This Hidden Gem Pupuseria Is Bringing Fresh Food to an Atlanta Food Desert | Eater Atlanta

"A hidden gem bringing fresh food to an Atlanta food desert, this pupuseria-market now in the former D&D Barbeque & Ribs space makes pupusas from scratch daily (with vegan and vegetarian options) and, through a partnership with Invest Atlanta, stocks Georgia-grown produce, eggs, and pantry items. I take home hot and frozen pupusas—$8 each from the take-out window or as a $12 plate with salsa and curtido (a fermented cabbage relish), plus coffee, refrescos, and juices; frozen two-packs are $14 with fillings like roast chicken and cheese, Caribe United Farm chorizo and cheese, and a breakfast option with bacon, egg, and cheese—and my kitchen fills with the smell of corn, a comfort that takes me back to stuffed parathas with chai. The sweet plantain and beans pupusa is a standout; I top the chorizo and cheese with a fried egg, and the chicken travels perfectly for a walk—quintessential street food that’s quick, filling, and utterly delicious. Outdoors, bright blue umbrellas shade picnic tables, and inside the small market offers fresh and organic fruit, vegetables, seasonings, and other locally made snacks; it’s the only local pupuseria with a market. “Food is the foundation of a strong community,” co-owner Ken Katz says, and the move from the MET in Adair Park to 1975 Sylvan Road SW in Sylvan Hills feels destined—La Bodega is a small but mighty dent in feeding the neighborhood, with hours Tue–Fri 8 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m.–2 p.m., plus appearances at Freedom Farmers Market, Piedmont Park Green Market, and Grant Park Farmers Market." - Henna Bakshi