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Carver's Country Kitchen
Categories: Restaurants Southern Restaurants American (Traditional) Southern, American (Traditional) [Edit]
1118 W Marietta St NWAtlanta, GA 30318
(404) 794-4410
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Donnie's has been one of the premier southern style soul food restaurants in Atlanta for almost 20 years. Unlike most places, we are able to provide… read more »
142 reviews for Carver's Country Kitchen
Review Highlights
"The bf loved his sweet potato casserole."
(in 22 reviews)
"You don't want to miss the Coca-Cola cake."
(in 16 reviews)
"Mac and cheese is still the best in da' bidness."
(in 52 reviews)
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142 reviews in English
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Review from Alex D.
Atlanta, GA
11/15/2011 14 Check-ins Here
Awesome!!!!!
I have ordered everything in this place and all of it taste very good. The sides are what take this place over the top.
Sweet Potato casserole- 5*
Cheesy potato casserole- 5*
Pineapple cheese casserole- 5*
Mashed Potatoes and gravy - 4*
Mac n cheese - 3*
Cheese bread- 4*
The arnold palmer in this place for some reason is the best I have had. -
Review from Stefanie M.
Atlanta, GA
2/7/2012
As a southern girl, I try to watch what I eat, but every now and again, I get a craving for fried chicken that won't be satisfied by KFC or publix. I need the real deal fried chicken, something that tastes like your grandmother would make after church on Sunday. Carver's delivers with their dolly parton fried chicken, and in a big way! When I say big, I'm being quite literal, because my dolly parton fried chicken might be from a slaughtered albatross, it was HUGE! At least 3 times the size of a normal chicken breast you might see elsewhere. The crazy part was how evenly such a large cut of meat was cooked, and how juicy it was. It defied all fried chicken logic.
Sweet potato casserole was also De-lish and nearly a dessert it was so sweet. Collards were really nice and sweet.
Service was super nice and helpful. The only thing I'll say is it was a little more expensive than I was expecting for soul food from a seemingly dive grocery store ($15 lunch w/ a coke). That said, the portions are enormous, and I have enough food to last me another 24 hours, so I guess cost is relative to the number of meals you can make out of it. -
Review from Michael E.
Jacksonville, FL
1/14/2012
I almost didn't order the Fried Dolly Pardon because I would never eat Dolly Parton, but the power of Yelp compelled me. There's nothing special about the presentation because the food speaks for itself.
The chicken was fantastic. The chicken was fried just long enough and at the right temperature to render the skin crispy and the meat juicy and succulent.
Mmm. Juicy meat.
Super happy that I didn't need a roll of paper towels to absorb frying oil because that wasn't an issue. The mac and cheese, undoubtedly Southern, was heavenly sex in the mouth. All the mac smothered in melty goodness left me warm during the chilly afternoon I was here. The fried okra was good and I usually don't like okra, fried or not.
My buddy's meatloaf rivaled my mom's and dad's, but their versions are more northern since they landed in Philadelphia after immigrating from the Philippines.
A superb choice, but will save for special occasions when I want to indulge.Listed in: NYE in ATL
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Review from Tom C.
1/13/2012
It's a country kitchen inside of a grocery store...or what use to be a grocery store. But don't let that fool you.
Inside of here is some heavenly, country goodness! Before I continue on, this place only takes cash so make sure you bring it.
I had Beef brisket and 2 servings of collard greens for $11.99. The beef brisket was tender and I loved it! The collard greens are unique. They are slightly sweet and it tastes slightly pickled and I love it! For collard greens, it's definitely one of the better ones I tried so far. -
Review from Missy r.
