D S Family Rib & Soul Food: A Local Guide to This Atlanta Grill Favorite

If you’re searching for comfort food, grilled meats, and classic Southern plates in Atlanta, D S Family Rib & Soul Food is the kind of neighborhood spot many locals have in mind. It falls under the “Grill” sub-category but serves a full lineup of soul food staples, from ribs and chicken to sides like collard greens and mac and cheese.

This guide walks through what to expect from a place like D S Family Rib & Soul Food in Atlanta, how it fits into the city’s food scene, and practical tips for visiting.

Where D S Family Rib & Soul Food Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta has a long tradition of soul food and barbecue, especially in neighborhoods on the south and west sides of the city and in nearby suburbs. A restaurant like D S Family Rib & Soul Food typically appeals to:

• Locals looking for familiar, home-style dishes
• Visitors who want a “real Atlanta” food experience beyond tourist-only spots
• Families who need generous portions and a casual atmosphere
• Workers on lunch break who want hearty plates that feel like a home-cooked meal

In Atlanta, these restaurants are often:

• Close to residential neighborhoods rather than tourist districts
• Family-run or locally owned
• Focused more on flavor and value than on decor or trendiness

What You Can Expect on the Menu

While each location may have its own specialties, a grill and soul food spot like D S Family Rib & Soul Food in Atlanta usually offers:

H3: Grilled and Smoked Meats

Typical grill items include:

• Pork ribs (often available as half or full slabs)
• Grilled or fried chicken (dark and white meat, wings, or whole pieces)
• Pork chops, sometimes grilled, sometimes smothered
• Sausage or hot links, depending on the establishment
• Occasionally grilled fish like whiting, catfish, or tilapia

Many Atlanta diners pay attention to:

• Seasoning and smoke flavor on ribs and chicken
• Tenderness (fall-off-the-bone vs. more structured bite)
• The style of sauce – often tomato-based, slightly sweet, sometimes smoky or spicy

H3: Classic Soul Food Sides

Sides are often the main attraction at an Atlanta soul food grill. You might find:

• Collard greens
• Macaroni and cheese
• Candied yams
• Green beans
• Black-eyed peas or lima beans
• Rice and gravy
• Fried okra
• Cornbread or rolls

If you live in Atlanta and eat soul food often, you may judge a place by:

• How well-seasoned the vegetables are
• Whether the mac and cheese is baked and cheesy
• How consistent the portion sizes are on busy days

H3: Plates, Combos, and Family Meals

A grill and soul food restaurant in Atlanta frequently organizes its menu around:

• Meat-and-two or meat-and-three plates
• Rib plates with one or two sides
• Wing combos with fries or traditional sides
• Family packs that include a full slab of ribs or multiple pieces of chicken plus large sides and bread

This works well for:

• Weeknight dinners when you don’t want to cook
• Game days or gatherings where a mix of ribs, chicken, and sides feeds a group

Price Range and Portion Expectations

In Atlanta, a place like D S Family Rib & Soul Food usually falls into the affordable-to-moderate price range for full plates.

You can typically expect:

• Individual plates: Often priced to include one meat and two sides
• Family-style trays or packs: Priced higher but designed to serve several people
• Portions: Many Atlanta soul food grills are known for generous servings, especially on sides and rib plates

Because prices can change, it’s best to:

• Call ahead to confirm current prices and specials
• Ask about lunch specials if you’re going during midday

Dine-In, Takeout, and Ordering Tips in Atlanta

Many soul food grills in Atlanta operate with a counter-service model and offer:

• Dine-in seating (often casual, limited, and first-come, first-served)
• Takeout called in by phone or ordered on-site
• In some cases, delivery through local apps or third-party services

Practical tips:

• 🕒 Avoid peak rush if you’re in a hurry. After church on Sundays, early dinners, and Friday evenings can be crowded.
• 📞 Call ahead for large orders or family packs so the kitchen can prepare without a long wait.
• ❓ Ask about daily specials – many Atlanta grills have rotating items such as oxtails, turkey wings, or special desserts.

