Atlanta Food:

Every time I visit Atlanta I try to find the penultimate Soul Food restaurant, and on each dining attempt I get a little bit closer. Last time, we went to Mary Mac's in the Poncey-Highland section of the city. On this last August 2007 trip, we were referred to the legendary Busy Bee Cafe by Atlanta blogger Blissful Glutton. Unfortunately, when we got there on a Saturday afternoon, we found it closed (although to her credit, she did say "why didn't you ask me first!" when we informed her of our unsuccessful mission.). At the classic barber shop next door, the guys sitting on the stoop outside referred us to Paschal's, another important soul food eatery which has its roots in in the Civil Rights movement.

During the restaurant's heyday in the 1960, Dr. King and other Civil Rights leaders frequently met and and had strategy sessions over the Paschal brothers' fried chicken and other classic soul food dishes. Originally located on Hunter Street (since renamed Martin Luther King Drive) it has now moved to a much larger and grander location on Northside Drive. The original restaurant is scheduled to be reopened in 2008, and the food service is to be operated by Busy Bee Cafe.

Paschal's Dining RoomPaschal's Restaurant is one of the grandest locations for dining on Atlanta Soul Food classics. Click on the "Read the rest of this entry" link below for more.I loved these cornbread mini muffins. Unlike a lot of of cornbread in Atlanta, this cornbread is definitely of the less sweeter variety, which is what I prefer with soul food.A plate of Paschal's fried chicken with greens and mac n' cheese. I really liked this chicken, even more than Mary Mac's. The skin was nice and crispy and while a little on the salty side, it had a great flavor. The meat itself was pretty juicy. The greens were a bit on the spicy side, which I liked. The mac and cheese had a nice flavor but basically had been cooked into mush.

Paschal's potato salad, which has bits of sweet pickle relish in it. I liked it.A plate of sides. More mac and cheese, which we ordered because Rachel likes having her own. :The green beans were somewhat overcooked, and didn't have much flavor to them. The cornbread dressing, however, was outstanding, and I wish we ordered more of it.