Atlanta, GA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
How come hole in the wall restaurants always have the best food? This is the best soul food restaurant in Atlanta, even better than Busy Bee. That's hard to say for me, Busy Bee has been my #1 favorite since I was a little kid. The macaroni and cheese is superb and the fried chicken is my 2nd favorite in GA! The portions are very, very large, so large that you could possibly split a plate with a friend. MAKE SURE: You have enough cash on you because they are a CASH ONLY restaurant. The restaurant is a little tiny but 15-20 patrons could be seated at once. In the future, I plan to pick up my plates to go but it's fun eating in the tiny grocery store on cafeteria style plates. I highly recommend you add this to your list of Atlanta specialties!
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Review from Mary-Nevin H.
Atlanta, GA
1/10/2012
Carver's is that place that I think my old school southern dad created with his mind. From the reasonable prices to the family style seating, not the mention the various tributes to Marilyn Monroe and the *delicious* southern food, this place is a local and southern as it gets.
While I would never take anyone who was concerned about calorie intake here, the rewards far outweigh any pounds you put on. The owners both still work behind the counter and cash register, you can get a wide variety of southern favorites and enough portion wise to split with someone or take a hardcore food nap upon completion.
It's super crowded at peak lunch time, perhaps even more so since it's just a lunch establishment, but I've never not been able to squeeze in somewhere. If you want to beat the crowd, definitely go before 11:30 or after 1:30
It's a rare treat for me to make it to Carver's but every time I go, the charm, company and of course the food itself are a wonderful experience. -
Review from Jinny Y.
1/8/2012 1 photo
Finally got a chance to go to Carver's! A friend and I took PTO on a random Friday in December to have an eat and craft day. =) I work OTP so I never get to go to the yummy lunch only places in the city. So, it was either going to be Ann's for the ghettoburger or Carver's, and Carver's won.
I got the fried chicken leg & thigh with sweet potato casserole and mac 'n cheese. My friend go the meatloaf with green beans and mac 'n cheese. Both were amazingly delicious! The mac 'n cheese is a serving of thick, creamy, cheesey goodness. The fried chicken was very flavorful and worth the heart attack it might cause later. The meatloaf was perfect. Not too dry, not too onion-y, but the perfect texture and mix of spices. =) Lastly, you could tell the green beans were cooked in a lot of yummy bacon fat. All in all, Carver'sis definitely one of my favorite soul food joints in Atl. I give them 4 stars for now, until I can go back and try some of their other dishes. :) -
Review from Richard R.
Dacula, GA
I try to take advantage of visiting recommended restaurants whenever I'm inside the perimeter.... and Carver's was just minutes from my location. I arrived about 1/2 hour early, which nearly caused me to consider coming back another day. But the smell of delicious food coming for the open back door told me in no uncertain terms to stick around.
After driving around checking out the area, I arrived back @ 11:15am and there were already several patrons enjoying their meals. The girls behind the kitchen counters were very friendly and recognized it was my first visit. They recommended either the meatloaf or the fried chicken. Not feeling much like meatloaf, I opted for the chicken... and it was fantastic. However, this must be some sort of mutant bird, because the breast was the size of a small country. The breast is cut in such a way that both breast from the chicken are still connected (that was a first for me). Surprisingly, that didn't effect the cooking quality. I fully expected it to be either overcooked on the outsides or undercooked in the center. My meal was neither, cooked somewhere between perfect and exceptional.
The sides were right on point. The mashed potatoes were flavorful and the gravy was similar to my grandmothers. One bite took me back to my childhood, and the green beans were on that same level. My only disappointment was they do not offer wings (my favorite pat of the bird). The tea was perfectly sweetened the first round, but a little watery the second. I have not had better restaurant chicken than Mrs. Wilkes in Savannah Georgia, but these guys are definitely in the running for the best in the city. I've got a few more places to check out, but overall this is a fantastic little spot.
Owners are a sweet couple running the register who give you such a warm "please come back" that you know they mean it from the heart!!! I look forward to bringing out-of-town guests here for a great Southern meal.Listed in: Atlanta - Where to eat &…
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Review from Brian K.
