Mary Mac's Tea Room — Restaurant in Atlanta

Deciding to have dinner downtown (in Midtown) before attending Hamilton at The Fox this past Saturday (02/24), Mary Mac's was top choice out of seven restaurants near the theater considered for an evening out. My girlfriend is still getting acquainted with The South, and Southern cuisine was fitting for the play.

It was a solid choice. The food was good... despite oddities experienced or observed, beginning with my phone camera having an existential moment before even walking through the front door of Mary Mac's. (I talk about this in more detail in my online journal.)

Then there was the three confirmations with the Matron Host that my girlfriend and I were the party of two that I had indicated with giving my surname for a table. It was as if the Matron confused her with another party (of White people, because she is White), as she had called for two parties at once. On the third confirmation and recognizing the tell of a suppressed smile and a disposition that made my girlfriend invisible, it was clear we were being shunned as a multi-cultural couple. Fortunately, with Matron's drill sergeant efficiency to seat as many patrons as possible, due to the apparent dinner bell ringing loud and long, for people were rushing in to Mary Mac's, I was used to the personality and checking with my girlfriend's impression, she was a real trooper about the Matron. (I would later apologize on behalf of the Matron in any case.)

After that, our personal dinning experience went well. The fried green tomatoes ordered as an appetizer were on point, and reminded me of making them at home. Our entrees were even more delectable. Even though the menu stated no sharing of meals, my girlfriend and I sampled each other's catfish, fried chicken, and sides. I did think the fried chicken breast was a little undersized, compared to the mountain range of two pieces of catfish my girlfriend received; but, it was all good. Literally.

Granted, it wasn't lost upon me that a cook (I presumed) served our meals, as the restaurant had picked up and kept our server busy. I noticed some other patrons were either waiting, snacking on appetizers, or eating. But I felt bad for the family of eight at what appeared to be the only round table in the Atlanta Room of Mary Mac's. They had waited for the longest time before being served. Nearly an hour. By the time my girlfriend and I received our peach cobbler—which I recommend one should only indulge in if they are comfortable in accepting the risk of eating such a decadent dessert—that family had received their food, nearly an hour after my girlfriend and I were seated and served dinner & dessert. The husband and wife were visibly upset with their service, but I suspected someone had made a decision on who was going to be served and when, over who arrived and were seated first. Naturally that family should have been served first, ahead of my girlfriend and I, and the anticipated delay for serving such a large group should have been communicated to us. I mean, we did order an appetizer. 🤷🏾‍♂️

Anyway, by the time we were done and paid for our dinner, Mary Mac's was packed. I couldn't say I was surprised by the wait and crowding of the restroom either, with cleaning up for a nice stroll to The Fox.

All-in-all, we enjoyed dinning at Mary Mac's. Part of the planning to dine out was setting a budget, and we went over what I anticipated was the average price range for two people ($40-60). For a moment, I thought we had paid more for less, but after a review of images of other reviews and experiences, I was mistaken in this regard. The price range I anticipated didn't account for the appetizer or three dollar teas—which our server never did return with a refill of mine. But given the business of the place, he seemed pretty cool under pressure in trying to tend to other patrons. Still, when looking at the photos and videos from others, what you see is what you get. Truly, and it's all deliciously good.

Mary Mac's offers a true experience of Southern dinning and cuisine.

I have no pictures to share...

A Timeless Taste of Southern Hospitality at Mary Mac's Tea Room

Nestled in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Mary Mac's Tea Room stands as a venerable institution, blending rich history with soul-warming Southern cuisine. Established in 1945, this iconic spot has long been a beacon for locals and visitors alike, drawing in celebrities and everyday diners with its authentic flavors and warm ambiance. On a bustling Tuesday evening during a major healthcare conference, my wife and I arrived at 6 p.m., expecting a lengthy wait. Instead, we were greeted with complimentary sweet tea—a refreshing prelude that set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. Our wait was a mere six minutes, a testament to the restaurant's efficient operations even amid high demand.

The atmosphere exudes charm, with walls adorned in signed photographs from notable figures who've graced its tables over the decades. As our host led us to our seat, the gallery of memorabilia whispered tales of Atlanta's cultural legacy, making the space feel like a living museum of Southern heritage.

Service was impeccable from start to finish. Our waiter, Kenny, embodied the friendly spirit that defines Mary Mac's. Attentive and knowledgeable, he guided us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. His recommendations proved spot-on, steering us toward dishes that highlighted the restaurant's commitment to classic comfort food.

We began with the fried green tomatoes as our appetizer—a crispy, tangy delight that captured the essence of Southern ingenuity. The exterior was perfectly golden and crunchy, giving way to a firm yet juicy interior, paired with a zesty remoulade that elevated each bite.

