Deckards Kitchen and Kegs: Southern Comfort Food and Craft Beer in Atlanta

If you’re craving Southern and soul food in Atlanta and you also care about what’s on tap, Deckards Kitchen and Kegs is the kind of place locals talk about when they want both comfort food and a strong beer list in one stop.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to what to expect, where it fits into the city’s dining scene, and how to decide if it’s right for your next meal out.

Where Deckards Kitchen and Kegs Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta’s Southern and soul food options range from historic “meat and three” spots to modern gastropubs. Deckards Kitchen and Kegs sits closer to the gastropub end of that spectrum:

• Style: Casual, neighborhood-friendly restaurant and bar
• Focus: Southern-inspired comfort food plus an emphasis on draft beer (“kegs”)
• Vibe: Laid-back, social, good for hanging out rather than a quick in-and-out lunch

If you like the idea of fried chicken, burgers, or Southern sides paired with a rotating lineup of beers, this is the kind of place that fits well alongside Atlanta staples like local breweries, sports bars, and relaxed intown restaurants.

Typical Location and Neighborhood Feel

Restaurants like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs in Atlanta are usually found in or near intown neighborhoods with a strong bar and restaurant culture. Areas that often host this style of spot include:

• Virginia-Highland
• Old Fourth Ward
• Inman Park
• Grant Park
• Midtown or Eastside corridors along Memorial Drive or Edgewood

In these neighborhoods, you’ll typically find:

• Walkable access from nearby apartment buildings and side streets
• Shared parking lots or mixed street parking
• Proximity to other bars, coffee shops, and late-night options

When you’re planning a visit, it’s smart to:

• Check current address and hours before you go (hours can shift with seasons, events, or ownership changes).
• Look at a map for parking options; intown Atlanta streets can be tight, especially around dinner and weekend evenings.

What’s on the Menu: Southern and Soul Food with a Pub Twist

While menus can change, places like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs in Atlanta usually blend classic Southern dishes with pub favorites. Expect a mix like:

Classic Southern-Inspired Mains

You’ll often see:

• Fried or grilled chicken – sometimes in sandwich form, sometimes as a plate with sides
• Shrimp and grits – a common Atlanta favorite, often with a creamy or spicy twist
• Burgers with Southern toppings (pimento cheese, bacon, fried green tomatoes)
• Pulled pork or brisket-style sandwiches depending on the chef’s focus

Soul Food–Style Sides

Sides are typically where the soul food influence shows up:

• Mac and cheese
• Collard greens
• Fried okra
• Mashed potatoes or cheese grits
• Hushpuppies or cornbread

Often, you can build a plate by choosing a protein and adding 2–3 sides, similar to a “meat-and-three” concept but with a more modern bar setting.

Shareable Starters and Bar Bites

Because of the emphasis on kegs and hanging out, menus often feature:

• Wings (buffalo, lemon pepper, house dry rub)
• Loaded fries or tater tots
• Fried pickles or green tomatoes
• Sliders or small sandwiches

These work well if you’re just meeting friends for drinks and snacks instead of a full dinner.

The “Kegs” Side: Beer and Drinks

A big part of the appeal is the beer list. Atlanta has a strong craft beer culture, and spots like Deckards often reflect that.

What You Can Typically Expect

• Multiple rotating drafts – often featuring local Georgia breweries
• A mix of:
  • Light lagers and pilsners
  • IPAs (very common in Atlanta bars)
  • Seasonal or limited-release beers
  • Occasionally ciders or sours

Some places also offer:

• Canned/bottled options in addition to drafts
• A small cocktail or whiskey list for non-beer drinkers
• Non-alcoholic options like sodas, iced tea, and sometimes non-alcoholic beer

If you’re particular about beer style, it’s worth:

• Asking your server or bartender about what’s new on tap
• Starting with a taster or small pour if they allow it, especially with higher-ABV beers

Atmosphere: Who Deckards Kitchen and Kegs Is Best For

In the context of Atlanta dining, a place like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs usually attracts:

• Young professionals and locals from nearby neighborhoods
• Small groups of friends meeting up for drinks and casual food
• Sports fans on game days, depending on TV setup

It’s generally:

• Casual dress – jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are the norm
• Lively but relaxed – conversation-friendly, with a bar buzz in the evenings
• Often kid-friendly earlier in the day, shifting more adult-oriented later at night

If you’re looking for white-tablecloth fine dining, this probably won’t match. If you want a comfortable, no-fuss spot to sit down with solid Southern leaning dishes and good beer, it’s a better fit.

