We went here on the recommendation of the in-laws. They said it was southern cooking at it's finest...NOT! NO WAY! As bad as it hurts to say it Golden Corral is much better! Not only was the food overpriced($14 for a meat and 2 veggies)...It was possibly the worst meal I have ever had to send back. The Chicken Fried Steak was nothing more than a bad Lube Job...Grease...Grease...and more Grease. The mashed potatoes were cold and would not even melt soft butter...The fried okra was also cold and greasy. On the plus side the yeast rolls were very good...Just not good enough to overcome the terrible food. This place was so bad it doesn't even deserve one star! read more

We have eaten at The Colonnade for more than twenty years, and are used to waiting for a table at certain times of the week. This past Friday 10/12 though was a fiasco that will make think twice before we ever go back again. Our table of five waited almost two hours before we finally left in disgust. The usual maitre d was absent and his second in command made a huge mess of things. When one of our party went to find out what was going on, the man was rude and argued with my friend. We have always had good experiences before so I don't know what was wrong with this fellow other than he felt like being a jerk. We went down the street to Gino's and had a great meal. We live in the neighborhood and try to support all our restaurants on Cheshire Bridge. We may give Colonnade another try in the future, but in the meantime, give Gino's Pizza some business. The food and service were great. read more

Dining here was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. There were a lot of elderly early diners at 5pm. I wonder if they dine there everyday. They seemed so comfortable there, chit-chatting with other diners at other tables. Everyone was nice. From the front to the back. Service was great. I have no complaints. The food... It was heavy and greasy, but soooo good. Even my picky toddler chomped the food down. Fried chicken- hubs claimed that it's the best he's ever had. Chicken fried steak was good, so was chicken fried chicken. They were all very moist and juicy. Whipped potatoes were awesome. Coconut cream pie was tasty with the right amount of coconut taste. One down-side to this place was that they don't accept credit cards. They only accept cash or checks. There's an ATM right at the entrance if you need cash. read more

The chicken was ridiculously salty. The sides were nothing special. The banana pudding was great, but not enough to make up for the salty chicken. Service was great and my glass of tea was never empty which was great since the chicken was so salty. read more

The Colonnade is probably older than most of it's usual patrons. Actually, it probably carbon dates back further than dinosaurs, who I like to think enjoyed a meal here when not eating each other. It's one of those Atlanta staples, here since the Big Bang and will probably still be here long after the earth is gone. At the Colonnade, it's perfectly normal to come eat at 5pm. In fact, you're the odd man out if you show up to start your meal after 7:30pm. Taboo! With plenty of tables to pack in the people, it's amazing that there's always a line out the door and a full parking lot. It's certainly no secret hole in the wall. The decor hasn't changed since I've been coming as a little girl. It's like going to your grandmother's house - green carpet, wood tables, and floral paintings. It's cheesy and cliche, but that's part of the charm. The fact that nothing inside has really changed in over 25 years makes it feel like a second home here, only mom is replaced with a professional chef and anything southern goes. I've eaten plenty of different dishes here over the year. From the fried chicken to the salmon, everything is wonderful. Mac and cheese is perfectly cheesy but not too heavy, limas and black-eyed peas are cooked perfectly and not mushy, and the lettuce is fresh. There's enough fried goodness here to clog any artery! If beautiful southern-style heart attacks aren't your style, no worries; fish can be broiled and some chicken dishes are baked. Veggie plates are very filling as well, with four full-sized portions at your disposal. Best to ask about vegetarian food, though - being southern, you know there's bound to bacon or pork fat in just about everything. The one treat I always get no matter how stuffed I am? Peppermint ice cream. This isn't your food dye green "mint" ice cream. We're talking the real deal; a pink confectionery filled with pieces of candy canes. It's so minty and creamy, and I've yet to find it anywhere else. To this day, I still revert back to being a giddy child the moment I find out the family is going to Colonnade. Yum! For finger-lickin' southern goodness that'll leave you full AND plenty of take-home boxes, Colonnade wins hands down. Any restaurant that's older than the dawn of time simply has to have the secret to doing things right! NOTE: Bring cash! No cards, no checks, just the green stuff of yesteryear. If you forget, there is an ATM in the front, but who likes to be charged an extra $5 as punishment for forgetfulness? read more

"I'll have a vodka gimlet, on the rocks, as well as sweet tea. For my entree, the pork chop early bird special with mashed potatoes and green beans." Thus is my standard Colonnade order. Where else can you get your drink on and eat some solid Southern food without getting funny looks? I have been going to the Colonnade since I was a little girl, so it holds a special place in my heart. The fried pork chop is especially delicious, but you also can't go wrong with the fried chicken, vegetable plate, or the roast turkey. They did away with the cream of chicken soup, which, according to our waiter, was basically their chicken gravy. No wonder it was tasty! However, the chicken and rice that has replaced is also delicious. The Colonnade is an Atlanta institution that is not to be missed. I much prefer it to Mary Mac's, both for the cuisine and atmosphere. I love seeing a total cross-section of the population of the city all enjoying a place that has been around since 1927; it is really something special. read more

The Colonnade has been in business since 1927. Judging by the crowded parking lot on a recent weeknight, lots of people continue to like this place. It's a sprawling space with a big sign at the entrance that alerts you to the fact that they don't take credit cards; heck MasterCard and Visa didn't exist 87 years ago so why start now? Despite the crowd, we were quickly seated in the busy dining room. Our waiter brought us each a small plate with a pack of Saltine crackers and two little tubs of butter; it was a curious "amuse bouche". The menu is large without being over-the-top "diner" large. There is no bar menu but they claim to make any cocktail you'd want and offer bottled beer and wine of the red and white varietals. You get the sense that most people don't even look at the menu. They know what they want and the wait staff does too. There are lots of regulars in this place. The house specialties are the fried chicken and the fried shrimp so we ordered both. We also ordered the seafood platter with fried shrimp, fried tilapia and fried scallops and the nightly special, prime rib. The fried chicken was good, rivaling any Southern kitchen's. The skin was crispy and the meat was moist and tender. You get your choice of two breasts and two wings or two thighs and two drums. The portions here are not small. The fried scallops and the fried tilapia were also very good but it was the shrimp, those 18 large, plump, lightly battered shrimp; they rivaled any found at any seafood shack in coastal Georgia or Florida. Everyone in our party agreed that we would return for the shrimp alone. The prime rib was a large Mastodon-sized cut. It was ordered medium but came definitely more on the rare side. Our waiter quickly remedied the error. Each entrée came with a choice of two sides or a side and salad. There was a large assortment to choose from. It's not every day that you see tomato aspic or rutabagas on a menu. The hits were the cole slaw, the macaroni and cheese and the cucumber salad. The slaw was crisp rough chopped cabbage with a tangy sweet and sour dressing. The mac 'n cheese was not as cheesy as some found on other menus but it was a nice balance of noodle and cheddar. The cucumber salad was cool, vinegary tart and sweet as if lightly pickled. The chunked cucumber, tomato and red onion paired well together. The misses were the fried okra and the fluffy whipped potatoes. The okra was a bowl of cold nuggets, too long removed from their fryer bath. The potatoes were dense, missing their "fluff" and begging for some gravy or a pad of butter. The sweet tooth's in our party dug into a large slice of coconut iced box pie. It was very good with lots of toasted coconut, egg custard and whipped cream. read more

Reminiscent of my youth this is a full service restaurant with an elaborate menu tight down to the little blue haired old lady waitresses. The food is delicious. Generously served a meal hear is like eating at a good friends grandmother's house on Thanksgiving as she tries to impress you. A host of southern seasoned vegetables surround banquets of delicately fried chickens, roast pork and tender beef. Yeast rolls virtually levitate off the plates. Apple pie is heaven sent. It's the kind of place you invent manners even if you don't have any of your own. Despite its age caring hands keep the place spotlessly clean. Service is impeccable but should you run out of butter they are doing everything they can to get you some more so you should patiently wait. And you do. There are no complaints here. I felt like should I dare mention that the squash casserole was mildly cool some relative would drag me out the door to harangue me into not noticing verbally. In really it was a pleasant meal, promptly served and deliciously relished. I cannot wait to return. read more

