The Usual: Atlanta’s Go-To Southern and Soul Food Spots

When people in Atlanta talk about “the usual,” they often mean that comforting plate of fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread that feels like home. If you’re looking for where to get that kind of Southern and soul food in Atlanta—whether you live here, just moved in, or are visiting—there are plenty of options, from classic meat-and-threes to modern takes on soul food.

This guide walks through how soul food works in Atlanta, what to expect on menus, how to order like a local, and where you’re most likely to find your own version of “the usual.”

What “The Usual” Means at a Southern or Soul Food Restaurant

In many Atlanta Southern and soul food restaurants, “the usual” is shorthand for a favorite, repeat order—the kind of plate you don’t even need to look at the menu for.

Common “usuals” in Atlanta include:

• Fried or baked chicken + 2–3 sides
• Oxtails with rice and gravy
• Smothered pork chops with collards and yams
• Catfish nuggets or fillet with fries and hushpuppies
• Turkey wings with dressing and green beans

In smaller, family-run spots, once staff recognize you, you may literally be able to walk in and say, “The usual,” and they’ll know what you mean. At busier spots or if you’re new, you can still build your “usual” by learning how Atlanta-style soul food menus are set up.

How Soul Food Menus Work in Atlanta

Plate Styles You’ll See

Most soul food restaurants in Atlanta follow a plate-based setup:

• Meat-and-three (or meat-and-two)

  • Choose one main (like fried chicken, meatloaf, turkey wings)
  • Choose two or three sides (mac and cheese, collards, cabbage, etc.)
  • Often includes cornbread or a roll

• Daily specials

  • Certain dishes only appear on specific days, like:
    • Oxtails – often on Sundays or weekends
    • Turkey and dressing – often Sunday or holiday seasons
    • Pot roast or beef tips – midweek specials

• Combo plates

  • Fish and shrimp combo
  • Chicken wings with fries
  • Ribs with two sides

• Breakfast or brunch plates (at some locations)

  • Salmon croquettes
  • Grits, eggs, sausage or bacon
  • Biscuits and gravy

Typical Sides on an Atlanta Soul Food Menu

You’ll see many of the following on repeat across the city:

• Macaroni and cheese (often baked, dense, and cheesy)
• Collard greens (sometimes with smoked turkey or pork)
• Candied yams
• Green beans or string beans
• Cabbage
• Black-eyed peas
• Lima beans
• Rice and gravy
• Mashed potatoes
• Fried okra
• Cornbread or cornbread muffins

Once you’ve tried a few places, you’ll probably settle on a specific combination that becomes your “usual” whenever you’re craving soul food in Atlanta.

Classic Atlanta Soul Food Areas and What to Expect

Atlanta’s soul food scene is spread across the metro, but there are a few key areas and patterns that can help you choose where to go.

Downtown & Westside: Historic and No-Frills Spots

Areas near Downtown, Vine City, West End, and the Westside are known for long-standing soul food and meat-and-three restaurants. These places often have:

• Counter service or cafeteria-style lines
• Rotating daily menus
• Large portions and straightforward presentation

You’re likely to find:

• Smothered chicken with rice and gravy
• Neckbones or oxtails (especially on Sundays)
• Turkey wings
• A wide mix of working lunch crowds, locals, and visitors

These spots are good if your idea of “the usual” is something hearty and traditional, served quickly.

Southwest & Southside: Neighborhood Favorites

In Southwest Atlanta and along the Southside, you’ll find many neighborhood-focused soul food restaurants and takeout counters. Expect:

• Wing plates and fried fish
• Family-style orders for gatherings
• Plenty of to-go orders, especially on Sundays and holidays

If you’re staying near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or living on the Southside, this is often where you’ll grab your regular spot for:

• 10-piece wing combo with fries
• Fish and grits on weekend mornings
• Family pans of mac and cheese, greens, or yams for events

Eastside & Intown Neighborhoods: Modern and Brunch-Focused

The Eastside (including Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, Kirkwood, and surrounding neighborhoods) has more modern and brunch-style takes on Southern and soul food. You might see:

• Chicken and waffles
• Shrimp and grits
• Upscale versions of fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese, or biscuits
• Cocktails and extended brunch hours

Here, your “usual” might look a little different:

• Hot honey fried chicken and waffles
• Shrimp and grits with andouille sausage
• Pimento cheese dip with biscuits

Ordering Like a Local: Building Your Own “Usual”

If you’re new to Atlanta soul food, it helps to know how locals typically order.

Step 1: Choose Your Meat

Common favorites:

• Fried chicken (dark or white meat, or wings)
• Baked chicken or smothered chicken
• Turkey wings
• Oxtails (often higher-priced and limited)
• Fried catfish, whiting, or tilapia
• Pork chops (fried or smothered)
• Meatloaf

If you’re unsure, fried chicken or baked chicken with gravy is a safe starting point at most places.

