El Super Pan

The PCM Food Hall looks great for the tourists but most of the eateries in here are just average at best and pretty much all overpriced. No matter where you go to eat, every time you take a bite, you're pretty much paying their sky high rent. But at some places you don't mind paying the premium because it's kinda worth it and you want to support them... ie: El Super Pan. A long time ago, Super Pan was operating a tiny space under Pura Vida (which was good as well) that had some tasty street grub and a decent intown following. Then Hector closed up both shops due to lease issues (you can prolly figure that one out with a successful joint and the landlord) and did some consulting gigs here and there... People were praying and waiting for his comeback. And so he did with locking down a corner spot in the PCM Food Hall. Of all the food options in the hall, ESP is definitely up there on the top of the list. He's expanded his menu a bit with a bunch of tasty options... The coconut bun is prolly the crowd's favorite. Let's go sample a few morsels...

Pork Belly Buns. The steamed coconut bun was good, damn good. The pork belly had a nice flavor to it but it wasn't spicy at all with the supposed sambal in there. It's a bit smokey and a bit sweet. The mound of cilantro slaw was just over kill, no one needs to eat this much bush unless we're in the 1930's. It's a good bun, that's why I got two of them. Piglet.

Smoked Tofu Bun. For shits and giggles, I had to see what this creasture was all about. The coconut bun, of course, was the foundation but the chipotle soy and gochujang gave the tasteless tofu the kick it needed. The pepitas gave it that crunch.

Yuca Frita. These logs of yuca were pretty damn tasty... There's not much else to say except to ask for all 3 sauces.

Brown Rice + Red Beans. Red beans and rice are found everywhere... Even Popeyes has a pretty kickass version. But ESP's version was one of the best I have tasted in a long time. I could eat 3 orders of these but the people around me may not want me to. Take it to go and eat it in your car and roll around in your own greenhouse gas emission funk.

Maduros. Perfectly roasted sweet plantains. If you don't have teeth these would be perfect for you. Gum these babies right down your gullet.. And then come over to my car for some chino maduros.

Cubano Mixto. Pan Cubano, Cuban roasted pork, ham, salami, yellow mustard, pickles, swiss cheese. It's like a fat gluten log. This is prolly the most expensive Cuban I have had in this town. The quality is good overall and the flavors were nice but Pan American Bakery destroys this in taste and for the low price of only $5.

Pan de Jamon y Queso. Spanish foccacia, Serrano ham, manchego, almond-date spread, arugula, piquillo agridulce. Look at that side shot of the thick glutenous bread ends. The meat, cheez and veg to bread ratio is pretty thin. The bread is pretty nice but the filler was pretty much standard issue where you can find similar quality almost anywhere for cheaper.

This is one of the best food options in PCM, you can't go wrong with anything here. The sandos might be a bit on the pricey side but it's worth it. This isn't a place to have a full dinner but for a snack or a lunch, it's perfect. Plus, I rather support Hector than one of those middling celebrity chef spreads in this food hall. If I'm gonna get ripped off, I'm gonna get ripped off by a humble local.

Ponce City Market
675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-600-2465 
http://www.elsuperpan.com/#modern-organic-thai