Hondos: Exploring Atlanta’s Southern and Soul Food Scene

If you’re searching for “Hondos” in Atlanta and seeing it associated with Southern and Soul Food, you’re likely trying to:

• Track down a specific soul food restaurant you’ve heard about
• Find places in Atlanta with a similar vibe or menu
• Understand how Southern and soul food spots work in Atlanta—where they’re located, what they serve, and how to choose one

Atlanta is one of the country’s key hubs for Southern cooking and soul food, so even if the exact restaurant name you heard isn’t clear or current, there are many options that match what most people mean when they say they’re looking for a place like “Hondos.”

Below is a practical guide to help you navigate Atlanta’s Southern and soul food restaurant scene and zero in on the kind of spot you’re after.

What People Usually Mean When They Search “Hondos” in Atlanta

When Atlanta-area diners search for a name like “Hondos” in the Southern and Soul Food category, they’re usually looking for:

• Classic Southern comfort food (fried chicken, collards, mac and cheese, cornbread)
• A casual, welcoming atmosphere—often family-friendly
• A place that feels like home-cooked food, not a fancy white-tablecloth experience
• Somewhere reasonably accessible from Downtown, Midtown, or the main neighborhoods

Even if you don’t land on a restaurant with that exact name, Atlanta has many spots that deliver that same style of food and experience.

How Southern and Soul Food Restaurants Work in Atlanta

Common Styles of Southern/Soul Food Spots

In Atlanta, restaurants similar to what people imagine “Hondos” to be typically fall into one of these groups:

1. Meat-and-Three Cafeteria Style
You pick one meat and two or three sides from a steam table.

• Great for quick lunches and hearty dinners
• Often popular with locals and workers in the area

2. Full-Service Sit-Down Restaurants
Order from a menu with entrée plates, appetizers, and desserts.

• Typically good for family meals, date nights, or groups
• Sometimes feature live music or Sunday specials

3. Takeout-Heavy Soul Food Kitchens
Smaller spaces focused on to-go plates and delivery.

• Popular for weeknight dinners and quick pickup
• Often located in neighborhood shopping centers around the city

What You’ll Usually Find on the Menu

Whether you end up at a place actually called “Hondos” or one with a similar concept, you can expect a core set of dishes across Atlanta’s soul food landscape:

Typical mains:

• Fried or baked chicken
• Smothered pork chops
• Fried catfish or whiting
• Turkey wings or oxtails at some spots
• BBQ-style items like ribs at select Southern-focused places

Common sides (“vegetables” in Southern restaurant lingo):

• Collard greens, turnip greens, or mustard greens
• Macaroni and cheese
• Candied yams
• Green beans, cabbage, or okra
• Black-eyed peas, field peas, or lima beans
• Cornbread, rolls, or biscuits

Desserts you’ll often see:

• Peach cobbler
• Banana pudding
• Sweet potato pie
• Pound cake

Most Atlanta restaurants in this category serve sweet tea, lemonade, and basic soft drinks, along with coffee and sometimes beer/wine depending on their license.

Where Southern and Soul Food Restaurants Cluster in Atlanta

If you’re trying to find a spot like “Hondos” rather than that exact name, it helps to know where these restaurants are usually located:

Downtown & Near the State Capitol

You’ll find lunch-friendly spots catering to workers, visitors, and government employees. Many are close to:

• Georgia State Capitol area (Mitchell St SW, Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW)
• Five Points and the Fairlie-Poplar area

These locations are convenient if you’re staying or working downtown and want a quick soul food plate during the day.

Westside & Historic Neighborhoods

Areas like West End, Westview, and parts of SW Atlanta have long histories with soul food and Southern cooking. Here you’re more likely to find:

• Locally rooted, family-run restaurants
• Smaller spots in strip malls or along neighborhood corridors
• Strong weekend and Sunday crowd for after-church meals

East & South Atlanta

Along main corridors such as:

• Memorial Drive SE
• Candler Road (toward Decatur)
• Cleveland Ave and Metropolitan Pkwy

you’ll see plenty of takeout soul food kitchens, café-style joints, and long-standing local favorites.

