Home Grown GA in Atlanta: A Local Guide to This Beloved Southern Diner

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and looking for classic Southern and soul food in a laid-back, very Atlanta setting, Home Grown GA is one of the names that comes up again and again.

This small diner-style restaurant in southeast Atlanta has built a strong local following for its comfort food, low-key vibe, and neighborhood feel. Here’s what to know if you’re thinking about going, how to plan your visit, and what to expect once you’re there.

Where Home Grown GA Is in Atlanta

Home Grown GA is located in the Reynoldstown / Edgewood area, just east of downtown:

Home Grown GA
968 Memorial Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
Phone: (404) 222-0455

It sits along the busy Memorial Drive corridor, not far from:

• Downtown Atlanta (a short drive via Memorial Dr)
• Cabbagetown and Grant Park
• The BeltLine Eastside Trail access points

For most Atlanta residents, it’s reachable by I-20, exiting near Moreland Ave or Boulevard and cutting over to Memorial Drive. Visitors staying near downtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park usually find it a quick rideshare or drive.

What Kind of Restaurant Is Home Grown GA?

Home Grown GA is best described as a Southern comfort food diner with strong soul food influences. It’s known for:

• Hearty breakfasts and brunch
• Classic meat-and-three style plates at lunch
• A casual, no-frills atmosphere that feels very local

Expect a space that’s:

• Small and often crowded, especially on weekends
• Decorated in a quirky, vintage, eclectic style
• Very relaxed and unpretentious—this is not a white-tablecloth spot

Many Atlantans use it as a weekend brunch tradition, a “take your visiting friends here” place, or a reliable local spot when you want biscuits, gravy, and strong coffee.

Signature Southern and Soul Food Dishes to Know

While menus can change and daily specials rotate, certain core items are what people most associate with Home Grown GA.

Classic Breakfast Favorites

Common standouts include:

• Biscuits and gravy – A staple for many regulars, often ordered with eggs and potatoes.
• Fried chicken biscuit – Southern-style fried chicken on a biscuit, often considered a must-try for first-timers.
• Shrimp and grits – A regional favorite that combines creamy grits with seasoned shrimp.
• Breakfast plates – Usually eggs, breakfast potatoes or grits, biscuit or toast, with meat options like bacon, sausage, or country ham.

You’ll see a mix of traditional Southern breakfast plates and some more creative takes that still fit the comfort food theme.

Lunch and Meat-and-Three Style Offerings

At lunchtime, Home Grown GA often leans into a meat-and-three approach, a common Southern style where you pick:

• One main protein (such as fried chicken, meatloaf, or pork chops)
• Two or three sides (examples: mac and cheese, collard greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, okra, or seasonal veggies)

While exact items can vary by day, the spirit is consistent: simple, filling, Southern-influenced plates that feel like a home-cooked meal.

Quick Snapshot: What to Expect at Home Grown GA

When to Go and How Busy It Gets

Because Home Grown GA is well-known among Atlanta residents, timing matters if you don’t want a long wait.

Weekdays vs. Weekends

• Weekdays (especially early in the morning):
  Often the most relaxed time to go if you have a flexible schedule. Neighborhood regulars and nearby workers are common, but waits are usually shorter.

• Weekends (especially late morning to early afternoon):
  This is peak brunch rush. Lines and waitlists are common, and the dining room can feel packed. Locals often expect to wait and plan their day around it.

Practical Timing Tips

• ⏰ Arrive earlier than you think on Saturdays and Sundays if you’re set on brunch.
• Consider a later breakfast (after the initial rush) on weekdays.
• If you’re visiting Atlanta and have a busy sightseeing schedule, going to Home Grown GA on a weekday morning often works best.

Because hours and demand can shift, it’s smart to call ahead the same day if you want a sense of current wait times or hours: (404) 222-0455.

Atmosphere and Dining Experience

Home Grown GA is part of the “old Atlanta” diner culture—small, cozy, and a bit worn-in in a way many locals find charming.

You can expect:

• Tight seating, with tables fairly close together
• An informal, friendly staff style
• A mix of families, solo diners, groups of friends, and neighborhood regulars

Noise levels can be moderate to loud during rush times, with lots of conversation and clinking dishes. If you are looking for a quiet, lingering brunch with soft music, this is more of a bustling, energetic setting.

Pricing and What You’ll Likely Spend

Prices can change, but most Atlantans experience Home Grown GA as:

• Moderately priced for a sit-down breakfast or lunch
• Cheaper than many trendier in-town brunch spots, but above fast food

For a typical visit, many people end up paying roughly:

• Breakfast or brunch: A main plate plus coffee or tea
• Lunch: A meat-and-three style plate, maybe with a drink

Budget-minded locals often view it as good value for the portion sizes and quality of classic comfort food.

Parking and Getting There

Like many in-town Atlanta spots, parking around Home Grown GA can take a bit of planning.

Parking Options

• Street parking:
  Available on and around Memorial Drive and nearby side streets. Spaces can fill quickly during prime breakfast/brunch times.

• Driving from different parts of Atlanta:

  • From Downtown/Midtown: Head east on Memorial Dr or take I-20 east and exit near Moreland Ave or Boulevard.
  • From Decatur or East Lake: Often a straight shot using local streets to Memorial Dr.
  • From Buckhead or the northern suburbs: I-75/85 south to I-20 east, then connect to Memorial Dr.

Because this area continues to develop, parking patterns can change. Some locals carpool, rideshare, or use bikes/scooters if they’re staying nearby to avoid parking stress.

Transit Considerations

If you prefer not to drive:

• MARTA bus routes along Memorial Drive or connecting streets can get you reasonably close.
• From major MARTA stations (like King Memorial or Inman Park/Reynoldstown), a short rideshare or longer walk may be possible, depending on your comfort level with walking in city traffic.

Tips for Locals and Visitors

Here are some Atlanta-specific tips to make your Home Grown GA visit smoother:

For Atlanta Residents

• Use off-peak times: If you work remotely or have flexible mornings, a mid-week breakfast can feel like a neighborhood secret.
• Treat it as a neighborhood spot: Many locals incorporate Home Grown GA into errands on the east side, pairing it with grocery runs, BeltLine walks, or stops in Reynoldstown, Cabbagetown, or Grant Park.
• Be prepared to share the space: Expect a mix of longtime residents, new in-town transplants, and out-of-towners—typical for popular Atlanta brunch spots.

For Visitors to Atlanta

• Pair it with nearby attractions:
  • Oakland Cemetery, just west along Memorial Drive
  • Krog Street Market and the BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Cabbagetown murals and the Krog Street Tunnel
• Allow extra time: If you’re heading to a timed attraction (like a tour or museum reservation), give yourself a generous buffer in case of waits.
• Dress comfortably: This is a place for jeans, sneakers, and casual wear; you do not need to dress up.

Dietary Considerations and Menu Flexibility

Home Grown GA focuses on traditional Southern and diner-style dishes, which often include:

• Fried foods
• Biscuits and breads
• Dairy-based sides (mac and cheese, creamy grits)
• Pork and other meats

That said, there are usually some options that can work for different dietary needs, such as:

• Egg-based dishes that can sometimes be adjusted
• Vegetable sides that may be prepared more simply
• Occasional specials that are lighter or more veggie-forward

If you have allergies, sensitivities, or strict dietary needs, a practical approach is to:

• Call ahead at (404) 222-0455 to ask about current options.
• Talk to your server when seated and see what can be prepared to fit your needs.

Because this is a small, busy diner, customization may be limited during high-traffic times, but staff often try to work with straightforward requests when possible.

How Home Grown GA Fits into Atlanta’s Southern & Soul Food Scene

Atlanta’s food scene is full of:

• Classic soul food restaurants
• Modern Southern-inspired bistros
• Trendy brunch spots and cafes

Home Grown GA sits at an interesting intersection of those:

• It has the feel of an old-school neighborhood diner.
• The menu leans into Southern comfort dishes Atlantans expect: biscuits, grits, greens, fried chicken.
• It’s smaller and more casual than many of the “big name” restaurants, which appeals to locals who want something less polished and more lived-in.

For someone trying to understand Southern and soul food in the context of Atlanta, Home Grown GA offers:

• A look at how everyday Atlantans eat Southern food, not just on special occasions
• A comfortable introduction to meat-and-three style lunches and hearty breakfasts
• An experience that reflects Atlanta’s east-side neighborhood character—a mix of history, change, and local tradition

How to Plan Your Visit

Here’s a simple step-by-step if you’re in Atlanta and want to check out Home Grown GA:

1. Pick your day and time

   • If you hate waiting: aim for a weekday morning.
   • If you want the full bustling brunch experience: go on a weekend, but go early.

2. Decide how you’ll get there

   • Driving from in-town? Expect to deal with limited parking and maybe walk a block or two.
   • Staying downtown or in the Old Fourth Ward/Inman? Consider a short rideshare.

3. Check current details

   • Use the phone number (404) 222-0455 to confirm current hours, wait times, or any temporary changes.
   • Ask about large party seating if you’re planning to go with a big group.

4. Go with a backup plan

   • If the wait is long, you’re already in a part of Atlanta with plenty of other food and coffee spots nearby.
   • Consider strolling Memorial Drive or checking out nearby neighborhoods while you wait.

5. Order something classic

   • For a first visit, many people choose a fried chicken biscuit, biscuits and gravy, or a meat-and-three plate to get the full Southern comfort feel.

Home Grown GA is one of those very Atlanta places that mixes neighborhood energy with straightforward, satisfying Southern food. Whether you live here or you’re passing through, it offers a grounded, local way to experience Southern and soul food in Atlanta without a lot of fuss.