Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Atlanta, Georgia), which pits Georgia Tech against LSU.Overview/Matchup: Georgia Tech had a heck of a season under Paul Johnson in 2008 and they get rewarded with an upper tier ACC bowl. They get really rewarded because they don't even have to leave campus to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Les Miles and LSU do, however, and there should be some pretty stout pressure on the Tigers to pull of a postseason dubya here, what with fans questioning Miles' ability to generate enough offense in the bayou.
Hotels: For luxury accommodation close to the stadium The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta is your best bet. The Westin Peachtree has a higher rating, but its sleek design borders on frigid and leaves many guests feeling more like they've entered a bank than a hotel. In the mid-range category the Embassy Suites Centennial Olympic Park is a few hundred yards from the Georgia Dome and offers excellent service for the price. The open atrium and waterfall don't hurt either. For the budget-conscious traveler the Holiday Inn Atlanta Downtown is the best hotel in the area that offers rooms for less than US$100 per night.
Restaurants: After your team wins the big game, or maybe before if you're feeling confident, head to Bone's for a thick, perfectly grilled steak. The prices are steep but the food is worth it. If you're staying in downtown Atlanta, and you need a reasonably priced meal that will fill you up, look no further than Gladys Knight and Ron Winan's Chicken and Waffles.
In addition to the chicken and waffles, try the sweet potato cheesecake and salmon croquettes. If you only eat one place in Atlanta, eat at The Varsity. It's cheap, delicious and you can order from your car. The shakes are good, but the onion rings are out of this world.
Nightlife: As for nightlife, Blind Willie's Blues Bar is a local landmark and the place to go for live blues in Atlanta. The place is often packed so be sure to get there early. Moe's & Joe's is a Virginia-Highlands bar with good wings, cheap beer and friendly atmosphere. It would be a great place to pre-game or celebrate with a few pitchers.
All travel related information provided by Professional Travel Guide.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-23-2008 @ 7:39PM
Dale said...
The Varsity is the greatest, but if you want some ribs, don't miss "Fat Matt's Rib Shack" for the best slab east of Memphis.
GO JACKETS!!
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12-31-2008 @ 5:46AM
Unforgivable Wetness said...
Strip Clubs: The reputation of Atlanta's strip clubs preceeds them. Although there are about four dozen in this sprawling city, there are many drawbacks -- the dances are mostly air, the dancers are known to be a bit on the surly side, and getting into and buying drinks in a club is expensive even compared to other strip clubs. It is in keeping with an air of sophistication the vast majority of clubs in Atlanta want to keep. Ironically, however, there is a well-known population of prostitutes whose services are available -- and are used regularly, by locals and tourists.
Two of the three strip clubs are well-known according to stripper hounds: the Pink Pony and the Cheetah. Those from out of state may not know that many Atlantans prefer to go to Oasis Goodtime Emporium. However, all three clubs, as well as the lesser-known ones in the area, share the same traits that make Atlanta's scene somewhat overrated: Expensive valet, cover and drinks; beautiful dancers who are snippy to people who don't want dances; and nude LD's that customers can only see and admire, not touch.
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