This website would probably be in violation of some Georgia law or regulation if it did not provide a listing of the best southern restaurants in the Augusta area! After all, Augusta is in the heart of the Southeast, and both the second oldest and second largest city in the State of Georgia.
In this article, I’ll provide a snapshot of the 5 Sizzling Southern Food Spots in Augusta that are worth a visit. They all provide quality, variety, and affordable prices for (mostly) traditional southern foods.
| Genre | Hours | |
| Chef’s House (Walton Way near Medical District) | Traditional Southern Buffet | Monday – Friday: 11 AM – 4 PM Closed Weekends |
| Honey From the Rock Cafe (Washington Rd., Augusta) | Traditional Southern by dish | Order Ahead & Curbside Pickup Only – 24 hours in Advance |
| Goolsby’s (Washington Rd. Evans) | Country and BBQ | Monday – Saturday: 11 AM – 8 PM Sunday: 11 AM – 2 PM |
| Metro Diner (Washington Rd., Augusta) | American / Southern Breakfast | 8 AM – 8 PM Daily |
| Frog & the Hen (Flowing Wells Rd., Martinez) | New Southern & American | Monday: Closed Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 9 PM Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM Sunday: 10 AM – 3 PM |
Chef’s House: Traditional Southern Buffet
Family-owned and operated, Chef’s House is located in a converted pink home off Walton Way near the medical district. Tammy and Chef George run the restaurant and make visitors feel right at home. The food is traditional southern and served buffet style ($15). This local gem is only open for lunch during the hours of 11:00 AM through 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Main dish highlights include baked or fried chicken, slow cooked roast beef, BBQ chicken, pork chops, spaghetti, tilapia, and salmon. The sides include macaroni & cheese, green beans, rice, lima beans, and roasted potatoes. These main dishes and sides rotate daily, so I’ve included a table below, but I do recommend verifying beforehand by calling (706) 733-8622.
Price: $15 for the buffet.
Menu Not Online: Buffet items change daily. Below are the main dishes for the week.
| Monday | Roast Beef, Baked Chicken, Tilapia, Casserole |
| Tuesday | Roast Beef, Baked Chicken, Tilapia, Soup |
| Wednesday | Fried Chicken, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Tilapia |
| Thursday | Braised Pork Chop, BBQ Chicken, Honey Glazed Salmon |
| Friday | BBQ Brisket, Fried Chicken |
Pro Tip: Go Thursday because they have salmon that day. That has always been my favorite day (maybe it’s tradition by this point). Also, sign says no one under age 13 can be in the buffet unsupervised.
Honey From the Rock Cafe: Traditional Southern
If you see Honey From the Rock Cafe as you drive along Washington Road, you may mistake it for a church and not a restaurant. However, you’re not entirely wrong – Honey From the Rock Cafe is owned and operated by Whole Life Ministries and also has some of the best traditional southern food in Augusta. Located across the road from the Augusta National, you need to visit this establishment at least once (if for no other reason, as part of the Augusta experience)
As of May 2022, they are only taking and fulfilling curbside orders, as the indoor restaurant space has been closed since the pandemic shutdown. However, this may change as things reopen, so call (706) 434-1098.
Pro-Tip: At this point, the curbside pickup is really geared toward 4+ people, given the portion sizes on the current menu. Also, try some Red Velvet Cake. And if you want additional cake or dessert, I recommend checking out these other dessert places in town
Fun Fact: The restaurant name comes from a phrase in two separate Bible passages Psalm 81:16 and Deuteronomy 32:13. Since the restaurant is owned by the adjacent ministry, you were correct if you guessed the name had a religious reference.
But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.
Psalm 81:16(NLT),
He let them ride over the highlands and feast on the crops of the fields.He nourished them with honey from the rock and olive oil from the stony ground.
Deuteronomy 32:13(NLT)
Goolsby’s: Old-Fashioned Country (and some BBQ too)
While Goolsby’s was originally located out in Lincolnton (past the Lake), it is now situated in Evans with another spot in Grovetown. “The Goolsby’s story is a simple one. It all started around 1980 with barbecue cooked the old fashioned way behind the family’s old country store.”
This spot offers some of the best pork ribs in Evans, GA. Now, if you happen to love barbeque, hold up for just a bit. I wrote an article all about the best BBQ spots in the Augusta are that I encourage you to read!
Also, Goolsby’s has one of the best menus for kids, with seven different options priced between $1.10 and $4.60.
Pro Tip: Only local place I have found with an excellent fried pork loin steak. Generously coat with their thin BBQ sauce and enjoy!
Metro Diner: Southern Breakfast
Seems like anytime you drive by Metro Diner, the parking lot and waiting area are brimming with cars and customers. For good reason too. Given the generous portion sizes, consistent quality, and affordable prices (which we all need), Metro Diner rarely slows down, especially for weekend brunches. If you’re interested in the guide to Augusta’s brunch locations, you may want to check out this article on our website.
Since it opened its doors in October 2018, Augusta’s Metro Diner has offered everything someone with an appetite could crave: from chicken and waffles to french toast, eggs benedict and more. Some of the highlighted southern dishes include:
- Fried Chicken Plate
- Shrimp & Grits
- Biscuits & Sausage Gravy
- Spicy Honey Chicken Biscuit
Menu Here (in PDF format)
Pro Tip: If you’re needing something stronger than orange juice, Metro Diner has $3.39 mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and select beers!
Fun Fact: Metro Diner started in Jacksonville, FL and has expanded to over 50+ locations, including spots in Augusta and Aiken.
Frog & the Hen: New Southern & American
Owned and operated by the same folks who brought Frog Hollow Tavern in 2010, Frog & the Hen is the more laid-back cousin to one of Augusta’s best fine-dining spots. As part of their farm-to-table approach, the owners only serve naturally raised chicken at Frog & the Hen. And it makes a big difference in the quality of the food.
Maybe start off with the Hen’s cheddar biscuits and fried mac & cheese bites before moving to on to a quarter chicken plate or seared Atlantic salmon.
Pro Tip: Check out their market menu here, as you can buy local honey, jams, and jellies.
And as you may have come to expect at this point, consider making some southern comfort food at home. Below is a simple Chicken & Dumplings recipe from the Six Sisters’ Stuff YouTube Channel.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can find one here on Amazon or our local Augusta Wal-Mart or Target!
Or there are plenty of cookbooks to get inspiration from- this one from Better Homes and Garden is one we’ve used a lot over the years.
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon.com