Price Expectations in Atlanta

Prices vary across the city, but for an Atlanta spot like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs, you can generally expect:

💡 Tip: If you’re budget-conscious, look for:

• Daily specials (e.g., discounted wings, burger nights, or beer deals)
• Happy hour windows earlier in the evening
• Sharing larger plates or appetizers across the table

When to Go: Timing Your Visit

Atlanta restaurant crowds fluctuate with traffic, sports events, and weather. For a place like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs:

• Weeknights (early evening): Usually easier to get a table and chat
• Friday and Saturday nights: Can be busy, especially around prime dinner hours
• Game days: Expect more of a sports-bar feel if TVs are present

Planning tips:

• Consider early dinners (5–7 p.m.) if you want a quieter experience.
• If you’re meeting a group, call ahead to ask about wait times or whether they can accommodate larger parties.

Getting There and Getting Home in Atlanta

Because many Atlanta Southern-and-beer spots sit in intown areas, you have a few transportation options:

• Driving: Common, but be prepared for:
  • Limited parking
  • Potential paid lots or garage fees
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Popular if you plan to drink
• MARTA: Depending on the exact location, you may be able to:
  • Take a rail line to Midtown, North Avenue, Inman Park/Reynoldstown, or King Memorial
  • Connect with a bus line that serves the nearby corridor

For up-to-date public transit routes, MARTA Customer Service can be reached at:

• Phone: 404-848-5000
• Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

If you’re driving and plan to drink alcohol, it’s generally safer to arrange a ride home ahead of time to avoid last-minute decisions.

Dietary Considerations and Menu Flexibility

Southern and soul food can lean heavy on fried items, meat, and dairy, but many Atlanta restaurants in this category now offer at least some flexibility:

You may find:

• Grilled options instead of fried
• Salads or lighter sides alongside the classics
• Occasional vegetarian or plant-forward dishes

If you have specific needs (gluten-sensitive, vegetarian, or looking to avoid certain ingredients):

• Ask staff which dishes are easier to modify
• Look for build-your-own plates where you choose sides and preparation style

Staff at neighborhood spots are often used to these questions and can help you navigate the menu.

How Deckards Kitchen and Kegs Compares to Other Atlanta Options

Within Atlanta’s Southern and soul food restaurant landscape:

• Traditional soul food spots (often west or south of downtown) focus on:

  • Hearty plates
  • Longstanding recipes
  • Less emphasis on beer lists

• Modern Southern gastropubs and bars (like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs) focus on:

  • Creative spins on classics
  • Comfort food plating with more bar-style starters
  • Curated draft beer and sometimes cocktails

If you’re trying to decide where to go:

• Choose a traditional meat-and-three if your priority is classic soul food and large portions.
• Choose a place like Deckards if you want:
  • A strong beer program
  • A hangout spot for a group
  • Southern-inspired food in a lively, bar-forward setting

Practical Next Steps for Atlanta Diners

If Deckards Kitchen and Kegs sounds like your style, here’s how to make the most of a visit in Atlanta:

• Confirm current address and hours the day you plan to go.
• Decide your transport plan (drive with a designated driver, rideshare, or MARTA).
• Check for specials – many Atlanta restaurants share daily deals or events on menus and chalkboards once you arrive.
• If you’re in a group, plan to share:
  • 1–2 appetizers
  • A mix of Southern sides
  • A variety of beers for those interested

This approach gives you a fuller taste of what a place like Deckards Kitchen and Kegs contributes to Atlanta’s Southern and soul food plus craft beer culture, without overcomplicating your night out.