For entrées, we followed Kenny's advice and opted for the chicken fried chicken and the pot roast. The chicken fried chicken was a masterclass in texture and flavor: tender chicken enveloped in a seasoned, buttermilk-battered crust, fried to perfection and smothered in creamy gravy. The pot roast, slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, was rich with savory notes of herbs and onions, evoking the comforting embrace of a home-cooked meal.

Sides were equally impressive and generously portioned. The broccoli soufflé was light and fluffy, with a subtle cheesiness that balanced its vegetable-forward profile. The collard greens, simmered with just the right amount of smokiness and tang, were a standout—tender without being overcooked. Rounding out the selection was the baked sweet potato, simply prepared yet bursting with natural sweetness, enhanced by a pat of butter and brown sugar.

To complement the meal, we sipped on Georgia Peach Martinis, a refreshing cocktail infused with real Georgia peaches. The fresh fruit added a vibrant, juicy authenticity, making each sip a nod to the state's agricultural bounty.

Dessert brought the experience to a sweet crescendo with the peach cobbler. Warm, bubbly, and topped with a flaky crust, it featured ripe peaches in a spiced syrup that was neither cloying nor overly sweet—pure Southern indulgence.

Portions throughout were impressively large, leaving us unable to finish everything despite our best efforts. For those who appreciate leftovers, Mary Mac's is ideal; we gladly took home the remainders to savor later. Priced reasonably for the quality and quantity, the meal offered excellent value, especially in a city known for its diverse dining scene.

If you're seeking authentic Atlanta fare rooted in tradition, Mary Mac's Tea Room is an unmissable destination. Its blend of heartfelt service, historical allure, and flavorful dishes creates a dining experience that's as nourishing for the soul as it is for the palate. Whether you're a first-timer or a returning fan, this tea room delivers Southern hospitality...

Not What I Expected With All The Hype Maybe it was the busy holiday weekend and the place was booming; but I highly doubt I’d return to Mary Mac’s based on the taste of the food.

I want to begin by complimenting on the restaurant staff. Everyone we encountered, especially our waitress Lauren, were friendly, courteous, and certainly patient given the extremely busy Saturday evening. Unfortunately, there isn’t much I can speak highly of beyond that.

We were very excited to visit Mary Mac’s. This was my girlfriend’s first time visiting Atlanta and my first time going to the Tea Room. Prior to our visit, we asked our friends for recommendations and many immediately suggested Mary Mac’s. We don’t consider ourselves foodies; but we definitely enjoy Southern comfort food.

When we were seated, Lauren brought up a bread basket containing cornbread, yeast rolls, and cinnamon rolls. By far the best of the bunch are the cinnamon rolls. The cornbread was forgettable.

For appetizers, we ordered the Deviled Eggs and Hush Puppies. By far, this was the best part of our meal. If there’s anything we would recommend from the list, it would be these two items. Because they were delicious, we looked forward to our entrees.

Here’s where everything, honestly, went downhill. And again, maybe it’s because we were expecting a lot.

My girlfriend ordered the Chicken Fried Chicken with Whipped Potatoes and Broccoli Soufflé. The portions for everything were generous. The Whipped Potatoes were just that; whipped. They were bland and simply had no flavor. My girlfriend didn’t touch the Broccoli Soufflé at all after the first bite, the dish was very watery and had a distinct unfavorable taste. In fact, we noticed the table next to us returned a side that looked like her Broccoli Soufflé. The Chicken Fried Chicken’s only saving grace was its gravy. However, it wasn’t that great and only served as a sauce to the breaded chicken patty which had no flavor whatsoever.

I ordered the Four-piece Fried Chicken along with Mac and Cheese plus Collard Greens. The classic and popular Southern comfort food entree. Immediately I noticed something wrong when I saw the color of the fried chicken. It was light brown and didn’t appear seasoned enough. As I suspected, the fried chicken really had no flavor whatsoever. Yes it was cooked thoroughly and moist, but bland enough that I didn’t care for it at all and didn’t finish the meal. The Mac and Cheese seemed undercooked. It contained a layer of dried, melted cheese on top with the macaroni mixed with half baked cheese. The Collard Greens were cooked well, but just bland like everything else.

Finally, we got a slice of Peach Cobbler and Pecan Pie. The Pecan Pie was good, but had no pie crust under it. But in general, the pecans were warm and crunchy and better than the entree I had. The Peach Cobbler wasn’t as impressive. The crust was soggy with no crunch. On the bright side, the Cobbler slice contained enough peaches that were done just right. Nonetheless, it’s definitely not the best Cobbler we’ve had.

In general, between the wait time (1 hour), finding parking, and recommendations from others, perhaps our expectations were too high. But as I mentioned before, we’re not foodies and we appreciate Southern food. Sadly, this was a disappointment for me. And considering the time to find parking and wait for a table, we highly doubt we’ll return or recommend to any of...