South City Kitchen - Midtown

I've been a fan of South City Kitchen since my date and I visited after my Senior Prom. (Yes, that long) Once a regular, I hadn't really dined there in sometime before last night... but I was pleased to know that the formula hadn't changed.

SCK consistently provides a wonderful dining experience. They continue a tradition of innovative food with simple, high quality ingredients. And while some may question certain dishes, you can always be certain you'll have a wholesome, well-prepared, elegantly presented meal served by one of the best waitstaffs in the city.

Favorites: Crab Cake appetizer
Jambayla
Fried Chicken (unbelieveably juicy)
Banana Pudding
(the biscuits and corn muffins are to die for, too)

I've been recommending South City Kitchen to family and friends for well over 10 years... and will continue to do so.

Pros: Consistancy, Waitstaff, Atmosphere

Cons: Deck Parking

Posted 04/07/09

We came to SCK for Brunch on a Sunday. The biscuits and cornbread were great. They were perfectly shaped and cute, little bites. They also offer a variety of breakfast cocktails, Bellinis, etc. I ordered the Breakfast Plate which came with grits, two eggs any style, three pieces of bacon, and potatoes. It was around ten dollars and the portions were pretty well sized. The potatoes that come with the breakfast entrees are the most flavorful. The taste of the food was good, but not anything special that I crave to eat again immediately. It's a nice place to come with a significant other on a nice weekend morning/early day. However, if you are looking for breakfast/brunch fare of the same portion and perhaps same taste and quality, but want something more casual and affordable, J. Christopher's is right around the corner.

By the way, this is the Vinings location, I posted for the wrong location sorry!

Pros: Nice service, decent portions of food, clean and attractive atmosphere, romantic

Cons: Can be a little pricey

Posted 02/07/09

I dined at this restaurant with my brother recently, and I must say that I was expecting more than this. I agree, the service was great, but everything beyond the appetizer seemd sub-par. I thought the service was great, but again, the food wasn't that great. My steak wasn't that great, but my brothers fried chicken and mash potatoes looked pretty good. I just don't have much to say other than if you want Southern "down home cookin" look somewhere else, especially if you are paying this much for a meal. Again, I don't think this place is horrible, but it isn't all that great for the price. I recommend finding someone who has lived in the South all of their life to cook a Southern meal i.e. Paula Dean. Blah, blah, blah, blah, you know what I am saying.

Pros: Great service

Cons: Their food isn't that great

Posted 01/30/09

My date and I went to South City Kitchen before seeing a show at the Alliance Theater. We were greeted at the door by a friendly host who took us immediately to our table. Our server quickly came to introduce herself and explained the menu for the evening. My dish was the Shrimp and grit and was just awesome. My date also enjoyed his meal as much. The manager of the restaurant came by to visit us to ensure that our dining experience was going well. I really liked the fact that everyone there was so professional and just as friendly. I highly recommend the South City Kitchen.

Posted 01/18/09

We visited SCK for dinner. For an appetizer we ordered the fried green tomatoes, which were the best we have had in Atlanta. For dinner we had Fried chicken with the Bourbon gravy and Chicken and Dumplings. Both dishes were fantastic!
The service and ambience were both terrific, very attentive waitstaff coupled with a lovely decor.
Defintely one of the finer establishments in Atlanta.

Pros: Everything about the place.

Cons: Too far away from where we live!

Posted 05/27/08

My boyfriend and I come here about once a month for brunch. Good service, good food, and the grits are the best in town!

Cons: good food, good service

Posted 01/31/08

I must say the chicken and dumplings is very good. Different from the traditional, but a nice twist.
The Crab Hash was ok. Service was attentive. We will go back. Its a good stop on the way to the symphony.
If you sit anywhere near the door, it will be cold. For some reason people seemed to stand in the door with it open.. Maybe they need to increase the size of the foyer or seat people faster.

Posted 12/06/07

South City Kitchen has the best food ever, we are quite discerning in our taste for food and this restaurant is by far, the most flavorful food we have had in a while! The salmon, to die for...the fried green tomatoes- not too oily, just perfect! And the white chocolate bread pudding was just right! Please, do trythis restaurant out, it has plenty of personality and lots of flavor to the food. The service was just right, not too overbearing but always there when you needed her. One of our best finds in midtown Atlanta.

