Good old fashion Southern cooking. The staff were all amazing, our bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the area and culture. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was great for the gathering of family and friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was its standard good soul food. We were a large party and the food was served in shifts with some of the guests orders mixed up. By the time their meals were served 40 minutes later we were prepared to leave. That was the downside. read more

Food was excellent and prices very reasonable. Service was slow and personnel could be friendlier.

Totally outstanding place in my opinion. Great customer service, easy to find AND free parking behind the restaurant (if you are lucky enough to find a spot). [[HIGHLIGHT]]There was a bus full of people at the same time we arrived but you would have never known. This place is big enough to accommodate the bus load and more.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Different rooms, different vibes in all of them.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were quickly seated upon arrival, no reservations needed. Although this might depend on the time of day which was about 2:30 in the afternoon on a Thursday for us. The ordering system is a a new way to order for me. They place a ticket with the menu on the table and as you search the menu, write down what you would like, including drinks. Our waitperson was friendly and helpful, such a nice guy. He helped us order (since it was our first visit) and was quick to answer all of our questions. I ordered the Chicken Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, and Black-Eyed-Peas. My husband had the Chicken Fried Chicken as well, with the Collard Greens and Mac&Cheese. I had the Peach Cobbler and he had the Bread Pudding. So very tasty, and perfect portion size. I ate all of my food plus my dessert. And be sure to order the Pot Likker! So very good!! Overall we truly enjoyed our experience here. Highly recommend a visit and get the Arnold Palmer. Delicious!! The bread is also fresh, hard to eat just one piece. read more

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I've been going to Mary Macs for decades as a native Atlantan. We were there with our grandkids the last week of July 2026. This is my first visit since the new African American majority ownership took over. We ( the two adults ) , were extremely disappointed at the quality and quantity of food. First , there were kids working as greeter who did anything but offer an acceptable greeting. They were too busy conversing with each other to acknowledge our presence. Our waitress was good at her job. But the quality and quantity of our food was NOTHING like what made Mary Macs a household name for decade upon decade. We have family members extremely north of Atlanta, who love to take out of town visitors to Mary Macs. We will be sure to send them elsewhere. I heard one of the owners say on NPR that they kept the original receipts. They were either lost on our visit, or the regular cooks were on vacation. I dont see Mary Macs achieving their past success without some serious changes in SOP ( standard operating procedures ). Im personally plugged into a fair portion of the old guard ATL community. I, for one, will be sure to pass on my humble accessment of this iconic restaurant's decline. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Dinning room smelled wet and moldy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was bland. I ordered dressing, mac n cheese, potato salad. Lacked good flavor. Almost like hospital food. Peach cobbler was room temp and tasted mediocre. Like it'd been sitting all day. Ice cream was also mid. Definitely not soul food. I feel sorry for the staff that choose to inhale the smell of the restaurant for hours at a time. And that customers dine there with that lingering smell. Very bizarre. Unfortunately, would not recommend. read more

Was my first time to Atlanta in over a decade and there was no question that my first meal had to be some good ol' fashioned Southern soul food. Did some research and came to Mary Mac's Tea Room because it is apparently an Atlanta institution. Got the Four-Piece Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and mac n cheese and the Garden House Salad for my main meal. Man, this fried chicken was great! Some of the best fried chicken anywhere. You know it's legit when even the chicken breast is not dry. Garden House Salad was like any other salad, but it was a huge portion. Somehow also managed to get a Georgia Peach Cobbler despite being obscenely full, but I couldn't come to Atlanta and not get a peach cobbler. And these prices are way more affordable than anything I could get back home. Service here is...well, true Southern hospitality in all the best ways! My server Mike was super nice and hooked it up with a ton of stuff. I got to try a sample of the broccoli soufflé. He also hooked it up with all three gravies on offer (white pepper, brown, and chicken) when I asked for some gravy to go with the chicken. Felt real welcome here! Definitely found the right place for Southern soul food! There are so many other things on the menu I would love to try down the road as well. read more

