14 Hole-In-The-Wall Georgia Restaurants That Locals Say Surprise Everyone
Georgia hides some of its most unforgettable dining experiences in the most unexpected places – strip malls, converted gas stations, and quiet buildings you’d never think to enter.
Step inside, though, and you’ll discover flavors that rival the fanciest downtown hotspots, often for a fraction of the price. These no-frills gems are guarded fiercely by locals, whispered about in tight circles like treasured secrets.
If you’re lucky enough to uncover them, you’ll quickly understand why food lovers would rather keep them under wraps.
1. Heirloom Market BBQ – Atlanta
Korean spice meets Southern smoke in this tiny strip-mall counter that draws serious barbecue lines. Pitmasters here blend traditional smoking techniques with bold Korean flavors, creating dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Georgia.
The smoked pork sandwich topped with tangy kimchi slaw perfectly captures this fusion magic. Spicy Korean-style wings arrive sticky and fiery, while the ribs get a gochujang glaze that transforms familiar barbecue into something extraordinary.
Located at 2243 Akers Mill Road, this spot operates Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm, staying closed on Sundays and Mondays.
2. Nick’s Food To Go – Downtown Atlanta
Since 1994, this no-frills Greek takeout window has perfected the art of simple, authentic Mediterranean food. The modest setup might not look like much, but every gyro tells a story of traditional Greek cooking done right.
Their chicken souvlaki pita wraps tender, perfectly seasoned meat in warm bread that’s been kissed by the grill. Lemon potatoes arrive golden and herb-crusted, while homemade baklava provides the perfect sweet finish to any meal.
Find this Downtown gem at 240 MLK Jr. Drive SE, operating Monday through Friday during daytime and early evening hours.
3. Home Grown GA – Reynoldstown
Step into this retro country diner and you’ll swear you’ve traveled back to simpler times. Everything here gets made from scratch, including the fluffy biscuits that have become legendary among Atlanta breakfast lovers.
The famous Comfy Chicken Biscuit combines perfectly fried chicken with those heavenly homemade biscuits. Their pimento cheese biscuit takes Southern comfort food to new heights, melting sharp cheese into buttery, flaky layers.
Located at 968 Memorial Drive SE, Home Grown GA welcomes guests daily from 8 am to 2 pm for breakfast and lunch.
4. The Busy Bee Café – Vine City
This modest dining room has earned James Beard recognition as an “America’s Classic” while serving Atlanta’s finest soul food since 1947. The unassuming space holds decades of culinary history within its walls.
Their fried chicken arrives perfectly crispy outside and juicy within, paired with collard greens that simmer with smoky flavor. Mac and cheese here reaches creamy perfection, while sweet potato pie provides a fitting finale to any meal.
Visit The Busy Bee at 810 MLK Jr. Drive SW, where they serve authentic soul food daily from 11 am to 7 pm.
5. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack – Piedmont Heights
Blues music fills this tiny rib joint where sticky, old-school barbecue takes center stage every night. The intimate setting creates perfect harmony between soulful sounds and smoky flavors that define authentic Atlanta barbecue culture.
Half-racks of ribs arrive fall-off-the-bone tender with a sweet, sticky glaze that requires multiple napkins. Chopped pork sandwiches get piled high with tender meat, while beans add a unique twist to traditional sides.
Find Fat Matt’s at 1811 Piedmont Avenue NE, open daily with extended weekend hours for those late-night barbecue cravings.
6. JJ’s Rib Shack – Campbellton Road
Smoke perfumes every corner of this counter-service spot where rib tips and full slabs regularly sell out before closing time. The limited hours create urgency among barbecue lovers who know good ribs when they taste them.
Half-slab ribs showcase perfect smoking technique with meat that pulls cleanly from the bone. Rib sandwiches pack generous portions of tender meat between soft buns, while baked beans complement the smoky flavors beautifully.
Located at 2979 Campbellton Road SW, JJ’s operates Wednesday through Saturday with limited hours, so calling ahead prevents disappointment.
7. Lee’s Bakery – Buford Highway
Fresh bread baked daily transforms this tiny Vietnamese spot into a banh mi legend along Buford Highway’s international food corridor. The aroma of warm, crusty loaves draws customers from across Atlanta’s diverse food scene.
Roast pork banh mi combines tender meat with pickled vegetables and cilantro on house-made bread that crackles with each bite. Combo sandwiches offer multiple proteins, while pho ga provides warming broth perfect for any weather.
Visit Lee’s Bakery at 4005 Buford Highway NE, Suite C, Tuesday through Sunday during daytime and evening hours, closed Mondays.
