Tomatillos in Atlanta: Where to Find Them and How to Enjoy This International Favorite

Tomatillos may look like green tomatoes wrapped in paper, but in Atlanta’s international food scene they play a starring role of their own. If you love Mexican, Central American, or Latin-inspired cuisine, or you’ve seen tomatillo salsa on a menu and wondered what it is, Atlanta is an excellent place to explore this ingredient.

This guide explains what tomatillos are, how they’re used in international cuisine, and—most importantly—where to eat tomatillo dishes and where to buy them around Atlanta.

What Are Tomatillos?

Tomatillos are small, firm green fruits (sometimes purple) enclosed in a thin, papery husk. They’re a staple in Mexican and Central American cooking, especially for:

• Salsa verde (green salsa)
• Green enchilada sauces
• Stews and braises like chile verde
• Marinades for meats and seafood

Key traits:

• Flavor: Bright, tangy, slightly citrusy, less sweet than a tomato
• Texture: Firm when raw, softens when cooked
• Color: Usually bright green; can turn yellowish when very ripe

In Atlanta, you’ll see tomatillos on menus at Mexican, Tex-Mex, Latin fusion, and contemporary American restaurants that highlight international ingredients.

How Tomatillos Show Up in Atlanta Restaurants

Tomatillos are especially popular in Atlanta’s Mexican and Latin American restaurants, but you’ll also spot them in modern, chef-driven spots that draw from global flavors.

Common Tomatillo-Based Dishes

You’re likely to encounter tomatillos in Atlanta in dishes like:

• Salsa verde – A green salsa served with chips or tacos
• Enchiladas verdes – Corn tortillas filled with chicken, cheese, or veggies, topped with tomatillo sauce
• Chilaquiles verdes – Fried tortilla chips simmered in tomatillo sauce, often served for brunch
• Chile verde – Pork or chicken braised in a tomatillo and green chile sauce
• Tomatillo-marinated meats or seafood – Tangy, herbal marinades for grilled dishes
• Sauces for contemporary dishes – Drizzled over roasted vegetables, grilled fish, or small plates in modern restaurants

Typical Atlanta Dining Experiences with Tomatillos

In the Atlanta area, tomatillos often show up as:

• Table salsas: Many Mexican restaurants around Buford Highway, Marietta, and South Atlanta bring red and green salsas to the table. The green one is usually tomatillo-based.
• Brunch items: Some Latin-inspired brunch menus in neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, and West Midtown feature chilaquiles verdes or eggs with tomatillo salsa.
• Taco spots and taquerías: Street-style taco places often offer salsa verde as a standard topping, especially for carnitas, barbacoa, and grilled chicken.

Where to Taste Tomatillo Dishes in Atlanta

Atlanta’s international dining corridors make it easy to explore tomatillo-based dishes. While menus change, these areas and restaurant styles are especially reliable places to look:

1. Buford Highway International Corridor

Neighborhoods: Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven (northeast of central Atlanta)

Buford Highway is known for a huge variety of global cuisines, including many authentic Mexican and Central American restaurants. In this area, you’re especially likely to find:

• Salsa verde on every table
• Enchiladas verdes and chile verde as everyday menu items
• Tomatillo-based pozole or soups at some family-style spots

You’ll also find large Latin supermarkets along or near Buford Highway that sell fresh tomatillos if you want to cook with them at home.

2. Westside, Midtown, and Inman Park

These neighborhoods have several chef-driven and modern Mexican or Latin-inspired restaurants. Here, tomatillos may show up in more creative ways, such as:

• Grilled tomatillo salsas on small plates and tacos
• Tomatillo sauces pairing with seafood, pork, or vegetarian dishes
• Brunch dishes with tomatillo hollandaise or green sauces inspired by salsa verde

Expect more fusion-style preparations in these areas—think tomatillo sauces with Southern ingredients like local corn, greens, or smoked meats.

3. South Atlanta and the Airport Area

Close to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, there are a number of small, family-run Mexican and Central American restaurants that cater to both locals and travelers. Typical tomatillo dishes here include:

• Daily specials like pollo en salsa verde
• House-made chilaquiles verdes
• Fresh green table salsas made with tomatillos and cilantro

Where to Buy Tomatillos in Atlanta

If you want to cook with tomatillos at home, Atlanta offers options from large international markets to farmers markets and standard grocery chains.

