• Restaurant review: Campestre Taqueria, Marietta

    A tiny, tasty taqueria that’s not a hole in the wall

    • 2520 E. Piedmont Road, Suite 112, Marietta GA 30062
    • Health score: 100, Oct. 30, 2025

    Update (12/24/25): Added prices, including a 3% charge for not using cash. Good to know!

    For our first official review, the Young Adult Son and I decided at the last minute not to go to the new restaurant where we were expecting to but instead to travel a little further, about five miles from the Rubes Creek area, to a place also new. This taqueria was somewhat more reasonably priced, and when you’re waiting for payday, that matters.

    So we traveled on down past the restaurant we intended, turned left past the Cobb Antique Mall, over the railroad tracks, Noonday Creek and past Sprayberry High and made another left near Zama just beyond the intersection of Piedmont and Sandy Plains. We arrived at a small strip mall that clearly dates from the late 70s or early 80s, tucked away next to The Barking Hound, not as decrepit as some from that era. The strip mall also just south of the former site of the Sprayberry Crossing shopping center that’s being redeveloped into a mixed-use community.

    Campestre Taqueria shares a shopping center with Subway and a few other stores of minor importance. From the parking lot of this strip mall, it’s clear the eatery is sparkling new and designed with attention to decor despite the small square footage. The place has about a dozen tables, some four-tops and a few two-tops. Classy touches include the lighting and an white accent wall with bits of brickwork and bright yellow fluorescent lighting that reads “more tacos, por favor.” And cactuses in their tiny-thorned magnificence, all small befitting the space available. There’s also two sets of Edison bulb lights on the end of ropes, another atmospheric touch, at the other end of the counter from the register. Little touches like this shows caring even when the seating space is on the small side. This place seems classy, not cheap. So many taquerias, you have to disregard the environment somewhat and just focus on the tasty food. Here, you get atmosphere and taste. And no gambling machines!

    The menus are presented on digital screens, which seems to be becoming the new norm, which honestly I’m somewhat indifferent about, but I guess it may make it easier to update the prices.

    The salsa bar is not the most expansive ever, but it’s good for such a small space and contains a robust assortment of tastes and spice levels.

    Like most if not all taquerias, you must come to the register to order. You can choose from a variety of meats, including authentic Mexican options like lengua (cow tongue) and tripa (the stuff menudo is made from). I am not authentically Mexican enough to enjoy lengua the times I had it served to me — texture is too soft and chewy! – so I opted for steak, pork and chicken street tacos, while the Young Adult Son opted for the steak burrito. We split a horchata to drink, took home a arroz con leche. We also received a free sample of Carne en Su Jugo, a tasty stew with meat, beans in a spicy broth, from the kind, attentive young lady at the register.

    The Young Adult Son enjoyed his burrito but noted he could tell it was prepared first because the lettuce had gotten a little soggy by the time he got it. My taquitos were tasty, though I found I preferred the steak and pork over the chicken. Each taco is served on two corn tortillas and topped with cilantro and onion. I think next time I go, I will try the pozole. It’s certainly a treat to find a place that serves it.

    One strike against this place is the lack of complementary tortilla chips.

    This particular taqueria is probably not the least expensive of your taqueria options. You pay a bit extra for the atmosphere, which was pleasant enough that a few gents were spending their lunch break there chatting, whereas the ritzy East Cobb Anglos were getting their stuff to go. It was a nice cross-section of humanity.

    Price

    We ended up spending $36.96 for two people. This includes an $0.85 charge for not using cash, so it’s best bring some bucks to eat here.

    • Street tacos:
      • Asada $3.75
      • Carnitas $3.55
      • Pollo $3.25
    • Quesadilla pollo $13.75
    • Aquas Frescas horchata $3.95
    • Noncash adjustment (3%) $0.85
  • As reported by the Georgia Dept. of Health, Nov. 1 to Dec. 1, listed from best to worst score

    Cafe Floralia
    1 INNOVATION WAY WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 100
    Last Inspection Date: 11-10-2025

    Einstein Bros. Bagels
    310 LANIER CIR STE 109 WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
    Score: 100
    Last Inspection Date: 11-18-2025

    El Serranito Taqueria
    12152 HWY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 100
    Inspection Date: 11-13-2025

    Jersey Mikes Subs
    6764 HICKORY RD STE 106 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 100
    Inspection Date: 11-25-2025

    Queenie’s BBQ
    604 OAK ST WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 100
    Last Inspection Date: 11-04-2025

    Towne Lake Nutrition
    2360 TOWNE LAKE PKWY STE 108 WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
    Score: 100
    Last Inspection Date: 11-17-2025

    GW Gyro & Wings
    10020 HWY 92 STE 140 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 99
    Last Inspection Date: 11-02-2025

