Since 1979, The Beautiful Restaurant has been a go-to spot on Cascade Road for heaping plates of Southern comfort food like crispy fried chicken and ribs, served cafeteria-style in a vibrant dining space.
"The Beautiful is an all-day-dining landmark on Cascade that was immortalized in Goodie Mob’s 1995 classic track “Soul Food.” And fittingly, it’s their soul food that continues to keep the regulars patiently waiting in the cafeteria-style line. In the mornings, the smell of sizzling hash browns, just-cracked eggs, and buttery pancakes will tickle your nose, and in the afternoon and early evening, it’s the deeply seasoned, crunchy fried chicken drummettes, and all of the vegetables (which could stand a little more spice). Eat in the immaculate dining room or take your plate home, where you can sprinkle a pinch of salt on your green beans with no guilt." - demarco williams, nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
"When you hit the doors of The Beautiful in Cascade Heights, please peep the person-shaped sign that instructs you to pull up your pants before you walk inside the dining room. That's the kind of old-school wisdom the soul food institution has carried since long before Goodie Mob sat in a booth and prayed on the cover of their 1995 album Soul Food. So this is a must-hit stop if you want a good, affordable meal while experiencing one of the few true-to-itself vestiges of Old Atlanta. Daily rotating specials (which have remained consistent for decades) reflect an era when you could fill up for less than $10 on staples like crispy fried chicken drummettes, steamed cabbage, and tender yams. And the cafeteria-style restaurant still attracts a crowd of neighborhood regulars, seniors, and anyone looking for a feel-good breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Take your foam container to go or carry your tray to find a booth in the always immaculate dining room. The homey, untouched decor is a big part of The Beautiful’s comforting appeal. video credit: Tabia S. Lisenbee-Parker photo credit: Tabia Lisenbee-Parker photo credit: Tabia S. Lisenbee-Parker Inside The Beautiful The Beautifulphoto credit: Mhandy Gerard Food Rundown photo credit: Mhandy Gerard Banana Pudding The pudding is creamy, sweet, and has a banana-to-waffer crust ratio that pudding purists should love. Fried Chicken Drummettes These are great—often the best thing on the menu. Crunchy, well-seasoned, and juicy inside. Beef Ribs Coated in a tangy-sweet sauce, the beef ribs are tender. They won’t replace your go-to BBQ spot, but they’re solid for oven-cooked ribs. photo credit: Mhandy Gerard Yams Sweet but not drowning in syrup, so the potato still shines. It's a strong choice for a classic meat-and-two combo." - Jacinta Howard
"Established in 1979, the Beautiful Restaurant on Cascade Road continues to be an Atlanta favorite delivering heaping plates of cafeteria-style Southern staples, including crispy fried chicken, beef tips, and fried catfish with sides of mac and cheese, cornbread dressing, and turnip greens." - Missy Frederick, Beth McKibben
"The Beautiful has been hiding in plain sight in Southwest Atlanta for over 40 years, and somewhat flamboyantly with its multiple street signs, floral surroundings, and fenced-in patio area with Halloween-colored umbrellas. The secret to this restaurant’s success isn’t just from the shout-out it received on Goodie Mob’s debut album Soul Food, the food is beloved because it always looks and tastes like it was prepared for Sunday morning. Waiting warmly behind the cafeteria’s counter, fill that plate with beef ribs, ham hocks, neck bones, and meatloaf or baked or fried fish options, from catfish to croaker. Make sure to load up on sides like turnip greens and cornbread dressing and banana pudding for dessert. Breakfast here includes a platter with two eggs, grits, hash browns, toast or biscuits, and a meat or fish protein of choice." - Mike Jordan, Eater Staff
"For a restaurant to get shouted out on Goodie Mob’s 1995 classic song “Soul Food,” it must have been on point. For that same place to still be relevant 25-plus years later, it must be timeless. Yep, Cascade’s all-day-dining cathedral is all of the above. Nary a person—not Cee-Lo Green, not your aunt Jean, nobody—will ever categorize the food here as “overly seasoned” (in fact, we’ve always thought the mac and cheese could use a smidge more butter), but they will say the beef ribs are consistent, the pancakes are divine, and the dining room is always immaculate." - demarco williams, jacinta howard
