Columbus knows good cooking. Turkey wings that fall off the bone, oxtails in deep brown gravy, collards cooked low and slow, and a square of cornbread on the side. You don’t need a white tablecloth to find it, just the right address.
Here are eight local spots worth the drive, from Whittlesey to Buena Vista Road. Most are small, family-run kitchens that cook in batches, so go early: favorites sell out, and many close by mid-afternoon or early evening.
1. Lily’s
📍 6597 Whittlesey Blvd. · 706-221-2125 🕚 Sunday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Saturday.
Lily’s got its start in Lumpkin before bringing its cooking to north Columbus. The menu reads like Sunday dinner: turkey wings, baked or fried chicken, oxtails, whole catfish and a mac and cheese regulars rave about. It’s one of the few spots on this list open on Sunday, which makes it an after-church favorite. (Google rating: 4.5 stars)
2. Netta’s Southern Flava
đź“Ť 2401 Whittlesey Road · 706-221-2464 đź•š Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday…