Busy Bee Cafe

"If your goal is to take down some Southern soul food while in Atlanta, then Busy Bee Cafe in the West End should be a required stop. Though they’re only offering takeout for the moment, there’s some heavy history happening in the walls here. Opened in 1947, this place is famous for its best-in-the-city crispy fried chicken, greens, pork chops, and other soul food staples that have fed famous patrons from Martin Luther King Jr. to former President Barack Obama. Since it’s near the Atlanta University Center, drive by to see the Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark campuses before your visit.  Or check out the Mercedes-Benz complex just a few blocks down." - nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard

"Busy Bee’s has been consistently great since the '40s, with diners including Dr. Martin Luther King and former President Barack Obama stopping by for their famous fried chicken with a side of slow-cooked collard greens and buttery mashed potatoes. The chicken is fried in a very light batter that’s more seasoning than bread, which ramps up the flavor of the juicy meat (it’s mastery, at this point). The West End classic is takeout-only since the dining room is indefinitely closed. But that hasn’t stopped the crowds, so expect to wait in the parking lot with neighborhood regulars, soul food connoisseurs, and jittery tourists at least 20 minutes after your online order should’ve been ready. But this chicken is worth the wait." - jacinta howard

"Yes, Busy Bee has been around for decades, and yes, it’s still the best place for straightforward soul food. Even though the West End diner is takeout-only now—with the same fascinating mix of people waiting semi-patiently in line—the juicy fried chicken remains an Atlanta legend, fried in a light batter that’s more seasoning than bread. The perfectly crisp catfish and pork chops are still the standard in the city, and so are the candied yams with just the right amount of sweet and the crispy fried okra that isn’t too chewy." - nina reeder, jacinta howard, juli horsford

"Not many venues can boast that they’ve lived through nearly 15 presidential administrations, and fewer can say they’ve had presidents as patrons. But Busy Bee, the soul food leader in the city since 1947, can say both since notable diners, including MLK Jr. and President Obama, have been served here over the years. This West End/Vine City icon is takeout-only until further notice, and the always-present line out front shows no one is tripping about it. Doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood for fabulously fried chicken, baked turkey legs, or a smorgasbord of well-seasoned sides—Busy Bee never misses." - demarco williams, nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard

"In business since 1947, this Vine City staple serves some of Atlanta’s best fried chicken alongside an assortment of other meat-and-three staples. It continues to be a popular spot on Atlanta’s westside, so be prepared to rub elbows with fellow diners. And, don’t be surprised to run into a famous face or two. In 2022, the restaurant was named one of America’s classic restaurants by the James Beard Foundation." - Missy Frederick, Beth McKibben