Georgia

Cinco de Mayo is one week away. These 13 Mexican Restaurants are considered best in Georgia

Published

10 months ago

April 28, 2025

Cinco de Mayo is one week away. These 13 Mexican Restaurants are considered best in Georgia

Whether it’s for Cinco de Mayo coming soon or just another Taco Tuesday, people love Mexican restaurants. Georgia has a lot of them, but which are the best?

Explore Georgia ranked the top spots of several cities across the state. Here are the ones they highlighted:

Location: 1225 N Chase St, Athens

Menu highlights: Tortas, fajitas, parrilladas

Review: “Tlaloc is technically El Salvadorian, but they offer all of the Mexican classics. This place is the gold standard for any Mexican dish. Their tacos are top-notch….tortas, burritos, etc. The salsa is the best part. Most importantly, they sell these things called Papusas which are basically El Salvadorian hot pockets filled with cheese, jalapeños, beans, and chorizo. Definitely one of my top overall food recommendations in Athens!”

Location: 1495 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta

Menu highlights: Quesadilla De La Casa, Holy Tacos, Cadillac Crab Cakes

Review: “Staff is super competent and welcoming. Our drinks were refilled numerous times and the free chips and salsa were amazing. We also got the queso which was delicious. My son and friend split the beef fajitas with an extra order of flour tortillas, other friend got chicken enchiladas, my husband ordered the shrimp barbacoa, and I tried the Holy Tacos, a vegetarian dish which was unique to me and delicious.”

Location: Alpharetta area

Menu highlights: Mexy tacos, BBQ sweet fries, Mexy Mac and Cheese

Review: “There’s nothing fancy about this hole-in-the-wall find tucked into an East Roswell strip mall, but look to the giant truck painted on the wall to know why. With its origins in one of the city’s more recognizable food trucks, this mostly takeaway spot (there are a few stools if you want to dine right away) is the brick-and-mortar purveyor of Southern soul food and Mexican mashups – think jalapeño mac ‘n’ cheese or burritos bursting with collards and barbecue.”

Location: 3107 Washington Rd, Augusta

Menu highlights: Pizza birria, margarita towers, Burrito el Patron

Review: “This is the place to go for some guaranteed good Mexican food. I came here specifically for the sopes which were excellent. I love their abundant meat options….The service is amazing. They are so nice, and when our little one was having a rough time the waitress came over and tried playing with him and helping out. Every time a server would pass by they’d stop and smile at him and you could tell he was the most popular guy in the shop.”

Location: 4114 E First St, Blue Ridge

Menu highlights: Gorditas, burritos, flautas

Review: “A year later and we came back to visit this little town again. One of the main reasons for this entire trip is to visit this resturaunt and have their delicious food. Their service is great and it seems since the last visit they’ve added some more tables and painted some walls. What a great place.”

Location: 5701 Altama Ave, Brunswick

Menu highlights: Tostadas, carnitas, Guisado De La Casa

Review: “This is our spot! The food is great! It’s like a family style ambiance, and the service is always on point! The beer and margaritas are delicious and always cold. From the tacos to the carnitas are to die for! You won’t be disappointed.”

Location: 82 E Main St, Dahlonega

Menu highlights: Brunch burritos, corn flatbread, Texas brisket with cheese chimi

Review: “We were visiting Dahlonega for three days and this was the best meal we had…. They brought a huge bowl of awesome nacho chips when we sat down that were thin and very crispy along with the best salsa I’ve ever had….The portions were not overwhelmingly large as in a lot of Mexican restaurants, but our chimichanga and enchiladas were very tasty and filling.The house margaritas were really good, I had two! For dessert I had the Fried Ice Cream which was delightful and huge.”

Location: 1501 Rice Ave, Dublin

Menu highlights: Torta Azteca, paella, Chori-Pollo

Review: “What a gem in Dublin….La Joya’s customer service and food was excellent….We ordered and were surprised how fast our food came out. I ordered the carnitas, my hubby ordered the bistec Mexicana and our kids ordered kids meals. I also ordered the hibiscus tea, which is delicious. It’s a small place but the dining area is cozy. Great service, great food, and great prices. If you like Mexican food, try this place.”

