Toco Grill in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting the city and searching for a casual grill spot around the Toco Hill area, “Toco Grill” is likely on your radar. This guide walks through what Atlantans typically mean when they refer to Toco Grill, what to expect from a grill-style restaurant in this part of town, and how to navigate parking, nearby options, and local tips.

Because individual restaurants and concepts can change names, owners, or menus over time, the focus here is on how a grill-style restaurant in the Toco Hill / North Druid Hills area usually fits into Atlanta’s dining scene—and how to get the most out of a visit.

Where Is “Toco Grill” Likely To Be?

When people in Atlanta refer to “Toco Grill”, they’re usually talking about a grill or casual restaurant in or near the Toco Hill commercial area, centered around:

• Toco Hill–Toco Hills Shopping Center
  • 2929–2963 N Druid Hills Rd NE
  • Atlanta, GA 30329

This busy intersection of North Druid Hills Road NE and LaVista Road NE sits just east of I-85 and a short drive from:

• Emory University and Emory hospitals
• VA Medical Center (Decatur)
• Neighborhoods like Toco Hills, North Druid Hills, Sagamore Hills, Briarcliff, and parts of Decatur

Within a few blocks, you’ll find:

• Strip malls with quick-service grills and Mediterranean-style spots
• Casual American grills and pubs
• A mix of kosher, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and traditional American fare

Because businesses turn over regularly, it’s common for a space to be known locally by a convenient name (“that grill by Toco”) even if the official sign changes over the years. When someone says, “Let’s meet at Toco Grill,” they usually mean a grill-focused restaurant in that Toco Hill cluster, not a formal landmark.

What to Expect from a Grill Restaurant in the Toco Hill Area

Grill-style restaurants around Toco Hill in Atlanta often share a few common traits:

1. Casual, Come-As-You-Are Atmosphere

Most grill spots in this area are:

• Counter-service or relaxed table service
• Family-friendly, with a mix of students, hospital staff, and neighborhood regulars
• Popular for weekday lunches, early dinners, and takeout

You’re unlikely to need a reservation, especially for daytime dining, though busy evenings and weekends can get crowded.

2. Typical Menu Styles

Menus will vary by restaurant, but many grill-style places near Toco Hill focus on one or more of:

• American grill favorites
  • Burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, wings
  • Fries, onion rings, simple salads
• Mediterranean or Middle Eastern grill
  • Grilled kebabs (chicken, beef, lamb)
  • Shawarma, falafel, hummus, pita
  • Rice platters, salads, grilled vegetables
• Kosher or kosher-style grill (due to the nearby Orthodox Jewish community)
  • Kosher burgers, schnitzel, grilled chicken
  • Salads and sides prepared to meet religious requirements

If you have specific preferences—halal, kosher, vegetarian, or gluten-conscious—it’s common in this area to find at least one restaurant that can accommodate you.

3. Pricing and Portions

In the Toco Hill / North Druid Hills area, grill restaurants typically offer:

• Moderate pricing (often more than fast food, less than upscale dining)
• Hearty portions, especially with combo platters or grill plates
• Good value for lunch specials or early dinners

Quick Snapshot: Toco Hill Grill-Style Dining

Getting There from Around Atlanta

By Car

Toco Hill is easiest to reach by car:

• From Midtown / Downtown Atlanta:

  • Take I-85 North, exit at North Druid Hills Rd, then head east (right off the exit if coming northbound).
  • Continue for a few minutes; Toco Hill is just past Briarcliff Rd NE.

• From Decatur:

  • Head north via Clairmont Rd or Lawrenceville Hwy and cut over to LaVista Rd or North Druid Hills Rd.

Parking is generally free surface-lot parking within the Toco Hill–Toco Hills Shopping Center and surrounding plazas, but lots can get tight around:

• Weekday lunch hours
• Late Sunday mornings and afternoons
• Holiday periods or school breaks around Emory

By MARTA

The Toco Hill area is not directly on a MARTA rail line, but you can combine rail and bus:

• Take the Gold or Red Line to Lindbergh Center Station or Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station.
• Connect to a MARTA bus that runs along LaVista Rd or North Druid Hills Rd (routes can change, so check current bus numbers and schedules).

Plan for a short walk from the bus stop to the shopping center area.

