"Thattu has had a few iterations, from stall to pop-up, to (now) a casual sit-down restaurant in Avondale serving comfort food from Kerala. And comfort is exactly what you’ll feel throughout your meal at this South Indian spot. The bright space radiates warmth, from the friendly greeting when you enter to your last sip of frothy kaapi served in the same steel cups you’ll find in Indian homes. The menu is short, but that just means you can get one of everything, like the Kerala fried chicken bites, and thick and fragrant curries with a fluffy, coconutty appam. Reservations are available up to two months in advance. Lunch is the easiest time get a table, and it’s the only time they serve their spicy fried chicken sandwich. Dinner is harder to book, but 5pm or 9pm table, those spots are usually open. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen