Unearth The Voyage
Georgia knows fried chicken. From Atlanta to Savannah, crispy golden birds fill plates across the state, but something magical happens when you look beyond the main attraction.
The real stars might just be sitting next to that chicken, creamy mac and cheese, slow-cooked collard greens, candied yams that taste like dessert, and cornbread so good it deserves its own spotlight. These 15 spots prove that sometimes the supporting cast steals the show.
1. Busy Bee Cafe – Atlanta
Walking into Busy Bee Cafe feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen, except the portions are bigger and the side dish options seem endless. Sure, the soul-food fried chicken gets plenty of love, but regulars know the real magic happens when you start checking boxes on that side menu.
Mac and cheese here isn’t just pasta with cheese sauce—it’s a creamy, perfectly baked masterpiece with crispy edges that crunch when your fork breaks through. The collard greens simmer low and slow until they’re tender and packed with flavor, while candied yams arrive sweet enough to pass as dessert but savory enough to belong on your dinner plate.
Fried okra comes out golden and crispy, never slimy, which converts even the skeptics.
What makes Busy Bee special is how the sides work together like a well-rehearsed choir. Each dish complements the others without competing for attention.
You might come planning to focus on the chicken, but halfway through your meal, you’ll realize you’re using that chicken as a vehicle to scoop up more mac and cheese. Regulars often order extra sides to take home, and some folks skip the chicken entirely, building their entire meal around the vegetable and starch lineup.
That’s when you know the sides have truly become the main event.
2. Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta
After a major renovation, Mary Mac’s Tea Room reopened its doors, and Atlantans breathed a collective sigh of relief. This institution has been feeding the city since 1945, and while the building got a facelift, the side dishes stayed wonderfully, deliciously the same.
People don’t just visit Mary Mac’s—they make pilgrimages specifically for the collard greens, which have a devoted following that borders on cult status. The dressing and gravy combo tastes like Thanksgiving dinner arrived early, with savory flavors that make you want to soak up every drop with a biscuit.
Mac and cheese comes baked to golden perfection, and the sweet potato soufflé walks the line between side dish and dessert so skillfully you’ll want it for both courses.
What sets Mary Mac’s apart is consistency spanning generations. Grandparents bring grandchildren here, pointing to the same sides they ordered decades ago, and those dishes taste exactly as remembered.
The servers know the menu inside out and will happily guide you through building the perfect plate. Many diners order the fried chicken almost as an afterthought, treating it like the required ticket that grants access to the real show: that legendary lineup of Southern sides that have kept this place packed for nearly 80 years.
3. Paschal’s Restaurant & Bar – Atlanta
Paschal’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a piece of Atlanta history where civil rights leaders once gathered over plates of soul food. The famous fried chicken still draws crowds, but one look at their Southern sides list tells you where the kitchen really shows off.
Southern mac and cheese here is the kind that makes you pause mid-conversation to appreciate what’s happening in your mouth. Candied yams arrive glazed and tender, striking that perfect balance between sweet and savory that makes you reach for seconds before finishing your firsts.
Collard greens simmer with just the right amount of seasoning, black-eyed peas bring earthy comfort, and potato salad shows up creamy and perfectly seasoned with a hint of mustard.
The genius of Paschal’s side lineup is variety without overwhelming choice. Each option represents Southern cooking at its finest, prepared with recipes refined over decades.
Regular customers develop their signature combinations, debating whether to pair the yams with greens or go heavy on the mac and cheese. First-timers often order too much, underestimating how filling these sides can be, then happily take home leftovers that taste even better the next day.
The chicken might be what brings people through the door, but those Southern sides are what turn first-time visitors into lifelong regulars who plan their Atlanta trips around meal times.
4. The Colonnade – Atlanta
Since 1927, The Colonnade has been serving up what they proudly call Southern Fried Chicken—What We’re Famous For. But spend five minutes reading their menu, and you’ll realize this place is really a side dish paradise that happens to serve excellent chicken on the side.
The menu reads like a greatest hits album of Southern cooking. Macaroni and cheese arrives bubbling and golden-topped, collards come perfectly seasoned, and sweet potato soufflé is so good it could moonlight as dessert.
Dressing with giblet gravy tastes like someone bottled the essence of Sunday dinner, while fried okra proves that vegetables can be indulgent. Turnip greens add variety for those who want options beyond collards, and every single item gets the same careful attention.
What makes The Colonnade special is how seriously they take every component of the meal. Nothing feels like an afterthought or a throwaway option to fill space on the plate.