Location: 4646 Forsyth Rd, Macon

Menu highlights: Mexican street corn dip, Nachos Ala Bar-Ba-Coa, Quesadilla Birria Taco

Review: “This has been my go to Mexican restaurant for years. They are friendly and accommodating. I have had most of what’s offered on the menu and it’s all good. My dad was there for his 94th birthday and he wanted butter pecan ice cream. They walked over to Kroger to get him some buttter pecan ice cream. I was surprised by that touching gesture for him.”

Location: 930 Morgans Corner Rd, Pooler

Menu highlights: Mushroom tacos, empanadas, Mexi-Chickpea Bowl

Review: “We came here for lunch and I am so glad we did! We were greeted when we walked in and seated quickly in a booth. Our waiter was kind and attentive. I liked the salsa that came with the chips! I ordered the Mexi-chicken bowl and it was so flavorful and delicious! I would definitely order that again! I definitely want to come back and try more dishes as well!”

Location: 200 Redfern Village, St Simons Island

Menu highlights: Fried calamari, tacos, Jalapeño Pesos

Review: “Easiest five stars I have ever given a place. Now I’m biased because I have incredibly fond memories of going here when it first opened but it’s among some of the best Tex-Mex I have ever had. It’s incredibly casual….the staff are very friendly and attentive….the ingredients used are all very fresh and tasty. Even some of the most average Mexican food can satiate a cravings.”

Locations: In Savannah at 109 Whitaker St and 7360 Skidaway Rd

Menu highlights: Carnitas, mole, Plátano Macho Con Queso Fresco

Review: “Dude….this place is just really clean and fresh! Great salsa with a kick and the dang tacos are on time! Love it and will be back. Note: Try the Esquites and share with your partner.”

Location: 1300 N Ashley St, Valdosta

Menu highlights: Huaraches, molcajete, asadas

Review: “Decided to stop here for lunch due to all my friends telling me how badly I need to go. Y’all, this place is no joke. This is the most authentic Mexican food I’ve had since I’ve lived in Valdosta. I got tacos, but of course they have a wide variety of other things. The food was fresh, and fast, and our server was super sweet and helpful. Also, get the horchata to drink! This is going to become my weekly spot for Taco Tuesday now. Plus it is super affordable.”

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

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Georgia

Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate releases controversial ‘Sharia law’ video

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate releases controversial ‘Sharia law’ video

In the days since the initial U.S. strikes in Iran, countless lawmakers stateside have weighed in on the Trump Administration’s decision to once again get involved in a conflict in the Middle East.

Prominent Georgia political figures like former representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senators Ossoff and Warnock have denounced the attacks, while candidates to replace MTG and others running in midterm elections have backed the president.

Now, Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, who is running for Lieutenant Governor in November, has posted a controversial video to social media depicting a hypothetical scenario where an extreme version of what he calls “Sharia law” has taken over the United States.

“London has fallen. Europe is under siege. In America, the invaders who would rather pillage our generosity than assimilate are roaming Minnesota, New York and LA,” Dolezal said in the post. “As Lt. Governor, I will fight the enemy before they’re within the gates and keep Georgia safe and Sharia free.”

The video was marked with a content warning on X.

What does the video show?

The video, appearing to have been AI-generated, begins with two people walking toward a building and wearing head coverings, possibly hijabs, shaylas, Al-miras or khimars.

It then cuts to a man writing with frosting on a cake, possibly “Happy Easter,” but the letters are unclear. A figure dressed in all black runs into frame and slices the cake with a weapon like a Zulfiqar sword.

It goes on to show military vehicles driving down the street, a woman being stopped from driving, a group of men in head coverings shooting weapons into the air and a suicide bomber vest, all while playing a song with the lyrics “No Sharia.”

(Warning: the video may be disturbing for some viewers.)

Video called ‘disgusting’ and ‘racist’

The video was met with significant criticism, including from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan.

“This is disgusting. People wonder why I became a Democrat, it’s because of the inexcusable hatred spewed by so many Republicans like Greg Dolezal. Hate, including Islamophobia, has no place in Georgia,” Duncan wrote on X.

