Growing up, I used to think the meat was always the star of any cafeteria meal—until my grandmother took me to a Georgia meat-and-two and completely rewrote that rule.
She piled my plate high with collard greens, squash casserole, and mac and cheese so rich it could’ve doubled as dessert. One bite and I realized the fried chicken was just the supporting act; the real magic lived in those vibrant, lovingly cooked vegetables.
Georgia’s cafeterias have perfected the art of transforming humble ingredients into soulful comfort food that keeps locals and travelers alike coming back for seconds, thirds, and maybe a takeout box for the road.
1. Mary Mac’s Tea Room — Atlanta
Walking into Mary Mac’s feels like stepping into your grandmother’s dining room, except this grandmother serves about a thousand people daily and never runs out of pot likker. The vegetable plate here is legendary, letting you pick four sides from a lineup that reads like a Southern garden’s greatest hits…