The Busy Bee has been a cultural and historic soul food restaurant serving the Atlanta, Georgia community since 1947. It is one of the most popular spots to grab a well-seasoned plate of hot, Southern-style food, including some of the best crispy fried chicken one has ever tasted. Arguably one of the best food institutions in Atlanta, this cultural hotspot offers up ribs, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, black-eyed peas, okra, fried fish, baked beans, and so many of the wonderful foods that many, especially Southerners, were used to being served at their grandmother’s dining room table.
The Busy Bee Is One of the Best Restaurants in Georgia, and It’s Barely Changed
The restaurant was opened in the late 1940s by self-taught cook Lucy Jackson, and the business has always been about community and upholding tradition. In the 1980s, Milton Gates purchased the restaurant, and his daughter, Tracey Gates, helped keep its legacy alive. Today, the restaurant is still run by “Guardian of Soul Food” Gates, who is still giving each customer the “Best of Southern hospitality” 40 years later. And, at The Busy Bee, it’s never really been about the frills and the fluff. It’s always been about the food, and the love and care that goes into preparing it. The vibe has always had a southern, old-school feel, and arguably, has some of the best comfort food in Georgia. Wood floors, a comfy countertop, and it even used to have ceiling fans back in the day. In more recent years, my family placed our orders by the window and waited in the parking lot to receive our food. And, despite the wait for the food, it has always been well worth it.
Why the Fried Chicken at The Busy Bee Tastes Homemade
One of the things that I love most about being a Southern woman is that, having grown up in the South, getting home-cooked meals at home, a relative’s, or a friend’s house was the norm. And, when you get a meal at The Busy Bee, just know that you are getting food cooked “from scratch”, which means it’s definitely not being cooked from a box. This restaurant epitomizes “soul food,” and their fried chicken is some of the best comfort food that I have ever had. (And, if you need a suggestion, start with their fried chicken and waffles).
To be succinct, the fried chicken at The Busy Bee is moist, crispy, savory and juicy all at the same time! The chicken is melt-in-your-mouth good (and so are their barbecue ribs!). I always partner my fried chicken with potato salad, candied yams, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread. While most folks who cook just like our grandmothers (and sisters, and cousins, and aunties too!) will never tell the public the secrets to their family recipes, I can say the food from The Busy Bee is made fresh daily. The food is seasoned so well, you can smell the aroma of collard greens and sweetness from outside the restaurant. And, yes, the food tastes like it’s homemade, because it is!
What Else to Order at The Busy Bee
The Busy Bee doesn’t just serve fried chicken; there’s seafood, and even homemade desserts like sweet potato pie, banana pudding, and peach cobbler. Pie slices range from $10 to $12, and you can even get a whole sweet potato pie for $18. The portion sizes at The Busy bee are generous, and a mom and a kid can definitely eat off of one meal, indeed. They offer different specials throughout the week, and the menu rotates from time to time. So, be sure to visit their website before heading over. I will say that The Busy Bee stays busy, and almost every time I’ve visited, there’s a line. But if you’re hungry for the real deal when it comes to traditional Southern food, prepare for your expectations to be exceeded. And, for the record, their lemonade definitely tastes like your grandmother’s, or better!
What It’s Like to Eat at The Busy Bee
Grabbing a plate from The Busy Bee is definitely a cultural experience. Located near several HBCUs, it’s always fun seeing the college students in their fashionable attire, the neighborhood families chatting with folks as they walk by, and members of the community relaxing outside while enjoying their food. Currently, The Busy Bee is take-out only! But that doesn’t stop the locals and visitors from out of state from eating right there in the parking lot. It’s actually a lot of fun listening to music with the windows rolled down, while chatting with the person in the car parked beside you. While it is busy during the week, the atmosphere is even more popular on the weekends.
What to Know Before You Go
The Busy Bee is open daily from 11am-7pm, and there’s also an option to order online in advance. Located in West Atlanta at 810 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW Atlanta, Georgia 30314, this beloved soul food spot is near Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University. When you get to The Busy Bee, you’ll notice that the parking is limited, but there’s street parking near the restaurant. And the restaurant accepts both cash and credit cards. Be on the lookout for new locations in Atlantic Station and Centennial Yards in 2027.
Whether you’re an out-of-towner looking for some of the best places to visit in Georgia, or a local looking for a good, old-fashioned meal, The Busy Bee is definitely one of the best home-cooking restaurants in Georgia, serving up fried chicken (and everything else) just like your grandmother used to…