13 Iconic Yet Affordable Restaurants In Georgia That Locals Can’t Get Enough Of
Think Georgia’s all about peaches and peanuts? Think again. The Peach State is packed with wallet-friendly gems that feel like family secrets.
Whether you’re grabbing a bite in an Atlanta diner or enjoying fresh seafood by the coast, these spots prove great food doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
1. Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Southern Comfort Food Heaven
Mary Mac’s has served traditional Southern meals since 1945, earning official recognition as “Atlanta’s Dining Room.” First-timers receive a complimentary cup of pot likker (the savory liquid from cooked greens) with cornbread.
Their fried chicken recipe hasn’t changed in decades, staying crispy outside and juicy inside. The walls display photos of celebrity visitors, from presidents to movie stars, who couldn’t resist the pull of authentic Southern cooking.
2. The Varsity – Where Fast Food Meets Atlanta History
Standing tall since 1928, The Varsity claims the title of the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. Generations of Atlantans have grown up ordering their famous chili dogs and onion rings with the iconic phrase “What’ll ya have?”
Their Frosted Orange (a creamy orange milkshake) provides sweet relief after spicy chili. Georgia Tech students pack the place before football games, continuing a tradition nearly a century old.
3. Busy Bee Cafe – Soul Food Legacy Since 1947
I’ll never forget my first bite of Busy Bee’s fried chicken. My grandfather took me there on my tenth birthday, explaining this spot had fed civil rights leaders during movement meetings. The secret overnight marinade makes their chicken unforgettable.
Located in historic Atlanta, this tiny restaurant draws huge crowds. Martin Luther King Jr. was a regular, often holding meetings here.
Their mac and cheese remains creamy perfection, while the candied yams balance sweetness with warm spices.
4. Fellini’s Pizza – Atlanta’s Beloved Slice Joint
Fellini’s thin crust pizza has fueled late-night conversations across Atlanta since 1982. Their gigantic slices require proper folding technique, a skill every Atlanta resident develops after a few visits.
The Ponce location stays open until midnight, making it the perfect after-concert stop. College students stretch their dollars with their famously affordable cheese slices.
The no-frills atmosphere keeps prices low and quality high, focusing on what matters most – perfectly balanced sauce and cheese.
5. Taqueria del Sol – Mexican-Southern Fusion Pioneer
Lines form daily outside Taqueria del Sol, where Southern meets Mexican in perfect harmony. Their Memphis barbecue taco combines pulled pork with spicy jalapeño coleslaw, creating an unexpected flavor explosion.
I waited 45 minutes in summer heat for my first taste of their shrimp corn chowder, and still dream about it years later.
The turnip greens enchiladas show chef Eddie Hernandez’s genius at blending his Mexican heritage with adopted Southern influences.
Margaritas here come strong and affordable.
6. Home grown GA – Breakfast Champions of East Atlanta
Home grown’s Comfy Chicken Biscuit has achieved cult status among Atlantans. This massive fried chicken breast on a fluffy biscuit smothered in sausage gravy could feed you for days.
The restaurant includes a small thrift area where you can shop vintage goods while waiting for a table. Local artwork covers every inch of wall space, celebrating Atlanta’s creative community.
Weekend brunch typically means a wait, but regulars know it’s worth every minute.
7. Marietta Diner – 24-Hour Wonderland of Massive Portions
Featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Marietta Diner serves portions that could feed a small village. Their menu spans 15 pages, offering everything from Greek specialties to towering cakes that defy gravity.
The gleaming chrome exterior shines like a beacon for hungry night owls. Late-night theater crowds mix with early-morning workers at 3 am, creating a uniquely diverse dining experience.
Their complimentary basket of fresh bread and butter starts every meal with warm hospitality.
8. H&H Soul Food – Where the Allman Brothers Found Their Sound
When broke and hungry in the 1970s, the Allman Brothers Band found more than food at H&H – they found Mama Louise Hudson, who fed them on credit and became part of rock history. My father still talks about meeting Gregg Allman here while stationed at nearby Robins Air Force Base.
Founded in 1959, H&H serves Macon’s best fried chicken, alongside perfect mac and cheese. The walls tell the story of unlikely friendship between Southern rock legends and the restaurant’s Black owners during segregation.
9. Nu-Way Weiners – Macon’s Red Hot Tradition Since 1916
Nu-Way’s famous red hot dogs get their distinctive color from a secret dye recipe that hasn’t changed in over a century. The chili recipe remains closely guarded, protecting Macon’s most treasured fast food secret.
Their unusual spelling of “Weiners” resulted from a 1937 storm that damaged their neon sign, but they kept the misspelling as a lucky charm.
Locals order their dogs “all the way” with chili, onions, and their special slaw for the authentic experience.
10. Dinglewood Pharmacy – Home of the Legendary Scrambled Dog
Columbus locals have sworn by the Scrambled Dog since 1908, a hot dog buried under chili, pickles, onions, oyster crackers, and mustard, requiring a fork and plenty of napkins. Dinglewood serves this messy masterpiece in the same metal dishes they’ve used for generations.
The functioning pharmacy still fills prescriptions in the back while feeding hungry customers up front.
11. Southern Soul Barbeque – Coastal BBQ Paradise in a Gas Station
Housed in a converted gas station on St. Simons Island, Southern Soul transforms humble ingredients into smoky perfection. Their Brunswick stew simmers for hours, combining smoked meats with local vegetables into a thick, flavorful Georgia tradition.
I once drove three hours just for their burnt ends, those caramelized brisket pieces that melt in your mouth. The smell of oak and hickory smoke announces the restaurant long before you see it.
Despite a devastating fire in 2010, loyal customers helped them rebuild better than ever.
12. Cali N Tito’s – Athens’ Latin American Oasis on a Budget
University of Georgia students stretch their dollars at this budget-friendly Latin American spot. The outdoor seating area resembles a tropical beach escape, complete with colorful umbrellas and quirky decorations collected from around the world.
Their Cuban sandwich presses perfectly crisp bread around layers of roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles. The plantain chips come fresh and hot with every order.
Owner Bruno Rubio’s personal story of immigration from South America inspires the authentic Latin American menu.
13. Wifesaver – Augusta’s Family-Style Southern Institution
Founded in 1965 by George Cunningham, who claimed his wife-saving recipes would give women a break from cooking, Wifesaver now represents Augusta tradition.
During Masters Tournament week, golf fans make pilgrimages here between rounds. The chicken and dumplings taste exactly like grandma’s version, if grandma were an expert Southern cook with decades of experience.