Pros: Great service, flavorful food

Cons: Absolutely, emphatically, none.

Posted 11/22/07

Great food, wonderful upbeat atmosphere and an attentive staff. This is a great place for dinner regardless of the size of your group.

Posted 11/23/06

really a fun, lively atmosphere with a fantastic menu!!!! the scallops and shrimp are a must and the desserts are underrated...we went there for mother's day and had a fantastic lunch with the whole family..

Pros: atmosphere, service, parking right across the street

Posted 11/08/06

We've been dining here since the establishment opened. Whether it's dinner or brunch, it's always the buttermilk fried chicken, crabcakes, and bisque. It dosen't get any better. Service is a little moody at times, and the interior needs to be freshened up. But the food is the draw. And "Babs" had the Buttermilkfried Chicken, prior to her concert 11/2/06.

Pros: Buttermilk Fried Chicken! Very Nice Patio!

Cons: Moody Service At Times! Needs Interior Makeover!

Posted 10/31/06

I've dined at South City Kitchen numerous times and the food and service have always been excellent. The fried chicken is divine and the desserts are great too. Good place to meet for work functions and a date.

Pros: Great food and service

Cons: Reservations usually needed

Posted 10/24/06

Dropped in on a Monday with my friend and although it was tricky for moment it was a good experience.
Started with the crab cakes (our dining barometer) and it was good, but not the best we've had out. For the entrees I had the steak and her the pork shoulder. The shoulder was a little more fatty than she liked and probably more than they expected it be as she let the waiter know. To make up for it the chef sent out his homemade pudding which left her grinning in spite of the earlier flub. And if she enjoyed, then it was enjoyable.

Pros: Service, Graciousness

Cons: Parking

Posted 04/25/06

I have dined at South City Kitchen on many occasions, whether it be brunch, business lunch, dinner, and am "wowed" by their service and food quality time after time. It has now become a regular place for entertaining out-of-town visitors or grabbing a bite before hitting the Fox or the High. The Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops over Grits is the best in the city, and the Fried Green Tomatoes are ALWAYS a hit- even with our friends from the North... :)

Pros: Efficient Staff, Friendly Service, Good Wine List

Posted 04/03/06

Went for lunch today (no reservation, 5 minute wait). Got there at 11:30 and the place was already filling up. Started off with the crab soup, which was thick, creamy, and very tasty (have no idea how you could eat a whole bowl). I had the buttermilk fried chicken, which came with mashed potatos & gravy, and steamed green beans. The chicken was great (lots of meat, though somewhat hard to eat with knife 7 fork... hey, I was theree with co-workers). Green beans were perfectly cooked, retained flavor and crunch. Mashed potatos and gravy were also good. Between a salad, two cups of soup, and three entrees we spent $70 (with tax, no tip). Definitely recommend to people who want to experience upscale Southern food.

Pros: Great food, Efficient servers

Cons: Noisy, Pricey

Posted 03/29/06

This place is really nice. The food is outstanding and drinks are well made. Keep in mind, it can get very loud. If you're looking for a quiet romantic restaurant to get to know someone, pick another restaurant. BUT! If you don't mind raising voice and laughing out loud in a somewhat upscale environment, this is the place for you.

Pros: Food, Ambience

Cons: Noisy

Posted 02/23/06

I had the blackened catfish. The food was delicious.. It was a little loud, and there really arent that many choices on the menu. The group I was with said the fried chicken is great too. I enjoyed it.

Pros: great food, nice servers

Cons: loud

Posted 11/22/05

We dined on Friday evening. Make a reservation. Had the fried chicken and chocolate pecan pie. The moist breast piece was cut and positioned so that the wing bone was pointing up with the breast meat below. The breading was slightly greasy, but hey, its fried chicken. The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy. The gravy was O.K., but it did not standout. The green beans were firm and fresh and mixed in the potatoes (I liked that, but some might not). For desert, the pecan pie disappointed. It tasted like normal pecan pie with some chocolate syrup. The worst aspect is the noise. It is very difficult to have a conversation with your date. It would be more difficult to conduct business. You have to talk very loud and you are seated very close to other couples. You end up hearing their conversations and they hear yours.