If you are looking for the honest-to-goodness traditional Southern food, then this restaurant is it. So much down-home goodness that, dare I say it, its a reasonable substitute for my mother's cooking. Parking is ample which is a plus. Nothing ruins the start of a meal like hunting for parking. Portions are HUGE for the entrees but more reasonable for the sides. Come with a large appetite or resign yourself to using a doggie bag. I can't imagine leaving hungry. The food is very traditional Southern cooking. A plethora of sides to choose from including black-eyed peas, lima bean, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens just to name a few. I think there were over a dozen on the menu! And the entrees don't leave you guessing: 3 types of fish. The menu says "most can be grilled but all of them can be fried." Kick your diet to the curb while visiting. Fried and grilled chicken, pork chops, and of course country-fried steak. I personally opted for the Chicken-Fried Steak as that is my litmus test for whether its worth coming back again. And I wasn't disappointed. While my own mother uses brown gravy, the white-eye gravy that they served with the steak was superb. Thin enough to pour but thick enough to stick to the steak. Even better when you use the ample servings of rolls and cornbread (and wheat rolls too) to dip in there to get the last bits after your steak is gone. One of my dinner mates had the grilled salmon and I managed to grab a taste. Excellent flavor with the right texture. Its not easy to prepare salmon but the Colonnade certainly showed how to do it properly. Extremely tasty and highly recommended for those of you that like your fish grilled. The service was very acceptable. The waitress was polite and attentive and made small talk like she knew your family. The beveage glasses never made it to empty before refills were brought. The ambiance of the restaurant deserves noting as well. Its a portal-in-time to 40 years ago. I went on a Sunday and over half the patrons were in ther 60s and wearing their Sunday best. A snapshot of the best of what the South has to offer in some regards. Seating was at tables with chairs which feels more like a famly dinner table. I much prefer that over booths. The prices are high but directly in line with the quality and amount of food that you are being served. Its worth noting that they do NOT take credit cards or debit cards AT ALL. They do however, take personal checks and they do have one of those generic ATMs in the foyer. But its just easier to bring cash. All in all, I recommend it highly. Definitely someplace that I'll be adding to my rotation of restaurants to hit on a regular basis. read more

I have been to the Colonnade a few times over my years in Atlanta and I have to say it is a solid 3 star kind of place. They do not take reservations so be prepared to wait for a table if you come during prime time dinner time. They also do not seat incomplete parties so don't be rude and make your whole party wait because you did not leave early enough to provide a traffic buffer. On my most recent visit, we had a party of 7 for the early bird dinner. I checked in with the host to give my name and group count. Then sat down in the waiting area for the rest of my group to arrive. I got there about 15 minutes early so we were seated as soon as my group was all there (everyone was early!!). They seated our group of 7 at a table for 6 (they brought in an extra chair) so it was a bit of a tight squeeze to get everyone around the table. We specifically came early enough to try the early bird menu. After sitting down, we realized that the host only gave us the regular dinner menu. We asked our server about this and she said maybe it was cutoff time. Then she looked at her watch and realized we still had 30 minutes left to order so she grabbed early bird menus for all of us. The nice thing about the early bird menu is that the entrees are about $2 cheaper (all are $13 except for a few with an up-charge) and they include a drink and dessert. So ultimately it is way cheaper when you consider drinks and dessert are included. I ordered the turkey and dressing ($2 up-charge) from the early bird menu. It comes with two sides so I ordered whipped potatoes and fried okra. I wanted another side so I ordered an extra side item of the corn. The turkey and dressing came with a huge portion of turkey meat, celery dressing, gravy and cranberry sauce. The dressing is called celery dressing and it definitely tastes like celery. I am not a fan of celery, but the strong taste did not bother me. The whipped potatoes were lukewarm and had already started to harden so they were not the most pleasant items to eat. The fried okra was great. It is really hard to screw up fried okra. The corn was actually a creamed corn. I love creamed corn and was super excited when it came out that way, but I know that people who just want plain corn would be disappointed if they ordered corn thinking it was just plain corn kernels and not creamed corn. The creamed corn was great. Prior to the food coming out, you get dinner rolls and cornbread. The cornbread is just meh, but the rolls are great. I could have eaten 10, but settled for just 2. For those that ordered off the old folks menu, we got a choice of yellow cake with chocolate icing or ice cream (peppermint was one option - cannot remember the second option). Most of us got the yellow cake. Our server came out and informed us that they had run out of yellow cake so someone would have to have some sort of apple dessert. I ended up with the yellow cake and it was your usual yellow cake and chocolate icing. It actually hit the spot after eating half my dinner. read more