12/27/2011 1 photo
I initially heard about Carver's Grocery on a PBS show highlighting lesser known and unusual restaurants in the Atlanta metro area. However, the restaurant's incredibly limited hours of operation (Monday-Friday, 11AM-3PM) make bankers' hours look like a sweatshop. As such, I was only recently able to visit while off work for the Christmas holiday.
Food: The menu at Carver's Grocery is the epitome of southern comfort food. For the most part, each entree includes your choice of a meat and two sides. Each order is also accompanied by your choice of cornbread or biscuit. They also offer a la carte desserts. All of the entrées, sides, and desserts are homemade and change daily. During my first visit, I opted for the "Fried Dolly Parton Chicken Breast", macaroni & cheese, brown butter beans, and corn bread. Overall, the food was quite delicious and sizably portioned.
Service: Incredibly friendly and efficient. All orders are placed at the back counter, where the staff immediately plate sand serve the food. You are then provided with a hand written receipt that you bring to the front register and settle once you've finished your meal. Separate staff clear the tables and provide lemonade/sweet tea refills.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere at this place is really the only factor preventing me from giving a five star review. I understand the whole "mom and pop" schtick, but this place is uncomfortably dingy, complete with crusty cigarette advertisements from the mid 80's. All seating is also communal, which I absolutely despise; communal dining should be restricted to prisons and soup kitchens. As such, I'd recommend take-out.
Cost: Moderately pricey for a meat and two, but still relatively inexpensive in the grand scheme of things. Plates range in price from $7.95 to $11.95. Additional sides and desserts are $2.50 each. Drinks are also extra. As other reviewers have noted, only cash and personal checks are accepted.
Other: Carver's recently started offering a loyalty card, which entitles you to 1 free lunch after the purchase of 10 lunches; make sure to ask for the card when you checkout. Also, many of the food items sell out early, so you'd be wise to arrive before noon to ensure the best selection. -
Review from Sherry W.
11/30/2011
I'm glad I was able to finally try Carver's after hearing so much about it. Unfortunately, the hours make it really hard for me to eat there, but I was able to recently and I enjoyed my food.
I got the vegetable plate ($7.95) to go and tried a little bit of someone else's turkey entree.
Jalapeno cornbread: the bomb.
Rutabaga: my favorite item. i didn't even know what it was, it just sounded cool. It kind of reminds me of a potato/squash. Great subtle flavor.
Sweet potato casserole: overwhelmingly sweet and kinda soggy. More of a dessert.
Squash casserole: just okay. I've mad better.
Peach cobber: pretty good and surprisingly not that sweet, which I like. Good balance of fruit and crust.
The bite of turkey that I tried was good as well (reminded me of thanksgiving) and the mac'n'cheese that I tried a little of I thought was just okay.
Pricing's not too bad, especially for the huge portions, and the only way I can describe the place inside is that it's so... Southern. I think it's a cool spot to bring out of towners and the people that work there are sweet too.Listed in: Southern Comfort/Soul Food in…
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Review from Han L.
11/19/2011
Finally it has happened to me
Right in front of my face
My feelings can't describe it
FINALLY! I 've had Carver's Grocer-E!
(anyone get the reference??)
I love Southern food and heard a lot of positive things about Carver's. After two years in the A, I finally made it to Carver's. They have pretty limited hours, 11-3 M-F, so I had to wait until the stars aligned for my day at Carver's. The area actually seems kind of desolate so I was nervous I was in the wrong area, but Carver's signage is prominent enough to not be missed. There are no parking lots, so you'd have to park in the neighborhood.
We were merrily greeted by a gentleman at the cash register. At Carver's, you make your selection, get your food, take a tkt, and pay when you're finished. It's cash only. Also, it may become communal seating. There's 1 toilet.
The space is intimate, but welcoming. I love the signage. They're funny and a lot of them are endearing gender bias remarks: adorable!