How D S Family Rib & Soul Food Compares to Other Atlanta Options

Within Atlanta’s “Grill” sub-category of restaurants, D S Family Rib & Soul Food fits into a group that includes:

• Neighborhood barbecue joints
• Meat-and-three diners with grills and fryers
• Soul food cafeterias that also serve grilled meats

What tends to distinguish a soul food–style grill from a pure barbecue restaurant in Atlanta is:

• More emphasis on sides and full plates
• Comfort classics like smothered pork chops or baked chicken
• A mix of fried and grilled items, not just smoked meats

Finding D S Family Rib & Soul Food in Atlanta

Because Atlanta is spread out, it helps to consider:

• Which side of town you’re on (North, South, East, West, or Downtown/Midtown)
• Traffic patterns on I‑285, I‑20, I‑75/85, and local corridors like Metropolitan Parkway, Cascade Road, or Memorial Drive

If you’re:

• Staying Downtown or in Midtown: Check if D S Family Rib & Soul Food is reachable via main streets or a short drive on the Connector.
• On the Southside (College Park, East Point, Hapeville, or near Hartsfield-Jackson): Soul food grills are especially common here, and D S Family Rib & Soul Food may be convenient if it’s located along major roads like Old National Highway or Riverdale Road.
• On the Westside (Cascade, Westview, West End): The area is known for long-standing soul food and grill options, so D S Family Rib & Soul Food could be part of a local rotation.

When planning a visit, Atlanta residents often:

• Use the restaurant’s listed address and phone number to confirm hours
• Check current opening days—some soul food grills in Atlanta close one day per week (often Monday or Tuesday)
• Verify if the restaurant is cash-only or cash-preferred, though many now accept cards

Typical Hours and Best Times to Go

Hours vary by location, but a grill and soul food restaurant in Atlanta frequently:

• Opens late morning to midday (around 11 a.m.)
• Stays open through dinner (often until early evening)

To make your visit smoother:

• Go before the lunch rush (around 11–11:30 a.m.) if you want the best selection and fastest service.
• For dinner, early evening (5–6 p.m.) often beats the rush that hits right after work.
• On Sundays, plan for crowds and possible sell-outs of popular sides and meats.

Dietary and Preference Considerations

While soul food and grilled meats tend to be rich and hearty, you can still make selections that suit your preferences:

• Ask for grilled instead of fried chicken when available.
• Choose vegetable sides like greens, cabbage, green beans, or black-eyed peas.
• If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, it’s best to call ahead and ask what is cooked with what—especially for items like greens (which may be cooked with pork), gravies, and beans.

Atlanta diners who are used to soul food restaurants generally know that:

• Pork or meat seasonings are commonly used in vegetables and beans.
• Many dishes are prepared in batches, so customization is limited once items are cooked.

Parking, Access, and Getting There

In Atlanta, a soul food grill like D S Family Rib & Soul Food is often located in:

• A strip mall with shared parking
• A standalone building with its own small lot
• A neighborhood commercial corridor accessible from major streets

Before you go, consider:

• Parking: Most non-downtown Atlanta spots have free parking, but lots can be tight at peak times.
• Public transit: If the restaurant is near a MARTA bus route or a station, that can be helpful if you’re staying without a car.
• Takeout strategy: Many locals call in orders and do a quick in-and-out pickup, especially during inclement weather or heavy traffic.

Quick Snapshot: What to Know About D S Family Rib & Soul Food–Style Spots in Atlanta

For anyone living in Atlanta, D S Family Rib & Soul Food can be part of a regular rotation when you want grilled meats and classic sides without cooking. If you’re visiting Atlanta, spots like this offer a straightforward, local way to experience Southern comfort food in a neighborhood setting rather than only in tourist corridors.