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Jasmine A , has been praising this place ever since she visited ATL. So we had to try it. Our server Jarret who looks like Adam Lambert was very welcoming and even gave us some historic facts about this restaurant, it's been here 81years. Then he wanted to know was it our first time, first timers get a cup of Pot liquor which is the juice or broth from the collard greens and surprisedly there was a reasonable amount of greens included. I ordered the smothered chicken which is served on a bed of rice ,turnip greens, macaroni and cheese, dressing, and dessert which was the peach cobbler à la mode. Everything was very good and the portions are large. There was a variety of entrees served and all got rave reviews. I love the ambience with the pictures on the wall and they are put in categories of the individuals who have dined there. Politicians on one section, musicians on another wall, sports stars, and even local colleges of who's who. They have 7 dining rooms we ate in the Atlanta dining room which was the original restaurant before they added on the other dining rooms later on. Definitely a go to place when you're in the ATL read more

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We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Mary Mac's today. The food was great as always and the service was exceptional! Travon was our outstanding server and he took special care to make sure our experience was perfect! It's always special to dine at this historic restaurant. When you eat here, you're surrounded by the spirits of old Atlanta movers and shakers. The photos on the wall remind you that this place is an Atlanta institution. We've been eating here for over 30 years and introduced our daughter and granddaughter to fried okra here! You'll find truly OG southern cooking here every day. They have a full liquor license and the drinks are nice and strong. Don't miss this gem of Atlanta's early years! read more

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Came here before heading to a Braves game. It is the second time we've eaten here and it did not disappoint. The home cooked food was amazing and the service was quick and friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lots of history on the walls to go with excellent food[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Fried pork chops with cabbage and Collard Greens - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The service was good, atmosphere was good, the food was just ok. I did like the pot liquor. It was four of us, and we all ordered different entrees and sides, so we could try a lot, the fried chicken was good, meatloaf was ok. The pork chop was good. The Mac and cheese was ok. Some of us liked the potato salad and some did not, same for the deviled eggs. The greens were good. We did not like the dressing. The sweet potatoes had too much nutmeg or something, almost tasted like cloves. The peach cobbler was decent. read more

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I heard so many great things about Mary Mac's Tea Room, but I believe I made a mistake when ordering. Upon reading the reviews, it seems that the chicken was the best thing to order... but I wanted seafood at the time. Oops. The place is incredibly spacious and busy. The decor is old-fashioned and dated, but it creates a homey vibe. It makes you feel like you've been taken back to a different time. Unfortunately, I did not dine in and opted for takeout instead. (There is a counter to the left once you enter, dedicated to take-out orders.) FOOD: Shrimp & Grits (3/5) - I've never had grits before, so I really wanted to try it. I found grits to be very porridge-like, but... I am not a porridge fan. It was pretty plain and bland, except for certain spots topped with cheese or the sauce from the shrimp. The shrimp was nicely seasoned and not overcooked. Collard Greens (2/5) - It's probably blasphemous of me to say, but I've had better collard greens in California. I didn't find it very flavorful. Sorry. SERVICE: Didn't dine in, so I can't speak on that part of the service. However, the person at the take-out counter was so sweet and kind. She was very receptive to our questions. Food also came out at a reasonable time. TLDR// I should've ordered a menu item that Mary Mac's is better known for. Didn't hate what I had, but I think there was potential for this place to have been better for me, but I just didn't tap into that potential. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Shrimp and Grits (+ Collard Greens & Fruit) - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

What an experience! The old-school Atlanta eatery packed all the punches and was a delicious (and probably heart-attack inducing) meal. The sweet tea while we waited for our table was a great touch, and the cornbread and yeast rolls were both delicious. I had the three-piece dark chicken with mac and cheese and sweet potato soufflé, all of which was so good (especially the sweet potaotes)! My friend had the shrimp and grits with rice+gravy and mac and cheese and also loved her dish. At our waitresses' recommendation, we got blueberry cobbler for dessert and were blown away with how good it was, and took the cinnamon buns to go - but wish they had some icing to go with them. An incredible meal and a must do if you're in Atlanta. read more

