The Beautiful Restaurant — Restaurant in Atlanta

The more things change, the more they stay the same. This can be said for The Beautiful Restaurant located in southwest Atlanta. When I attended Morehouse College in the mid 80s, there were many days and nights when I tired of the consumption of books and feigned for the consumption food.  Enter the Beautiful. Nothing has changed here really-- burgundy vinyl seats, wood wooden walls rising up to the class that allows the envious passerbys to see you dining on the best soul food in Atlanta. The only major transformation at this landmark eatery that I can see has changed is the uniforms. Today, the uniforms seem a bit less reserved and I am sure this is in keeping with the more modern times, welcoming tourists and embracing that dirty G word that has popped up in the city--gentrification. Do you remember the candy striped jackets,aprons and scarves? Yes, those uniforms have disappeared, (an example of this early 80s kitsch is prominently framed and displayed in a frame on the wall. Luzianne tea is served here and boy is it sweet. This might be the sweetest tea in all of the south. The steamed serving windows and the tell tale long lines let you know how scrumptious and and iconic the meal and experience at this Atlanta institution will be. You are going to get a real southern breakfast here, no doubt. And you will get it with the best hospitality and table service in all of the ATL.  When you enter you will stand in a loong line. Did I say the line was long? Well it should be. I'd have a problem if they were short. But as you wait in the long line, you will have time to scan the walls and take in the history. There are framed uniforms, framed articles about this places humble beginnings, and loving chiding signs imploring the young thugs and thugettes to pull your damn pants up or find somewhere else to eat But yes, thugs and thugettes are welcome as long as their dirty drawers are not exposed or under their low slung baggy pants. So now as I am soaking up the history on the walls I am thinking about soaking up my pancakes in the puddle of leftover syrup on my plate. This line moves rather quickly but there's no need to rush. Take your time and share a conversation with a stranger. Say hello to one of the busy table attendants buzzing by, refilling glasses with syrupy sweet tea or coffee. Oh, by the way, they serve water too! So my breakfast consisted of two large buttermilk pancakes, a hot link, eggs scrambled hard and a styrofoam cup of sweet tea. You order from the front, pay then wait for your food. You need a picture ID to use a new credit card because you know black folks are always tryin to scam and get a free chicken wing. I just love the crowd here. Church folk, laborers, college students, locals, tourists. All sitting together eating the best soul breakfast in the city. My pancakes were so fluffy and divine, If it weren't for a certain spot in Washington, DC (I see you FAG with your secret pancake recipe!!) I would say these were the best flapjacks I have ever had. The eggs were scrambled hard the way I like, the red link had a nice bite and was spicy with a tolerable kick. My iced tea was filled promptly in an effort to expedite my diabetic coma. The breakfast is served from 7AM to 11 AM and when I was leaving they had already switched over to the lunch line. The incredible staff was very prompt and efficient. Goodbye pork sausage, cheesy eggs, salmon patties, fish whiting and pancakes, hello beef oxtails, meatloaf, beef ribs, shrimp scampi and green beans. The super kind lady attending to me was super sweet and they all attended tables and pampered the guests with a smale. Be sure to tip accordingly. You cannot say you are a foodie without having visited this legendary establishment. It defines the city’s past and bridges it with the future. So come on over to the southside and experience the...

'Disappointed' is my response to " The Beautiful" Restaurant. When you patronize your neighborhood businesses you expect at bare minimum consistency and consideration. Well, yesterday I went to satisfy my tastebuds but the only consistency I received was an upset stomach for about an hour.

So I went in the restaurant on a Tuesday around 6:00pm. Now, there were some people in the restaurant but not at all a rush hour period of time. The young man who took my order was very friendly and asked me if I wanted a drink or any meats, but I informed him that i wanted the vegetable plate. So, then I asked him what vegetables were available and he pointed to the second half of the serving area. When I looked I noticed that there were only a few vegetables...mushy looking collard greens, corn, black eyed peas and carrots and green peas. Then there was an older gentleman serving in the section and I asked him also what vegetables were available ( thinking maybe they had some extra food in the back )and he in a slick semi- sarcastic way said basically that 'whatever I see ' is what they have. I overlooked it and laughed it off and chose 'what I saw.' So...my choices were slim. I ended up getting the carrots and peas, corn, and black eyed peas. Now, the interesting thing is that the size of plates that were used were equivalent to a kiddie plate at 'This is It' or Picadilly so that was a little alarming. Even more so the portions were so tiny I thought to myself..." are you kidding me." Yet, I continued with the transaction. The older woman who rang up my order was very kind and asked if I wanted a drink and I told her a sweet tea. Finally, the total:$7:35. Now this was not super expensive, but given the portion size, lack of selection, and the fact that it was only vegetables I was hoping for a 6ish range. Nevertheless...I continued..made the purchase and left the restaurant.

Now, this is what everyone has been waiting for: why the 2 stars????? Well,the food was worthy of a garbage can...an insult....ridiculous. Firstly, the black eyed peas were watery, lacked flavor were a little too hard ( could have sat or cooked longer) and lacked that thickness or gravy that black eyed peas should have. The carrots and peas were okay...but tasted like a 5 minute stove job. But, the corn!!!! Oh that wretched corn!!! That corn tasted like it was straight from the can! I mean how long does it take to shuck fresh corn...season it....put it on the stove? 30 minutes to an hour or so. Why would you charge me $7.35 for canned goods? Why? I know the vegetables were not fresh...fresh corn is not a perfect kernel...there are imperfections...a few different colors and sizes...that is the beauty in fresh food. I was just highly disappointed..and to top it off I had an upset stomach shortly after I consumed that plate of horrid mess. I gave 1 star for the sweet tea..because it was good..and the other star I gave because I know the potential of The Beautiful Restaurant and how I have received good food from them about a year ago. But, please do not insult the public again by serving sub-par meals. If you know the food isn't good ...charge a third of the price at...

I haven't been to this restaurant for over 10 years and was excited to come today because it used to be one of my favorite places to eat after church in the past. The food was not terrible, but I expected more. Although the staff, that was serving the food, was nice, I didn't particularly like how I was serviced when I dined in. The waitress asked ONCE if everything was ok with me and the person who I was sitting with. She did not check in with us at all during our meal after that. She was walking back and forth sweeping and cleaning tables, as well as filling up the pitchers and placing them at the employee station. I understand how sometimes things can get busy, but we were the only people sitting at the table along with just another table of people. We had been there for over 30 minutes and both of our glasses were empty. Not once did she ask to refill our glasses. She just kept walking by and cleaning. After waiting for the waitress to check in with us after some time, I grew tired and just asked for a refill on my drink myself. She provided the refill, only because I asked. I was taken back because this was an older lady and I dont understand why she felt like she shouldn't check in with us. The only thing that she did was place condiments on the table with napkins in the beginning and refilled my glass after I asked her. She did not service us really. Nevertheless, I'm not one for drama or for disrespecting my elders. I wholeheartedly came in with the spirit to support a Black owned business. I still provided a tip, but I felt as if I was given poor service. I did not enjoy my food, but had I been serviced correctly, I would have considered coming another day to try a different dinner entree. Due to the poor service, I felt as if my business was not really appreciated. It's going to be hard for me...