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Traveler Foodie

Hearty Taiwanese Breakfast from Pings Place Duluth Georgia

Having heard of a big Koreatown in Duluth Georgia, we decided that this was a place worth the drive. Of course theplan was to sample Korea food. How did we end up with Taiwanese?

We arrived in Atlanta in the evening and had our beaks ready for a well talked about hot spot. Only to find out thatsaid hot spot does not take dogs anymore. WTF! After doing all the research nowhere online mentioned that Atlantawas not dog friendly. In fact, the said hot spot touts that they are extremely dog friendly. I apologize for letting out an FBomb to the tippy toed “manager” or whoever. The entire patio turned around, oh well. Someone should have thoughtto change their online bragging. Needless to say, we hoped that Koreatown was not the same. Would you know thatthe Korean restaurants that we called actually said that it is up to the owners and mangers, if they allowed dogs ontheir patios or outdoor? One place suggested that I leave my dog in the car and watch him from the patio. Are you forreal? So we settled on takeout from Pings Place and a nice picnic at McDaniels Farm Park.

Pings Place is located in the food court at Great Wall Supermarket in Duluth, Georgia. I dub this place the Great Wallof China. In Orlando we have big Asian supermarkets, not like this. This place is a least 3 times the size of the largestAsian supermarket in Orlando. It is mind boggling to think that there is so many items here. The meat depart is staffedby all Mexicans, playing Mexican music with a little swing to their step. We can all get along. The food court occupiesone side of the supermarket. This is some serious authentic Asian food. Since Pings Place cook fresh Youtiao wedecided a Taiwanese breakfast would warm the soul and get us out of the funk of not being able to eat with the dog.

Looks enticing.

Shaobing Youtiao - This crunchy bread like delicacy will always have a soft spot on my palate. Done right, this isreally a treat. It is just fried dough. But the preparation that creates this light airy substance is what makes it sospecial. Shaobing is used a wrapper. This is also tender and flaky. When this duo is soaked in fresh soy milk, theresult is simple umami.

Shaobing stuffed with beef - Oh my heavens of beef! The meat was well seasoned with flavors of five spice and staranise coming through. A truly delightful little bite. I could easily have a few of these at one sitting.

Salty Soy Milk - an acquired taste. Saltiness brings out another dimension in the versatile soy.

Congee and Purple Rice Ball - The rice ball is filled with dried minced pork and crushed youtiao. Congee is a verywatery rice porridge. Eaten by themselves or together, these are fantastic.

How many places do you know that pack your take out, one container in a plastic bag with this card board bottom? Idon’t know any, except this place. That is a very thoughtful gesture.

Since we couldn’t quite sit on any restaurant’s patio we found McDaniels Farm Park to be a great picnic spot. ThePark was an actual working farm that now lends itself for everyone to enjoy. The grounds and relics are kept in pristinecondition. Go see my photos on Flickr.

Pings Place delivers on some really good Taiwanese food. What started out as a disaster, turned out to be okay. It justgoes to show, there is always a way to enjoy good food.