11 Retro Georgia Eateries That Haven’t Changed Since The ’70s
Georgia’s got plenty of flashy new spots, but the real charm lives in the restaurants that refuse to budge with the times. Across the Peach State, you’ll stumble upon dining rooms frozen in the ’70s – think wood paneling, vinyl booths, and menus that haven’t dared to change a single ingredient.
These places aren’t just restaurants; they’re living time machines where every bite tastes like nostalgia. Pull up a chair at these 11 retro Georgia gems and enjoy a delicious trip back in time.
1. The Colonnade: Where Time Stands Deliciously Still
Nestled near Cheshire Bridge Road since 1927, The Colonnade serves Southern classics in an atmosphere that refuses to acknowledge passing decades. Wood-paneled walls and vinyl booths frame a dining experience that remains gloriously unchanged.
The fried chicken recipe hasn’t been tweaked since the Carter administration. Regulars – many who’ve been coming for 40+ years – know to arrive early for dinner service or risk waiting in a line that forms like clockwork.
2. Silver Skillet: Chrome-Trimmed Breakfast Heaven
Walking into this Midtown diner feels like stepping through a portal to 1956. The counter stools, swirling with worn red vinyl, have supported countless Atlantans seeking comfort food perfection.
Country ham with red-eye gravy remains the signature dish, best enjoyed with a slice of homemade lemon icebox pie.
I remember my grandmother bringing me here after doctor appointments, always promising “the best breakfast in Georgia” – a claim I’ve never found reason to dispute.
3. Mary Mac’s Tea Room: Atlanta’s Dining Room Since 1945
The pencil-and-paper ordering system at Mary Mac’s hasn’t changed since bell-bottoms were in fashion the first time around. This Ponce de Leon Avenue institution remains Atlanta’s unofficial dining room for Southern cuisine.
Each table still receives a complimentary cup of pot likker – the savory liquid from cooking collard greens.
Regulars know to soak their cracklin’ cornbread in this liquid gold before diving into plates of crispy fried chicken that could make Colonel Sanders weep with jealousy.
4. Busy Bee Café: Soul Food Shrine
Politicians, celebrities, and everyday Atlantans have all stood in the same line since 1947 at this soul food sanctuary. The modest storefront in Vine City belies the culinary treasures within.
The fried chicken – brined overnight and hand-breaded – creates a perfect crust that audibly crackles with each bite. When Muhammad Ali visited Atlanta, he made Busy Bee his first stop.
My uncle swears he once shared counter space with Maynard Jackson here in the late ’70s.
5. Majestic Diner: Neon-Lit Nostalgia
The iconic neon sign proclaiming “Food That Pleases” has illuminated Ponce de Leon Avenue since long before disco was a thing of the past. Inside, the stainless steel and chrome fixtures gleam under fluorescent lights, creating a true retro atmosphere.
Counter seating remains the prime real estate, where regulars engage in friendly banter with servers who’ve worked there for decades.
The all-day breakfast menu features perfectly crisp hash browns and fluffy pancakes that taste exactly as they did when Jimmy Carter was in office.
6. H&H Soul Food: Where Rock Legends Met Southern Cooking
The bond between H&H and the Allman Brothers Band is the stuff of Georgia legend. When the struggling musicians couldn’t afford meals in the late ’60s, owner Mama Louise fed them anyway. The band never forgot her kindness.
The cafeteria-style service hasn’t changed since 1959. Plastic trays slide along metal rails past steam tables laden with fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and collard greens.
I once found myself seated next to Gregg Allman’s cousin here, who shared stories of the band’s early days between bites of cornbread.
7. The Plaza Restaurant & Oyster Bar: Thomasville’s Century-Old Gem
As Georgia’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, The Plaza has perfected the art of consistency since 1916. The pressed tin ceiling and worn wooden floors have witnessed over a century of South Georgia history.
Blue plate specials remain the lunchtime draw, with meat-and-three combinations that rotate seasonally but never stray from traditional Southern recipes.
The oyster bar in the back maintains its original marble countertop where locals have slurped bivalves for generations while discussing crops and politics.
8. Twin Oaks BBQ: Brunswick’s Drive-In Delight
The pink cinder block building housing Twin Oaks has been a Brunswick landmark since 1943. This coastal BBQ spot maintains its drive-in service, complete with window trays that hook onto your car door – a rarity in modern times.
Their unique battered French fries – a local quirk you won’t find elsewhere – are hand-cut daily and double-fried to golden perfection.
During hurricane evacuations, locals joke that Twin Oaks closing is the real sign it’s time to leave town.
9. Dinglewood Pharmacy: Home of the Legendary Scramble Dog
This Columbus institution operates one of the last authentic pharmacy lunch counters in America. The marble counter and swiveling stools have hosted locals since long before chain pharmacies dominated the landscape.
The famous “scramble dog” – a hot dog buried under chili, onions, pickles, and oyster crackers – requires a fork and plenty of napkins.
My grandfather claims the recipe hasn’t changed since he had his first one in 1953, and I can confirm it tastes exactly the same as when I tried it 30 years ago.
10. Luigi’s: Augusta’s Italian-Greek Time Warp
The red checkered tablecloths at Luigi’s have witnessed countless first dates and Masters Tournament celebrations since 1949.
This downtown Augusta landmark maintains its Old-World atmosphere with dark wood booths and vintage Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling. The spaghetti with meat sauce follows the same recipe crafted by the original Greek-Italian owners.
During Masters week, golf legends can be spotted in corner booths, enjoying the famous baked lasagna that tastes exactly as it did when Jack Nicklaus won his first green jacket.
11. The Taco Stand: Athens’ Beloved Burrito Bunker
UGA students have been lining up at the original Milledge Avenue location since 1977. The no-frills counter service and plastic basket presentation remain gloriously unchanged despite Athens’ evolving food scene.
The Baja burrito – stuffed with seasoned beef, beans, and cheese – has fueled countless late-night study sessions and post-concert hunger pangs. While prices have inevitably increased since the Carter years, the taste remains identical.
Football Saturdays still bring lines out the door, just as they did when the B-52’s were Athens’ hottest local band.