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18 Atlanta Restaurants for Ordering a Hot Bowl of Queso

From bowls of hot queso blanco to skillets of chorizo-filled queso fundido

by Eater Staff Updated Mar 31, 2021, 9:19am EDT

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by Eater Staff Updated Mar 31, 2021, 9:19am EDT

The Queso Truck

There are days when nothing seems to beat a bowl of hot melted cheese served with a side of fresh tortillas or chips — maybe paired with a margarita or a refreshing agua fresca on a sunny patio. Queso comes in many variations at restaurants around Atlanta, some with kicks of heat from jalapeños, meaty versions containing chorizo, or melted cheese bowls topped with pico de gallo. From bowls of straight-up queso blanco to skillets of chorizo-filled queso fundido, here are a few Atlanta restaurants to consider for when that queso craving hits.

Don’t see a favorite bowl of queso listed? Email Eater Atlanta via the tipline.

Disclaimer: A number of restaurants on this map have resumed dine-in service. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the Georgia Department of Health. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Nuevo Laredo Cantina

This Westside cantina located on Chattahoochee Avenue has been a longtime staple for area residents. Queso blanco here comes with the option to add pickled jalapeños. Pair it with a margarita before digging into one of Nuevo’s heaping platters. Call to order takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

1495 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Bone Garden Cantina

Bone Garden Cantina in the Lumberyard on Ellsworth Industrial is decked out in Day of the Dead decor. Be sure to order one of the restaurant’s very strong margaritas — or a pitcher — to pair with the spicy queso chock full of jalapeños and served with fresh tortilla chips. Call to order takeout. Masks required.

1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Taqueria Del Sol

An Atlanta queso map couldn’t exist without chef Eddie Hernandez’s taqueria. The addictive queso here is loaded with pickled and dried jalapeños and served with super fresh tortilla chips. Grab a seat at the bar with a margarita and a bowl of this queso. Hernandez released his cookbook “Turnip Greens & Tortillas” in 2018, and it includes his popular queso recipe. Taqueria del Sol has five Georgia outposts on Cheshire Bridge, in Decatur, Chamblee, the original location in Westside, and one in Athens. Call to order takeout. Masks required.

1200-B Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina

Head to Zocalo on 10th Street in Midtown for a seat on the sunny patio and chipolte queso with poblano peppers and salsa pibil. Zocalo’s queso includes an option to add chorizo or mushrooms. Order the peachy Atlantarita on the rocks, too. Weekends get busy here, so stick to weekdays to avoid the crowd. Order online for delivery or takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

187 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

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Patria Cocina

Located at the bustling Beacon complex in Grant Park, the family-owned and operated Patria Cocina features a menu filled with tacos, fajitas, ceviche, and weekly specials paired with some of the best margaritas in town. Kick off the meal on the large sunny patio with queso mixed with jalapeños and chorizo. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

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Mezcalito's Cocina & Tequila Bar

With dishes inspired by Acapulco, this popular restaurant and tequila bar on the edge of Grant Park includes a large patio and serves everything from pork pibil tacos and taquitos dorados to brisket-stuffed quesadillas and steak and goat cheese enchiladas. Kick off the meal with a bowl of queso mixed with chorizo and one of Mezcalito’s many margarita choices or a paloma cocktail. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

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304 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

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Red Pepper Taqueria

The popular Red Pepper Taqueria includes three locations around Atlanta in Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Decatur. The menu here features plenty of dishes to please everyone’s palate, including crispy calamari with sweet chili lime and peppers, mussels served with chipotle cream, brisket barbacoa tacos, and chili relleno. Start the meal off with a bowl of queso and the option to add chorizo, beef, or mushrooms to the mix. A fourth Red Pepper Taqueria location opens at Perimeter Center in 2021. Order online for takeout or delivery. Masks required.

3135 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Superica

Ford Fry’s Superica includes locations at Krog Street Market, at the Battery in Cobb Country, in Alpharetta, and in Buckhead. When it comes to queso here, the menu offers chile con queso and queso fundido. The con queso comes with the option to keep it classic or add chicken, picadillo, or picadillo, guacamole, and sour cream. As for the fundido, order it with rajas y hongos (peppers and mushrooms) and chorizo or shrimp. Order online by location for takeout. Masks required.

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

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The Queso Shop

The Queso Shop, a new takeout and delivery restaurant from Yumbii owner Carson Young, is now open in Piedmont Heights. First launched as a food truck in 2015, Young expanded the menu for the Queso shop to include family meals, margarita mixes, tacos, nachos, a surfer’s burrito, and loaded crispy tater tots. But the star on the menu here is the cheese dip, which comes with or without jalapeños. Order the Trio: pico, queso, and guacamole served with plenty of chips for dipping. Order online for takeout or delivery. Masks required for pick-up.

