9 Meat-And-Three Spots In Georgia That Taste Like Sunday

There’s nothing that warms the Southern soul quite like a classic meat-and-three meal. You know the deal: one hearty protein and three stick-to-your-ribs sides that transport you straight to Grandma’s Sunday dinner table. Georgia happens to be a goldmine for these comfort food havens, where sweet tea flows freely and mac and cheese counts as a vegetable. Let me walk you through my absolute favorite spots that’ll make any day feel like Sunday dinner.

1. Carzell’s Kitchen

Hidden in Powder Springs, Carzell’s feels like stepping into your favorite aunt’s kitchen circa 1975. The wood-paneled walls hold decades of satisfied sighs and empty plates.

Their fried chicken achieves that mythical balance; shatteringly crisp outside, juicy inside; while collard greens simmer with smoky depth that only comes from patience. Regulars time their visits around the oxtails, tender enough to make grown folks weep.

Cash only, y’all, but trust me; I’d empty my wallet here any day of the week.

2. Busy Bee Cafe

Presidents, celebrities, and regular folks have all lined up for Busy Bee’s legendary fried chicken since 1947. The modest storefront on MLK Drive hides Atlanta’s soul food throne room.

I swear they put something magical in that chicken brine: crispy, peppery perfection that’ll make you close your eyes when you take that first bite. Their candied yams taste like they were kissed by angels, and the mac and cheese has the perfect cheese pull.

Come hungry and prepare to wait; greatness takes time.

3. Matthews Cafeteria

Matthews hasn’t changed its recipes or its cafeteria-style service since your grandparents’ first date. This Tucker institution serves nostalgia on a tray, no fancy frills needed.

The meatloaf recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but whatever’s in there makes it melt in your mouth like buttery heaven. Grab the sweet potato soufflé: it’s practically dessert masquerading as a vegetable side.

Old-timers chat over cobbler while families introduce the next generation to proper Southern eating. Some things in life should never change.

4. Delilah’s Everyday Soul

Chattahoochee Food Works might be trendy, but Delilah’s brings old-school soul to this modern marketplace. Chef Delilah’s grandmother’s recipes shine through every bite.

The smothered chicken will make you want to hug whoever cooked it; tender, savory, and swimming in gravy that should be bottled and sold. Don’t sleep on the candied yams or the mac and cheese that stretches into perfect cheese pulls with each forkful.

I’ve literally dreamed about their banana pudding, which tastes like childhood summers distilled into creamy perfection.

5. Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Walking into Mary Mac’s feels like being transported to 1945, when they first opened their doors. The Atlanta institution has served their famous pencil cornbread to everyone from Jimmy Carter to Beyoncé.

First-timers get a complimentary cup of pot likker (the magical liquid from cooking collard greens). Their fried chicken rivals your grandmother’s: crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The tomato pie is a revelation of tangy, cheesy goodness.

Pro tip: Order the cinnamon rolls for dessert and thank me later.

6. Gladys Knight’s Signature Chicken & Waffles

The Empress of Soul knows her way around a kitchen as well as a stage. Her namesake restaurant delivers Southern classics with musical flair and celebrity photographs lining the walls.

Skip the obvious chicken and waffles (though they’re fantastic) and dive into the meat-and-three options. The smothered chicken will have you singing high notes, while the collard greens hit all the right bass notes with their smoky depth.

Celebrity sightings aren’t uncommon, but the real star is always what’s on your plate.

7. The Colonnade

Since 1927, The Colonnade has been serving no-nonsense Southern fare to generations of Atlantans. The clientele is a fascinating mix of blue-hairs, hipsters, and everyone in between.

Their fried chicken takes a full 30 minutes to prepare; and honey, it’s worth every second of that wait. The yeast rolls come out piping hot, practically begging for butter. I always get the squash casserole, which tastes like summer gardens and comfort.

Portions are enormous, cocktails are stiff, and the servers tell it like it is.

8. Uncle Jack’s Meat House

Don’t let the sleek decor fool you; Uncle Jack’s understands the soul of Southern cooking while adding contemporary twists. The stylish space houses some seriously old-school cooking techniques.

Their braised short ribs fall off the bone with barely a whisper, complemented perfectly by their truffle mac and cheese that somehow improves on perfection. The collard greens maintain traditional flavor while adding subtle chef-driven touches.

Prices run higher than your typical meat-and-three, but the quality and atmosphere justify every penny spent.

9. Busy Bee Cafe East

Lightning has struck twice with this eastside expansion of Atlanta’s soul food royalty. The newer location maintains the same magic while adding just enough modern touches to welcome new converts.

The fried chicken uses the same sacred recipe as the original; crispy, perfectly seasoned, and utterly divine. Their black-eyed peas have converted many a skeptic with their smoky depth and perfect texture.

Sunday after church, this place transforms into a community gathering spot where strangers become friends over sweet tea and peach cobbler.