Where the Locals Eat

DINING Where the Locals Eat

Locals share their favorite dining spots in and around Gwinnett

BY JENNIFER SENATOR

Universal Joint

Damian AhChing

Director of Media & Events, Local Restaurant Group

A lifelong Gwinnetian, Damian Aching has worked for Local Restaurant Group, which includes Local Republic, Strange Taco Bar, LR Burger, and Laundry Events, for the last eight years. Now living in Grayson with his husband and three dogs, AhChing especially enjoys exploring the local dining scene.

All-around favorite restaurant: Local Republic, hands-down, has been one of my favorite restaurants since the beginning—even before I had the opportunity to work with them. The food is delicious. The drinks are amazing. The ambience is 10 out of 10. However, what keeps this place so close to my heart is the privilege of getting a behind-the-scenes look at a team that makes it a priority to create something special for their guests. Best breakfast/brunch: For breakfast, I’m heading to Peachtree Cafe for a spicy cheeseburger omelet. Best cocktails/beverages: For cocktails, I’m celebrating Whiskey Wednesday with $5 old fashioneds at Local Republic’s upstairs bar. I’m a huge mezcal fan, so D’Floridian is a must. D’FLo’s Mezcalita is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and smoky that I crave. For non-alcoholic beverages, I’m strolling over to Reyna's for a cortado or Pearl’s Tea for a perfectly crafted taro milk latte. Best special occasion restaurant: Frankie's The Steakhouse is a great spot to put on the ritz. I always start with champagne and oysters and end with a giant slice of chocolate cake and a glass of nice port. Best hidden gem: El Indio is located right off the Lawrenceville Square in an older, unassuming shopping center. I opt for the birria plate. It's a big bowl of braised beef stew served with tortillas, rice, and beans. Just trust me. Best patio: This is an ensemble award: Downtown Lawrenceville Square has the best collection of patios in Gwinnett. To name a few: McCrays, Slow Pour, Strange Taco Bar, La Cazuela, Universal Joint, Local Republic, and Boulder Creek all offer uniquely different patio experiences. Best local hangout: Besides Local Republic, Good

Word Brewing & Public House

in Duluth is also a favorite local hang out. Their cocktail program is top-notch, the boiled peanuts are one of my favorite bar snacks, and I’m guaranteed to run into familiar faces on every visit. Best international cuisine: I love a crazy spicy bowl of ramen so much— Umaido is everything. Best takeout: Taste 8 is my go-to for Chinese takeout. My husband and I split a wide range of appetizers like egg rolls, dumplings, and crab rangoon; our favorite is the wonton in garlic sauce. Best lunch spot: Strange Taco Bar. I could eat tacos for every meal, and yes, sometimes I enjoy a margarita in a red solo cup with my lunch. Best dessert: I dream about the homemade oatmeal cream pies at Reyna's.

Jassy Ji

Ernst & Young

Although Jassy Ji lives in neighboring Fulton County, she spends most of her time in Gwinnett, where she has worked for nearly three years. “I shop for groceries at the Asian markets—I love Jusgo Supermarket in Duluth—and get together for food with friends on weekends here,” she says. “I enjoy every second I spend in Gwinnett.” Ji especially appreciates the diversity found in Gwinnett’s restaurants. “I love the fact that I can fi nd delicious food from all over the world,” she says.

All-around favorite restaurant: Although all the dim sum dishes at Royal China Restaurant are delicious, the specialty eggplant is my favorite. The dish is super colorful with lots of sauces and sides, so it’s very visually appealing, too. Best breakfast/brunch: I love the Pancake House near downtown Lawrenceville. The Texas Baconator is my favorite meat dish, and I’m so happy that I tried the berry oatmeal. It’s made to order and topped with fresh blueberries, sliced bananas, and pecans; it just makes my day full of energy. Best cocktails/beverages: I love a glass of the small-batch hard seltzer from Cultivation Brewing Co. on weekends. Best special occasion restaurant: For a special night, you can’t beat Frankie's The Steakhouse. It has live music, great cocktails, excellent seafood, and the best cuts of meat. A piece of prime rib eye is my go-to choice. Best hidden gem: YH’s BBQ & Crab is unique because it offers both northern and southern Chinese food. My favorite thing to order is the beef barbecue skewers. Best patio: I love sitting on the patio at Strange Taco Bar in downtown Lawrenceville. I order the Cajun shrimp taco; it’s topped with tomato, jalapeno cream sauce, and tortilla strips. Best local hangout: The Exchange at Gwinnett has become my new favorite hangout spot because of Topgolf and Andretti. Both have excellent restaurants; at Andretti, I especially like the Hot Skillet Cookie Sundae, topped with ice cream. It’s hot on the bottom and icy cold on top. Best international cuisine: The fried chicken at Choong Man Chicken is so crispy and juicy at the same time. Best takeout: When I’m in the area, I always grab an apricot ham and Brie sandwich from Rico’s World Kitchen in Buford. I also love their ube cake when it is available. Best lunch spot: A bowl of boiling spicy seafood tofu soup at Jang Su Jang is the perfect match for a rainy day. Best dessert: I love the chocolate almond croissant at Georgia French Bakery & Cafe after a warm cup of French onion soup French onion soup and Normandy and Normandy hot sandwich. hot sandwich.