Rev. James “Major” Woodall, Sr., of Atlanta, called the video “deeply racist.”

“As a Christian man who deeply loves Georgia, I pray you never become Lt. Governor,” Woodall wrote.

Emanuel Jones, of the state senate, called out his fellow representative and said “if you don’t know it yet, Georgia is better than this!!”

“We don’t need race baiting, fear mongering to get votes. Perhaps that (is) what the Republican Party has devolved into,” Jones said on X.

Dolezal got support, however, from MAGA personality Laura Loomer who commented “No Sharia!”

The video has also been reposted more than 1,000 times as of 2 p.m. on March 4.

Who is Greg Dolezal?

The state senator represents District 27, and is based in Alpharetta. He was sworn in to the Georgia Senate in 2019.

He is a small business owner and attended North Park University.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

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Georgia

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

Published

16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

A quiet stretch of the Georgia coast is back in the national spotlight.

In a recent feature, Southern Living highlighted the Golden Isles as one of the South’s most serene escapes, praising the region’s undeveloped marshes, barrier islands and slower pace compared to other East Coast beach destinations.

Located roughly halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, the Golden Isles include Brunswick, Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Little St. Simons Island.

Here’s what to know.

What makes Georgia’s Golden Isles different?

Unlike more densely developed beach towns in neighboring states, Georgia’s coastline is defined by tidal creeks, salt marshes and wide stretches of protected land.

“The coast of Georgia is quite different than the shores of North Carolina or South Carolina,” Southern Living wrote. “It’s wilder and quieter, and it’s much less populated with beach towns.”

While the islands offer modern resorts and vacation homes, much of the natural character remains intact.

One of the most photographed spots is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, known for its haunting remains of a maritime forest scattered along the shoreline.

Where are visitors staying?

The publication pointed to several well-known properties across the islands:

The Cloister at Sea Island
Jekyll Island Club Resort
St. Simons Island: The Grey Owl Inn and the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Little St. Simons Island, accessible only by boat, was highlighted for its all-inclusive lodge and thousands of acres of protected marshland and upland habitat.

What can you do in the Golden Isles?

Southern Living emphasized simple, immersive experiences:

Biking under live oaks
Kayaking through marsh creeks
Horseback riding along the beach
Watching sunsets over the water.

Public beaches like East Beach on St. Simons Island remain open to visitors, while golf courses on Jekyll Island and St. Simons offer year-round play.

The region’s history also plays a major role. Visitors can climb the St. Simons Lighthouse, explore historic districts in Brunswick or learn about Gullah Geechee heritage through local organizations.

For more information, visit southernliving.com/georgias-golden-isles-11906085.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

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Georgia

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering $2B in Georgia tax relief

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering B in Georgia tax relief

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp on Tuesday signed HB 973, the amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The amended budget includes $2 billion in income and property tax relief, alongside investments in education, public safety, mental health, transportation and rural development.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised Gov. Kemp, saying the budget…

“Makes critical investments in middle-class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation and Georgia’s veterans community.”

Key allocations in the amended budget include:

Education and Workforce Development: $325 million to endow the DREAMS Scholarship, a new needs-based scholarship program; $6 million for a Career Navigator tool; and funding for new and expanded programs at University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia institutions.
Public Safety: $150 million for Department of Corrections bed space, $9.7 million for additional corrections officers, $15 million for a new K-9 training facility, and $50 million to help communities address homelessness, including among veterans.
Mental Health: $409 million to design and construct a new Georgia Regional Hospital to expand mental health bed capacity.
Transportation: More than $1.6 billion to extend and expand I-75 express lanes in Henry County; $185 million for SR 316 interchange conversions; $100 million for rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement; and $250 million for local maintenance and improvement grants.
Rural Georgia: $15 million for rural site development grants; $35 million for a new natural gas infrastructure program; and $8.9 million for the Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative.

Governor Kemp says the state’s conservative budgeting approach has allowed Georgia to provide tax relief while making “generational investments.”

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