Soul Food, Community, and Comfort: A Guide to “This Is It” Restaurant in Atlanta

If you ask long-time Atlantans where to find down-home Southern cooking, the name that often comes up is “This Is It! Restaurant” (sometimes shortened to “This Is It Atlanta”). For many locals, it represents more than a meal: it’s tied to family memories, Sunday traditions, and the feeling of being genuinely welcomed and fed.

This guide walks through what makes This Is It Restaurant Atlanta stand out, what to expect when you visit, and how to get the most from your experience, all with an eye toward clarity, context, and practical details.

What Is “This Is It” Restaurant Atlanta Known For?

“This Is It” is widely associated with Southern soul food in the Atlanta area. Over time, it has become known for:

• Classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, ribs, and collard greens
• Comfort-focused menus that feel homemade rather than heavily stylized
• Casual, welcoming spaces where families, coworkers, and solo diners all feel at home

Instead of aiming for a fine-dining feel, the restaurant’s brand is rooted in familiar flavors, generous portions, and a laid-back atmosphere. Many people describe it as a place where a quick lunch can feel like a family gathering.

Signature Southern & Soul Food Offerings

Menus may vary by location and over time, but several categories of dishes are typically associated with This Is It Restaurant Atlanta.

Main Dishes You’ll Commonly Find

Many guests look for staple Southern proteins that are often available in some form:

• Fried chicken – often seasoned and breaded in a classic Southern style
• Baked or smothered chicken – for those who prefer something less crispy but still richly seasoned
• Pork or beef ribs – associated with slow-cooked, sauce-coated barbecue traditions
• Fried fish – such as catfish or similar varieties, usually with a cornmeal-style crust
• Turkey wings or other slow-cooked meats – providing a deeper, braised flavor

Different locations may highlight certain proteins more strongly, and exact offerings can change, so specific menu details are best checked directly with the restaurant.

Classic Southern Sides

Soul food is built as much around sides as main dishes. Typical options at This Is It often include:

• Collard greens
• Candied yams
• Macaroni and cheese
• Green beans
• Black-eyed peas
• Cornbread or similar bread offerings
• Mashed potatoes or rice with gravy

These sides tend to be prepared in a comfort-forward style, often reflecting regional home-cooking traditions rather than lighter, modern reinterpretations.

Desserts & Sweet Treats

Many visitors associate the restaurant with classic Southern desserts, which may include items like:

• Peach cobbler
• Banana pudding
• Pound cake or similar baked goods

Dessert availability can vary, but the general pattern leans toward warm, familiar, and nostalgic flavors.

What to Expect When You Visit “This Is It” in Atlanta

The experience at This Is It Restaurant Atlanta generally blends casual dining convenience with a home-style atmosphere.

Atmosphere and Dining Style

Across locations, common patterns include:

• Casual, family-friendly vibe – suitable for everyday meals rather than special-occasion formality
• Counter-service or line-style ordering at many locations, especially during lunch
• Takeout and catering emphasis – many guests use This Is It for office lunches, events, or family gatherings

Décor and layout can differ between branches, but the general impression tends to be informal and approachable, aligned with its roots in soul food culture rather than upscale dining.

Who Typically Enjoys Eating Here?

The restaurant tends to attract:

• Local residents looking for familiar, home-style food
• Office workers seeking substantial lunches
• Families and groups who want relaxed, hearty meals
• Visitors to Atlanta interested in experiencing regional Southern food in an everyday setting

Because the menu centers on comfort foods and traditional recipes, it particularly appeals to people who enjoy rich flavors, slow-cooked dishes, and classic sides.

Practical Tips for Eating at This Is It Restaurant Atlanta

To make your experience easier and more enjoyable, it helps to know how to approach the menu, timing, and ordering options.

Timing Your Visit

Patterns at similar restaurants suggest that:

• Lunchtime on weekdays can be especially busy, especially in business areas
• Weekends and post-church hours often draw family crowds
• Late afternoons are sometimes less crowded than peak lunch or dinner hours

Because traffic and wait times can vary by location and local events, many guests choose to call ahead or order online (where available) to reduce waiting.

