Hans Carry Out: A Local-Style Guide to Atlanta’s Southern & Soul Food Takeout

If you’re searching for “Hans Carry Out” in Atlanta, you’re most likely looking for a Southern or soul food carry-out spot with comforting plates, generous portions, and fast service you can grab and go. While there isn’t a widely recognized Atlanta restaurant currently operating under the exact name Hans Carry Out, what you’re really looking for is easy to find here: classic soul food takeout in an Atlanta style.

This guide walks you through how soul food carry-out works in Atlanta, what to expect on the menu, how to order like a local, and where to look for that same type of experience across the city.

What “Carry Out” Means in Atlanta’s Southern & Soul Food Scene

In Atlanta, carry out (or takeout) is a big part of how people enjoy Southern and soul food. Many of the most-loved spots are:

• Counter-service restaurants with a few seats but a strong to-go culture
• Meat-and-three cafeterias where you choose a main protein and sides
• Small neighborhood kitchens where locals line up at lunch and after church on Sundays

If you were imagining a place like “Hans Carry Out,” the Atlanta equivalent is likely:

• A no-frills, flavor-first spot
• A steam table or “meat-and-three” line
• Food served in styrofoam or clamshell to-go boxes
• Fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and peach cobbler as staples

What You’ll Typically Find on a Soul Food Carry-Out Menu in Atlanta

Most Southern and soul food carry-out menus in Atlanta follow a familiar pattern. Expect hearty, comforting dishes rather than trendy or overly complicated options.

Classic Main Dishes

• Fried chicken (wings, legs, thighs, breast)
• Smothered pork chops
• Baked or fried fish (whiting, catfish, tilapia)
• Meatloaf
• Turkey wings
• BBQ chicken or ribs (sometimes limited to certain days)

Popular Sides (“Veggies” and Starches)

In Atlanta, sides are often called “veggies” even if they aren’t vegetables:

• Macaroni & cheese
• Collard greens
• Candied yams
• Green beans
• Black-eyed peas or lima beans
• Rice & gravy
• Mashed potatoes
• Cornbread dressing (often on Sundays or holidays)

Breads & Extras

• Cornbread (sweet or more savory, depending on the spot)
• Dinner rolls
• Hushpuppies (at some fish-forward places)

Desserts

• Peach cobbler (very common in Atlanta)
• Banana pudding
• Pound cake or layer cake
• Sweet potato pie (especially around holidays)

Drinks

• Sweet tea (almost a default in the South)
• Lemonade or fruit punch
• Bottled sodas and water

How Ordering Usually Works at Atlanta Soul Food Carry-Out Spots

Even though each restaurant is different, the flow is surprisingly consistent across Atlanta.

1. Choose Your Plate Type

Most menus are built around plate combinations, such as:

• 1 meat + 2 sides
• 1 meat + 3 sides
• Veggie plate (3–4 sides, no meat)

You’ll often see this written on a sign above the counter or near the entrance.

2. Pick Your Protein

You’ll be asked something like:
“What meat you want, baby?” or “What’s your protein?”

Common protein choices:

• Fried or baked chicken
• Fish (baked or fried)
• Pork chops (fried or smothered)
• Meatloaf
• Turkey wings

3. Select Your Sides

You’ll usually see the sides displayed in warming pans or listed on a board. Many places rotate sides daily, so:

• Some sides may be “today only”
• Early or peak times often have the fullest selection

4. Decide on Bread and Dessert

Bread is often automatically included, but you may be asked:

• “Cornbread or roll?”

Desserts may be visible in a cooler case or on a counter. You can add them to your order at checkout.

5. Pay and Go

Most carry-out spots in Atlanta:

• Accept cash and major cards
• May charge a small fee for card payments at some smaller locations
• Package everything in sturdy to-go containers, often double-bagged for heavy plates

When Atlanta Locals Usually Go for Soul Food Carry-Out

Timing can make a big difference in wait times and menu options.