2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

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La Fonda Latina

With five locations across Atlanta, La Fonda is a great place to hang out with friends on the patio with drinks and a bowl of queso blanco — with or without jalapeños. The Ponce La Fonda includes a shady rooftop patio overlooking the busy street below. Order online by location for takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

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El Ponce

Just down from La Fonda on Ponce, the spacious El Ponce includes a large, street-facing patio and a wide variety of taqueria fare. While the menu offers queso blanco, the move here is the queso fundido with grilled onions, pico de gallo, and poblano peppers served with warm tortillas. Order online for delivery or takeout. Masks required.

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939 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

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The Original El Taco

For a next level skillet of queso fundido, order the queso royale at El Taco in Virginia-Highland. It comes pipping hot and filled with chorizo, peppers, and onions underneath a cheese crust. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306

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El Tesoro

This roadside cantina in Edgewood looks like it’s been there years and now features a large outdoor seating area complete with fire pits for chilly evenings. Tacos at El Tesoro come dressed with onions and cilantro, and are doctored up with scrambled eggs, beef, chicken, pork, or salchichon (Mexican sausage). There’s even an option to add chapulines (dry roasted crickets). Make sure to also try the tamales, burritos, and mulitas here. Always start the meal off with an order of queso, which comes mixed with serrano peppers. Order online for takeout. Masks required. Counter service.

1374 Arkwright Pl SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

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Taquito Express

This counter-serve taqueria chain is located inside several BP gas stations around Atlanta. The menu includes everything from burritos and tacos to tortas and even tamales. The queso blanco on the menu here is pretty basic but, it makes for a quick melted cheese fix while on the go. Masks highly encouraged.

Open in Google Maps

5418 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338

La Pastorcita

If in the mood for queso with kick to pair with al pastor tacos and beer, order a bowl of the queso blanco loaded with chopped jalapeños here. Call for takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

3304 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

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Elmyriachi

Located in the heart of the Kirkwood neighborhood, this taqueria includes a large, dog-friendly patio perfect for warm afternoons. Grab a seat and order the queso con carne made with turkey chorizo. Sip an ice cold beer or a margarita like the margarita verde made with jalapeño brine and avocado puree or the slightly effervescent santa rita with elderflower and grapefruit juice topped with soda. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

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1950 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

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El Rey Del Taco

One of the most popular taquerias on Buford Highway does includes queso blanco on its menu. However, order the queso fundido. It comes with chorizo under a perfectly baked cheesy crust. Call to order takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

5288 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

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Bell Street Burritos

Bell Street Burritos on Peachtree Street in Brookwood Hills, on the Eastside Beltline in Old Fourth Ward, and in Tucker serves some of Atlanta’s favorite overstuffed burritos and burrito bowls. Don’t skip the cheese dip here (add jalapeños) which comes with a fresh bag of chips for dipping. Order online by location for takeout or delivery. Masks required.

4053 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, GA 30084

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Nuevo Laredo Cantina

1495 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

This Westside cantina located on Chattahoochee Avenue has been a longtime staple for area residents. Queso blanco here comes with the option to add pickled jalapeños. Pair it with a margarita before digging into one of Nuevo’s heaping platters. Call to order takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

1495 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Bone Garden Cantina

1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Bone Garden Cantina in the Lumberyard on Ellsworth Industrial is decked out in Day of the Dead decor. Be sure to order one of the restaurant’s very strong margaritas — or a pitcher — to pair with the spicy queso chock full of jalapeños and served with fresh tortilla chips. Call to order takeout. Masks required.

1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Taqueria Del Sol

1200-B Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

An Atlanta queso map couldn’t exist without chef Eddie Hernandez’s taqueria. The addictive queso here is loaded with pickled and dried jalapeños and served with super fresh tortilla chips. Grab a seat at the bar with a margarita and a bowl of this queso. Hernandez released his cookbook “Turnip Greens & Tortillas” in 2018, and it includes his popular queso recipe. Taqueria del Sol has five Georgia outposts on Cheshire Bridge, in Decatur, Chamblee, the original location in Westside, and one in Athens. Call to order takeout. Masks required.

1200-B Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina

187 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Head to Zocalo on 10th Street in Midtown for a seat on the sunny patio and chipolte queso with poblano peppers and salsa pibil. Zocalo’s queso includes an option to add chorizo or mushrooms. Order the peachy Atlantarita on the rocks, too. Weekends get busy here, so stick to weekdays to avoid the crowd. Order online for delivery or takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

187 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Visit Website

Patria Cocina

1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Located at the bustling Beacon complex in Grant Park, the family-owned and operated Patria Cocina features a menu filled with tacos, fajitas, ceviche, and weekly specials paired with some of the best margaritas in town. Kick off the meal on the large sunny patio with queso mixed with jalapeños and chorizo. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Visit Website

Mezcalito's Cocina & Tequila Bar

304 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

With dishes inspired by Acapulco, this popular restaurant and tequila bar on the edge of Grant Park includes a large patio and serves everything from pork pibil tacos and taquitos dorados to brisket-stuffed quesadillas and steak and goat cheese enchiladas. Kick off the meal with a bowl of queso mixed with chorizo and one of Mezcalito’s many margarita choices or a paloma cocktail. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

Open in Google Maps

304 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Red Pepper Taqueria

3135 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

The popular Red Pepper Taqueria includes three locations around Atlanta in Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Decatur. The menu here features plenty of dishes to please everyone’s palate, including crispy calamari with sweet chili lime and peppers, mussels served with chipotle cream, brisket barbacoa tacos, and chili relleno. Start the meal off with a bowl of queso and the option to add chorizo, beef, or mushrooms to the mix. A fourth Red Pepper Taqueria location opens at Perimeter Center in 2021. Order online for takeout or delivery. Masks required.

