Chow a La Carte at Uptown Kitchen: A Local Guide to Atlanta-Style Southern Eats

If you’re searching for Southern and soul food in Atlanta and you’ve heard the phrase “Chow a La Carte at Uptown Kitchen,” you’re probably trying to figure out what kind of experience to expect:
Is it a buffet? A meat-and-three? A brunch spot? A late-night soul food kitchen?

In Atlanta, “chow a la carte” usually points to a build-your-own plate style of ordering, where you pick your own mains and sides instead of being locked into preset combos. Paired with the idea of an “Uptown Kitchen,” most locals picture a modern, city-style take on classic comfort food: fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, shrimp and grits, and more—served with a bit of polish and flexibility.

This guide walks you through what that usually looks like in Atlanta, how to navigate a la carte Southern menus, and what to know before you go, whether you live here or you’re just in town for a visit.

What “Chow a La Carte” Means in an Atlanta Southern & Soul Food Context

In basic restaurant terms, “a la carte” means you order items individually, rather than as a fixed meal with set sides.

In Atlanta’s Southern and soul food scene, that often translates into:

• Pick your protein (fried chicken, baked chicken, pork chops, catfish, oxtails, BBQ ribs, turkey wings, etc.)
• Choose your sides from a rotating list (mac and cheese, yams, green beans, collards, cabbage, rice & gravy, dressing, black-eyed peas, etc.)
• Add bread (cornbread, rolls, biscuits) and sometimes dessert by the slice
• Pay per item, not per “combo meal”

An “Uptown Kitchen” concept typically suggests:

• A slightly more modern or urban feel than an old-school cafeteria
• Possibly healthier or updated twists (air-fried items, turkey-based dishes, grilled options)
• Aiming to serve downtown or intown neighborhoods where people want quick, hearty food without losing the soul food roots

In Atlanta, you’ll see this style from Castleberry Hill to Midtown, around Downtown arts districts, and near busy commuter corridors like Peachtree Street or Northside Drive, where locals want comfort food but with customization.

How a La Carte Ordering Typically Works at an Uptown-Style Southern Kitchen

Here’s how to navigate an a la carte soul food menu in Atlanta so you can “chow” like a local.

1. Start with the Main Protein

Most soul food kitchens in Atlanta list mains separately. You’ll usually see:

• Fried chicken (dark/white meat, wings, tenders)
• Smothered or baked chicken
• Fried or grilled catfish or whiting
• Pork chops (fried or smothered)
• Turkey wings or turkey chops
• Oxtails or short ribs (often at a higher price point)
• BBQ items like ribs or pulled pork

Many places price these per piece, per plate, or by size. An “Uptown” approach may offer:

• Half portions or single-piece orders for lighter appetites
• Premium add-ons like seafood or extra-large portions

💡 Tip: If you’re unsure about portion size, ask whether the plate feeds “one very hungry person” or “could be shared.” Atlanta servings can be generous.

2. Build Your Plate with Sides

Sides are where Southern and soul food in Atlanta really shine. Expect options such as:

• Macaroni and cheese
• Candied yams
• Collard greens or mixed greens
• Sweet or savory cabbage
• Green beans (with or without meat)
• Rice and gravy
• Dressing (often with gravy)
• Black-eyed peas, lima beans, or pinto beans
• Potato salad or coleslaw
• Corn, squash, or okra dishes

At an a la carte “Uptown” spot, you might see:

• Small vs. large sides priced separately
• Mix-and-match plates where you choose any 2–3 sides, not tied to specific mains
• Occasional vegetarian plates built entirely from sides

🍽 Common Atlanta plate patterns:

• Meat + 2 sides
• Meat + 3 sides (common for hearty lunches and dinners)
• Veggie plate (3–4 sides; popular for non-meat eaters or lighter meals)

3. Don’t Forget Bread and Extras

Soul food kitchens in Atlanta often include bread, but sometimes it’s itemized:

• Cornbread or cornbread muffins
• Yeast rolls
• Biscuits (especially at brunch)

Add-ons could include:

• Side of gravy
• Extra sauce
• Sliced tomatoes or pickles
• Additional meat piece

An a la carte setup lets you build exactly what you want for the meal you’re craving, rather than accepting a pre-set combo.

Typical A La Carte Southern Plate: Quick Reference

Here’s a simple snapshot of how a typical Atlanta a la carte soul food order might be structured at an “Uptown Kitchen”-style restaurant:

This setup is what many locals are referring to when they talk about “chow a la carte” at a soul food or Southern kitchen.