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This was our first visit to Mary Mac's and it will not be our last. The service and staff were wonderful. The wood was outstanding. My husband had the pork chops with sweet potato soufflé and vegetable medley. I had their fried chicken with cornbread dressing/gravy along with the broccoli soufflé. They have us a generous portion of bread options with our meal. Don't skip on their Fried Green Tomatoes either as an appetizer or a side with your meal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Mary Mac's is in a great location.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking was easy and free - located behind the restaurant. Just a small walk from the lot to the front door. Next time you are in Atlanta, check it out. They have been there since 1945. read more

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Quite possibly the best fried chicken I have had anywhere. Service was just exceptionally friendly, portions were huge, prices were totally reasonable. We were looking for a touch of southern charm on a recent visit to Atlanta and thank you Yelpers for putting Mary Mac's on our radar. Everything from the mains to the sides to the desserts was just delicious. Few places get nothing more from me than a "Go there and thank me later" but Mary Mac's is on that list. So, go there and thank me later! read more

Wowzers! What a delightful delicious dinner! Nancy and I had the Southern Special with everything tasting amazing. Will was our server and did a great job with suggestions and being very tentative. Thank you for such a wonderful dinner and experience. Appreciate your hospitality and love for food God bless Ron G read more

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Was excited to try this local historical establishment and it did not disappoint! Love the classic decor and all the photos of notable people who have dined in. We started off with an assortment of cornbread, yeast rolls, and soup. Love that those are complimentary. Wish the cornbread leaned sweet than savory. The rolls were so fluffy and soft, the best part. Collards soup was good. I got to try a variety of dishes since I came with 2 friends. We had the fried chicken and fried catfish as mains, and got to try the cabbage, mac, sweet potato souffle, hush puppies, and collards for sides. The fried chicken was good but catfish a little dry. I loved the mac, cabbage, and collards but the sweet potato souffle was way too sweet. Hush puppies just OK. Service was kind but slow, so expect to hang out for a bit, can't be in a rush here. Portions are plentiful here and pricing is good. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Every time I come to or through Atlanta, I stop. This is some of the best southern soul food EVER!!! EVERYTHING on the menu is amazing. Must order "table wine of the south". Don't ask questions, you will thank me later. The ambience is very unique, in the fact that the restaurant is separated into different rooms that are all decorated differently, as if you were walking into your own home read more

Right when you walk in, you're greeted with some sweet tea while you wait. The restaurant is huge and doesnt take long to get seated. Their foods were so good, you can tell they're freshly made and made with love. Cant stop thinking about their peach cobbler. Will be back next time im in ATL. read more

Came in last week on a birthday trip to GA/ SC and stopped to lunch on the way to Covington. Mary's had such great reviews so we wanted to check it out. They also have a good sized lot behind the restaurant. Service from Jared was great, the location is historic and obviously a very popular spot. The sweet tea was great and addictive. We were given a complimentary pot likker soup to try, also good. Bread basket filled with corn bread and rolls. Rolls were good, soft and flaky. The cornbread was dry and not very sweet. For entrees we both got fried chicken with different sides. Sadly the chicken to us tasted similar to a super market chicken, not bad in taste but nothing to rave about, and both chicken and the sides were all barely warm. The hottest thing was the plate the food was sitting on. All the food was very lack luster apart from the broccoli soufflé- that was delicious and packed with flavor. Not sure if it was just an off day but did not live up to expectations. read more

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I had read the reviews, so I was prepared to try the sweet tea at the front, and that we'd be given "pot likker" to try as first time guests. The tea was pretty sweet and strong, and the pot likker came with an introduction as to what it is and ways to eat it, which I found to be a nice touch. We were told ahead of time that if we wanted cinnamon rolls, we would have to buy them by the dozen to go. Sadly, we had a show at the Fox Theatre to get to, so I am a bit regretful that I didn't get to try their cinnamon rolls, but... another time, right? When we arrived, there wasn't any wait, so we were seated almost right away. We walked by different rooms, and it goes to show how long this establishment has been here that you can see the history all around. Once seated, we write our own orders, which I found fun. It was a bit hard to decide on a side (I've never heard of a tomato pie or "hoppin' John" before), but our server (Trevor, I believe) was kindly explained and even brought some tomato pie as a sample to help with decision making. The food comes out pretty quick once you order, and while it wasn't the most amazing Southern food I've had, it was good. Filling. read more