3135 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Superica

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Ford Fry’s Superica includes locations at Krog Street Market, at the Battery in Cobb Country, in Alpharetta, and in Buckhead. When it comes to queso here, the menu offers chile con queso and queso fundido. The con queso comes with the option to keep it classic or add chicken, picadillo, or picadillo, guacamole, and sour cream. As for the fundido, order it with rajas y hongos (peppers and mushrooms) and chorizo or shrimp. Order online by location for takeout. Masks required.

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

The Queso Shop

2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

The Queso Shop, a new takeout and delivery restaurant from Yumbii owner Carson Young, is now open in Piedmont Heights. First launched as a food truck in 2015, Young expanded the menu for the Queso shop to include family meals, margarita mixes, tacos, nachos, a surfer’s burrito, and loaded crispy tater tots. But the star on the menu here is the cheese dip, which comes with or without jalapeños. Order the Trio: pico, queso, and guacamole served with plenty of chips for dipping. Order online for takeout or delivery. Masks required for pick-up.

2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Visit Website

La Fonda Latina

923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

With five locations across Atlanta, La Fonda is a great place to hang out with friends on the patio with drinks and a bowl of queso blanco — with or without jalapeños. The Ponce La Fonda includes a shady rooftop patio overlooking the busy street below. Order online by location for takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

923 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Visit Website

El Ponce

939 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Just down from La Fonda on Ponce, the spacious El Ponce includes a large, street-facing patio and a wide variety of taqueria fare. While the menu offers queso blanco, the move here is the queso fundido with grilled onions, pico de gallo, and poblano peppers served with warm tortillas. Order online for delivery or takeout. Masks required.

Open in Google Maps

939 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Visit Website

The Original El Taco

1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306

For a next level skillet of queso fundido, order the queso royale at El Taco in Virginia-Highland. It comes pipping hot and filled with chorizo, peppers, and onions underneath a cheese crust. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306

Visit Website

El Tesoro

1374 Arkwright Pl SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

This roadside cantina in Edgewood looks like it’s been there years and now features a large outdoor seating area complete with fire pits for chilly evenings. Tacos at El Tesoro come dressed with onions and cilantro, and are doctored up with scrambled eggs, beef, chicken, pork, or salchichon (Mexican sausage). There’s even an option to add chapulines (dry roasted crickets). Make sure to also try the tamales, burritos, and mulitas here. Always start the meal off with an order of queso, which comes mixed with serrano peppers. Order online for takeout. Masks required. Counter service.

1374 Arkwright Pl SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Visit Website

Taquito Express

5418 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338

This counter-serve taqueria chain is located inside several BP gas stations around Atlanta. The menu includes everything from burritos and tacos to tortas and even tamales. The queso blanco on the menu here is pretty basic but, it makes for a quick melted cheese fix while on the go. Masks highly encouraged.

Open in Google Maps

5418 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338

La Pastorcita

3304 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

If in the mood for queso with kick to pair with al pastor tacos and beer, order a bowl of the queso blanco loaded with chopped jalapeños here. Call for takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

3304 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

Related Maps

Elmyriachi

1950 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Located in the heart of the Kirkwood neighborhood, this taqueria includes a large, dog-friendly patio perfect for warm afternoons. Grab a seat and order the queso con carne made with turkey chorizo. Sip an ice cold beer or a margarita like the margarita verde made with jalapeño brine and avocado puree or the slightly effervescent santa rita with elderflower and grapefruit juice topped with soda. Order online for takeout. Masks required.

Open in Google Maps

1950 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Visit Website

El Rey Del Taco

5288 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

One of the most popular taquerias on Buford Highway does includes queso blanco on its menu. However, order the queso fundido. It comes with chorizo under a perfectly baked cheesy crust. Call to order takeout. Masks highly encouraged.

5288 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Visit Website

Bell Street Burritos

4053 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, GA 30084

Bell Street Burritos on Peachtree Street in Brookwood Hills, on the Eastside Beltline in Old Fourth Ward, and in Tucker serves some of Atlanta’s favorite overstuffed burritos and burrito bowls. Don’t skip the cheese dip here (add jalapeños) which comes with a fresh bag of chips for dipping. Order online by location for takeout or delivery. Masks required.

4053 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, GA 30084

Visit Website

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