Rico's World Kitchen:
Buford's Best Kept Culinary Secret
Tucked inside a converted 1960s gas station on Historic Main Street, Chef Rico Cunnington serves a menu that blends Filipino, Mexican, Louisiana, and Southern comfort food into something entirely its own.
Lisa Harris
CLHMS, 19 Years in the Community · August 7, 2026
Every small town has one restaurant that defies expectations, a place where the building is quirky, the chef has a story, and the food makes you wonder why you have not been coming here for years. On Buford's Historic Main Street, that restaurant is Rico's World Kitchen.
Housed in a converted 1960s gas station at 306 W Main Street, Rico's World Kitchen is the vision of Chef Rico Cunnington, who opened the restaurant around 2007. Alongside Chef Jorge Gonzalez, Cunnington draws from his Filipino heritage and Gonzalez's Mexican roots to craft a menu that defies easy categorization. The restaurant describes its food as "world comfort cuisine," and that is exactly what it delivers: a rotating, culturally rich lineup of dishes that draw from the Philippines, Mexico, Louisiana, the American South, and beyond. It is the kind of place that has earned a devoted following among locals and a reputation as one of the best hidden gems in Metro Atlanta.
Rico's World Kitchen occupies a charmingly converted 1960s gas station on Buford's Historic Main Street
The Building and the Story
The building alone is worth the trip. The former gas station retains its original mid-century character, with a retro canopy, large windows, and a layout that feels part diner, part roadside stand, and entirely Buford. The dining room is compact and intimate, with a small bar and open kitchen that lets you watch the chefs at work. In warmer months, the covered patio with string lights offers a relaxed alfresco setting that feels a world away from chain restaurants. It is the kind of place you might drive past a dozen times before finally stopping in, and once you do, you will wonder why you waited so long.
Signature Dishes
Filipino Classic
Lumpia
Crispy Filipino spring rolls, perfectly golden and packed with seasoned meat and vegetables. Served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. A must-order starter that sets the tone for the meal.
Coastal Favorite
Fire Cracker Shrimp
Plump shrimp flash-fried and tossed in a bold, spicy-sweet sauce with just the right kick. A crowd-pleasing appetizer that keeps regulars coming back.
House Specialty
Royal Rooster Sandwich
A signature chicken sandwich with a perfectly crispy, juicy chicken breast, house sauce, and fresh toppings on a toasted bun. Simple, elevated, and unforgettable.
Southern Tradition
Fried Green Tomatoes
Thick-sliced green tomatoes, cornmeal-crusted and fried to a golden crisp. Served with a house-made remoulade that adds a tangy, creamy finish. A Southern classic done right.
More To Explore
Beyond the signatures, the menu rotates daily specials and features a thoughtfully curated selection of dishes that reflect the chefs' combined heritage. The Pacific Rim Crabcake is a delicate, seafood-forward starter with bright Asian flavors. The Cajun BBQ Mussels arrive in a fragrant broth perfect for sopping up with crusty bread. The Ham and Brie Sandwich offers a sophisticated combo of salty, creamy, and sweet on pressed bread. And the Shrimp PoBoy is a Louisiana-style classic that holds its own against anything in the Gulf Coast.
Salads, including a standout Strawberry Salad with candied pecans and house vinaigrette, offer lighter options without sacrificing flavor. The menu changes with the seasons and with whatever inspires the chefs that week, which means every visit can bring a new discovery.
Atmosphere & Vibe
The atmosphere at Rico's is as unique as the menu. The converted gas station interior is cozy and unpretentious, with a small-town warmth that makes everyone feel welcome. The open kitchen means you can watch Chef Cunnington and his team at work, and the small bar is perfect for a solo meal or a conversation with the staff. On nice days, the covered patio is the place to be, with string lights, fresh air, and the gentle bustle of Historic Main Street just beyond.
The service is genuinely friendly, the kind where they remember your name if you have been in once or twice. It is the sort of place where the chef might come out to check on your meal and chat about what inspired that day's special. For all its culinary ambition, Rico's never feels pretentious. It is comfort food raised to an art form, served in a space that feels like a well-kept secret.
Best for: Date nights, small group dinners, solo meals at the bar, and anyone who loves discovering a chef-driven hidden gem with serious personality.
What Makes It Special
Converted Gas Station
Housed in a lovingly preserved 1960s gas station with a retro canopy, cozy dining room, and string-lit patio. The most unique dining space on Main Street.
Chef-Owned Since 2007
Chef Rico Cunnington brings Filipino heritage and years of passion to every dish. Chef Jorge Gonzalez adds Mexican culinary traditions for a truly global menu.
World Comfort Cuisine
A rotating menu that blends Filipino, Mexican, Cajun, and Southern influences. Every visit offers something new and unexpected.
Details
306 W Main St, Buford, GA 30518
Historic Downtown Buford · ~15 min from Apalachee Farms
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Price Range
$$ (Moderate) · Most dishes $10 – $22 range
The Chef Behind It
Chef Rico Cunnington opened Rico's World Kitchen around 2007 with a clear vision: create a restaurant that reflects the world's diverse comfort foods through the lens of his own Filipino heritage. Alongside Chef Jorge Gonzalez, who brings Mexican culinary traditions, the kitchen produces a menu that is both globally inspired and deeply personal.
The same ownership group also operates The Brunch Apothecary in Dacula, another Apalachee Farms favorite that we featured earlier. That commitment to quality, creativity, and genuine hospitality runs through both restaurants. At Rico's, the rotating menu and daily specials mean there is always something new to discover, and the chefs' willingness to experiment keeps regulars coming back to see what is next.
While You're There
Rico's is located on Buford's Historic Main Street, which has become a bona fide dining and shopping destination in recent years. After lunch or dinner, take a stroll along Main Street to explore the unique local shops. Bare Bones Steakhouse, Aqua Terra Bistro, and Tani Thai are all within walking distance if you want to make an evening of it. And Down the Rabbit Hole, a beloved local boutique, is just a few doors down.
For Apalachee Farms residents, Rico's is about a 15-minute drive from the community. It is an easy trip for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner on the patio, or a takeout order of lumpia and Fire Cracker Shrimp to enjoy at home. And because the menu changes regularly, it is a restaurant you can visit again and again without ever having the same meal twice.
Pro Tips
- Start with the Lumpia, they are the perfect introduction to the chef's Filipino influences.
- Closed Sundays after lunch and all day Monday, plan your visit Tuesday through Saturday for dinner or a late lunch.
- The menu changes regularly, so ask about daily specials. Some of the best dishes never make it to the printed menu.
- The patio with string lights is wonderful on a mild evening, arrive early to snag a table outside.
- Same ownership group as The Brunch Apothecary in Dacula, if you love one, you will love the other.
Thinking about buying or selling in Apalachee Farms? Lisa Harris has 19 years of experience in the community and knows every section, every market trend, and every great local restaurant. She lived in the neighborhood for 10 years and served as Social Committee Co-Chair. From Buford's best-kept culinary secret to the best listing strategy, she has the local knowledge you need.