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This is a great spot for classic southern food! The interior is really spacious and super cute, especially with that wall full of framed pictures. I tried the chicken and dumplings, and they were very good. The sides were also delicious, and the portions are huge. Service is a little slow, but that is all part of the classic southern charm. I will definitely be back to try more dishes! read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Chicken and dumplings - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Right when you enter, you're greeted with complimentary sweet tea, and let me tell you, the sweet tea is gooooddd! The hospitality is amazing, and the service is attentive. There's plenty of seating, and you even get a pen and paper to write down your order. They bring out cornbread and rolls as soon as you sit down, which is a lovely touch. They have lots of options for sides and main dishes. We came for the fried chicken, it's crispy without being oily, though I think it could use a little extra seasoning. The collard greens were on the salty side, but the potatoes were absolutely incredible! No picture, but the cobbler and cinnamon rolls are a must-try. read more

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Mary Mac's is one of those things I've had on the list for a while but never really had an impetus to go... until we had friends visiting from out of town and wanted to show them a true Southern meal. We went in a very odd hour (somewhere between 2-3 pm on a Saturday) and it was mostly empty, with a very small wait time for a party of four. The servers were very courteous, asking if it was our first time, etc. It was a bit strange that you had to write down your order yourself but I guess if that's tradition then who are we to judge. It also specified on the menu that there is a no plate/entree sharing policy and although I don't think they would have really enforced that, it ended up being a good thing that we each had our own plates and only I had leftovers. They also brought out a complimentary pot likker which was absolutely divine. The standout items were the fried chicken, fried catfish, and fried green tomatoes. The tomato pie had an odd taste that was off putting to me. Also solid cornbread and yeast rolls. It's just a lot of brown/fried... [[HIGHLIGHT]]Other than that, I would also note that, although a small detail, the bathroom was absolutely disgusting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I get that it's an old building, historic, etc etc but they really need to do something about that. While it's nice to have a dedicated parking lot, it's also really small. The spots right out front are marked handicap. We were able to find street parking right around the corner. read more

Every city has a place that's synonymous with its energy, representing it in complex ways that scoop into the historical events, struggles and evolution. For Atlanta, only a handful of such establishments remain and Mary Mac's Tea Room falls into that category. Before diving into the experience of today, which likely would have been similar if this review was written half a century ago, it's of value to examine how the story of Mary Mac's started. We go on a journey to the year 1945, when World War 2 was coming to an end and Mary MacKensie opened the establishment to make ends meet, serving traditional Southern Food. The only reason that the "Tea Room" exists in its name is because it was uncommon for women to be business owners at the time and the latter words established it as something different than a restaurant. That, was likely a very clever move at the time. Over the years, ownership changed hands a few times, being passed down to longstanding original employees of the restaurant. That built a beautiful succession that preserved the original tradition and to this day, maintaining the family feel of the establishment. Arriving here now, the welcome is warm, the photograph adored walls are encompassing and the wait staff are genuine. It immediately feels like The South. It's simple and real, it has a core that's genuinely special. For a first time visitor, it's not a bad idea to show up with an open mind and let the waiters decide the rest. They have been here long enough to steer the meal in just the best direction. Chicken fried chicken is one of the likely things they'd pick: a chicken breast brined for 24 hours and spiced with nothing but salt and pepper before being deep fried. It's an odd preparation in today's world, where you can't turn the corner without zaatar seasoning and chicken rub being thrown into the mix. Here, things are simpler and pure. They proudly represent a different time and is a big part of the beauty for Mary Mac's. The rest of selection recommendations might vary from waiter to waiter, but the star of the meal was the broccoli mashed with cheese, maybe even better than the chicken itself. The gravy is a true masterpiece. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, adding a homemade Southern Squeeze might be a fun way to get something truly authentic, a mix of homemade lemonade and iced tea. Just be ready for some sweetness and explosive flavor. Mary Mac's is special in ways that are difficult to put into words, it's an image of Atlanta that has long ceased to exist. Appreciating these flavors might feel foreign to the Atlanta of today: the loads of sugar, the lack of spices and the absence of bearded 2020s evolved hipsters (or whatever the term is nowadays) bringing meals to the table. It's proud to be different and special. It's real and it's a museum of Atlanta's dining history. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Ponce Dining Room - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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I was in town for a conference and being from California (family has southern roots) I could not fly out without getting some southern comfort food and Mary Macs was highly recommended by a local. Man were they on point. This place was exactly what I needed. Nothing fancy just history, nostalgia and fanatic food. The service was warm and friendly and I left stuffed and happy! read more

