For fans of chef Peter Chang and his original Tasty China restaurant, Fire Stone Chinese in Kennesaw is a true gem. The kitchen is run by a longtime Chang associate and former Tasty China chef, Wen-Qiang Huang. Head here for Sichuan classics and try dishes like the dry-fried eggplant, red chili oil wontons, braised fish in red chili oil, and dry-fried shredded pork with choice of spice level.

Devotees of the elusive chef Peter Chang need no introduction to this beloved restaurant. For many Atlantans, this is where they first fell in love with Sichuan cuisine. Head here for classic hot and numbing dishes. Don’t skip the dry-fried eggplant.

A recent addition to the Atlanta dining scene, this Sandy Springs restaurant serves up Sichuan standards on the menu, including braised fish in chili oil, fiery three pepper beef, Hunan lamb, dan dan noodles, and wontons swimming in chili oil. Try the hot and numbing quail or Sichuan bamboo fish, too.

Located in the Atlanta Chinatown mall food court, this stall offers an extensive and wide-ranging menu of Sichuan dishes, from hot pots and dan dan noodles to Chongqing spicy chicken or tripe and spicy cumin lamb. Order for takeout or grab a seat in the food court for table-side service. Portions are generous here, and most dishes are under $10.

After a four-year absence from Buford Highway, the family behind beloved Gu’s Bistro made a triumphant return in 2018 with a brand new restaurant, Gu’s Kitchen. The menu is a mix of the family’s Krog Street Market food stall Gu’s Dumplings and the bistro’s greatest hit. Expect familiar favorites like the wildly popular Chengdu cold noodles, Zhong-style dumplings, and spicy dried eggplant, alongside sweet and spicy thick noodles, spicy dry-fried beef noodles, and mapo tofu. Be sure to ask about their daily specials, like Gu’s Bistro’s popular tea-smoked duck.

Yummy Spicy on Buford Highway opened over two years ago in a stand-alone building near Sweet Hut Bakery. Dishes to try here (beyond the dry-fried eggplant) include wontons in chili oil, hot fried crab, shredded cabbage, mapo tofu, and Yummy Spicy crawfish. There’s also spicy pigs feet or trotters and pickled peppers with frog on the menu.

Man Chun Hong serves both Korean and Sichuan classics on its full menu, but be sure to ask for the Sichuan menu if looking for a wider selection of those hot and numbing dishes.

Great Sichuan opened in Johns Creek last year in the former Cafe Q space. Be sure to ask for the Sichuan menu here. Try the spicy fish hot pot, mapo tofu, any of the dry hot pots, the boiled fish, and cumin lamb.

Located at Jusgo’s food court, Xi’an Gourmet House focuses mainly on dishes from the Shaanxi region of China, northwest of Sichuan. Shaanxi cuisine often incorporates Sichuan peppercorns and chilis in its dishes. Try the liang pi cold skin noodles, thick and chewy wheat noodles mixed with sliced cucumbers and sprouts and tossed in vinegar and chili oil, the whole fish with pickled peppers, or the hot and numbing dry fried beef.

Located inside the Great Wall Supermarket, this Sichuan food court stall serves up generous portions. Expect to find Sichuan favorites like cumin lamb, dry fried string beans, mapo tofu, and twice cooked pork here. Other noteworthy dishes to try are the dry fried pork intestines and hot boiled spicy fish.