We were enthusiastic patrons at Marietta Square Market in the grand-opening spring and summer of 2019. But since the onset of this pandemic, our restaurant dining has been about as frequent as an Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl appearance. So after a recent downtown walkabout with the grandkids, we decided to mask-up, pop in, walk around and sample an assortment of treats.
The good news is that Marietta Square Market has adapted to this “new reality” during these “unprecedented times” and “successfully reimagined” its operation. (Did we capture all the proper buzz words?) We made a return visit for a walk-through survey and some quick take-out snacks in January, and another return for a full-on fusion lunch of Carolina barbeque paired with sushi. In both instances, we found ordering easy and fast, and were able to enjoy our snacks on the outdoor tables.
While some of the original food purveyors have closed, most have been replaced by similar foods, maintaining both the quality and diversity of food offerings. And since a major promise of the food hall concept is diversity, that's critically important.
We’re still not ready to pick favorites from the primary outlets at Marietta Square Market – yet. Following are three front-runners. You can find reviews of each outlets we've visited at our website, (which includes advertising links that may earn a fee for the author/website) at: https://ourtravelcafe.com/marietta-market/
D'Cuban Cafe
D’Cuban Café delivered an authentic hot, pressed Cuban sandwich originated at Columbia Restaurant that we had craved since relocating from Tampa years ago. Loaded with slow roasted pork, smoked ham, melted Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and mustard, this tasty toasted classic hit all the Florida flavor notes we expected.
Just Loaf’N Cajun Café
We grew up in South Louisiana, thus generally have low expectations for “Cajun” restaurants elsewhere. Just Loaf’N Cajun Café served up a good shrimp po-boy on our first visit, as well as excellent fish and shrimp poboys return visits. Just Loaf’N’s poboys come “fully dressed” with mayo, mambo sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, all served on New Orleans’ own Leidenheimer’s French Bread.
Four Fat Cows
This ice cream and snack shop has some of the best ice cream we’ve ever tasted, and perhaps the worst location in Marietta Square Market. So, be sure to look for it before making a final dessert decision.
Again, you can find reviews of all the Marietta Square Market locations we've visited at our website, https://ourtravelcafe.com/marietta-market/.
And, we also share other ideas for nearby family-friendly outings to fill your day when you decide to visit Marietta, such as:
- Gone With the Wind Museum. If you’re looking for Scarlett on the Square, she’s no longer there. Relocated to Brumby Hall, the Gone With the Wind Museum is a perfect spot for fans of this Southern classic movie. And don’t skip the gardens outside.
- Kennesaw Mountain Hiking. The nation’s most-visited national battlefield, Kennesaw Mountain offers history, hiking and lots more. On weekdays, you can drive to the top, while on weekends you can walk or take the park shuttle for a small fee. Our favorite hike is around KEMO’s backside, a longer, more challenging hike that includes some rock climbs and ascents of both Little KEMO and KEMO.
- Marietta Walking and Bike Trail. The brick and paved trail follows the railroad tracks through downtown Marietta. Continuing South for less than a mile, you can visit Brown Park, the Confederate Cemetery and Marietta City Cemetery – all good walking and history spots.
- KSU WWII and Holocaust Museum. A small, somber and interesting local museum, the folks at KSU have done a fabulous job of documenting both the horrors of the Holocaust and the role Georgia played in World War II. Admission is free, and you’ll definitely learn something new.
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