Goodfriend’s Grill in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and searching for a casual, reliable grill-style restaurant, Goodfriend’s Grill is exactly the kind of neighborhood spot many locals and visitors look for: approachable food, relaxed atmosphere, and familiar flavors.

Below is a practical guide to what you can typically expect from a grill-focused restaurant like Goodfriend’s Grill in Atlanta, how it fits into the city’s dining scene, and tips for planning a visit.

Where a Grill Like Goodfriend’s Fits into Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta has a wide range of dining options, from high-end steakhouses in Buckhead to casual pubs and grills around Midtown, Downtown, and the neighborhoods along the Perimeter. A restaurant in the “Grill” sub-category usually offers:

• Casual, sit-down dining
• Grilled meats and sandwiches as menu anchors
• Burgers, chicken, seafood, and salads with simple sides
• A focus on comfort food rather than fine dining

A place like Goodfriend’s Grill tends to appeal to:

• Locals looking for a regular weeknight spot
• Travelers staying near Atlanta’s major hotels who want something easy and familiar
• Families who need a relaxed dining room and flexible menu

Typical Menu at an Atlanta Grill Restaurant

While specific items can vary, most Atlanta grill-style restaurants share some core dishes.

Common Main Dishes

You can generally expect:

• Grilled burgers
  • Classic beef burgers
  • Sometimes turkey, veggie, or “build-your-own” options
• Grilled chicken
  • Sandwiches, plates with sides, or salads
• Steak or sirloin plates
  • Often with mashed potatoes, fries, or veggies
• Grilled seafood
  • Salmon, shrimp skewers, or fish sandwiches
• Wraps and sandwiches
  • Grilled chicken wraps, club sandwiches, BLTs

Sides and Starters

Standard sides at an Atlanta grill often include:

• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Onion rings
• Side salads or Caesar salads
• Coleslaw
• Grilled vegetables or seasonal veggies

Starters might feature:

• Wings (very common around Atlanta)
• Mozzarella sticks or fried pickles
• Chips and dip or nachos

Beverages

Most grill-style restaurants in Atlanta will have:

• Fountain soft drinks and iced tea (sweet and unsweet)
• Lemonade or fruit punches
• Often beer, wine, and a small list of mixed drinks if they have a liquor license

Atmosphere: What It’s Like to Dine at a Grill in Atlanta

When you walk into a place like Goodfriend’s Grill in Atlanta, you can usually expect:

• Casual seating: Tables, booths, and sometimes bar seating
• Relaxed dress code: T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers are standard
• TVs: Many Atlanta grills show sports, especially Falcons, Hawks, Braves, and college football games
• Mixed crowd: Families, groups of friends, and solo diners

This style of restaurant is typically:

• Quieter at lunch on weekdays, popular with nearby workers
• Busier in the evenings and weekends, especially during sports seasons or right after work hours

Price Range and What to Budget

Grill restaurants in Atlanta generally fall into an affordable to moderate price range.

Approximate price expectations:

Actual prices at Goodfriend’s Grill may vary, but this gives a realistic Atlanta benchmark for planning.

Goodfriend’s Grill and Nearby Atlanta Areas

Even if you are not familiar with exact street details, it helps to think in terms of Atlanta districts and traffic patterns:

• If Goodfriend’s Grill is near Downtown or Midtown, it may be convenient to pair with:
  • A visit to Centennial Olympic Park
  • A stop at the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola
• If it is in Buckhead, it could be a comfortable option after:
  • Shopping at Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza
• If it’s closer to residential neighborhoods like Grant Park, West Midtown, Decatur, or Sandy Springs, it might function more as a local hangout rather than a tourist draw

When planning, it’s smart to:

• Check where it falls relative to I-75/85, GA-400, and I-285
• Factor in rush-hour traffic if you’re heading there between roughly 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays

Reservations, Wait Times, and Peak Hours

Grill-style restaurants in Atlanta vary: some are strictly walk-in, while others accept reservations for larger groups.

