Last week, I talked about two fantastic restaurants my friends the Delgados took me to while I visited them in Georgia. Today, I complete the journey. The places I’m going to tell you about are definitely all on my list of places I must return to the next time I’m there. I’m going out of chronological order to save my favorite for last.

Sweet Hut Bakery and Cafe: I only got to experience half of this eatery, but was so impressed I really need to go back to try the other. We were on our way home from the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, so we didn’t really feel up to a long enough stop to order a meal. We were planning on a big dinner (more on that later) anyway, so we each just picked out one savory and one sweet item from the bakery side, and I got one extra to take with me on the trip home the next day. The doughnut was pillowy and sweet and wonderful, but the memorable item was just crazy good and a little bit weird. It was pastry dough with cheese and slices of chicken hot dogs, if you can believe it. I don’t know for sure why I picked it, but I’m really glad I did. I can’t explain how something involving sliced hot dogs could be so amazingly tasty, but it really was. I am going back there for sure. I’ll hold off on giving it a score until I try the cafe half.

Over the Top Burger Bar: It’s hard to imagine a more appropriately named place. Everything at this joint is just a little bit (actually, a lot) more. Including the calorie count, but I was on vacation. And let’s be honest–I’m not great about counting calories anyway. When we were looking at the menu, Jonathan said I probably couldn’t handle both a burger and a Freak Shake. That sounded dangerously like a challenge, so I accepted. My sandwich choice was the Buford Blue, which, like all burgers, had two thick, juicy patties. This one was topped with blue cheese crumbles, bacon-onion jam, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and signature sauce. The signature sauce, along with gravy–no, I’m not kidding–was also provided to dip my fries in. This burger almost inedibly huge, but with the help of about a dozen napkins and a fork to clean up what fell off, I managed to clean my plate, including the fries, which were some of the best I’ve ever had. For dessert, I selected the Chocolate Overload. Again, the name was spot on. The shake alone was ridiculously rich, but it was topped off, literally, by a huge brownie and several inches of whipped cream. Even the glass was extravagent, with a thick coating of chocolate ganache studded with three types of chocolate chips. I nearly needed a gurney to get to the car, but it was worth every heart palpitation. I give Over The Top 9.5 out of 10. The only reason it didn’t get a full boat is because of the next restaurant.

Rico’s World Kitchen: This was definitely the creme de la creme. Interestlingly, this was easily the least decadent meal I had, but it was also the most flavorful in every way. Add to that the quirky atmosphere, and this is a place I would visit weekly if I lived there. Housed in what looked an awful lot like a converted service station–the old kind complete with a garage on one side, the walls were covered with stunning photos from all over the world. We came at the height of the lunch rush, so the place was jammed, but the service was friendly and quick. I’m not much of a drinker, usually opting for water at restaurants, but I casually looked over the beer menu anyway. One name jumped out at me: Ace Perry Craft Cider. If I do have something to drink, it’s almost always beer, but hard pear cider was just too fascinating not to try. I’m glad I did! It was so good, I took tiny sips so it would last longer. I knew before we arrived I was getting some sort of Po’ Boy, for which Rico’s is famous. I chose blackened shrimp. While the bun was different in texture from the Po’ Boys I had in New Orleans, it was actually probably preferable. There was a little more texture to it, so it didn’t crumble apart. And the shrimp was plump and juicy with just the right amount of spice. Taking a cue from Jonathan, I had the sweet potato crisps as my side. They alone were worth the price of admission. Sprinkled lighly with powdered sugar and unspeakably crispy, they were like a little taste of what I imagine food must taste like in Heaven. They were exceeded only by my dessert. Something Sarah and I share is a passion for banana pudding. I’ve had it all over, including Paula Dean’s restaurant in Savannah. Well, this place has Paula beat. This was the best banana pudding I’ve ever had. When I say it was lick-the-bowl good, I mean it was all I could do to stop myself from actually licking the bowl when I was finished. I can’t wait to go back and share that place with Sarah. Rico’s is a definite 10 out of 10.

I hope I made you hungry. I stopped in the middle and had lunch, but my mouth is still watering thinking about these amazing restaurants. If you’re ever in Gainesville, Georgia, make sure and try some or all of them. Special thanks to the Delgados for being my remarkable hosts–hope you don’t mind I’m already looking for a time to come back!