Oh dear Colonnade, I have grace your halls for over 40 years and I still love you. The crowds these days get on my old frazzled nerves but I wait patiently to sit down and stuff my face in the best fried chicken livers in the world. Extra yeast rolls, stuffed with livers and drowned in hot sauce with extra salt. Yeah, I'm gonna go home and take some more blood pressure meds once again. read more

Truth be told, I used to go to Colonnade often, but I hadn't been back in a good 3 years. The fried chicken is still some of the best in Atlanta, as evidenced by the recent Creative Loafing fried bird throwdown, but the sides were lacking this go-round. The mac is wack. They used to have some great mac and cheese at Colonnade but this tasted of powdered cheese and came out orange. The yeast rolls are phenomenal and the crowd is the same as always - old, white, and southern as all get out. read more

This place is straight old school -- from the decor to the clientèle to the food, it really gives you this feeling that you've stepped back in time. However, the food is pretty delicious -- just straight Southern cooking served by very friendly waitresses that give you the Southern hospitality experience. My friend and I each got an order of the fried chicken -- you get a total of 4 pieces, and the portions are quite large when paired with 2 sides. I would likely split an order of this next time with someone else and perhaps order an extra side. The fried chicken is delicious -- large, juicy, and perfectly fried. I recommend getting some gravy and hot sauce on the side, which makes it even better. Sweet tea was awesome. Sweet potato fries and fried okra are great. Come here -- it's not a date place or anything like that, but just a great place to get some Southern cooking. read more

I've been to Colonnade a handful of times and the first time was still the best. Not that the first experience was mind blowing by any means. They have the usual standard southern fare mixed in with some good biscuits and rolls that they offer you in the beginning. Our group must've downed like 3 baskets before the food even arrived. It's a fairly large space and there is usually a crowd. It kind of looks like an old elks lodge. With dark wood walls and cheap carpeting. I've had the fried chicken, pork chops (both ways), chicken fried steak, and all the sides. None of it has been awesome or worth the hype. Maybe that's the issue though. People on Yelp just hype a place up and it falls far from expectations. Well.....that was my lone opinion anyway. Don't get me wrong about my 2 star review. I didn't hate this place at all. The server was friendly...the beer is cold.... and the food was meh. I can say that about almost all the sports bars I've been to. You go here on a whim and maybe to relax with some simple stuff. I just wouldn't come here to impress anyone or to get a mind blowing meal! the rolls and biscuits were nomz...... read more

I had been to The Colonnade years ago before the movie "Identity Thief" came out. I don't remember being too impressed back then but I wonder if it's because I ordered the wrong thing. This time around, a group of friends wanted to go, so I figured why not? This place was much better than what my memory served. The $12 early bird special was a lot of food! In attempt to order something a little different from friends and because I actually do like liver, I ordered the calf's liver as my entree. Mmm, I still think about the delicious gravy smother with sauteed onions. For my sides, I ordered the fried okra and sweet potato souffle. The okra was a little bitter sometimes, but perhaps it's because of the season, but the batter was just right. As for the sweet potato souffle, I was a little disappointed since it really tasted more like mashed yams or sweet potato. I got a taste of the chopped steak and was surprised by how juicy it was. It's slightly too tough for my taste but it might've been because it was cooked medium-well. I also had a bit of the broiled tilapia which was fresh and flavorful. Chicken fried chicken is essentially a pounded, boneless piece of chicken cooked like fried chicken. This particular item was surprisingly juicy, but some friends preferred the fried chicken with the bones because it should be more juicy or because there's the choice of dark meat available. I was hoping to get some coconut cream pie that I've read rave reviews for, but unfortunately there was no choice but to have apple crumble for dessert with the early bird special. This was delicious but I can only imagine how much better it would have tasted with more crumbles (maybe it was just my portion) and with ice cream. I'm pretty comfortable taking any out-of-town friends here for some Southern food. It's kind of an Atlanta institution now that it's a Zagat iconic restaurant. It's a good food detour to show visitors the odd placement of strip joints and old restaurants on the same street. read more