Choosing Your Plate or Combo

Menus commonly center around plate or combo-style meals, where you choose:

1. A main protein (such as fried chicken, ribs, or fish)
2. Two or three sides
3. Bread option (for example, cornbread or rolls, depending on what’s offered)

When picking your meal, some guests like to:

• Pair richer mains (like ribs or fried chicken) with lighter sides (like green beans or cabbage, if available)
• Combine classic comfort sides (mac and cheese, yams) with at least one vegetable-focused side
• Balance fried options with baked or smothered choices if they plan to visit often

These are not health recommendations, just common ways people describe creating a satisfying and varied plate.

Takeout, Delivery, and Catering

This Is It Restaurant Atlanta is frequently associated with strong takeout and catering activity. Common patterns include:

• Individual takeout meals for lunch or dinner
• Catering trays or family-style pans for events, gatherings, or meetings
• Phone or online ordering options at many locations

People planning events often appreciate that soul food travels and reheats well, which suits gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations.

“This Is It” in the Context of Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta is known for its deeply rooted food culture, especially around:

• Southern classics
• Soul food traditions
• Barbecue and smoked meats
• Modern fusion and upscale Southern cuisine

Within this landscape, This Is It Restaurant Atlanta plays a role as a familiar, everyday soul food option. Rather than focusing on experimental dishes or upscale presentations, it reflects:

• Traditional preparation styles that many locals grew up with
• Accessible pricing structures aimed at everyday dining
• Community-oriented branding, especially in areas with strong cultural ties to Southern cooking

For visitors exploring Atlanta, combining a meal at This Is It with stops at other Southern or barbecue spots can provide a rounded sense of the city’s food identity, from casual to more contemporary interpretations.

Dietary Considerations and Menu Navigation

Because This Is It focuses on traditional Southern and soul food, some menu options may be:

• Rich in fats, salt, or sugar, particularly fried items, gravies, and desserts
• Meat-heavy, emphasizing poultry, pork, and beef
• Prepared using animal products even in some vegetables and sides (for example, greens cooked with meat-based seasonings)

For guests with dietary needs or preferences, some general approaches are often helpful:

• Ask staff about ingredients in sides if you’re avoiding certain foods
• Consider baked meats or grilled-style options if available
• Look for vegetable-based sides and ask whether they contain meat or dairy
• For those monitoring portion sizes, consider sharing plates or saving part of the meal for later

These are common strategies people use at many soul food restaurants to align traditional dishes with their personal dietary goals.

How “This Is It” Connects to Community and Culture

Soul food restaurants in cities like Atlanta often fill cultural and social roles, not just culinary ones. This Is It Restaurant Atlanta is frequently described in ways that highlight:

• Community gathering spaces – spots where people meet after work, after church, or during family visits
• Cultural continuity – reflecting recipes, flavors, and cooking styles familiar across generations
• Local identity – contributing to Atlanta’s broader story as a hub of Black culture, music, and history

Food in this context becomes part of shared experience: birthdays, celebrations, casual meetups, and comfort meals after long days. Restaurants like This Is It often occupy a place in people’s personal histories as much as on their weekly calendars.

Quick-Glance Guide to “This Is It” Restaurant Atlanta 🍗

Below is a simple reference to help you quickly understand what to expect and how to plan your visit.

Practical Takeaways Before You Go 🍽️

Here are a few concise pointers to keep in mind when planning a visit to This Is It Restaurant Atlanta:

• ✅ Expect traditional, comfort-focused Southern food, not light or minimalist cuisine
• ✅ Plan for peak times around lunch, dinner, and weekends if you prefer a quieter visit
• ✅ Use takeout or catering options if you need to feed a group or office efficiently
• ✅ Ask about ingredients if you follow specific dietary patterns or avoid certain foods
• ✅ Pair mains and sides thoughtfully to create a plate that matches your preferences for richness and variety

Sharing a meal at This Is It Restaurant Atlanta often feels like stepping into a familiar kitchen where slow-cooked meats, seasoned vegetables, and warm desserts take center stage. Within Atlanta’s vibrant and evolving food scene, it offers a grounded, tradition-focused experience that connects diners to the city’s soul food heritage and community spirit—one plate at a time.