There are times when the decor doesn't matter, the service can stink, and you may have to drive forever to get it. What you want is that taste, that wonderful taste, that signals comfort to your mouth and belly. Everyone has at least one thing that they eat as comfort food, whether it's something from childhood or a favorite dish they discovered later. When that craving strikes, you might not be able to get that taste at home quickly enough, so try one of these comfort food restaurants. Hopefully, at least one of them has what you're looking for!

True Italian comfort food is a difficult balance between American tastes and authentic Italian dishes. In many places you can't even find authentic Italian food, or if you do it comes at a price point that wipes all comfort from your mind. That's where La Tavola comes in. The "trattoria" in the name signifies that it's less formal than a fancy "ristorante", and the dishes are more home-style. Home-style is always a good sign for comfort food. One of the best things about this place is that you can order appetizer-sized portions of pasta at a significant discount. You can have your high-quality pasta, and eat it too!

It's a bit of a trek to go to Buford Highway, but if you're looking for the best pho bowl in the city then Dai Loi #2 is it. This is my personal favorite for comfort food. Warm rich bowls of shiny pho broth, thick with noodles and thin-sliced beef. Mounds of sprouts and herbs to flavor it, and a couple of lime. This stuff doesn't need hoisin or Sriracha sauce, though both are on offer. I want to go there now. This is one place where I'll violate the rule of eating something larger than my head. The bowls are huge.

Bar food is considered comfort food by many, and there's so much variety out there. I like my bar food to be a cut above most places. Ormsby's is a good place to try high-quality bar food that's quite a comfort. I really like their Guinness-dipped pretzels with a good stout mustard. Chicken and dumplings is also a favorite. If sausages are more your thing, try their bratwurst. Finish it all off with caramel bread pudding.

In business since 2004, Fox Bros. BBQ has been serving up BBQ for Atlanta in big tasty piles! While their barbecue has Texas roots, the owners have made adjustments to suit more Deep South flavors. Start with jalapeno cornbread and a big side of brunswick stew. Then pig out on The Everything Plate, which lets you get four varieties of meat all at once. If that's not enough to satisfy you then round it out at the end with some banana pudding. Bring your dollies. You'll be too comfortable to walk out the door when you're done.

Can't end this article without talking about one sweet shop. Sublime Doughnuts serves totally unique doughnut varieties that are amazingly good. They're good enough that Cartoon Network gave them a bump and called them the best doughnuts in the universe. I have to agree after having their Orange Dream Star, which tastes just like a creamsicle. They have no standard doughnuts here, so you'll have to try something new. But even a new food can quickly become a comfort when it tastes this good.