Major Farmers Markets

These markets are known for strong produce selection and international ingredients, including tomatillos:

These locations are especially useful if you’re planning larger batches of salsa or sauce and want to buy tomatillos in quantity.

Latin and International Grocery Stores

In addition to big farmers markets, many Latin and international grocery stores across metro Atlanta carry tomatillos regularly. You’ll commonly see them:

• In Latin markets along Buford Highway, Jonesboro Road, and South Cobb Drive
• In the international produce section of larger supermarkets in areas with diverse communities

At these stores you may find:

• Fresh tomatillos (sold by the pound)
• Canned tomatillos (handy if fresh are out of season)
• Jarred salsa verde made with tomatillos, if you’re not ready to cook from scratch

How to Choose and Store Tomatillos in Atlanta’s Climate

Atlanta’s warm, humid climate doesn’t change how you pick tomatillos at the store, but it does affect how you store them at home.

Choosing Good Tomatillos

When you’re shopping in Atlanta:

• Look for firm fruits that feel solid and heavy for their size
• The husk (paper-like skin) should be dry, intact, and light green to tan
• Avoid tomatillos that are leaking, shriveled, or sticky under the husk
• Slight purple or yellow tint is fine, but bright green usually means more tangy flavor

Storing Tomatillos at Home

Because of Atlanta’s humidity, it’s generally best to store tomatillos in the refrigerator:

• Leave the husks on until you’re ready to use them
• Place them in a paper bag or open container in the crisper drawer
• They typically keep for about 1–2 weeks when stored properly

If you buy a large amount at a place like Your DeKalb Farmers Market or Buford Highway Farmers Market, you can also:

• Freeze tomatillos (husked and washed) for cooking later
• Roast and blend them into a sauce, then freeze the sauce in portions

Cooking with Tomatillos at Home in Atlanta

You don’t have to be a professional chef to turn tomatillos into something you’d find in an international restaurant. With Atlanta’s ready access to peppers, cilantro, and limes, it’s easy to make classic dishes.

Simple Salsa Verde (Atlanta-Friendly Version)

If you’ve picked up ingredients at a local market, here’s a basic approach you’ll see reflected in many restaurant kitchens:

1. Roast or boil tomatillos until they soften and change color slightly.
2. Blend with:
   • Fresh cilantro
   • Onion and garlic
   • Jalapeño or serrano peppers (available widely in Atlanta markets)
   • Lime juice and salt

Use this salsa as:

• A chip dip for watch parties
• A topping for grilled chicken or fish
• A sauce for tacos or breakfast dishes

Everyday Uses in an Atlanta Kitchen

Tomatillos pair well with flavors and ingredients you can easily find locally:

• With Southern grilled meats: Use salsa verde on grilled chicken, pork chops, or smoked pulled pork.
• Over vegetables: Drizzle roasted tomatillo sauce over roasted okra, sweet potatoes, or squash.
• In one-pot dishes: Combine tomatillos, onions, peppers, and chicken in a slow cooker for a simple chile verde-style stew.

Understanding Tomatillos in the Context of International Cuisine

In Atlanta’s restaurant landscape, tomatillos represent:

• Authenticity in many Mexican and Central American dishes
• A bridge between Latin and Southern cooking, thanks to their bright acidity, which balances rich or smoky foods
• A versatile ingredient that chefs use in creative ways across different types of international cuisine

You’ll find them:

• In traditional taquerías alongside classic Mexican flavors
• In fusion restaurants where they might be paired with local Georgia produce
• In modern American kitchens that borrow techniques from Latin American cooking

For Atlanta diners, learning to recognize salsa verde, chile verde, and enchiladas verdes on menus is a simple way to start exploring tomatillo-based dishes.

Practical Tips for Tomatillo Fans in Atlanta

• ✅ For the widest selection: Check Your DeKalb Farmers Market, Buford Highway Farmers Market, and Atlanta State Farmers Market for fresh tomatillos.
• ✅ For dining out: Explore Buford Highway, Westside, Midtown, Inman Park, and South Atlanta for restaurants that feature tomatillo sauces and salsas.
• ✅ For home cooks: Start with simple salsa verde and enchiladas verdes, using ingredients widely available in Atlanta grocery stores and markets.
• ✅ For budget shoppers: Latin markets around Buford Highway and South Atlanta often sell tomatillos at competitive prices, especially when bought in bulk.

By knowing what tomatillos are, where to find them, and how they’re used in Atlanta’s international restaurant scene, you can confidently order them on menus or bring them into your own kitchen.