The Flying Biscuit Cafe — Restaurant in Atlanta

I recently had the chance to visit The Flying Biscuit Cafe in Midtown Atlanta, a spot that's been on my and my out-of-town friend's to-visit list for a while. The anticipation was high, especially with the rave reviews about their breakfast menu. My brother and I went for the eggs, biscuits, and gravy, accompanied by grits and a side of bacon. My friend opted for the Georgia peach waffle, also with a side of bacon.

Starting with the positives, the service was efficient and courteous, embodying the quick and direct approach that gets you in and out without much delay. It's worth noting, though, that the cafe has a strict full-party presence policy before seating, which we saw enforced rather strictly.

As for the food, the grits were surprisingly the highlight of the meal for me - and I'm not usually a fan. They were creamy and well-seasoned, a pleasant surprise amidst an otherwise underwhelming experience. The eggs and biscuits were standard fare, nothing to write home about but satisfactory. However, the chicken sausage gravy left much to be desired. It was bland, lacking in both depth and the expected savory punch of salt.

My friend's Georgia peach waffle, while aesthetically pleasing with its generous peach topping and drizzle of syrup and cream, fell short on texture. The waffle itself was dry on the inside, which was a disappointment given the promising appearance.

A side note for future visitors: the cafe doesn't offer much flexibility in terms of menu substitutions or customizations, so be prepared to choose directly from the menu.

Despite the bustling lines and the local hole-in-the-wall atmosphere that usually signifies a gem, the food didn't quite live up to our expectations. While the experience wasn't all negative, thanks to the service and a couple of satisfactory dishes, the lackluster flavors in what should have been the meal's highlights make me hesitant to return. For those drawn in by the cafe's popularity, I'd recommend tempering expectations, especially if you're a fan of rich, flavorful...

The diner was already bustling by the time I arrived relatively early in the morning, but I was luckily able to snag a spot at the counter. It made for some great people-watching as individual and small groups of diners cycled through. The staff were clearly busy with in-person and to-go orders, but it didn't take too long for them to get to me.

I was quite excited to order the GA Peaches & Cream Waffle Breakfast, as it would give me a taste of the waffles as well as the famed Georgia peach in a traditional Southern breakfast. The waffle was certainly the highlight of the meal - crisp and topped with juicy peach slices, a swirl of cream, and powdered sugar. The assorted sides included grits, which were neutral and didn't blow my mind, potatoes, fried egg, a biscuit that was on the hard side, and cranberry sauce.

Quite honestly, it was a ton of food - each plate was delivered one at a time, and they just kept on coming. If I were at home, I definitely would've taken portions home, but a waffle topped with cream seemed like it would quickly get soggy.

The breakfast usually comes with 2 sausage patties, so I asked to sub those for the vegan patties (in which case I'd expect a small upcharge) or forgo the sausage patties entirely. They didn't have any of the vegan versions available but offered to sub with moon dusted potatoes instead, which I happily agreed to. The signature chicken sage sausage patties and the moon dusted potatoes are listed at the same price, so I expected it to be a free substitution (or to be notified that it'd be an upcharge), but much to my surprise, I was charged the full price for the breakfast as well as an order of the moon dusted potatoes on the side when the bill came. The lack of communication from the staff taking the order is the only reason why I'm rating this 4 stars...

I have been a loyal customer of Flying Biscuit Midtown since 2016, but my most recent visit left me completely disappointed. From the moment I walked in, the restaurant had an unpleasant smell, which was immediately off-putting. I’ve always enjoyed my time here, so I wasn’t expecting such a decline in the atmosphere and quality.

Now, let’s talk about the coffee. Anyone who knows me knows that my coffee is non-negotiable, and what I was served this time was far from drinkable—it tasted like dirt water. I was so confused that I even asked my mom to taste it, and she confirmed it tasted horrible. When I informed our waitress, she seemed puzzled and then offered to brew a new pot. Why would I want coffee that had been sitting there all day? Also, when I mentioned that I couldn’t have soy, she didn’t offer many alternatives, leaving me with no real options.

The food was no better. When our plates arrived, the grits were cold, watery, and completely flavorless. The biscuits, which are usually fluffy and delicious, were hard and lacked their signature texture. We shared our disappointment when asked how everything was, and our waitress informed the manager. Instead of a thoughtful or helpful response, the manager approached us abruptly, asking, “What happened with the food? What was wrong?” After explaining the issues, he said we should let him know next time, and he’d get us new grits like he did with the coffee. Why should I wait until next time? Why wouldn’t my concerns be addressed immediately?

This experience was a huge letdown, and it’s clear that something has changed at this location. From the food to the service, everything felt off, and I can no longer recommend this particular Flying Biscuit. What used to be a go-to spot is now a place I’m hesitant...