Homegrown Atlanta Restaurant: A Local Guide to One of the City’s Coziest Breakfast Spots

Step inside a small, unassuming building on Memorial Drive in Atlanta, and you’ll find one of the city’s most beloved breakfast and brunch spots: Home grown GA, often referred to simply as Homegrown Atlanta. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, Southern comfort food, and community-focused feel, this restaurant has become a regular stop for locals and a must-visit for curious travelers.

This guide walks through what makes Homegrown Atlanta stand out, what to expect when you visit, and how it fits into the broader Atlanta food scene.

What Is Homegrown Atlanta Restaurant?

Homegrown Atlanta is a casual neighborhood restaurant focused on Southern-style breakfast and lunch with a homey, no-frills atmosphere. It’s often described as:

• A diner-style eatery with a local twist
• A place where farm-inspired and comfort foods share the same menu
• A spot that feels more like a community hangout than a formal restaurant

The restaurant’s approach combines simple ingredients, familiar Southern recipes, and a laid-back environment, which appeals to people looking for both nostalgia and authenticity in their meals.

Atmosphere and Experience

A Laid-Back, Neighborhood Feel

Homegrown Atlanta tends to emphasize:

• Casual seating and a cozy, sometimes eclectic interior
• Friendly, informal service that feels more like a local café than a polished fine-dining venue
• A come-as-you-are vibe, where people feel comfortable in everyday clothes and unhurried conversations

Visitors often note that the restaurant feels unpretentious, with a focus on genuine hospitality rather than presentation or trendiness.

Crowd and Wait Times

Because of its popularity, especially on weekends:

• Morning and midday hours can be busy
• A wait for a table is common during peak brunch hours
• Many diners use the time to chat, explore the area, or browse their phones while waiting

Planning ahead and arriving earlier in the day is one way diners try to avoid the heaviest rush.

Signature Dishes and Menu Highlights

Homegrown’s menu centers on Southern comfort food and classic breakfast favorites, with some recognizable standouts.

Southern-Inspired Comfort Food

Common themes on the menu include:

• Biscuits and gravy
• Fried chicken variations
• Grits, eggs, and hash browns
• Hearty breakfast plates with combinations of eggs, proteins, and sides

One of the best-known items is the “Comfy Chicken” (fried chicken served over a biscuit and covered in gravy). Many diners associate Homegrown with this dish, and it frequently appears in local conversations about Atlanta breakfast spots.

Balance of Indulgent and Simple Options

While many plates lean rich and comforting, menus also often include:

• Egg dishes that can be ordered more plainly
• Simple toast-and-egg or vegetable sides
• Rotating or seasonal options, depending on availability and restaurant decisions

Overall, the menu is built to be filling and accessible, with familiar flavors and recognizable Southern staples.

Location, Neighborhood, and Vibe

Homegrown Atlanta is located in the Reynoldstown/East Atlanta area along Memorial Drive, a corridor that has seen steady growth and change.

The Area Around Homegrown

The restaurant sits in a part of Atlanta known for:

• Historic neighborhoods alongside newer developments
• A mix of long-time residents and newer arrivals
• Growing access to local shops, coffee spots, and creative businesses

For many visitors, a trip to Homegrown is part of a broader day exploring the Eastside of Atlanta, including the BeltLine, nearby parks, and neighborhood streets with murals and historic homes.

Who Homegrown Atlanta Is Best For

Different diners seek different things from a restaurant. Homegrown tends to appeal most strongly to people who:

• Enjoy classic Southern breakfasts and brunches
• Prefer a relaxed, informal setting over a polished, trendy interior
• Appreciate locally rooted, community-focused spots
• Don’t mind waiting during peak times for a popular neighborhood experience

It may feel less aligned with people looking for:

• A quiet, upscale brunch setting
• Highly customized or specialized diets with extensive substitutions
• A fast grab-and-go meal during the busiest hours

Practical Tips for Visiting Homegrown Atlanta

Here are some practical, reader-friendly pointers to make a visit smoother and more enjoyable.

Timing Your Visit

• Arrive early on weekends if you want to avoid the longest waits.
• Weekdays are often more relaxed, especially mid-morning.
• If you’re flexible, consider late-morning or early afternoon instead of the most popular brunch rush.

What to Expect on Arrival

• Seating is generally informal and first-come, first-served, though systems can vary by time and day.
• The staff typically focuses on keeping the flow moving while maintaining a friendly tone.
• The restaurant environment can be lively and active, especially when full.

Quick Snapshot: Homegrown Atlanta at a Glance

Here’s a simple overview to help you decide if it fits what you’re looking for:

How Homegrown Fits into the Atlanta Food Scene

Atlanta’s restaurant landscape is broad, stretching from high-end tasting menus to food trucks, global cuisines, and neighborhood diners. Homegrown fills a particular niche:

A Neighborhood-First Brunch Spot

Within the category of Atlanta breakfast and brunch restaurants, Homegrown represents:

• A community-oriented alternative to more polished brunch concepts
• A place where the focus is more on flavor and familiarity than on elaborate presentation
• A locally recognized name often mentioned in lists and discussions about classic Atlanta breakfasts

Part of the “Homegrown” and Local Movement

In a city that increasingly values:

• Locally run businesses
• Comfort foods with regional roots
• Restaurants that feel distinct from national chains

Homegrown aligns with those preferences by offering something that feels deeply tied to its neighborhood and the broader culture of Southern cooking.

Navigating the Menu Mindfully

Because the menu leans toward hearty dishes, some diners plan their orders based on their own preferences and needs.

Approaches Diners Commonly Take

Many visitors:

• Choose a signature dish (like a chicken-and-biscuit plate) and pair it with lighter sides such as fruit or eggs
• Share a richer entrée between two people and supplement with smaller items
• Build a custom plate from sides when they want a simpler or more tailored meal

These choices allow people to experience the restaurant’s best-known flavors while aligning with their own comfort levels.

Nearby Activities to Pair with Your Meal

Because of its location, a visit to Homegrown can be part of a relaxed day exploring the city.

Some nearby or complementary activities include:

• Walking or biking on nearby sections of the Atlanta BeltLine (a popular multi-use trail)
• Visiting in-town neighborhoods to see a mix of historic homes and newer developments
• Exploring street art and murals, which are common across many parts of Atlanta’s eastside
• Stopping by local coffee shops or independent stores before or after your meal

This makes Homegrown a comfortable “anchor” for a morning or midday outing.

Simple Planning Checklist 📝

Use this quick list as a planning reference:

• ⏰ Pick your time:
  • Want less waiting? Aim for a weekday or earlier on weekends.
• 🍳 Decide your style of meal:
  • Craving comfort food? Look at biscuit- and chicken-based dishes.
  • Prefer something lighter? Consider eggs, toast, and simpler sides.
• 👟 Plan what’s next:
  • Pair your visit with a walk, neighborhood exploring, or a casual city drive.
• 🧍 Prepare for a crowd:
  • Be ready for a lively atmosphere and potential wait during peak times.

Why Homegrown Atlanta Continues to Matter to Locals

Homegrown Atlanta stands out because it represents more than just a place to eat:

• It reflects Atlanta’s neighborhood identity, especially on the east side of the city.
• It provides a familiar, reliable breakfast and brunch option for people who value comfort and community over trend chasing.
• It shows how a small, homey restaurant can become a landmark through consistency, personality, and connection to its surroundings.

For visitors, Homegrown offers a window into everyday Atlanta life—not just the polished, tourist-facing side of the city. For locals, it remains a place where the food feels recognizable, the space feels relaxed, and the experience feels genuinely, unmistakably Atlanta.