Busy Times

Expect longer lines and the best selection during:

• Weekday lunch (11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) – office workers, contractors, and locals
• Sunday early afternoon – after church, when families pick up big meals
• Holiday seasons – especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas

Slower Times

You may find shorter lines but slightly reduced food selection:

• Mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner
• Weeknights before 6 p.m.

Eat-In vs. Takeout: What to Expect

Even if a place functions as a carry-out, some Atlanta soul food spots have limited seating.

Common Setups

• Takeout-focused counters with just a few stools or small tables
• Dine-in + carry-out restaurants where locals pick up big orders to go
• Window-service or walk-up spots where everything is packaged to go by default

If you need guaranteed seating (for older relatives, kids, or groups), it helps to:

• Call ahead and ask about seating
• Plan to take the food to a nearby park if the weather is nice (Grant Park, Piedmont Park, or smaller neighborhood parks are popular options)

Price Ranges and Portion Expectations

Atlanta’s soul food carry-out is known for satisfying, filling plates.

Typical Price Ranges (Approximate)

*Exact prices vary by neighborhood and restaurant, but many locals consider soul food carry-out to be good value for the amount of food you receive.

Portions are often large enough to share or stretch into two meals, especially if you’re not used to traditional Southern servings.

Finding Soul Food Carry-Out Like “Hans Carry Out” in Atlanta

While there may not be a famous “Hans Carry Out” brand here, Atlanta has many neighborhood soul food kitchens that offer a similar experience. To find them, you can:

1. Search by Cuisine, Not Just by Name

Look up terms like:

• “soul food takeout Atlanta”
• “meat and three near me”
• “Southern comfort food to go Atlanta”

These terms typically bring up locally known carry-out counters and smaller, community-based spots.

2. Pay Attention to Neighborhoods

Some parts of Atlanta are especially known for classic soul food and carry-out culture, such as:

• Westside and Southwest Atlanta – long-standing neighborhood spots
• West End and Cascade areas – strong tradition of Southern cooking
• South Atlanta and East Point – many small, family-run kitchens

For visitors, checking around these areas often leads to authentic, home-style meals that feel a lot like what someone might expect from a place called “Hans Carry Out.”

Ordering Tips for a Smooth Experience in Atlanta

To make your carry-out visit faster and easier, especially during busy hours:

Call Ahead 📞

Many Atlanta soul food restaurants are happy to:

• Take your order over the phone
• Give you an estimate for pickup time
• Confirm daily specials and available sides

Ask About Daily Specials

Common daily rotations include:

• Certain proteins only on specific days (like turkey wings or oxtails)
• Rotating vegetables or casseroles
• Special desserts that sell out quickly

Clarify Your Preferences

If you care about certain details, you can politely specify:

• Dark or white meat chicken
• Extra gravy or light gravy on rice or potatoes
• Sauce on the side for BBQ items
• Extra napkins or utensils if you’re taking food to a park, office, or hotel

Dietary and Preference Considerations

Soul food is often rich and heavily seasoned, though each restaurant has its own style.

If you have dietary needs or preferences, you can:

• Ask which dishes are baked vs. fried
• Request sauces or gravies on the side when possible
• Look for veggie plates, which can sometimes be made mostly from vegetable-based sides
• Ask if any sides are made with meat flavorings (like pork in collard greens or beans), which is common in traditional preparation

Most Atlanta spots are used to these questions and will tell you what they can adjust.

How Locals Use Soul Food Carry-Out in Everyday Life

For many Atlanta residents, soul food carry-out is part of regular routines and special occasions:

• Weekday lunches for workers and students
• Sunday dinner for families who don’t want to cook after church
• Game days and gatherings, where people pick up large pans of mac and cheese, greens, or fried chicken
• Holiday backups, when cooking everything from scratch is too much

Even if the name “Hans Carry Out” doesn’t show up on Atlanta maps, the experience you’re looking for—fast, flavorful Southern food to go—is easy to find all over the city.

If you’re in Atlanta now, your best next step is to:

1. Search for “soul food carry-out” or “meat and three” near your current location.
2. Call one or two places to confirm today’s menu and wait times.
3. Order a meat-and-three plate with a local favorite like peach cobbler to get the full Atlanta-style carry-out experience.