Beijing Kabobs is the most traditional Beijing lamb hotpot restaurant in Atlanta, and its owner’s warm heart is as famous as her food. She came to Atlanta in 2009 so her daughter could attend school here, and the whole family moved from Beijing, where they lived near the historic Drum Tower（鼓楼） in the city’s core. Growing up in a Beijing hutong, she knew her husband from childhood; they married, had their daughter, and later came to America to support their family’s future.
If you’ve ever visited Beijing Kabobs, you’ve surely felt their “over-the-top” Beijing hospitality. The owner loves talking with every guest, and once you’re her friend, she’ll happily share endless local gossip（八卦）. Even after many years in the U.S., she still speaks limited English, so most of her customers are fellow Chinese. But she never lets that stop her; she learned simple phrases, points to picture menus when needed, and always greets you with a smile.
What really sets this place apart is the lamb. For more than ten years, she has insisted on using only Inner Mongolian lamb. Every month, relatives back in Beijing mail her fresh meat to keep the flavor authentic. She says lamb from 3–6 month old sheep is tender with just a light aroma, and autumn and winter lamb is at its richest. Each year, she buys extra meat in the fall, freezes it, and serves it all year.
In Beijing hotpot, lamb is the star. Thin slices of frozen lamb cook in seconds; you eat them hot so they stay juicy. Dip the meat into “Erba Sauce 二八酱”, 20% sesame paste, 80% peanut butter, plus garlic chives（韭菜花） and fermented tofu（腐乳）and you taste the soul of Beijing.
When they first arrived, the couple worked every restaurant job imaginable—waiter, cook, cleaner—before deciding to open their own place. Today, it’s just the two of them: he grills and fries in the kitchen while she welcomes guests and keeps everything running smoothly. Their teamwork feels like an old-school “husband-and-wife” restaurant back home, and it has earned them a loyal following. Now, their small shop on the Buford Highway is celebrated as one of the best stops for authentic Northern Chinese street food in Atlanta.
After working in Atlanta for so many years, the owners have decided to return to Beijing to enjoy their retirement. They say Atlanta has been wonderful, but Beijing will always be their true home. They miss the simple joys of life there, especially the tangy taste of 豆汁 (fermented mung-bean drink) and a classic Beijing breakfast. Without a doubt, they shared the flavors of home with Atlanta’s Chinese food lovers, and after all these years, choosing to retire back in Beijing is a wise decision.