After hearing so much about this...meh. Mediocre food, the service was not the best. And the ambiance, not so much. It was in town cafeteria and the food was not good enough to really make up for it. read more

You're kidd'in me right????? This place needs to be sand blasted/aka demoslished. We walked in and put our name on the list. OK, you need to be over 70 or gay, not that anything is wrong with that, but what a weird crowd! After we waited for a while and looked around at the decor, the crowd, etc...we walked out. Just don't think I could eat here. The decor was horrible. Not sure when the last time they either updated this place or cleaned it. Maybe some people like this atmosphere. Me for one will take my $ elsewhere.. read more

I've wanted to come here for so long and finally made it today. What a colossal disappointment! Food was unremarkable which made the prices that much more indefensible. No need to come back. read more

I felt like I was thrown into a bad civil war play when I dined here. The restaurant was mostly filled with silver-haired southern gents and dames with droopy cheeks and guttural speech. Everyone looked like they've been doing what they are doing for the last 50 years. That is until I arrived. I felt curiously stared at upon being seated, as if asking "son you sure yer not lost?" It wasn't a bit funny, though the wait staff seemed amused. Menu is predictable array of southern cooking that can only be made exciting by top notch ingredients and great execution, both of which I found to be lacking. The "legendary" Southern Fried Chicken did not disappoint, but the sides and just about everything else could use a lot more work, and even then most of the items could be had at a much lower price at country style buffets all around the country. A line cook from Golden Corral can make these same dishes with his eyes closed. Maybe not exactly as good, but anybody dare to go on a blind taste test? If nostalgia and sentimentality can magically transform mediocrity into tasty food this is a great example of it. I have to give it up to them though for the ability to truly transport you back in time and to a different place. Restaurants like Vinings Inn and Mary Mac's Tea Room try the same but don't come nearly close. If you are still thinking of going (seeing mine was the only negative review, this is likely), know that they do not take credit cards. read more

I know this place has a lot of charm because it has been in Atlanta for a long time, and so I've been really wanting to come for awhile now. However, after dining in, I am sad to report that the food really did not impress us. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great- nothing memorable to me. I ordered the fried chicken with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. My husband ordered a prime rib with corn. Unfortunately, I don't have much to say because it didn't wow us in any way. Service was mediocre. Oh! I will say the rolls were soft and delicious. read more

Colonnade - Prime rib - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The Colonnade has been around since the 1920s, so obviously people like it. Did I like it? Ehh it was alright. It will not, however, be my go-to spot for fried chicken. I think that title stays with Busy Bee. My SO and I took his parents here for a weeknight dinner. Here is a breakdown of what we had: Fried chicken : We all went with this dish. For $14, you get basically a half chicken. You get to choose which four pieces you want (four dark meat, four white meat, or one of each). I went with white meat. The batter is well-seasoned and the chicken is sufficiently juicy. I wasn't disappointed but I wasn't blown away, either. Collards: Pretty decent once some salt is added. Whipped potatoes: I requested gravy with it, probably the best side of the night. Mac and cheese: It just did not taste right. I'm not sure what was wrong with it...it tasted cheesy, but there was also something weird about it. My SO drowned it in hot sauce and managed to eat most of it. Baked potato: You really can't screw this up. Pear and cheese: Idk what my SO's mother was thinking when she ordered this. It was a canned pear, sliced in half, covered with shredded cheddar cheese, with mayo on the side. I couldn't bring myself to try it, but she said it was weird. Side "Marian" salad: Standard iceberg lettuce with red onions, tomatoes, and beets. Kind of boring. Sweet tea: Really good, actually. Complimentary rolls and cornbread: Rolls were nice, hot, and fluffy. Cornbread was dry and bland. Pass on the latter, sadly. We didn't stick around for dessert, unfortunately. I was hoping they'd redeem themselves there. Service was fine. The restaurant was booked up and it showed in our server's demeanor. He wasn't rude, but pretty curt and no-nonsense. Parking is easy in their dedicated lot. As many have mentioned, cash or personal check only. Have ID with you if you're paying by check. There is also an ATM at the entrance in case you are wholly unprepared even after reading this review. read more

