Tom, Dick & Hank in Atlanta: What to Know About This Southern and Soul Food Spot

Tom, Dick & Hank is a familiar name in Atlanta’s Southern and soul food scene, especially if you like casual spots where barbecue, wings, and comfort-food sides are the main event. Whether you live in the city or you’re visiting and looking for a relaxed, local-style place to eat, it helps to know what to expect before you go.

Below is a practical guide to Tom, Dick & Hank in Atlanta, Georgia—from atmosphere and menu style to parking, timing, and how it fits into the city’s broader food landscape.

What Kind of Restaurant Is Tom, Dick & Hank?

Tom, Dick & Hank is best understood as a Southern-inspired, soul food and barbecue restaurant with a strong neighborhood feel. It typically offers:

• Casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere
• BBQ and grilled items (like ribs, wings, burgers)
• Classic Southern sides (mac and cheese, greens, fries, baked beans and similar comfort staples)
• A mix of indoor and outdoor seating, depending on the location
• A vibe that leans toward social and lively, especially during evenings and weekends

It’s the kind of place Atlantans consider for:

• A pre-game or post-game bite if you’re near major venues
• Group meetups and casual celebrations
• Laid-back date nights or weekend hangs
• A quick taste of Atlanta-style Southern comfort food without a white-tablecloth setting

Location, Access, and Parking in Atlanta

Atlanta traffic and parking can easily shape your dining plans. Tom, Dick & Hank locations tend to be in busy, in-town areas, often close to nightlife or event spaces. This usually means:

• Parking:

  • Expect a mix of small lots, shared lots, or nearby paid parking.
  • Street parking can be hit or miss and may have time limits or enforcement hours.
  • If you’re going during a popular event or weekend night, arriving a bit early can make parking much easier.

• Rideshare and transit:

  • Many diners use rideshare on late nights or during big events to avoid parking hassles.
  • Depending on the exact location, you may be within a short rideshare trip of central areas like Downtown, Midtown, or the Westside.
  • If you’re coming via MARTA, check how far the restaurant is from the nearest station; in some cases you’ll likely still need a short rideshare or walk.

If you’re planning a visit from outside the Perimeter (OTP), it’s common to factor in rush-hour traffic and weekend congestion near stadiums or major venues.

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

Tom, Dick & Hank typically aims for a lively, social, and slightly upscale-casual experience rather than a quiet, traditional dining room.

Common Atlanta-specific details you might see:

• Game-day energy when local teams are playing
• Music at a noticeable volume, especially in the evening
• Bar-focused areas where people gather for drinks and small bites
• A mix of locals, regulars, and visitors who found the spot while exploring the city

If you’re looking for conversation-friendly seating:

• Earlier in the evening or weekday afternoons usually feel more relaxed.
• Weekend nights and event nights can be louder and more crowded.

Menu Overview: Southern and Soul Food Focus

The menu at Tom, Dick & Hank generally leans into what many Atlantans expect from a modern Southern and soul food restaurant with a barbecue backbone.

While specific offerings can vary, you’re likely to find categories like:

1. Proteins and Main Dishes

Expect a focus on grilled and smoked meats with Southern-style flavor profiles:

• Ribs (often a staple at BBQ-oriented spots)
• Chicken wings with a range of sauces or dry rubs
• Burgers and sandwiches, sometimes featuring brisket, pulled pork, or other smoked meats
• Grilled chicken or seafood options at some locations

In Atlanta, it’s common for diners to build a meal around ribs + sides or a wings + fries combo, especially for group sharing.

2. Classic Southern and Soul Food Sides

Sides are a big part of why locals seek out restaurant-style soul food. At this kind of spot, you might see:

• Macaroni and cheese
• Collard greens
• Baked beans
• French fries or loaded fries
• Coleslaw
• Cornbread or toast-style accompaniments

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want a “core” soul-food plate experience, combining one main protein with two classic sides (mac + greens, for example) is a reliable approach.

3. Starters and Shareable Items

For groups, Tom, Dick & Hank typically offers appetizers suited for sharing:

• Wing baskets
• Sliders or small sandwiches
• Fried items (such as fried pickles, fries, or other bar-style bites)

These can work well if you’re meeting friends and don’t want a full entrée.