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Brought a group of 8 high school students from New England to give them a taste of the South. They loved looking at the pictures of so many recognizable politicians, sports figures and actors on the walls while waiting for our table. We had our name on the wait list and only had to wait about ten minutes once we arrived. They also thought it was unique to write down their orders with the paper and pencils provided. One student has a nut allergy and it was a relief to hear that there are no nuts in the kitchen. Pecan pie only comes out during the holidays. I personally started with the deviled. The plate comes with 6 halves. We should've shared them bc that's a lot of eggs for one person and we don't think we could share because of the wording on the menu saying no splitting of plates. The deviled eggs had a hint of relish, mustard and paprika. Tasty. We were given baskets of cornbread and yeast bread. The cornbread was a little on the dry side. For entrées I got the fried catfish shrimp combo and my sides were the broccoli soufflé and the fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes had just enough tang and the dipping sauce was like a ranch type sauce. The broccoli soufflé was delicious. Very light and just Yum. The fried catfish was very crunchy and the fish inside was flaky. It's served with tartar sauce and two lemon wedges. I'm still not sure about the shrimp because I thought I was getting fried shrimp but it seemed to be shrimp croquettes? Or maybe they were hush puppies? I'm honestly not sure but I was getting pretty full at that point so I only had one of them anyway since they were pretty heavy. For dessert I chose the peach cobbler which was just the right amount. One of my students ordered the cinnamon rolls and we were shocked to see that they brought out an entire tray of cinnamon rolls just for him! So I guess he'll be having them for breakfast the next few days! It was a great experience, the students really liked it and it definitely did not break the bank. read more

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I was looking to try some authentic peach cobbler while visiting Atlanta, and a quick search directed me to this place. It looked quite busy, and I was looking forward to trying their peach cobbler, so I placed a takeaway order. After trying it, I would say it was just meh--extremely sweet, and it had a kind of weird smell as well. My review is for this one dish only. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Peach cobbler - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

become a Southern food tourist stop, but for me, it just never lives up to the hype. I've been here a handful of times over the years, hoping each visit would change my mind, but the food is consistently underseasoned for my taste. It feels like it's geared more toward an older clientele's palate. The food is okay...it's edible, the portions are decent, and it always comes out hot and fresh. I've had the fried chicken, and while it was hot and crispy, it definitely could've used more seasoning. Nothing I've tried has really stood out enough to make me want to come back on my own. The service has also been pretty slow every time I've visited, and parking is a headache since there's only one small lot behind the restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]One thing I will give them credit for is the size of the dining room. It's huge, so it's a good option if you're trying to accommodate a large group.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] At this point, the only reason I end up here is when friends or family come to Atlanta and insist on trying the famous Mary Mac's. Otherwise, there are plenty of local Southern restaurants I'd choose first. If you're wondering if I'll be back...not if I have a choice. read more

I was looking for some authentic and real southern comfort and soul food and stumbled upon this place both through online and via locals. They were busy but we were seated within about 10-15 minutes. Upon being seated, if you've never been they'll bring you a small bowl of pot likker to sample which is like the broth The collard greens are cooked in, it's so yummy. They brought out a bread basket with rolls and corn bread and the rolls were sooo soft. We ordered the family meal which comes with 3 entrees and 3 sides for about $30/person and it's all you can eat which is an amazing deal. You get a ton of food and it is all delicious. I loved everything that we ordered but their meatloaf, chicken & dumplings and collard greens were probably my favorites. Their banana pudding is also amazing! I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for some good southern style comfort food read more