Not the neighborhood where you want your car (or yourself) to be seen, but solid tasty food. In addition to the usual Southern fried goodness, their specials, such as seared kangaroo and lobster knuckle sandwich are really good too. Be cautioned, they do not accept credit or debit cards, but there is an ATM onsite. read more

Sometimes stuck in time isn't a good thing but I hope this restaurant never changes. Not a thing. Solid and nicely prepared Southern cuisine. I had the fried chicken dinner with turnip greens and seasonal squash. Wrapped it all up with an awesome and generous piece of coconut cream pie. The chicken was crispy moist and juicy and came out hot and fresh. Good. Not in my top 10 but really good. Turnip greens were good with some hot pepper sauce. Squash was ok. Added seasoning to everything but appreciated the simplicity. The service was excellent. I had fun. read more

Go once to get it out of your system. Big tasteless chicken and yummy rolls are about the only things I remember other than the "clientele". I pass this place everyday on my work commute and I'm surprised that they are still in business. read more

A very filling, tasty meal that set us back a still-reasonable $38.88 because our pies were extra -- our new waitress failed to mention that only the lemon pie was part of the crazy-good deal early bird we ordered. PS An Institution per the Bourdain Layover ep "Few places can be said to be definitively Atlantan, but the Colonnade (1879 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, 404-874-5642) is one: a meat-and-three restaurant with a full bar (rare) and a sizable gay clientele (more rare). The resulting mix is spectacular: black fingernails, Sansabelt trousers, birthday tiaras, Hawaiian shirts, all in a buzzing carpeted dining room with efficiently friendly waiters. When it comes to ordering, stick to the classics: a Bloody Mary to start ($5.50), fried chicken with yeasty dinner rolls straight from the school cafeteria ($10.95) and the day's pie ($3.50)." read more

You can add the Colonnade to any Atlanta restaurant bucket list. This is truly an experience as it's been around since 1927. Even featured in the Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy movie Identity Thief. Many great classic southern items on the menu from Fried Chicken, Chicken Livers, and Pot Roast. A lot of great side item choices from Collard Greens, Cottage Cheese with Peaches, Cucumber Salad, or an nice portion of a side salad. Was really impressed with the desserts. The Coconut Cream Pie and Chocolate Cream Pie are slices of heaven with perfectly made crusts. read more

Colonnade - The famous sign - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

The Good: The service was actually pretty good. The OK: The fried chicken. Unfortunately, I thought the fried chicken was just ok. I saw this restaurant on the food network and was so excited to try it. So overrated. You might hate me, but I think KFC's original recipe is sooo much better! The Bad: Cash only and when you walk into this restaurant you feel like you're in a retirement home!! Also the corn bread sucked. read more

I have been going here since the early 80's with my family. So strange that it's on Cheshire Bridge (or rather Strip Club Strip). It's very affordable with lots of parking. If you go on a Sunday after church be prepared for a long wait. I cannot say it's "Southern Food" because THEY DON'T SERVE SWEET TEA!!!!!. Rather I will call it comfort food. They serve the best freakin' comfort food. Fried Chicken, MacnCheese, Collard Green's, Fried Catfish, Pork Loins, Cole Slaw, a wedge salad. And they serve butter and saltines. One must take the time to spread the butter over the saltine and eat it. They also serve a bread basket with those yummy yeast rolls and cornbread mini-muffins. And they have a full bar, which means you can have your Long Island Tea with your Crab Cakes, Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes. They have the kind of deserts your Grandma would make. The clientele is a mish mash of Wealthy Old Atlanta and Gays. The wait staff have a lot of bluehair. I love it here. The last time I checked they ar cash only. Please beware. read more

