BEST CHEAP EATS
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Ignore the duct tape, don't stare at the ceiling and use anything but your bare hands on the salt and pepper shakers. Much like its name, Eats (600 Ponce de Leon, Midtown, 404-888-9149) has a bare-bones style and makes no apologies for it. At counter No. 1, you get your choice of fresh pasta, sauce and an add-on or the turkey lasagna special with salad and garlic toast. Counter No. 2 serves up the jerk chicken and veggies. Plus, there's beer. But make sure to bring cash; no credit cards accepted.

— Quindelda McElroy

BEST MEXICAN
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It may be possible to have a less authentic Oaxacan meal in Oaxaca than at La Oaxaquena Taqueria, 6738 Tara Blvd., a sweet little taqueria in Jonesboro. Go for the tlayuda — giant, hand-shaped corn tortillas topped with savory beans, queso fresco and fresh avocado, with loads of lettuce, tomato and fresh salsas dipped up from a steam table. Gorditas have a thick tortilla base with lots of musky corn flavor, filled with goat meat and beans.

— Meridith Ford

BEST PLACE TO SEE LOCAL THEATER — AND IT'S NEW
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When Theatrical Outfit artistic director Tom Key asks visitors to the new Balzer Theater at Herren's (84 Luckie St., Atlanta. 404-577-5257, www.theatricaloutfit.org) to raise their hands if they are virgins to the venue, he generally gets about a 75 percent response. Lucky them. The just-opened 200-seat Balzer is the city's best small theater, and with hits like "Ain't Misbehavin' " and "Hank Williams: Lost Highway," it's already off to a bodacious beginning. Don't be left behind.

— Wendell Brock

RADIO MORNING SHOWS
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Hip hop, country, pop, rock ... local radio is a series of niche markets, and the popular morning shows reflect that, from Frank & Wanda on V103 to the Regular Guys on 96 Rock. If you want to binge on relationship issues, turn to The Bert Show (100.5 FM). The peppy four hosts talk about everything from adult toys to secret turn-ons. One annoyance is the voice disguiser. It makes everyone sound like a drugged-out freak — but it sure does let them talk about some pretty saucy things.

— Helena Oliviero

BEST BEER BAR
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The Brick Store Pub, 125 E. Court Square, Decatur, may not have the longest beer list, but this storefront on the square features one of the choicest selections of imported and American craft brews. The recently opened "Belgian" room, with eight taps and a cooler filled with 120 bottles of heady nectars like Chimay, Rochefort, St. Bernardus and Westmalle, is like the stairway to heaven for connoisseurs. Plus, everything's served in proper glassware, there's a reliable pub grub menu and an outstanding list of wines and single malt whiskeys.

— Bob Townsend