Caramba Cafe   

1409 N Highland Ave NE # D
Atlanta, GA 30306
404-874-1343
www.carambacafe.com

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There are some restaurants you go to for the quality of the food, but there are others that become neighborhood favorites simply because of the lively atmosphere they provide. Caramba Cafe, which has received very mixed reviews, is decidedly among the latter camp. This Virginia-Highland hangout is like an overview of the surrounding community's cultural melting pot, with gays and straights, singles and families, young and old all coming together in an eclectic setting that puts more emphasis on creating a colorful vibe than creating memorable cuisine. The food is the usual Tex-Mex style, with the same generically average burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, chalupas and the like you'll find at any number of Americanized Mexican joints around town. Where Caramba Cafe does excel is in the little things -- the jalapeno fire of its salsa and queso cheese sauce, the fresh-made flavor of its guacamole, the rich creaminess of its homemade flan and the surprisingly extensive margarita selection. Let's face it, it's not going to win any awards for innovative cuisine, but for happy hour in the Highlands, Caramba Cafe is a happening place to hang. -- Bret Love