4. Drinks

Most locations lean into a full bar concept, which may include:

• Beer (local and national brands)
• Cocktails and mixed drinks
• Wine and non-alcoholic beverages

On busy evenings, many guests treat the restaurant as both a dining spot and a social bar, so drink service is usually an important part of the experience.

Quick Snapshot: What to Expect at Tom, Dick & Hank in Atlanta

When to Go: Timing and Crowd Patterns

In Atlanta, timing can make a big difference in how your visit feels.

Quieter times (relatively speaking):

• Weekday late afternoons to early evenings
• Non-event nights, especially earlier in the week

Busier times:

• Friday and Saturday evenings
• Game days or major event nights (Falcons, Hawks, United, concerts, large downtown events)
• Some holiday weekends and special local event dates

If you’re visiting from out of town and prefer to avoid long waits, locals often:

• Aim for early evening (for example, before 7 p.m. on weekends)
• Consider a weekday visit if their schedule allows

Ordering Tips for First-Time Diners in Atlanta

If it’s your first time at Tom, Dick & Hank or a similar Atlanta soul food spot, here are some simple ways to build a satisfying meal:

1. Build a “Classic Southern Plate”

A straightforward approach:

• Pick one main protein
  • Examples: ribs, grilled or fried wings, burger, or pulled pork
• Add two sides
  • Examples: mac and cheese + collard greens, fries + baked beans

This mirrors how many Atlantans think about a satisfying, well-rounded Southern-style plate.

2. Shareable Setup for Groups

For three or more people:

• Order one or two large wing or rib platters to share
• Add several sides for the table (mac, greens, fries, beans)
• Supplement with sliders, burgers, or sandwiches if some people want individual mains

This lets everyone sample a bit of everything without over-ordering.

3. Consider Dietary Preferences

Most soul food and BBQ-focused spots in Atlanta center on meat and hearty sides, but you can sometimes build a meal around:

• Sides-only plates (mac, greens, fries, beans, salads if available)
• Grilled items rather than fried options, if you’re trying to keep things a bit lighter

If you have strict dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s best to:

• Ask staff which items include dairy, pork, or specific ingredients
• Keep in mind that many sides in soul food cooking may be prepared with meat-based seasonings (for example, pork in greens or beans)

Price Expectations in the Atlanta Context

Compared with other Atlanta Southern and soul food restaurants, Tom, Dick & Hank generally sits in a moderate price range:

• Individual plates and combos are typically higher than fast food but lower than white-tablecloth Southern restaurants.
• Group orders with drinks can add up, especially on busy nights, but are still in line with other in-town casual spots.

If you’re budget-conscious:

• Consider sharing appetizers and larger platters.
• Be aware that cocktails and specialty drinks can notably increase your total check, just as at many Atlanta nightlife-oriented restaurants.

How Tom, Dick & Hank Fits Into Atlanta’s Southern and Soul Food Scene

Atlanta has a wide range of Southern and soul food offerings, from historic meat-and-threes to modern, chef-driven restaurants. Tom, Dick & Hank fits into the landscape as a:

• Casual, social, barbecue-forward option, not a traditional meat-and-three counter line
• Place where music, drinks, and atmosphere matter almost as much as the food
• Spot that appeals to people who want a hangout environment with familiar Southern flavors

It’s not trying to replicate old-school “Sunday dinner at grandma’s” style in a quiet setting; it’s more aligned with current in-town Atlanta culture, where food, music, and nightlife blend together.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Here are a few Atlanta-specific planning pointers to help your visit go smoothly:

• Check current hours: Operating hours can shift, especially around holidays or major events.
• Look at the menu in advance: Knowing your likely order can speed things up during peak times.
• Plan for traffic: If you’re coming from Buckhead, Decatur, or outside the Perimeter, build in extra time for congestion.
• Use rideshare for busy nights: This is common for many in-town Atlanta restaurants and can reduce stress over parking.
• Have a backup plan nearby: If there’s a long wait, Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods often have other Southern, bar, or casual spots within a short drive.

Tom, Dick & Hank offers a straightforward, Atlanta-friendly take on Southern and soul food, wrapped in a lively, social atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy wings, ribs, classic sides, and drinks in a casual setting that feels very “Atlanta,” it’s a style of restaurant many locals consider when they’re in the mood for comfort food and a good time.