"It's much easier to find a meat-and-three or some boiled peanuts (or, in South Carolina roadside style, p-nuts) than a Jewish-style deli below the Mason-Dixon line. But when I moved to Atlanta and discovered the General Muir, I knew my search for suitable pastrami was over." That's how AJC reporter Amanda Coyne described the General Muir in 2017.
» General Muir a delicious part of a Jewish deli renaissance
Thrillist calls the house pastrami "ridiculous," but in a good way. That's why it included the General Muir on its list of the 24 best brunch spots in America.
Owners (and former restaurant chef) Todd Ginsberg, Jennifer and Ben Johnson, and Shelley Sweet opened the Emory Point restaurant with the idea of tradition meets innovation — staples such as pastrami share a menu with Beluga lentils, curried cauliflower, charred eggplant puree, cilantroand yogurt sauce. Brandon Bailey has taken over chef duties, and the General has continued the thrive.
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
Credit: Yvonne Zusel
» Is this Atlanta restaurant one of the best Jewish delis in the U.S.?
The restaurant is named for the refugee transport ship that brought Jennifer Johnson's mother and grandparents, who were Holocaust survivors, to New York in 1949.
Thrillist insists that you “consider the bagels, too, named after avenues in alphabetical order (the classic lox with salmon roe will never go out of style). And like a proper New York deli, you can get schmaltz potatoes, latkes, and matzoh ball soup.”
The General also appears on many AJC rankings, including the five best brunches in Atlanta. Food editor Ligaya Figueras warns you, however, the restaurant "makes ordering brunch hard, because most everything is so darned good."
After you’ve visited the General Muir, check out some of Atlanta’s other brunch options.
If the pollen doesn't bother you, opt for an outdoor meal at one of these favorite locations.
And don’t forget the mimosa. Most restaurants offer brunch cocktails to ease you into the weekend.
» 5 best bottomless brunch drink deals in metro Atlanta
» 3 must-try brunch cocktails in metro Atlanta
If you really want to be adventurous, head OTP for one of these great options.
» 11 best brunch spots in Gwinnett County
» DeKalb County's best restaurants for brunch
Also check out some of our Best of Atlanta food winners:
Winners of all our Best of Atlanta polls can be found on ajc.com.
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