Regulars know to pace themselves, resisting the urge to fill up on sides before the main course arrives, though many admit to failing at that goal regularly. The restaurant’s longevity speaks volumes—nearly a century of operation means they’ve perfected these recipes through countless iterations.
You could easily visit weekly, order different side combinations each time, and never get bored. The chicken might get top billing, but the sides run the show.
5. Home grown GA – Atlanta
Home grown GA built its reputation on chicken, and rightfully so—the bird here is exceptional. But quietly, almost secretly, the sides have been winning hearts and building their own fan base among those who pay attention to what’s surrounding that golden chicken.
Collard greens here taste like someone’s beloved family recipe, cooked low and slow until tender. The jalapeño cole slaw brings unexpected heat and crunch, waking up your palate between bites of richer dishes.
Mashed potatoes arrive creamy and smooth, swimming in gravy that you’ll want to bottle and take home. Cornbread comes out warm and slightly sweet, perfect for soaking up every last bit of flavor on your plate.
Mashed roasted sweet potatoes offer a healthier-feeling option that still tastes indulgent.
What sets Home grown apart is how the sides complement rather than compete. Everything works together like a well-planned dinner party where each guest brings something unique to the conversation.
Smart diners build their plates strategically, making sure to get a bit of everything rather than loading up on one or two favorites. The portions are generous without being overwhelming, and the quality stays consistent across the board.
People often discover their new favorite side dish here, something they’d overlooked at other restaurants but prepared so well at Home grown that it becomes a must-order item. The chicken might be famous, but these sides are quietly elite.
6. Eugene’s Hot Chicken – Atlanta
Hot chicken gets all the Instagram attention at Eugene’s, with people documenting their attempts at the spicier heat levels. But experienced diners know the real power move is mastering the side menu, where cooling, flavorful options provide both relief and their own reasons to celebrate.
Kickin’ Collard Greens live up to their name with a spicy twist on the traditional preparation. Cornbread arrives slightly sweet and perfectly crumbly, ideal for taming the heat from your chicken.
Fried Pickled Okra brings tangy crunch that cuts through rich flavors, while Baked Potato Salad offers creamy comfort. Creamy Mac and Cheese works overtime to soothe taste buds scorched by hot chicken, and Southern Slaw provides cool, crisp relief.
The genius of Eugene’s sides is how they’re designed to work with spicy chicken, not against it. Each option either complements the heat or provides strategic breaks between bites.
Regulars develop their own systems, rotating between hot chicken and cooling sides in carefully calculated patterns. First-timers often underestimate how much they’ll need those sides, ordering too little and regretting it halfway through their meal.
The sides also shine on their own—plenty of people order them without any chicken at all, building entire meals around the side menu. Whether you’re seeking heat relief or just excellent Southern sides, Eugene’s delivers on both fronts with equal skill and creativity.
7. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Atlanta locations) – Atlanta
Hattie B’s arrived in Atlanta with a reputation built on Nashville hot chicken, and the spicy bird certainly lives up to the hype. But ask any regular what keeps them coming back, and they’ll probably start listing sides before they even mention the chicken.
Pimento mac and cheese takes two Southern classics and combines them into something greater than the sum of its parts—creamy, cheesy, with little pockets of tangy pimento that surprise your taste buds. Baked beans arrive sweet and savory with bits of bacon throughout, while bacon cheddar grits bring breakfast vibes to your lunch or dinner plate.
Southern greens are cooked just right, never mushy, and red-skin potato salad offers a fresher take on the traditional version. Black-eyed pea salad provides a lighter option that’s still packed with flavor.
What makes Hattie B’s sides special is how they’ve been refined to work specifically with hot chicken. Each one either complements the heat or provides cooling contrast, creating a balanced meal that’s more than just a vehicle for spice.
The portions are generous, so ordering multiple sides for the table to share makes sense. Many people develop their signature combinations, swearing by specific pairings that enhance their hot chicken experience.
The hot chicken gets the hype and draws the crowds, but those carefully crafted sides are what transform first-time visitors into loyal regulars who plan return trips before they’ve even finished their first meal.
8. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Atlanta (Downtown)
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken earned its name through decades of perfecting crispy, juicy fried chicken. But the Memphis-born chain knows that great chicken needs equally great accompaniments, which is why their plates come built with favorites and offer plenty of add-on options.
Every plate automatically includes baked beans and slaw, which tells you something about how seriously Gus’s takes their sides—they’re not optional extras but essential parts of the experience. The baked beans arrive slightly sweet with a hint of smokiness, while the slaw provides cool, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of fried chicken.
Then you can add fried okra that’s crispy outside and tender inside, greens cooked Southern-style, mac and cheese that’s creamy and comforting, or potato salad with just the right amount of mustard tang.