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Went for dinner and checked in online with arrival once ready to be seated. Party of 3 with everyone at the table ready to place order. Kid had hotdog with double fries and water. The adults had nothing complicated: turkey dressing with collard and yam. I had catfish and ship with black eyed peas and macaroni. Husband had ginger ale and kid and myself had water. We sat for an hour and half without utensils or food. Watching parties get like or similar food after arriving 30-45 minutes after we arrived. Management addressed us with I'll check on it and never returned to make the experience pleasant or address our concerns. Find another restaurant if you want to eat timely. read more

We truly enjoyed our experience at Mary Mac's Tea Room. The soul food was absolutely delicious and took us back in time--it really felt like "back in the day" with every bite. You can taste the tradition and care in the food, and the rich history of the place makes the experience even more special. Everything about it felt authentic, from the flavors to the atmosphere. It's the kind of place that brings comfort and great memories. We will definitely be coming back! read more

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Beige... but pretty good. I was very surprised that everything I thought we were ordering would either be fried or fried and then soaked in some sort of buttermilk. Service was 10/10. We let our server know we were in a hurry and the food was out in a blink! the breads at the beginning were delicious. The grits were also a highlight, along with the fried green tomatoes and fried okra. I think the greens, tomatoes, and broccoli "soufflé" were less impressive. I'm glad I went and tried it all, even if I could not finish the meal and had no desire to take it back. I suppose in the end I would not go again, but I'd recommend it to anyone in want of traditional southern food. read more

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We were looking for a late night dinner near our hotel. We were told by our hotel clerk that she really liked Mary Macs. It is downtown but had its own parking around back. Being late, we were quickly seated. Our server provided on point food suggestions for our first time visit. They feature an excellent selection of southern fare. I tried their grilled catfish (trying to be a little healthier) with potato salad and veggie medley. All was very good, but next time I am in the area I'm getting my catfish fried. Kim got their fried chicken and was raving about it. Crispy, not greasy and a terrific batter. It was a great meal and we would definitely return to try out other offerings. read more

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The food was great. However.. we got on the waitlist for a party of 18 a whole 40 minutes before arriving at the restaurant. Once we got there we were very understanding of the size of our party & checked in with multiple hostesses to ensure there wasn't a problem and they assured us they could accommodate. After an hour of waiting (1 hr & 40mins if you count the online waitlist) we were seated & then proceeded to wait TWO HOURS for food. After food, all of our checks were wrong & we had to be our own servers and write down each parties checks for the servers. Spending 4 hours total at a restaurant is absolutely ridiculous. We understood the initial wait time to be seated but almost 3 hours between food and leaving was ridiculous. The servers themselves provided great service so we didn't complain to them but this was a mess, I would never come back unfortunately. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Fried Chicken Tenders, Broccoli Soufflé & Macaroni and Cheese - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Heard so much about this place so it was a must stop on this visit. The food was very tasty. We ordered ñ: fried shrimp for appetizer (came out nice and hot); had chicken tenders with fries and fruit (very filling); also had the beef stew with fried okra and mashed potatoes (large serving that was spread over 2 meals). The potlicker and cornbread was an interesting starter (appreciated the server inquiring about pork and making sure to bring me the option without pork). As though we didn't have enough food, we had also ordered peach cobbler and cinnamon rolls and we very pleased with both. Our server Beris was super helpful and informative. He made the visit and us feel special. Great hospitality. Definitely worth trying again. Also want to shoutout the server, Trayvon, for his hospitality. Wonderful experience. Great atmosphere. read more

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Extremely disappointing. I lived nearby for many years and Mary Mac's was a stable for an authentic southern dinner. I took out of town guests there yesterday expecting to impress them. It did not. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The room we were seated in smelled dank/unpleasant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was served room temperature. The fried chicken breast was bone dry, very salty and looked like it came from grocery store food bar. The fried okra was obviously bulk frozen from a bag. The chicken dumpling goop was also way too salty. Our waiter was pleasant but loudly banged and slammed the doors on an decapitated chest of drawers that held utensils. The place is lazily existing off reputation and legacy. read more