    McDonald’s
    12156 HWY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 98
    Last Inspection Date: 11-07-2025

    Sidelines Grille
    300 VILLAGE CENTER DR STE 101-102 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 97
    Last Inspection Date: 11-19-2025

    Arby’s
    12180 HWY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 96
    Last Inspection Date: 11-21-2025

    Dunkin’
    9755 HWY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 96
    Last Inspection Date: 11-23-2025

    SALT Factory Pub
    8690 MAIN ST WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 96
    Last Inspection Date: 11-24-2025

    Shake by the Lake
    6424 BELLS FERRY RD STE 114 WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
    Score: 96
    Last Inspection Date: 11-21-2025

    Pelican’s Snoballs
    8099 MAIN ST WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 94
    Last Inspection Date: 11-23-2025

    Starbucks
    9529 HWY 92 STE 100 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 94
    Last Inspection Date: 11-09-2025

    Stars & Strikes
    10010 HIGHWAY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 94
    Inspection Date: 11-04-2025

    Kale Me Crazy
    61 LINTON ST STE 2104 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 93
    Last Inspection Date: 11-10-2025

    Truck and Tap
    8640 MAIN ST WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 93
    Inspection Date: 11-04-2025

    Popeye’s
    9490 HWY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 87
    Last Inspection Date: 11-02-2025

    Pure Taqueria
    405 CHAMBERS ST WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 87
    Inspection Date: 11-24-2025

    Mr.Tinos Ice Cream &Tacos
    6789 HWY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
    Score: 84
    Last Inspection Date: 11-09-2025

    Village Burger
    9550 MAIN ST STE 200 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 82
    Last Inspection Date: 11-03-2025

    Wow Pho and Grill
    6424 BELLS FERRY RD STE 118 WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
    Score: 81
    Last Inspection Date: 11-21-2025

    Burger King
    9590 MAIN ST WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 80
    Last Inspection Date: 11-03-2025

    Volcano Steak and Sushi
    2990 EAGLE DR STE 100-101 WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
    Score: 80
    Last Inspection Date: 11-17-2025

    Ninja Sushi & Steak
    9820 HWY 92 STE 170 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 72
    Last Inspection Date: 11-09-2025

    Golden House
    5335 OLD HWY 5 STE 104 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 71
    Last Inspection Date: 11-19-2025

    Waffle House 684
    9539 HIGHWAY 92 WOODSTOCK, GA 30188
    Score: 71
    Last Inspection Date: 11-18-2025

  • Guthrie’s in Woodstock is for sale

    A bit sad but not surprising, the Guthrie’s in Woodstock on Eagle Drive is for sale, according to the Schumacher Group’s listing. The building, not the franchise, is for sale, priced below its 2024 appraisal.

    As of Dec. 3, the restaurant is still open.

    Guthrie’s is an Alabama-based chicken finger franchise that can be a bit hit or miss, a little too salty for my taste and sometimes the quality of the chicken is questionable. However, the Young Adult Son loves him some Guthrie’s. 

    This particular location suffered from, well, a poor location behind McAlister’s and right next to a funeral home, so you can glimpse hearses and mourners while you dine. The location also suffered from somewhat poor visibility from the road and stiff competition from the overhyped and overpriced Raising Cane’s, another purveyor of chicken fingers. Conveniently and rather visibly located on Highway 92. Raising Cane’s drive through and inadequate parking lot is constantly full. Guthrie’s doesn’t seem to have the same level of support.

    Granted, Etowah High School is right down the road, so it should have gotten more traction from always-hungry high schoolers. But perhaps the eateries closer to campus proved more alluring.

    The long-awaited Portillo’s is open in Kennesaw

    The images of crowds compressed into a tiny area has repelled me, but I plan on visiting this much ballyhooed hot dog-Chicago beef eatery when the chaos dies down a bit.

    Deep Roots is staying put in Downtown Woodstock

    After announcing a closure on Nov. 29, it’s an about-face for this kitchen/wine bar located in the former Copper Coin location in Downtown Woodstock, a prime, attractive and probably very costly address.

    In a social media post, Deep Roots said in part, “The business has been sold, and we are excited to announce that it will continue operating as a Deep Roots franchise location under new ownership. Even better news: The new owners have committed to keeping our wonderful staff in place!”

  • Hi, I’m the Rubes Creek Rube. With my young adult son, I plan on reviewing restaurants in the Rubes Creek area to help hard-working folks such as myself find the best cheap eats!

    Stay tuned. There are a lot of restaurants within a short distance of my neighborhood, some I haven’t been to in years. It’s going to be quite the culinary journey.

    The first one I’m targeting is a new addition just down Canton Road in Marietta. The exterior intrigued me. We’ll see if the food is as desirable as the mural outside.