The beauty of Gus’s approach is simplicity done exceptionally well. They don’t overwhelm you with dozens of choices—instead, they offer a focused menu where every item has been perfected.
Regulars have their go-to additions, often fried okra or greens, while newcomers appreciate not having to make complicated decisions. The included sides mean you’re guaranteed a complete meal, and the add-ons let you customize without going overboard.
It’s a system that works beautifully, ensuring that whether you’re a first-timer or a devoted regular, your plate comes balanced and satisfying every single time.
9. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – Savannah
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room operates on a simple but brilliant concept: family-style dining where everyone sits together at big tables and passes dishes around like an actual family dinner. Fried chicken anchors the meal, but the table quickly transforms into a side-dish parade that never seems to end.
Macaroni and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, rice with gravy, potato salad, okra and tomatoes—the list goes on, and availability varies based on what’s fresh and what the kitchen prepared that day. This isn’t a restaurant where you order from a menu; instead, you show up, take your seat, and start passing bowls and platters around the table.
Everything arrives hot, fresh, and made from scratch using recipes that have fed Savannah residents and visitors for generations.
The magic of Mrs. Wilkes is the abundance and variety. You don’t have to choose between sides because they all show up at once, and you can take as much or as little of each as you want.
First-timers often freeze up, overwhelmed by the number of dishes circulating the table, while regulars know to take small portions of everything for the first round, then go back for seconds of their favorites. The family-style format also creates unexpected connections—strangers start conversations over passing the greens or debating which side deserves the most plate space.
You come for the famous fried chicken, but you leave talking about that incredible spread of sides.
10. Geneva’s Famous Chicken & Cornbread Co. – Savannah
Right there in the name, Geneva’s tells you that cornbread isn’t just a side—it’s co-star billing alongside the chicken. If you believe cornbread deserves its own food group, this Savannah spot will feel like home.
Multiple cornbread options mean you can explore different styles and flavors, from traditional to creative variations. But cornbread is just the beginning of the side lineup.
Mac and cheese arrives creamy and satisfying, chicken gumbo brings Louisiana flavors to your Georgia meal, and baked squash offers a vegetable option that doesn’t taste like an obligation. Broccoli apple slaw provides unexpected freshness with a hint of sweetness, mixed greens are cooked Southern-style, and New Orleans rice adds a Creole twist to the menu.
What makes Geneva’s special is how they blend traditional Southern sides with influences from neighboring states. The New Orleans rice and chicken gumbo show Louisiana love, while the cornbread focus stays firmly Georgia.
This mix creates a menu that feels both familiar and adventurous, giving regulars plenty of variety without straying too far from comfort food roots. The sides work beautifully together or stand alone, and the portions ensure you’ll get your money’s worth.
Many people come specifically for the cornbread, then discover the other sides and realize they’ve been missing out. The chicken might be famous, but that cornbread company it keeps is what makes this place truly memorable.
11. Sisters of the New South – Savannah
Sisters of the New South designs their fried chicken plates with side lovers in mind. One glance at the menu makes it clear that the kitchen understands how important those supporting dishes are to creating a complete, satisfying Southern meal.
Collard greens arrive properly seasoned and tender, yams come candied to perfection, and red rice brings a Lowcountry specialty to your plate with its distinctive reddish color from tomatoes and seasonings. Mashed potatoes offer creamy comfort, green beans are cooked Southern-style with plenty of flavor, and cabbage provides a lighter vegetable option that still tastes indulgent.
The menu rotates based on availability, but you can count on finding a solid lineup of classic sides no matter when you visit.
The beauty of Sisters of the New South is consistency and quality across the board. Nothing feels like filler or an afterthought—each side gets the same careful preparation and attention to flavor.
Regulars develop their favorite combinations, while newcomers appreciate having classic options that deliver exactly what they expect from Southern sides. The portions are generous without being overwhelming, making it possible to try multiple sides without feeling stuffed.
Many diners specifically request extra sides to take home, planning tomorrow’s lunch while finishing today’s dinner. The fried chicken might be the main event on paper, but these thoughtfully prepared sides prove that sometimes the supporting cast deserves equal applause and appreciation.
12. Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods – Athens
Weaver D’s became famous when R.E.M. borrowed the restaurant’s slogan—Automatic for the People—for an album title. But Athens locals know this spot for something even better: seriously good Southern comfort food where the sides shine just as bright as the chicken.
Collard greens here are cooked the traditional way, low and slow until tender and flavorful. Skillet cornbread arrives with crispy edges and a slightly sweet center that’s perfect for soaking up pot liquor or gravy.