3rd times a charm? Apparently so because I had a much better experience this time around! Came here with my boyfriend and we were seated with Cam, who may just be one of the best server's I've experienced. She was very friendly and went above and beyond for every table she was taking care of that night. She remembered our names and shook our hands, and for the other table she sang her own original happy birthday song. Usually when restaurants sing happy birthday it's a little cringe but Cam can legit sing and it was very impressive. Our bread basket was much better than the last time I came - the bread was warm and soft. I got the chicken and dumplings which was okay. It feels like it's basically chicken noodle soup but with thicker noodles. Sides of mac n cheese + broccoli soufflé were yummy as expected from a previous visit. Maybe I missed this the first two times, but they were also serving complimentary sweet tea in the lobby! I thought, surely this is unsweet tea, but I was sooo surprised when I took a sip and it was sweet. To get free sweet tea at a southern restaurant is gold! read more

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Came here based on a recommendation from a local. Dined with a group of 12 on a Sunday and they don't accept reservations on weekends, so I arrived early to put my name down. We were so grateful they were able to accommodate us and seated us as soon as our party arrived. We were also there for a dinner meeting, so they kindly seated our group in a quiet corner. The service was beyond excellent. Wait staff explained the menu to our group, most of whom were from out of town and were very patient with us. Most, including myself, ordered the fried chicken, which was lightly battered, crispy and not too oily. It was finger lickin' good. For the sides, I had the rich mac n cheese and buttered (Lima) beans which were off menu and recommended by the waitress. I also suggest trying their delicious cornbread. Finally, at the end of our meal, the waitress took a few moments to explain the restaurants history to us which made our experience even more special. Note: 18% gratuity is added to the check for large groups but I would also recommend adding a well deserved tip for their quality service. read more

Mary Mac's Tea Room - Four-Piece Fried Chicken and corn bread - Southern Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This was pretty special. I came here with two chums for lunch this past Saturday, after getting a very strong recommendation from my Uber driver (also a NJ native) earlier in the day. Historic Southern restaurant with scrumptious catfish? Try to keep me away. I was honestly not a fan of most of the Atlanta areas I saw on my travels, but this neighborhood was by far my favorite - aesthetically pleasing houses, and the pervasive homelessness and drug usage that was unfortunately a hallmark of my other stops was nowhere to be found. I was a little apprehensive when I saw the limited parking spots left in the lot behind the restaurant, but I didn't realize how MAMMOTH the interior of Mary Mac's is - we were literally led through at least three different dining rooms before finally arriving at our table. Very cool interior with oodles of ye olde painted wood. And just to double down on the old school? We had to handwrite our orders down, which I kind of loved - hard for there to be a miscommunication when it's literally written out in front of you. Our waitress was Tammy, and she was an absolute superstar. One of my chums is a native to the area and mentioned that yes, Southern hospitality is a thing, but you can tell when some people are faking it a little. This was the genuine article. An absolute delight who unquestionably added/improved the experience, which wasn't exactly in need of a savior but no matter. She was very familiar with the restaurant and its accompanying menu, and had a few on-the-fly anecdotes off of my questions, including mentioning that former President Jimmy Carter (RIP) was a fan and contributed a peanut butter cheesecake recipe that was utilized after his funeral. Very cool. To start the proceedings off, I decided to go for a Southern classic, the mint julip, despite not being at Churchill Downs waiting for the Derby to start. A delight, and the perfect refreshing beverage on a summer day. I'm not hanging out below the Mason Dixon line without supping on catfish, so I immediately ordered that as my entree, along with sides of sweet potato souffle and mac & cheese, with peach cobbler for dessert. We also got this interesting dipping sauce that was basically the drippings of collard greens (they had a cool name that escapes me) with accompanying cornbread to share. Honestly? Everything was phenomenal. I think the one ding on cornbread is that it tends to be dry, but that's certainly not the case when you have drippings to dip it into. The blackened catfish was incredibly well-seasoned; one of the better-tasting fish I've had in a while. Really the only downside was that I was way too stuffed to do much damage to the peach cobbler; I unfortunately had to leave a significant portion of that on the plate, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Just incredible from beginning to end. We took our time on the way out going through the myriad of rooms and looking at the celebrity pictures (Jesse Ventura stuck out like a sore thumb). My chum swore up and and down that Atlanta just isn't much of a food town. She changed her mind after this meal. read more

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