How to Choose the Right Southern/Soul Food Spot in Atlanta

When “Hondos” is your starting point but you’re open to options, here’s how to narrow down the right kind of place for you:

1. Decide on Atmosphere

Ask yourself:

• Want sit-down service with time to relax? Look for a dine-in restaurant with table service.
• Just need food to go? A counter-service or takeout-focused spot may be better.
• With kids or a larger family? Search for restaurants that mention family-friendly, booths, or a larger dining room.

2. Check Location vs. Traffic

Atlanta traffic can change a simple dinner plan. Try to:

• Pick a restaurant close to where you’re staying or working (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, the airport area, etc.)
• Account for rush hour (roughly 4–7 p.m.) if you’re crossing town
• Consider MARTA access if you won’t be driving; many soul food spots are near major bus routes or rail-adjacent corridors

3. Look at Typical Hours

Many Southern and soul food restaurants in Atlanta:

• Open late morning through early evening
• Have busiest periods at lunch and Sunday afternoons
• May close earlier than chain restaurants, especially on weekdays

If you’re planning a late dinner, it’s wise to:

• Aim to arrive well before posted closing time
• Call ahead to confirm the kitchen is still open

4. Scan the Menu for Your Must-Haves

If you’re imagining “Hondos” serving something specific—like oxtails, turkey wings, catfish, or peach cobbler—make sure you verify:

• That your preferred dish is listed on the current menu
• Whether it’s a daily item or a special available only on certain days

Eat-In vs. Takeout: How Most Locals Use These Spots

Atlanta locals tend to use Southern and soul food restaurants in a few consistent ways:

• Workday lunch plates – quick meat-and-three or plate lunches from spots near offices or job sites
• Sunday or holiday-style meals – larger family orders with multiple sides, sometimes picked up in bulk
• Comfort food nights – ordering fried chicken, mac and cheese, and greens for an easy dinner rather than cooking

Many restaurants that match the “Hondos” style are:

• Fine with call-in orders: You phone in a plate, pick it up when it’s ready
• Often listed on major delivery apps for nearby neighborhoods
• Set up with to-go containers by default, even if they have dining rooms

Simple Comparison: What to Expect From Atlanta Southern/Soul Food Spots

Here’s a quick reference to help you match your expectations to the type of place you pick:

Practical Tips for Finding a “Hondos”-Type Restaurant in Atlanta

Use these quick checks to locate the right place once you’re in the city:

• 🔎 Search by style, not just name – Use terms like “Atlanta soul food restaurant,” “meat and three Atlanta,” or “Southern cooking near [your neighborhood].”
• 📍 Filter by distance – Atlanta is spread out; look within a radius that makes sense from where you are (Downtown, Airport, Buckhead, Midtown, etc.).
• ☎️ Call the restaurant directly – If you’re not sure about hours, daily specials, or dine-in availability, a short phone call can clear things up quickly.
• 🕒 Aim for non-peak times – If you want a quieter meal, try slightly before or after the standard lunch rush (roughly 12–1:30 p.m.) and Sunday after-church rush (often early afternoon).

If You’re New to Atlanta or Just Visiting

If you’re visiting Atlanta and searching for “Hondos” as a starting point:

• Focus on proximity to where you’re staying (Downtown hotels, Midtown, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, etc.).
• Consider pairing your soul food meal with nearby sights such as:
  • Centennial Olympic Park / State Farm Arena area
  • Atlanta University Center area (for historically Black college/university surroundings and long-standing Black-owned food traditions)
  • Sweet Auburn and Old Fourth Ward (for historic civil rights context plus modern food scenes)

You’ll get both the flavor of the city and a sense of place, even if the exact name “Hondos” doesn’t appear on the door.

How Locals Keep Up With Restaurant Changes

In a city like Atlanta, restaurant names, ownership, and menus can change over time. If you’re trying to track down a specific spot you once heard called “Hondos” or something similar, you can:

• Ask rideshare drivers, hotel staff, or coworkers for current recommendations in the same category
• Check recent local write-ups, neighborhood forums, or social listings that focus on Atlanta dining
• Verify the restaurant’s address, phone number, and hours before you go, especially if it’s in a neighborhood you’re not familiar with

If you’re in Atlanta and craving the kind of food most people associate with a place like “Hondos”—plates piled high with fried chicken, greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread—you’ll have no trouble finding it. The key is knowing which part of the city you’ll be in, what kind of atmosphere you want, and how you plan to get there, then choosing a Southern or soul food restaurant that fits those needs.