Pros: Service, Food

Cons: Noise, Parking

Posted 11/11/05

All I can say is EXCELLENT! Food, service and atmosphere. Can't wait to get back to Atlanta to try the rest of the menu.

Pros: Food, Great Service

Cons: None

Posted 11/06/05

I went there for the first time with a co-worker who's boyfriend is a chef with the Fifth Group (the restuarant group that owns SCK, La Tivoli, Food Studio, etc.). And it was awesome! SCK is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in town and i've lived here for 20 yrs. Whenever i have out-of-town company, i take them there. The chicken salad sandwich is the best i've ever had and the asparagus is great. Also the she-crab soup is...in a word...amazing!

Pros: food, food, food

Cons: parking, a little pricey

Posted 09/21/05

Even though this is a business crowd and is a little loud with talk and laughter it's a great place to eat with one of the best south gourmet cooking around. We were on vacation here with our 10 month old. The wait staff was excellent and catered to us and the baby. The business locals were very baby friendly also. The baby could also be as loud as he wanted and it didn't make a difference. We had a great time.

Cons: a little loud

Posted 06/25/05

South City Kitchen was my perfect ideal for a wonderful restaurant! The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was quite appealing as well. Started off with the fried green tomatoes and the pulled pork. I'm a BBQ connoisseur, and can 100% vouch for the pulled pork. The moved on to the She-crab soup, which is literally, good enough to appear on the dessert menu. A cup of She-crab is a MUST for any venture to SCK. My entree was the pecan crusted trout, and it was exceptional. The fish was perfect with the sweetness of the dried cherries and the savoriness (not sure if thats a word) of the butternut squash ravioli. Truly amazing, and definitely the entree of choice from my opinion. My wife had the fried chicken which was also good, but hard to me to get too passionate about fried chicken. Service was impeccable as well!

Pros: Excellent food, Excellent Service, Great value (IMO)

Cons: 1 seater bathroom, Could be loud inside

Posted 03/15/05

What can I say about South City Kitchen other than the food and service are incredible. Took my girlfriend there for the first time on Valentine's Day weekend. She loves good chicken so this was going to be something I knew she would sink her teeth into. As was expected, the Chicken was incredible. My pork chop was out of this word with the delicious Mac and Cheese. We ordered crab cake, which was good, but not nearly as good as the Pulled Pork (WOW). Good wine, good food, good times.

Pros: Food, Wine, Service

Cons: parking

Posted 02/12/05

For some reason, I had a hard time finding this place. But I loved the fried chicken - kind of "buttery" and very moist. The decor and ambience was nice as well. I will definitely return. I don't think it's good for large groups in the evening however, as it was very hard to hear. The decor could be romantic, however, the place was so loud, I wouldn't say it is ideal for a romantic date.

Pros: Food

Posted 12/09/04

I've visited South City many times over the years and it has become one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. It is an ideal place to dine immediately before or after a visit to the High Museum, Alliance, or other adjacent cultural opportunities. The staff is sensitive to the needs of those in a hurry to make a rising curtain. Personal favorites include include the chicken liver and corn appetizer, sinfully rich she-crab soup, and the grilled shrimp and scallops over stone-ground grits in garlic gravy. My only complaint might be that the atmosphere is a tad boisterous, so those looking for quiet conversation over their meal should perhaps look elsewhere. Otherwise, tuck in! Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Pros: Great food, Near Alliance & High, Good service

Cons: Loud, A tad pricy, Little free parking

Posted 01/25/04

I went to South City Kitchen for the first time. Had high expectations but was disappointed.

First, we made reservations on the patio. It was a friend's birthday and we told the hostess. However, we waited 20 minutes and instead were placed upstairs (inside) where it was very noisy. Our waiter was haughty and impatient. The wine was good, but way overpriced. I got the quail as an appetizer and it was slightly raw. I also had the trout as the main dish and it was bland. A friend had the Jambalya which was excellent, as were the pork chops. Our waiter left us waiting, and our friend's birthday was never acknowledged. Plus, there are only 2 bathroom stalls.

Will never go back. It's way overrated-loud, expensive, and busy (and this was on a Wednesday night). I much prefer Food Studio, their sister restaurant, and feel it has better value.

