Atlanta's Best Quesadilla

Warning:  The following may not be suitable for children under the age of 13 or people that consider "Chinese Democracy" a legitimate Guns n' Roses Album

I’ve been pestered to do a “best of list.”  Haven’t they all been done?  Best BBQ, Burgers, Chinese, Mexican, Steak lists have all been done.  Why replicate the same monotony?  (Hypocritically, I still plan on doing a “Burger Week")  

We at “The Dry Rub” would rather feature great places with great (or not so great) food with some mild humor in the middle.  Not unlike Anthony Bourdain’s “The Layover” which just aired for Atlanta.  Kudo’s to my favorite restaurant Miller Union for getting the most airtime outside of the Clermont Lounge.

So I’m going to give my best of list for one of the one of the more underutilized of Mexican Foods, the Quesadilla.  Hopefully this will quench the thirst of those who want my "Best of List."  The reason there may not be a Quesadilla list is that nobody gives a shit.  So if you don’t care, please go about your day.

The quesadilla always gets second billing on the menu, but every member of the team is just as important as the next, right? 

Would “The Usual Suspects” have completely flopped without Gabrielle Byrne?  I think so.   Would Gun’s n’ Roses would just have been Hanoi Rocks without Slash?  Oh wait, I’m still trying to pretend Chinese Democracy doesn’t exist.  Much like every Police Academy after #2 or any American Pie after American Pie or any Highlander Movie or TV Show after the original.
  

Now would the Highlander movie been any good without Sean Connery?  I think not considering.  But the Kurgan may be one of my favorite characters ever as well.  So this move had ALOT going for it though Christopher Lambert may be the most god awful actor this side of Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves.

The Kurgan, the best villain since Darth Vader.  If you haven't seen the ORIGINAL Highlander, please do it.
Here's a Lambert clip, just embarrassing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op6AeXNWG50
I present Keanu Reeves, James Liptons worst nightmare:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNh1fyn19o

And the Grandaddy of them all.  Ladies and Gentlemen, Nicolas Cage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A23TuxKex_w

My favorite Quesadilla?  The Adobo Quesadilla at Bone Garden Cantina in Atlanta’s Westside (and very off the beaten path).  It’s grilled adobo steak, with cheese, sautéed onions and peppers, with sour cream and tomatillo guac on the side.  It’s not even my favorite thing on the menu, but it’s absolutely delicious.  If you haven’t been to Bone Garden, you need to go.  It has one of the most unique interiors of any restaurant you will ever go to and EVERYTHING on the menu is good. 

http://www.bonegardencantina.com/index.php

A close 2^nd?  Pretty much any Quesadilla at Nuevo Laredo.  But for arguments purpose, their Shrimp Quesadilla is there best.  The sauté it in their Chipotle “Crack” sauce with cheese, onions and peppers.  It’s truly delicious.  But again, everything here is.  But, unlike Bone Garden, you may have to wait 45 minutes to get in. 

Another Quesadilla I love is Verde’s Black &  Blue.  Grilled steak with bleu cheese, caramelized onions and chihuahua cheese.  There is a reason Verde gets tons of great press, their food is delicious and always fresh and original.  Also try the Calamari taco, my personal favorite. Well maybe the Buffalo Shrimp is.  So get both!

http://verdetacos.com/tacos/

Honorable Mention?  La Fonda’s Con Espinaca Y Camrones with cheese, fresh spinach, red onions and fresh sautéed shrimp.  Also, La Fonda is one of the few places in Atlanta to get good Paella. 

If you are craving Quesadilla’s, have at it!

Today’s Very Important Footnote:  I have finally found good pizza in Buckhead!  It’s only been 13 friggin’ years people. 

Tartufo Pizza isn’t Antico, but dammit it’s by far the best pie I’ve had in Buckhead.  The Parma, Tartufo and Calabrase pizza's were all delicious.  Truffles on a pizza?  Who the hell knew?  The key is the brick oven which gives the thin pizza that unique taste you don’t get at other pizza joints.  They are also on Scoutmob.  You’re welcome.

http://tartufopizza.com/