased the Hotel Palomar on W. Peachtree, and has been in the industry for 26 years. He’s bringing that classic Southern farm to table trend we see populating in-town neighborhoods to Marietta with his take on Modern Farmstead Fare. Why Marietta? Because it’s his neighborhood and he wanted a place that was a Midtown concept, accessible to those of us who choose to live OTP. I hope he starts a trend!

When you enter the restaurant, you would think you just stepped into any number of great Midtown restaurants. Modern Farmstead indeed. Great touches like country chairs and tables with distressed wood says more upscale shabby chic than Cracker Barrel. They also have a full bar experience as well for those wanting to catch NCAA and NFL games on the weekends.

We decided to go full Southern, starting with deviled eggs with candied bacon and a classic - fried green tomatoes. The FGT’s were really amazing, served on a pimento cheese fondue and topped with country ham and a sweet tomato jam. So good and really different.

You can’t get more Southern than the Iron Skillet Fried Chicken, served with ‘Real Mac and Cheese’ and Braised Greens. All that food for $15. You won’t be able to eat it all, the server let me know patrons are always asking for to go boxes. That mac and cheese, just incredible and I love that they served the chicken in the actual cast iron dish. Rustic touches and incredible food.

Save room for dessert, because we had the most amazing dish that I easily put in my top 5 in Atlanta (it’s neck and neck with 4th and Swift’s Sticky Toffee Pudding). You absolutely have to try the Praline Bread Pudding with Caramel Ice Cream. Seriously. It’s a life changing experience. We also dug into the Fried Peach Pie with boiled peanut ice cream. Boiled Peanut what?!! Yep, just what I said. Truly different and while not for everyone - definitely worth a try for those who love those side of the road snacks.

So there is a foodie life to be had OTP, you just need to know where to look! Start with Chicken and the Egg and don’t be surprised when soon it will be the in-town people driving OTP for great food!

Location:
Chicken and the Egg
800 Whitlock Avenue
Marietta, GA 30064