Well, the old guy's rude. I get it, people are lined up outside for tables, they are crazy busy and whatever else goes on when people dine in or take out for Thanksgiving. BUT wait a minute, kind sir, I'm here to pick up an order (giving YOU business) for which I called to say I was on my way to get. I walked up to an empty cashier area, cheerily said hello, my name, & that I was there for my pickup. When he tells me how much it is & pulls my bag, I noticed the receipt said *special* & only listed 6 things - I ordered at least 10. I said, "Could we go over my order with the bag to make sure everything is in?" He quips "We don't have time for that!" I smiled, because you've got to be kidding me! I'm going to pay over $60 and we can't make sure I have everything? Get your attitude together! [You better believe we went over that bag and I got everything!] Definitely get the apple pie, broccoli cheese casserole, muffin, rolls, mashed potatoes, and rosemary & honey carrots. Fried chicken wasn't crispy, and per reviews I read, so overrated. English peas & onions: equally underwhelming. They should consider adding a la carte dressing & ham to their menu because the turkey & giblet gravy was really good. read more

This is probably one of the most iconic restaurants in Atlanta. The restaurant has been here like 80 85 years and the food is Homestyle comfort food. I've had just about everything on the menu and I can tell you from experience that you can't get a bad meal here. And there's no telling who you'll see in here either. read more

My husband and I have been to The Colonnade twice to try their famous fried chicken. We struck out the first time because the waitress mistakenly brought us chicken-fried chicken. It was good, but not what we were looking for. We didn't have the heart to send it back, though. We got our wish the second time around. The fried chicken is indeed delicious. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but my husband was in heaven. He actually closed his eyes at one point to savor the flavor. My favorite fried chicken is at Green Manor in Union City, but that's a bit of a drive for us. The Colonnade will do in a pinch. I was also pleased with our side dishes. I had red beans and french fries. My husband had lima beans and mashed potatoes. I can't recall what we ordered the first visit, so I can't review those. read more

This use to be one of my favorite places. When I read that they were struggling trying to stay open during the pandemic, i was one of the first to return. But on yesterday, the only thing on my plate that was worth the visit was the fried chicken. It was still delicious. However, at $24 dollars, the entire dinner is a long, long way from what it was a couple of years ago, I expect for the sides to be fresh (not canned/frozen). These were not and for some strange reason, they have gotten VERY stingy with the sides. I had less than a half cup of greens and the same with the peas! You get one roll and one small cornbread (by the way the review in Southern Living Magazine for September apparently does NOT know that you no longer give a full basket of HOT bread) and it was very close to cold. The salad that they charge an extra $4 dollars for, was much smaller than previous. Please understand, I get the economy problems, but paying more for less food AND less quality does not work for me. My husband and I both agreed that we will have to put this place on the back burner for a while. We hate the parking situation a Mary Mac's but they still serve great sides and the quantity has not changed with the price increase. Very disappointed. read more

