This meet was exactly what I had hoped for and more. We didn’t make it out to the first one due to a plethora of other events happening, but after seeing posts I knew I wanted to make it to the second. Hosted at an awesome ramen shop in Alpharetta, Kin No Tori, and co-hosted by Shameke Forsythe this meet brought all the goodness with it -interesting cars, good conversation, and amazing food.

We arrived shortly after the start time of the meet and found the parking lot already filled with a variety of cars and more continued to flow in and out through the evening. We put our name on the list to grab dinner and found the restaurant incredibly busy with a DJ booth tucked neatly against the window providing mixes while the smells of carefully curated broths and meats wafted out through the doorway.

While we waited we took a stroll through the lot to admire the variety that had already parked. Some things I’ve noticed more of in the past year or so is variety and unique builds coming back in favor over groups of more of the same. More style. More individualism. Less group think of what each car should be and there’s been a bit of a harkening back to what was in when I was just getting my feet wet with car culture- its no longer just modern muscle and extreme stance styles- it’s tasteful street car mods, unique paint, cars reflective of the people doing the work and modifications, not just what’s trending or what a popular group says is in. The mix of cars here reflected modern American muscle, JDM, and a good sampling of German options, as well as a few vehicles outfitted for off-roading.

As far as the food goes, I can say we were both blown away- it was absolutely the best ramen we’ve had in Atlanta. The options for noodles and broths as well as proteins were plentiful, and the appetizer options had something for everyone. The portion sizes were gratuitous and my leftovers reheated well a few days later, much to my surprise. The vibe inside the restaurant may have been a little different for the event, with the DJ choosing the music for the event, but the general feeling is very street-stall late night Tokyo. There’s interesting art on the walls, skateboards tucked into racks and lighting that feels inviting but also modern and colorful. I also found the TV playing street views of what looked like Tokyo to be a unique touch. We will absolutely be back for more ramen, the yuzu drink and the inviting service.

This meet brought back a wistful feeling of nostalgia- it felt like a throwback to what meets were like when I was in my late teens and early twenties, but instead of risking being asked to leave, the group was not only welcomed but invited to be there. The overall group was respectful, folks were friendly and there was no foolery happening in the parking lot. I’m hopeful for a 3rd meet and look forward to seeing what the future brings for this event.