ATLANTA — We asked laundry industry folks from the Atlanta area to share their favorite places for entertainment, food and fun for attendees during Clean ’22.
Locals who responded included Charles Brown, general manager for UniFirst in Atlanta; area Cintas representatives; Keith Ware, laundry consultant; Diane Shaner, manager of sales and marketing operations for NOVO Health Services; and Tim DeShazor, district sales manager with Prudential Overall Supply.
What will attendees discover/learn about the city when they get there?
BROWN: Atlanta is a vibrant city with unlimited entertainment, night life and many attractions to explore.
CINTAS REPS: They will learn that it is a modern city, but with more history than one can take in on one trip ... also lots of modern places to see and experiences to have.
Traveling outside the city affords many additional opportunities for historical tours, Southern homes and plantation-type places, and options for good Southern down-home cooking.
As a “local” what are your recommendations for places to visit, see, experience beyond the usual tourist areas?
BROWN: The Coca Cola Museum, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and the new state-of-the-art Mercedes Benz stadium are all highly recommended.
SHANER: There is plenty to do within walking distance of the event: Centennial Olympic Park, Football-College, Coke exhibit, Atlanta Aquarium and a large Ferris wheel with views of the city.
The downtown area has a great selection of restaurants. The downtown area is accessible by public transportation from the airport.
A short drive has plenty of golf, parks such as Stone Mountain and two large made-made lakes.
Where do the locals go to eat that aren’t in the guidebooks?
BROWN: My preferences include Mary Mac’s Tea Room, UpBeet and The Varsity, which is a major landmark.
SHANER: My favorite restaurants in the area are Houston’s for lunch and drinks, Hal’s for steak, Bacchanalia (if your expense account allows), KR Steak for Italian, C&S for seafood and Johnny’s Hideaway for evening cocktails and entertainment.
DESHAZOR: For food head to The Varsity—you have to have a hotdog while you here and be prepared; Ponce City Markets, it’s relatively new and has a ton of restaurants (mostly locals); and Sun Dial Restaurant, voted best place to take a date, it’s a unique experience.
What are your personal favorites in Atlanta and why?
BROWN: My favorite place to eat is UpBeet, as a healthy option. My favorite attractions to visit are the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and Benz Stadium—because, after all, who doesn’t like sports?
CINTAS REPS: Fox Brothers BBQ at the Works or in Decatur. Why Fox Brothers? The best BBQ!
WARE: The Busy Bee for Atlanta’s best fried chicken.
SHANER: Truist Park for baseball fans, as there are restaurants and shopping. Grab a ticket for a Braves game if possible. The Shoppes of Buckhead and Lenox Mall for shopping and dining out. Check out UMI for sushi.
TopGolf, but it will be hot in August so make it an evening event.
DESHAZOR: My personal favorites (besides some of the more popular spots) are the Illuminarium, Puttshack (this is really cool and I believe the only one in the U.S.) and Fernbank.
Click HERE to read about Atlanta’s various districts to explore, and HERE to discover some of the city’s attractions. For evening dining options, click HERE.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].