Step 2: Pick Your Sides

A very “Atlanta” usual could be:

• Mac and cheese + collard greens + candied yams
• Rice and gravy + cabbage + cornbread
• Fried okra + green beans + dressing (when available)

To keep it simple your first time, you might ask, “What are your most popular sides?” Staff are usually happy to point you toward the crowd favorites.

Step 3: Know the Lingo

You may hear:

• “Meat-and-three” – one meat, three sides
• “Plate” or “dinner” – combo with meat and sides, often with bread
• “Blue plate special” – a daily special that changes

If something on the board or menu isn’t clear, it’s perfectly normal to ask staff what’s in a dish or how it’s prepared.

When Atlantans Eat Soul Food

Soul food in Atlanta is often tied to specific days and routines:

• Sunday after church – One of the busiest times. Expect lines at popular spots for turkey wings, oxtails, and dressing.
• Weekday lunch – Many people working downtown or near office corridors grab soul food plates as a filling lunch.
• Holidays and special events – Some restaurants offer larger family trays of sides and meats that people pick up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family reunions.

If you want to avoid crowds, weekday late afternoon (between lunch and dinner rush) can be a good time to try a place for the first time.

Sit-Down vs. Takeout: How Atlanta Spots Differ

Different types of soul food restaurants in Atlanta offer different experiences. Here’s a simple comparison:

Some places will feel very casual and family-run, with a personal touch and regulars chatting at tables. Others lean more modern and polished, with cocktails and a broader menu that blends Southern with other styles.

Prices and Portions: What You Can Expect

Pricing can vary by neighborhood and style of restaurant, but you’ll commonly find:

• Meat-and-two or meat-and-three plates: typically in the moderate range for a full meal
• Oxtails, ribs, and specialty meats: often higher priced due to ingredients and prep time
• Family-size portions or catering trays: priced by the pan or pound

Portions at many traditional Atlanta soul food restaurants tend to be generous, especially with sides like rice and gravy, mac and cheese, or yams. If you’re not a big eater, you may have leftovers to take home.

Soul Food and Neighborhood Identity in Atlanta

Soul food in Atlanta is closely tied to Black Southern culture and the history of neighborhoods like West End, Cascade, Vine City, and parts of the Southside. Many long-running restaurants:

• Are family-owned and passed down through generations
• Serve as informal community hubs, especially on weekends
• Reflect recipes that have been around for decades

For visitors, eating at these spots offers a look at Atlanta beyond the tourist attractions. For residents, picking a regular soul food place can become part of your weekly rhythm—your dependable “usual” whenever you need comfort food.

Tips for Finding Your Own “Usual” in Atlanta

Here are some practical ways to discover the right soul food spot for you:

• Ask people who live or work nearby

  • In Atlanta, many locals are quick to recommend their favorite wing spot, fish place, or Sunday dinner restaurant.

• Check lunch crowds on weekdays

  • If a place draws in a steady stream of local workers or regulars, it’s usually a good sign.

• Try the same order at a few places

  • For example, order fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collards at 2–3 restaurants to see which version you like best.

• Pay attention to daily specials

  • Some of the best dishes—like oxtails or turkey and dressing—may only show up on certain days.

• Call ahead for large or specialty orders

  • If you want pans of sides or bigger orders for a gathering, many Atlanta soul food spots appreciate advance notice, especially around weekends and holidays.

Practical Details: Getting Around to Soul Food Spots

Atlanta is spread out, so getting to your favorite “usual” spot may depend on how you move around the city:

• Driving and parking

  • Many soul food restaurants outside the core of Downtown have parking lots or shared shopping center parking.
  • In denser neighborhoods, you may rely on street parking, so allow a few extra minutes.

• Public transit (MARTA)

  • Some spots near Downtown, West End, and along major corridors are accessible via MARTA rail or bus.
  • If you’re using MARTA, check routes to West End Station, Five Points, or Garnett, then connect by bus or short ride-share for restaurants nearby.

• Delivery and pickup

  • Many soul food places partner with major delivery apps, especially in areas closer to the city center.
  • If you want a specific dish that sometimes sells out (like oxtails), calling the restaurant directly to confirm availability before ordering delivery can help.

How to Talk to Staff If You’re New to Soul Food

If you’re visiting Atlanta or just haven’t had much soul food before, you can still feel comfortable ordering. A few simple phrases help:

• “What do most people get here?”
• “If you were ordering for the first time, what would you choose?”
• “What are your best sides today?”

Atlanta restaurant staff are generally used to guiding newcomers—especially in areas like Downtown, Midtown, and near major attractions—so it’s normal to ask for advice or clarification.

Making “The Usual” Your Own

In Atlanta, “the usual” isn’t one single dish—it’s your personal favorite combination at the place you trust when you’re hungry. Over time, you might:

• Develop a weekday go-to plate near your job
• Keep a Sunday dinner favorite in Southwest or West End
• Have a brunch-style usual at a more modern Southern spot

Once you’ve visited a restaurant a few times and found your favorite order, you’ll be able to walk in, greet the staff, and build your own Atlanta-style “usual”—the kind of plate that feels like home, whether you were born here or just arrived.