Okra fritters offer a different take on the traditional fried okra, and poke salad greens—a traditional Southern green that’s harder to find these days—appear for adventurous eaters. Multiple chicken options include chicken-fried chicken, which sounds redundant but tastes amazing.
Weaver D’s represents classic Athens character: unpretentious, authentic, and deeply rooted in community. The restaurant doesn’t try to be fancy or trendy—it just focuses on doing Southern comfort food right, which means paying attention to those sides that round out every plate.
Students discover it during their college years and keep coming back long after graduation, bringing their own families to experience the same flavors they remember. The menu might seem simple compared to restaurants with dozens of options, but everything offered has been refined through years of repetition.
Sometimes the best food comes from places that know exactly what they do well and stick to it without apology or unnecessary complications.
13. Matthews Cafeteria – Tucker
Matthews Cafeteria operates as a true meat-and-three, which means choosing one meat and three sides from a rotating daily selection. For side dish enthusiasts, this format is basically paradise—you’re not just allowed to focus on sides, you’re required to choose three of them.
Their weekly boards pair fried chicken with an ever-changing lineup that regularly includes cornbread dressing, squash casserole, macaroni and cheese, fried okra, sweet potato soufflé, and turnip greens. The rotation means you could visit multiple times in one week and find different options each day, though the classics appear frequently enough that regulars can usually count on their favorites being available.
The cafeteria format works beautifully for side lovers. You move down the line, see exactly what’s available that day, and make your choices based on what looks best rather than imagining dishes from menu descriptions.
Everything sits in steam tables, staying hot and ready, and the staff will happily give you extra large portions of sides if you ask nicely. Many people skip the meat entirely, choosing four or five sides instead and creating vegetable plates that still feel indulgent and satisfying.
The meat-and-three tradition is deeply Southern, and Matthews keeps it alive with quality food and reasonable prices. You might plan to get chicken and three sides, but you’ll probably end up debating which three sides to choose for way longer than seems reasonable.
That’s when you know the sides have won.
14. The Dillard House – Dillard
Up in North Georgia, The Dillard House has been serving family-style meals since 1917. Their supper menu lists fried chicken alongside a parade of sides that transform dinner into an event worth planning your mountain trip around.
Green beans, corn-on-the-cob, sweet potato soufflé, cabbage casserole, fried okra, spinach soufflé—the list goes on, and everything arrives at your table in serving bowls for passing around family-style. Unlike ordering individual plates, this format means you get to try everything without committing to large portions of any single item.
And just when you think the meal is complete, dessert arrives, often banana pudding that’s worth the trip by itself.
The Dillard House experience is about more than just food—it’s about tradition, hospitality, and the kind of abundant meal that makes you understand why Southerners take eating so seriously. Families gather here for reunions, couples come for anniversary dinners, and tourists discover it while exploring the North Georgia mountains.
The family-style service creates a sense of occasion that regular restaurant dining can’t match. You’ll eat too much, feel happily stuffed, and probably still take leftovers home.
The fried chicken might be listed first on the menu, but by the time you’ve passed around all those side dishes and sampled everything on the table, you’ll realize the chicken was just your ticket to the real show: a full North Georgia feast that celebrates Southern cooking at its most generous and welcoming.
15. Big Chic Fried Chicken – Multiple Georgia locations (example: Manchester / Griffin)
Since 1971, Big Chic has been serving Georgia communities with straightforward, no-nonsense fried chicken and sides that deliver exactly what you want from a regional chain: consistency, quality, and comfort.
Mac and cheese arrives creamy and satisfying, slaw provides cool crunch, green beans are cooked Southern-style, and mashed potatoes come ready for gravy. Potato salad hits all the right notes with just enough tang, okra arrives fried and crispy, and fries offer a more casual option for those who want something simple alongside their chicken.
Nothing on the menu tries to reinvent Southern cooking—instead, Big Chic focuses on doing the classics right, which is exactly what keeps people coming back for over 50 years.
Regional chains often get overlooked in favor of either national brands or unique local spots, but Big Chic proves that middle ground can be the sweet spot. The food tastes consistent across locations, so you know what to expect whether you’re in Manchester, Griffin, or another Georgia town.
Prices stay reasonable, portions are generous, and the sides are the kind of reliable comfort food that hits the spot when you’re craving something familiar. Locals treat Big Chic like their regular spot, stopping by weekly for chicken and their favorite sides.
The restaurant has watched communities grow and change over decades while staying true to the simple mission: serving good fried chicken with straight-up comfort classic sides that never disappoint.