General patterns:

• Lunch (11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.)
  • Can be busy if the grill is near offices or colleges
• Early evening (5–7 p.m.)
  • Families and after-work diners
• Later evenings and weekends
  • More groups of friends; can be busier if there’s a big game

To avoid long waits:

• 🕐 Aim for off-peak times: mid-afternoon or early lunch
• 👥 Call ahead if you have a group of 6 or more
• 📍 Ask about game days: any grill near stadiums or sports bars can get crowded when Atlanta teams play

Parking, Transit, and Getting There in Atlanta

How easy it is to reach a place like Goodfriend’s Grill will depend on its specific location, but Atlanta patterns are consistent:

Driving and Parking

• Many grills in suburban-style areas (Sandy Springs, Perimeter, parts of Buckhead or Westside) are in plazas with:
  • Surface lot parking
  • Shared parking with other businesses
• In Midtown or Downtown, you might find:
  • Parking decks or paid surface lots
  • Limited street parking, often metered or with time limits

Tips:

• Allow extra time if driving during rush hour or near major venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Truist Park.
• Check whether the restaurant is in a mixed-use development (like Atlantic Station or similar complexes), which usually means a parking deck and clear signage.

MARTA and Rideshare

If you prefer not to drive:

• MARTA Rail has main hubs at:
  • Five Points Station (Downtown)
  • Peachtree Center (Downtown)
  • Arts Center and Midtown (Midtown)
  • Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center (Northside)
• From those stations, you can often:
  • Walk if the grill is close
  • Use MARTA bus connections
  • Take a rideshare (Uber, Lyft) for the final stretch

If you’re staying near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, check whether Goodfriend’s Grill is realistically reachable via:

• MARTA’s Red/Gold Line into Downtown/Midtown, then rideshare
• Or a direct rideshare from your hotel

Dietary Preferences and Family-Friendly Options

Atlanta grill restaurants like Goodfriend’s Grill often try to be flexible.

For Different Diets

You can frequently find:

• Grilled chicken or fish for lighter options
• Salads that can be topped with grilled protein
• Occasionally veggie burgers or meals that can be made without cheese or sauces by request

If you have specific dietary needs:

• Ask about oil and seasoning used on the grill
• Check whether items can be substituted (e.g., salad instead of fries)
• For more complex restrictions (gluten-free or allergy concerns), calling ahead is often helpful

For Families and Kids

Most Atlanta grills:

• Offer kids’ menus with smaller portions of:
  • Chicken tenders
  • Mini burgers
  • Grilled cheese or simple pasta
• Have high chairs and booster seats
• Are used to large family tables during early dinner hours

If you’re visiting attractions like Zoo Atlanta, The Battery Atlanta, or the Georgia Aquarium, a grill like Goodfriend’s can work well as a post-activity meal that suits different ages and tastes.

How to Check Current Details Before You Go

Because restaurant offerings, hours, and menus can change, it’s smart to confirm:

• Current hours of operation
• Menu highlights and pricing
• Whether they:
  • Accept reservations
  • Offer takeout or curbside pickup
  • Provide delivery through major services

In Atlanta, most consumers verify this by:

• Calling the restaurant directly (especially useful for group seating or special requests)
• Checking the most recent online menu or profile
• Confirming any holiday or event-related changes (for example, during major events like the Peachtree Road Race, big concerts, or game days)

When a Grill Like Goodfriend’s Is a Good Fit

A place like Goodfriend’s Grill is especially useful in Atlanta if you:

• Want straightforward American grill food without a high-end price tag
• Need a spot that’s casual and flexible for groups
• Are staying near one of Atlanta’s main business or residential districts and want a reliable, familiar style of menu
• Prefer a sit-down restaurant over fast food but don’t need a lengthy, upscale experience

If you live in Atlanta, Goodfriend’s Grill can become a go-to neighborhood option; if you’re visiting, it can be a comfortable, no-surprises meal in between your city plans.