Where A La Carte Soul Food Fits in Atlanta’s Neighborhoods

While “Uptown Kitchen” can be the name of a specific restaurant or just a style, the concept of a la carte Southern and soul food shows up across the city:

• Downtown & Midtown: Often near offices, parks, and MARTA stations, where workers and visitors want filling lunches and casual dinners.
• Westside & Castleberry Hill: Known for creative twists on classics, food halls, and modern spins on soul food.
• East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Edgewood: Mix of traditional plates and newer, chef-driven menus that may still follow an a la carte structure.
• Southwest Atlanta & Cascade area: Strong soul food traditions, with many spots using a line-style or a la carte ordering system at the counter.

When you see “kitchen” in the name in Atlanta, it often signals:

• Comfort food,
• Flexible plates,
• And frequently an order-at-the-counter, then sit-down style.

How to Get the Best Experience at an A La Carte Uptown-Style Kitchen

Ask About Daily Specials

Many Atlanta kitchens rotate items like:

• Turkey and dressing
• Stewed oxtails
• Baked or smothered pork chops
• Special desserts (red velvet cake, seasonal cobblers)

Daily specials can be better value and a good way to try house favorites without overthinking the menu.

Time Your Visit

In Atlanta, soul food spots—especially those with line-style or a la carte service—often peak:

• Weekday lunch: Roughly 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Sunday after church: Late morning through mid-afternoon
• Game days or big events downtown: Before and after events at venues like State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium

To avoid long waits, plan:

• Early lunch (before noon)
• Early dinner (around 5 p.m.)

Clarify Dine-In vs. Takeout

Some “Uptown Kitchen”–style places in Atlanta focus on:

• Takeout and delivery, especially around busy business districts
• Counter service with limited seating

If you’re visiting:

• Call ahead to ask about seating and parking, especially in dense areas like Midtown or Downtown.
• If you’re with a group, check whether large orders should be placed in advance.

Dietary Considerations at an Atlanta Southern & Soul Food Kitchen

Even at a comfort-food-focused spot, many Atlanta kitchens are used to guests asking for modifications.

Common requests you can often make:

• Grilled instead of fried chicken or fish (if available)
• Sauce on the side for smothered items or BBQ
• Choosing vegetable-heavy sides like greens, cabbage, green beans, black-eyed peas
• Building a vegetable plate without meat proteins

If you have specific dietary needs (such as food allergies, religious restrictions, or strong nutritional preferences), it helps to:

• Call the restaurant before you go
• Ask if sides are cooked with pork, turkey, or other meats
• Confirm ingredients in staples like mac and cheese or dressing

Atlanta’s food scene is used to a wide range of guests, so most staff can tell you what’s in core dishes.

Pricing Expectations for A La Carte Southern Food in Atlanta

Prices vary by location, but for a la carte soul food in the city, you’ll commonly see:

• Individual mains priced higher than fast food, especially for:

  • Oxtails
  • Seafood plates
  • Multiple-piece fried chicken or ribs

• Sides priced individually, where:

  • Smaller sides can be good for taste-testing several items
  • Larger sides make more sense if you already know your favorites

Because you’re building your meal item by item, you can:

• Keep costs lower by choosing one protein and fewer sides
• Or go bigger with extra sides, dessert, and add-ons when you’re really ready to “chow”

Practical Tips for Locals and Visitors

Whether you live in Atlanta or you’re just here for a few days, these habits will help you make the most of an “Uptown Kitchen”–style, a la carte soul food visit:

• Scan the menu before you get in line. Many spots post menus near the door or on boards above the counter.
• Decide on your sides first. In Atlanta, sides are often what sell out first, especially mac and cheese and yams.
• Ask what they’re known for. Staff can usually point you to the house specialties that regulars love.
• Grab napkins and utensils. Line-order kitchens sometimes have self-service stations.
• Consider sharing plates. With generous portions, two people can sometimes share a meat plate plus an extra side or two.

In Atlanta, “Chow a La Carte at Uptown Kitchen” essentially describes a flexible, build-your-own Southern and soul food experience: you choose your main, load up on sides, and tailor your plate to your appetite.

If you enjoy having control over every part of your meal—while still getting classic Atlanta flavors like fried chicken, greens, and mac and cheese—this a la carte style is one of the most satisfying ways to eat your way through the city’s soul food scene.