8. Crawfish Shack Seafood – Buford Highway
Gulf Coast meets Vietnamese flavors in this strip-mall seafood spot that has built a loyal following among Atlanta’s diverse food lovers. The fusion creates unique dishes that satisfy cravings for both traditions.
I remember my first visit here during crawfish season, watching seasoned veterans teach newcomers the proper peeling technique. Fried shrimp po’boys arrive overflowing with crispy Gulf shrimp on fresh French bread, while oyster versions showcase plump, perfectly fried mollusks.
Find Crawfish Shack at 4337 Buford Highway NE, open Monday through Thursday 11 am-7 pm, Friday-Saturday until 8 pm, Sunday 11:30 am-6 pm.
9. Taqueria La Oaxaqueña – Jonesboro
Authentic Oaxacan cuisine thrives in this humble room where tlayudas and complex moles transport diners straight to southern Mexico. Few restaurants outside Mexico serve these regional specialties with such dedication to tradition.
Tlayudas arrive as massive, crispy tortillas topped with beans, cheese, and your choice of meat, like al pastor. Mole negro represents hours of careful preparation, combining dozens of ingredients into a complex sauce that defines Oaxacan cooking.
Located at 605 Mt. Zion Road in Jonesboro, Taqueria La Oaxaqueña serves daily 10 am-10 pm, closed Wednesdays for ingredient preparation.
10. Dinglewood Pharmacy – Columbus
A century-old pharmacy lunch counter continues serving the famous Scrambled Dog that put Columbus on the culinary map. This historic spot represents a vanishing piece of American dining culture where pharmacies doubled as social gathering places.
The Scrambled Dog combines a grilled hot dog with oyster crackers, pickles, onions, and mustard in a unique preparation found nowhere else. Pimento cheese sandwiches showcase another Southern classic, spreading creamy, sharp cheese between soft white bread.
Find Dinglewood Pharmacy at 1939 Wynnton Road in Columbus, where counter hours vary, so checking their website ensures you won’t miss this historic experience.
11. Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods – Athens
REM immortalized this tiny soul food icon with their album title “Automatic for the People,” borrowing Weaver D’s motto for rock history. The modest restaurant continues serving authentic soul food that inspired one of Athens’ most famous bands.
Fried chicken here achieves perfect golden crispiness while staying incredibly juicy inside. Candied yams balance sweet and savory notes, while creamy mac and cheese and fresh cornbread complete the classic Southern comfort food experience.
Visit Weaver D’s at 1016 E Broad Street in Athens, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am-6 pm, closed Sunday and Monday for rest.
12. The Hole in the Wall – Blairsville
Union County’s oldest diner has been serving from-scratch breakfasts since 1931, maintaining traditions that most restaurants abandoned decades ago. The authentic atmosphere transports visitors to simpler times when diners anchored small-town social life.
Country breakfasts arrive with perfectly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, and hash browns that achieve the ideal balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Biscuits and gravy showcase homemade biscuits smothered in rich, peppery sausage gravy that defines Southern comfort.
Located at 12B Town Square in Blairsville, The Hole in the Wall serves daily from 7 am or 7:30 am until 2 pm.
13. Zeb’s Bar-B-Q – Danielsville
Classic barbecue traditions survive at this old-school joint where Brunswick stew and chopped pork represent generations of smoking expertise.
The country drive-through adds convenience while maintaining the authentic flavors that define Georgia barbecue culture.
Chopped pork plates showcase perfectly smoked meat with just enough sauce to enhance rather than mask the smoky flavor.
Brunswick stew here follows traditional recipes, combining multiple meats and vegetables into the hearty mixture that Georgia claims as its own.
Find Zeb’s at 5742 US-29 in Danielsville, typically open Wednesday through Saturday with Sunday lunch service, though verifying hours prevents disappointment.
14. Sandfly BBQ – Savannah
Big flavors emerge from this modest counter located away from Savannah’s tourist core, where locals gather for authentic smoked meats that rival any fancy downtown establishment.
The neighborhood location ensures genuine barbecue culture thrives without tourist influence.
Pork plates feature tender, smoky meat that demonstrates proper low-and-slow cooking techniques. Brisket sandwiches showcase perfectly rendered beef with crispy bark, while smoked sausage adds spicy complexity to any meal combination.
Located at 8413 Ferguson Avenue, Sandfly BBQ serves Monday through Saturday, 11 am-8 pm, closed Sundays for pitmasters to rest and prepare.