Atlanta Good Food category interest

We think it was beloved street poets Rocko and Jeezy who said it best: “You just do you/Imma do me.” And while those sage words have absolutely nothing to do with Atlanta’s current dining scene, they apply to Southern National’s mission. Where a lot of newer soul spots seem motivated more by “vibes” and plating as small a lambchop as possible, SN is mixing things up at the stove while, at the same time, setting the bar for how good down-home cooking done with a global gaze can be.

photo credit: Amy Sinclair

Once an underserved neighborhood lost in Downtown Atlanta’s shadow, Summerhill is now a magnet for trendy donut shops and gourmet hot dogs. When Southern National came in, it didn’t need to do anything special to get the block’s love. Young professionals in the area see an apron-donning waitstaff in a polished dining room with exposed ceilings, overhead garage door patios, and a back-lit, U-shaped bar and feel right at home. Sipping coconut negronis to Sylvan Esso’s “Coffee” is just the cherry.

photo credit: Amy Sinclair

Everything about the food at SN starts with the co-owner/chef, a former stand-up comedian who helped put One Flew South on the map. Here, he doubles down on taking Southern staples to places the elders never envisioned. You’ve had fried chicken thighs before, but the moment they’re speckled with herbs and paired with jalapeño maque choux, you might find yourself praying that Southern National can keep doing them for as long as possible.