Pros: Food, Good reviews

Cons: Too Loud, Busy, Over priced

Posted 07/21/03

Has to be one of my faves in ATL for consistency. Great food, good prices, consistent service. Never disappointed. Some menu items are classic by now- fried chicken, crab hash, et al. Bravo.

Pros: location, food, service

Cons: bit crowded, parking challenges

Posted 05/10/03

Every time I eat here, I'm amazed that the food is just as good as the last time. I hadn't been for 1 1/2 years and somehow just kind of forgot about it. Well, guess what, the food is still damn good!

Posted 01/20/03

Just plain good, what else can be said. Another little known, but growing spot is Vinocity Wine Bar and Rest. Excellent!

Pros: Cordial, Homey

Cons: Busy

Posted 12/05/02

Brunch here is expensive but delicious! The service is always excellent. My fiance and I try to make a monthly after church brunch visit. parking can be a bit of a pain, but worth the hassle.

Posted 11/14/02

I've eaten in a bunch of restaurants in Atlanta and this is one of my favorites. The fried chicken is great, and the chicked livers are as well. The sous chef is great and even brought my table a complementary appetizer one night. The bartenders are always friendly!

Pros: great food, good location

Cons: noisy

Posted 10/21/02

Born and raised Atlantan (an endangered species), I always love a trip to South City. The food is delicious, but innovative (though don't think this is how we all eat!). If you've never had them, try the fried green tomatoes; otherwise branch out to the shrimp and onion beignets. Shrimp and scallops over grits takes me back to hot, lazy evenings vacationing in Charleston, while the fried chicken transports me to my grandmother's farm in south Georgia.
Definitely a bit pricey, but worth it if you want to guarantee a great evening.

Posted 09/30/02

The food here was great but go somewhere else if you want to actually talk to your date. Be prepared for the extremely high prices!

Posted 09/23/02

A good stop for a hearty appetizer, glass of wine and people watching. It's 6:30 on Monday and there are tables free inside and on the patio. Special of the day is 3 fish sampler. I go for an appetizer - chicken livers with caramelized onion on a type of cornbread(?); it is glorious, perfectly cooked, and a monstrous portion (half goes home). Next up, another appetizer, - BBQ pork in a Burrito with side of slaw - again perfectly done, delicious, too much to finish (half goes home). A side of overgarlicked spinach goes nowhere. $9 glasses of Cabernet are average. My companion has the FlatIron steak which lives up to its promise - tender like a tenderloin but (almost) as tasty as a ribeye.

Pros: large appetizers, nice venue

Posted 09/16/02

This is in the top 5 of my favorite restaurants around town. Its always busy, so get reservations ahead of time.
Well worth it, even if you just eat at the bar. Rave reviews from both family & business cohorts alike.
If you need some elegant soul food, order some fried chicken and be prepared to indulge your tastebuds.

Posted 09/02/02

I'd heard mixed reviews about SCK so wasn't expecting to love it, but it was the best meal I've had in recent months. Nothing innovative here, just well-prepared, fresh, satisfying Southern-influenced cooking. The fried green tomato appetizer could have used a touch more seasoning but otherwise was deliciously crispy and gushy. She-crab soup was lick-the-bowl wonderful. My dining companion raved about the tenderness and flavor of his steak (OK, it comes covered in steak sauce, but still). My crab hash with hollandaise and poached eggs was lighter than it sounds and quite tasty. The space is comfortably smooth and sophisticated, but the decibel level got earsplitting as the evening progressed (and we went on a Tuesday - I can only imagine the noise on a weekend night). Service was well-paced and gracious. I'd definitely go back, though probably with a group rather than for a romantic evening.

Posted 08/23/02

This is THE ATLANTA RESTAURANT! Hands down the best Southern food in the city. Time and time again I've brought clients to South City to give them a taste of Southern Hospitality, and each time it seems to get better. Try the Chicken Livers--they are amazing! And the Pork Tenderloing, Fried Chicken, Trout...hell try everything, because it's all great. The only thing better is the personalized service you receive from the incredibly knowledgable staff.

Pros: Fantastic food, Great Service, Great Ambiance

Posted 08/19/02

Good deer meat. Great Pork. A little steep price wise.

Posted 07/27/02