My Top 3 Carrollton Restaurants

As a kid born and raised in Carrollton, GA, I would often complain about how there were (in my not-so-humble 8-year old opinion) “no good places to eat” in the area. In high school, I remember thinking that if I wanted to go out for a dinner date or simply enjoy a nice meal, it could not be done in Carrollton (except for maybe 1 or 2 places). 

Only recently have I grown to appreciate all that my hometown has to offer in terms of food. Have my taste buds developed that much in half a decade? Probably not. Rather, I tend to think that there has been a great influx of terrific cuisine coming into the Carrollton area over the last several years. 

As I’ve gotten older and matured into a young adult, I’ve become quite the foodie. When I have down time and my mind begins to wander, it always seems to marinate on the thought of my next meal. I say this to point out: I’ve put a lot of thought into this list of the top 3 restaurants in Carrollton, so it should be taken seriously. You should carry this list with you as your guide when driving around town so that you don’t make the mistake of taking your significant other to the wrong spot.

So here goes. You’ll thank me later.

I discovered this gold mine about a year ago. A friend of mine was saying that she would often go to this incredible Chinese place on her lunch break. Having grown up in Carrollton and thinking I knew all the good spots in town, I was skeptical the first time I gave it a try. 

It should be noted that it does not look like much. A Huddle House previously occupied this location, so it’s not the Ritz Carlton on the outside (or the inside, for that matter). This all gets thrown out of the window, however, once you take the first bite. 

What separates Lee’s food from the other Chinese restaurants in town is the freshness. Everything on their menu is cooked to order by their incredible wok chef. They serve both lunch and dinner, but their lunch is the best deal in town. The picture above shows their lunch portion (entree with fried rice, egg roll, and medium ice tea) all for $6.75! 

My personal favorite has become the Mongolian Beef. So rich with flavor (and very spicy!), this hits the spot every time. When I meet my parents for lunch here, both of them always get the Kung Pao Chicken, which I can also attest is quite spicy and flavorful. They also serve Hibachi-style chicken, beef, steak, and shrimp, and offer dine-in, take out, and delivery services. 

The aspect that truly puts Lee’s on top of my list, however, is its friendly staff. I cannot say enough about the waitresses who always wait on me. They are always pleasant, positive, and seem to really enjoy serving their customers. 

If you’ve made the mistake of driving by Lee’s without noticing it is there, do yourself a favor and check them out next time. 

Located on the corner of Adamson Square, Highland Deli & Grill has long been a Carrollton favorite. Breakfast and lunch are served up daily. For breakfast, you can order a breakfast sandwich, eggs, omelets, bagels, or (my girlfriend and foodie-in-crime’s personal favorite) scones! 

The lunch sandwiches, however, are what they are really known for. Offering upwards of 25 sandwiches, I have never had one that disappointed. My personal favorites are the “MacBeth” and the “Dunbar”. If you are a chicken salad connoisseur, the “Mary, Queen of Scots” chicken salad sandwich is the most popular on the menu! Their sandwiches are served with a pickle for $8.25 and you can also add one their sides, including chicken salad, fruit salad, broccoli salad, and pasta salad. 

If your mouth is not yet watering, they also serve traditional Scottish fare including meat pie, pork pie, and sausage rolls. Finally, you can cleanse your palate with one of their out-of-this-world cakes. I have often been told that their coconut cake is the best coconut cake around!

A couple of years ago, I noticed that a new Mexican restaurant with very positive reviews had popped up on TripAdvisor for Carrollton. 

The first time I went, I tried their Tacos de Carna Asada. Never before had I had a taco quite like this one. The taco shell, instead of being made out of flour and having the traditional pocket, was flat and made out of corn (similar to what is pictured above). Not only that, but the lime that was sprinkled on the beef created an exceptional flavor. 

I was sold.

Their salsa is also the best in town, consisting of more spice and flavor than any other salsa in Carrollton. 

As most of you have probably noticed, there is a Mexican restaurant on virtually every nook and cranny of town. In my opinion, they all are virtually the same, with a quesadilla at one place tasting the same as a quesadilla from another. La Finca seems to offer  more authentic Mexican food, which sets it apart from all the other Mexican places in town.  

Similar to Lee’s Kitchen, La Finca Mexican Bar & Grill is not much to look at from the outside, but I think that adds to its charm. You truly feel like you are in Mexico, enjoying a meal that the residents would have there. Only until you step out of the restaurant do you remember that you were in Carrollton. 

I highly recommend La Finca for your next Mexican food outing!