I may just be a born and bred Yankee, but I don't see how you could top the Colonnade for a Southern feast. It wasn't fancy or pretentious, but I think that's what we liked about it. That and the food... My husband's fried chicken was seriously the best either of us has ever had... Juicy but not too greasy, crispy but not too breaded, and perfectly seasoned. Food-lust worthy. My pork loin (with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce) was really tasty too, but nothing could possibly top the bites of fried chicken breast that I managed to pry out of my husband's shiny, greasy hands. Our sides were good too... Collards were yummy (and at least gave the illusion of not being drowned in pork fat... maybe that's wishful thinking!), cole slaw was good, mac and cheese was satisfying if not overly creamy. The only less than amazing choice was the sweet potato fries, which tasted a bit generic. If there's a next time, we'd pick something else off the extensive list of side options. And the rolls... Have I mentioned the rolls?? Buttery, yeasty goodness in a basket. Have a wheat one and pretend it's "healthy"! Cornbread mini-muffins too. And butter. Obviously. I'll admit it. We ate every bite of food on that table. I hate myself a little, but we did it. And it was good. So good that when coconut cream pie (made in house) was offered, we ordered it and ate every single bite of that too. Seriously, I'll be working off this meal for a month, but it was so worth it for a delicious, authentic, Southern feast. My only teensy complaint is that they don't accept credit cards. That seems less than customer-friendly, considering the price of the entrees (~$14 per). Our feast of 2 entrees, 2 drinks, and 1 dessert ran about $48 plus tip. read more

I'm 64 years old. I've been eating at the Colonnade since I was 8 or 9 - the restaurant is 88 years old in 2015. Only really OLD Atlanta natives will know that it used to be a classic 50's Drive In out on Piedmont next to where the Lindberg Marta Station is today. When they were forced to move they switched from Drive In format to classic Southern "meat and 3". Absolutely nothing has changed here since they moved except they now take credit cards. It's good people - if you haven't been to the Colonnade just GO. If you haven't been back in a while - reacquaint yourself with an old friend. read more

After my first trip to the Colonnade I was hooked and now a trip to Atlanta is not complete until I have had a meal here. They pour the stiffest cocktail in the south, have a loyal following and know how to cook some good Southern food. The menu has a large selection and you won't go wrong with anything you choose. One of my favorites is the fried chicken livers. I am not sure what makes their house salad so good but it is fantastic (get the blue cheese dressing) and make sure you get the salad with the beets. read more

Some friends brought us to dinner here, warning us ahead of time that it is a "classic" and that they only accept cash. I loved it! I ordered the vegetable plate and everything was homemade, and delicious. It is like stepping back in time and eating at your grandmothers table. For me, that's a good thing. read more

Colonnade - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

If there was any doubt why this has been an Atlanta institution since 1927 it was dissuaded today. How the management, kitchen and wait staff pulled this off with so much professionalism was really a Thanksgiving gift. On a more somber note, if you object to the cash/check only paradigm or are uncomfortable with the "character" of the clientele (your perception), then pizza delivery may be your best option. read more

Have eaten at Colonnade many times in the past 19 years, and go especially for the fried livers. On February 23, once again went to Colonnade for their livers. This time, the fried livers tasted old, frozen and were cold. Advised the waitress, who took livers and warmed in microwave. After the livers were warmed, the bitter taste was more enhanced. The waitress, who should have compensated the bad livers, did nothing extra to help. Was stuck with my $23.00 check for bad livers. For all you liver lovers..beware. Roger read more

Long live the Colannade. I get the same thing every time: Fried chicken with a double side of pickled beets. I've flown into Atlanta and have gone directly to the Colonnade. It's that good. This is tasty old-school, stick-to-your-ribs (and arteries) food. Every time I go and see all the old folks eating there, I'm awed and inspired that they still eat this way. I hope to live long enough to do likewise. read more

I don't think I will ever get the appeal of this place. A friend of mine always wants to eat here, and I always try to go somewhere else. What to expect: The Colonnade lives up to the mantra, "the gays and the grays". Old folks and gays are what you are going to see populating this strange loungish restaurant. The food is just okay, even though so many people proclaim it to be heaven sent... again, that is just lost on me, because I have never experienced that at this place. What's worse, for me, is that it is a bit pricey (most things are over $10), and considering what you get, it just isn't worth my time. To add to the frustration of being dragged there, they don't take credit cards. Make sure that you have cash, or a checkbook on you, because the waitresses are bitchy enough without being stiffed. Seriously, I think that ours (who has waited on us more than once) has some serious anger issues, like other servers there, because I have yet to have a good wait experience. Maybe I just expect too much? Who knows... something is right about this place, it is always busy; I am just not one of the people that want to go there ever again. read more