With Christmas coming, I never had time to share my birthday outing and this place is worth sharing. Callanwolde wasn’t the only stop we made that day.
Dining out in Atlanta is a fun event and one of the spots that I have only been to a couple of times is Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Not a tea room like you think of a girlie lunch spot, but that is what it is named. It has long been known for celebrities showing up and is true Southern dining at its best. Comfort food. My sis took me there for my birthday lunch and it was as good as I remembered.
On Ponce de Leon in downtown Atlanta, Mary Mac’s is a landmark in this Southern city of ours.
Step inside to the waiting area and check out the bar. Of course, it was all decorated for Christmas.
Lots of famous people have eaten at Mary Mac’s.
This wall of photos is on display, so you can check it out while waiting.
My shots are a little blurry, but work with me. You recognize this teen heartthrob, right? Yep, cute Justin Bieber has eaten at Mary Mac’s.
The king of soul has too, James Brown.
As well as Hollywood star, Richard Gere.
And Birmingham’s own, Taylor Hicks.
We sat on the left side of Mary Mac’s, in this dining room and there were plenty of others there that day, looking for some good Southern cooking.
The waitress leaves a menu and an order form that you fill in and then she turns it in and in a few minutes…..
This beautiful plate comes back to the table. Ready to be consumed by ME! Green beans, mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, and sweet potato souffle. I ate every bit of it! Now, mind you, I get plenty of good Southern food at my parent’s house too, but it’s fun to have it out occasionally.
Renee and I enjoyed our lunch at Mary Mac’s and if you have never been there, you must try it out! I promise it is a Southern delight.
Have you ever been to Mary Mac’s?
Looks delicious! I could eat there every day! 🙂 You are your sis look like you are wearing the same outfit! 🙂
I love a good tea room. Darn. Too bad we didn’t know about Mary Mac’s when my daughter/blog partner lived in Atlanta. She now lives in Syracuse but will always be a southern girl.
Love Mary Mac’s. Received the cookbook last Christmas and it’s as much a good read as good recipes. sounds like y’all had a great day…happy belated B’day!
I used to live in Atlanta and loved me some Mary Mac’s! Thanks for the stroll down memory lane 🙂 Happy 2012!!
When I was in nursing school in Atlanta, Mary Mac’s was the place to go when you were feeling homesick for some “mama’s cooking”. Now when I go to Atlanta, a must stop place for me and hubs is Everybodys Pizza on the square at Emory. It was our place back in the 70s and amazingly, the pizza still tastes the same as it did then! Belated Happy Birthday Rhoda!! So glad you and your sister have these sweet times.
I love tea rooms! Whenever I visit Atlanta, I will have this on my list. Thanks for sharing! Looks like some real, good Southern food!
We love this place. We discovered it when we lived in Atlanta and now make special trips there when we’re back. Besides the wonderful food, a special treat is having Mary Mac’s “Goodwill Ambassador”, Jo Carter, come by your table — she tells stories, gives shoulder rubs, and makes the experience one-of-a-kind! This is a must-visit restaurant in Atlanta, if you ask our family!
It looks like my kind of place and I could just have what you order..yum!
Happy New Year!
~Kim
Hi Rhoda,
It’s my first time to comment. We have eaten at Mary Mac’s two times when visiting Jeremy. I had the country fried steak. Yum-yum! Thinking of you lately. Miss you. We finally built that sunroom and I will send you pictures soon. Hope 2012 brings lots of new and exciting things your way. Much love, Mary
YUM!!! Your veggie choices are divine! I was on a business trip in Atlanta a few years ago. My boss wanted to eat at some generic place, but I insisted on finding the most authentic atlanta-southern place (living in Nashville for 10 years, I KNEW there’d be some good ‘meat-and-three- kind of spot!) We ended up at Mary Mac’s and it was PERFECT! I was full for a week after, but so worth it! 🙂 Happy birthday, indeed!
Oh….Em….Gee…. I LOVE Mary Mac’s… lunch there is the ONLY place to experience Atlanta Southern Hospitality! Thank you soooo much for sharing your BD event. I loved the photos.
I am so glad I found your blog… from one Atlanta girl to another – have a great day!
I am in love with your south! I always said I am a southern gal at heart. Looks to me like you had a fabulous birthday lunch! Isn’t it great to have a sister to do things with?
I can’t believe I never ate there when I lived (twice) in Atlanta! Darn! BUT….we go back and I’ll definitely try to go. Yum.
Big hugs,
Kat
What a great place. I am in Atlanta often and this “Tea Room” is definitely on my list to dine! Thank you! Hope you had a great birthday!
Oh my, I’m going to have to eat there the nest time I’m in Atlanta. In fact I might just drive from Knoxville just to eat there. Thanks for sharing.
Hubby is headed to Atlanta later this week…will have to give him the 411
Thanks Rhoda,
Kathy 🙂
and ps How did I miss your b’day, Happy Birthday dear friend
Kathy 🙂
I moved north of Atlanta 8 years ago and haven’t explored Atlanta much. It sounds like I need to go visit Mary Mac’s and head to Ikea for some lanterns that I’ve been looking for while I’m down there. Thanks so much for posting!
This looks incredible! If I am ever in Atlanta I’ll be sure to stop by…and hopefully run into Richard Gere!
Thanks for sharing
Allyson
http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com
Rhoda, please share what your exercise routine is because I constantly wonder how you stay in such GREAT SHAPE and eat all this fried food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me know your secret!!!! It sure looks good!!!! I am hungry. XO, Pinky
HI, Pinky, you’re so cute! Thank you, I have thought often about sharing fitness tips. I do work out & have done so consistently for 30 years, so that is my biggest tip. Keep working out & don’t stop! I do have good genes too and have never had to struggle with weight issues. But really, that exercise thing is key too & keeps the metabolism UP. And I don’t eat fried all the time, by any means.