A trip to Atlanta isn’t complete without a taste of the regional cuisine. Southern food may not be part of many weight-loss plans, but it is famously delicious! Several of our favorites are listed below.
Oldies but Goodies
These Atlanta institutions have been around so long, it’s rumored they were among the few businesses left standing after General Sherman’s troops burned much of the city–and that their tasty fare is probably what spared them. (OK, none of them are that old, but close…)
Busy Bee Cafe: You know you’ve found authentic soul food when the menu features items like neckbones, giblets, chitlins and oxtails. Other standards such as pork chops, ribs, and fried chicken and fish are also available for the less-adventurous. The Busy Bee has been part of the downtown area’s history since 1947, and devotees will tell you the food–and dessert!–is worth the time you may spend waiting for a seat, which can be especially long during lunch hours.
Address: 810 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone: 404-525-9212
www.thebusybeecafe.com
Mary Mac’s Tea Room: Opened by Mary McKinsey in 1945, when some considered it improper for a woman to own a restaurant; the name “tea room” was used in an attempt to make it seem a more genteel venture. But don’t expect to find Victorian furnishings, fine china, or a big selection of hot beverages here. What you can look forward to is a menu full of traditional specialties, servers with Southern hospitality, and Jo, the “Goodwill Ambassador” who roams the dining room offering stories and backrubs. Photos of local and national celebrities who’ve visited over the years add to the quaint, down-home atmosphere.
Address: 224 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-876-1800
www.marymacs.com
Paschal’s: Founded in 1947 by James and Robert Paschal, brothers who were actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was just one of many notable patrons. The main restaurant has moved twice over the years, most recently in 2002 to the historic Castleberry Hill District, and is now housed in a building featuring upscale, modern décor. Three additional branches of the restaurant are located in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Address: 180-B Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: 404-525-2023
www.paschalsatlanta.com
The Colonnade Restaurant: Named after the columned building where the original business began in 1927, it moved to its current (column-less) location in 1962. Almost as well-known for its diverse customer base as it is for its homemade fried chicken, yeast rolls, and other classics, this local throwback has been a favorite of many Atlantans for decades. No reservations or credit cards accepted so bring cash and be prepared for a possible wait. (A full bar on-site makes enduring any delays a little easier.)
Address: 1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd, Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: 404-874-5642
www.colonnadeatl.com
Becoming Legends
These next may not be quite as old and venerable, but we think they’ve already earned their spot in the future pages of local history books.
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack: Every best-of list of Southern eateries should include at least one barbeque dive, and this is our top pick. Mouth-watering ribs and chicken, beer and tasty sides are paired with live blues nightly. Décor is everything the name suggests (i.e., shack-like).
Address: 1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-607-1622
www.fatmattsribshack.com
Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles: Those who think waffles are only for breakfast will be disappointed if they show up at the crack of dawn. Co-founded by the Empress of Soul and late gospel singer Ron Winans, this casual restaurant waits until 11 a.m. to open its doors, but doesn’t close them until 4 a.m. on the weekends, which makes it a favorite among late-nighters who prefer to enjoy the first meal of the day before rolling into bed. Named after the culinary combo made famous by Well’s Restaurant in 1930′s Harlem, this local hot spot also offers a variety of Southern dishes. Additional locations in Lithonia, Georgia and Washington, D.C.
Address: 529 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-874-9393
www.gladysandron.net
OK Cafe: No hoity-toity accent over the “e” in the name of this popular diner. Just straight-forward cooking like grandma used to make, a classic short-order grill, and a good measure of fun. Add in the whimsical folk art decorations and many will tell you this place is more than just “OK.”
Address: 1284 W Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: 404-233-2888
www.okcafe.com
High Southern/New Southern
The South has risen again–at least as far as its cuisine is concerned. The following offer a contemporary, updated take on regional fare. These modern gems present timid Yankees with a somewhat gentler introduction to Southern gastronomy.
Horseradish Grill: Boasting a charming, romantic setting with views of Chastain Park, the proprietors are so committed to using fresh, seasonal food that they’ve planted an organic heirloom garden behind the restaurant. The menu focuses on simply prepared meals that embrace the tradition of fine Southern dining.
Address: 4320 Powers Ferry Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342
Phone: 404-255-7277
www.horseradishgrill.com
JCT Kitchen & Bar: If you never thought of using the words “hip” and “comfort food” in the same sentence, you haven’t visited this recent addition to the city’s Westside. Featuring “Southern farmstead cooking” served in an alluring, light-filled space, the bistro’s name pays homage to the three-letter “JCT” sign marking a junction of railroad lines close by. Their bar was voted one of the best in America by Esquire magazine. This summer they will once again host the annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival–as if we didn’t think they were cool enough already.
Address: 1198 Howell Mill Rd, Ste 18, Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-355-2252
www.jctkitchen.com
South City Kitchen: Contemporary Southern foods with a sophisticated-but-not-stuffy twist are the specialty here. The restaurant is housed in an updated historic bungalow with a crisp, clean interior and a patio offering views of the city skyline. A sister restaurant is located in the nearby city of Smyrna.
Address: 1144 Crescent Ave, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-873-7358
www.southcitykitchen.com/midtown
Provided by Dodge Communications
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