Mary Mac's

The sign outside says "Mary Mac's Tea Room" but locals don't really consider it a 'tea room' - unless you take into consideration that they have the best sweet ice tea in all of Atlanta. They also serve the best southern cookin' in town.

Mary Mac's opened in 1945. The original owner, Mary McKenzie, decided to open it and use her excellent southern cooking skills to earn money. Back during WWII, women just didn't open their own restaurants so she used a more genteel name and that is where the "Tea Room" part came from.

This is a hot spot for tourist and locals alike. If you ask most locals where to get the best southern cooking in town - this is where you will be told to go. I recommend the Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and of course you have to start out with Pot Likker and Cracklin' Bread. Also, if you go here, you must order the table wine of the south - a big glass of sweet ice tea. So good - it will make you slap your grandma.