When to Go: Timing Your Visit

Timing can shape your experience at a grill in Toco Hill. Common patterns include:

• Lunch (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
  • Busy with neighborhood workers, Emory staff, students, and locals
  • Good time for lunch specials and quick service
• Early dinner (5–7 p.m.)
  • Families, after-school and after-work crowd
  • Often the most active time for dine-in
• Later evening
  • Some grill restaurants may close earlier than in-town spots
  • Hours can vary widely, so it’s worth checking the specific restaurant’s schedule before heading out

👀 Tip: Toco Hill is more of a daytime and early evening hub than a late-night scene. If you want a late-night grill, areas like Virginia-Highland, Buford Highway, or Midtown may offer more options after 10 p.m.

Types of Diners Who Use Toco Hill Grill Spots

A grill restaurant in this area tends to draw:

• Local residents from Toco Hills, Briarcliff, and North Druid Hills
• Emory University students and staff looking for quick meals off campus
• Families who want straightforward, familiar food
• People seeking kosher or Mediterranean grill options convenient to nearby synagogues and community centers

Because of this mix, many spots keep menus approachable, affordable, and customizable.

Dietary Considerations and Customization

If you’re eating at a grill in the Toco Hill area and you have specific dietary needs, here’s what’s common to ask for:

• Lighter options

  • Grilled chicken or fish instead of fried
  • Salads with grilled protein
  • Dressing or sauces served on the side

• Vegetarian-friendly choices

  • Falafel, veggie platters, or salads at Mediterranean-style grills
  • Sides like grilled vegetables, rice, or hummus

• Kosher needs

  • Some restaurants in or near Toco Hill are kosher or kosher-style due to the local Jewish community.
  • It’s important to confirm kosher certification directly with the restaurant if that’s a requirement for you.

• Allergies and sensitivities

  • Common allergens at grill-style restaurants include wheat (pita, buns, breading), dairy (sauces, cheese), soy, and nuts in some Mediterranean dishes.
  • Staff at many neighborhood spots are used to clarifying ingredients if you ask directly.

How a Grill in Toco Hill Compares to Other Atlanta Areas

If you’re deciding whether to eat around Toco Hill or elsewhere in Atlanta, it helps to know how the area compares:

• Versus Midtown or Inman Park

  • Toco Hill spots are usually more casual and less trend-focused.
  • Easier parking, fewer valet situations, more family-friendly.

• Versus Buford Highway

  • Buford Highway has an enormous variety of international cuisines.
  • Toco Hill is more compact, with a smaller cluster of Mediterranean, American, and kosher-style options.

• Versus Downtown Decatur

  • Decatur has more walkable, sit-down restaurants with a mix of bars and independent spots.
  • Toco Hill is strip-center based, better for quick meals, errands, and everyday dining.

If you’re already nearby—living in North Druid Hills, visiting Emory, or staying near I-85—Toco Hill can be a convenient place to grab a grilled meal without navigating heavier in-town traffic or paid parking.

Practical Tips for Eating at a “Toco Grill”–Style Spot

A few simple strategies can improve your visit:

• Check hours in advance

  • Closing times can be earlier than downtown or Midtown restaurants, especially on weekends or holidays.

• Plan your parking

  • If you’re going around lunch or early evening, allow a few extra minutes to find a spot in the shared shopping center lots.

• Call ahead for larger groups

  • Even casual grill restaurants appreciate a heads-up for groups of 6 or more so they can arrange tables and manage timing.

• Ask about combo plates or platters

  • These are common at grill-style places and can be a cost-effective way to sample different items (e.g., kebab combo, burger combo, mixed grill).

• Consider takeout or curbside

  • Many Toco Hill restaurants offer takeout-friendly menus, which can be useful if you’re heading back to campus, home, or a nearby hotel.

Nearby Services and Landmarks

If you’re planning a visit to a grill restaurant around Toco Hill, you may find it useful to know nearby anchors and services:

• Major roads: North Druid Hills Rd NE, LaVista Rd NE, Briarcliff Rd NE
• Nearby institutions:
  • Emory University (approx. 5–10 minutes by car, depending on traffic)
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta–Egleston and other Emory-affiliated facilities
• General area orientation:
  • Roughly between I-85 and Decatur, north of Ponce de Leon Ave, and south of I-285

This cluster makes Toco Hill a convenient stop if you’re moving between Emory, Decatur, and northeast Atlanta suburbs, and want a straightforward grill-style meal.

In Atlanta, references to “Toco Grill” usually point you toward a casual, grill-focused restaurant in the Toco Hill / North Druid Hills corridor—a practical, neighborhood-centered area where you can expect accessible menus, moderate prices, and free parking. If you’re nearby and craving a grilled burger, kebab plate, or similar comfort food, this is one of the more convenient pockets of the city to explore.