Mary Mac's Tea Room

The Scene
Long the standard for the sweet tea, meat-and-three crowd, this half-century-old tea room has played host for generations. Lately, the celebrity photos have begun to yellow, and the dining room is a little frayed around the edges. But it's still good for Ponce character sightings and a cheap, hearty meal.

The Food
The Pot Likker was once known citywide and the fried chicken merited a special trip. Add the full bar, an offbeat West Ponce location, Krispy Kreme nearby as a dessert option, and a local legend was born. Nowadays, food is a bit more hit-or-miss. Collards are bland, but homemade mac and cheese and whipped potatoes are still a comfort-food crowd pleaser. While the meat loaf lacks zest, the fried chicken and the pork chops still manage to hold their own. Consider the breakfast menu, with its biscuits and country ham, and this Atlanta legend is worthy of another try.