If you order a meal, it comes with bread and 2 sides. The portions here are generous. I ordered brisket with green beans, and corn bread and Mac N Cheese. Do you remember the scene for Ratatouille when the food critique took a bit of the ratatouille? Well, my first bite didn't bring me back to my childhood, but it gave me complete satisfaction. I'm glad they gave a heaping too. My friend ordered pot roast, cheese bread, sweet potatoes, and broccoli casserole. Although the pot roast was slightly dry, the dish was still delectable.
Show your student id and get $1 off. -
Review from Bobbin W.
10/21/2011
At Carver's Grocery, blackberry cobbler counts as a vegetable. It is listed as a side item option along with sweet potato casserole, cole slaw and other foods that more easily pass as a daily veggie serving. Despite the temptation, I requested Creole cabbage and rutabaga as accompaniments to my BBQ beef brisket. The cabbage and rutabaga oozed peppery divinity, while the heap of brisket will comprise part of my dinner tonight. I also chose jalapeño cornbread from an array of breads; I couldn't help but drool over a man's cheese bread, taunting me across the communal table.
Behind me hung an R. Land painting - "Dolly Parton fried chicken" - a bird with big boobs and folk art misspellings galore. Or maybe it was spelled "Craver's" for a reason... -
Review from dan k.
11/27/2011
This little dive on west Marietta serves up homestyle southern country cooking---sadly their hours are limited--lunch only--but if you catch them while theyre open, you'll be in for a treat.
The ambience is southern dive meets flea market--communal dining--cash only---it's a traditional meat and two type menu--but portions are HUGE and very much like my southern mommy makes. The line can be long but moves quickly--the most interesting part might be the clientele--you'll see everything here from suits to sweats.
It's nice to know we still have some "authentic" southern places in Atlanta--a must to take out-of-towners! -
Review from David M.
Atlanta, GA
1/10/2012
Amazing food, it's just one of those places you can walk in and pick whatever is on the menu, and it will be great! Best of all it's latex free!
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Review from Liz V.
10/18/2011
Country cooking at its best, just get there before 11:15 or you will not get a seat.
What other restaurant can get away with writing on the daily menu board "Dolly Parton breast" and they actually mean it? You can literally share it or bring it home but who are we kidding? You're going to eat all of it and use the crispy skin as a spoon to scoop the gravy and mashed potatoes together. Don't worry, you're amongst other foodies. You're safe here.
Daily specials that will make you come back again tomorrow: creamed spinach with slivers of sweet onions, mac n cheese that you can swim in and collards so delicious you will not need hot sauce. Meatloaf, chicken pot pie, pot roast and BBQ chicken. Everything is so wonderfully delicious, its hard to pick a favorite.
There are no romantic tables for 2 here, you'll get to know your neighbors quickly considering you're all stashed in tiny tables that are provided in the middle of the room amongst pantry like shelves. The honor system lives freely here as you pay as you leave to one of the owners at the door. He'll even hug you...if you're chest is just like the daily special, just sayin.
The line out the door at 11:01 says it all. Get there when they open or you'll be stuck in standing room and even then you won't mind. I've heard some of the best stories waiting in line and even better stories sitting towards the back with the older guys that lack a filter. -
Review from Addy C.
8/9/2011
I'd been craving southern food ever since watching "Soul Food" on Sunday - and lunch at Carver's was the perfect follow-up for that movie. My friends and I left very satisfied :)
Carver's serves lunch only, and lunch is available 11-3pm. Cash only. And get their frequent diner card - buy 10 meals, get 1 free. I am definitely going to fill up that card :)
Got the veggie plate for $7.95. My 4 veggies included mac-n-cheese (pretty good), cream corn (pretty good), green beans (good), and my favorite the beef & potato cheesy casserole (which was more like a "meat" than veggie). However I tried my friend's rutabaga and OMG I wish I had known rutabaga was going to be that delicious. I'd never had rutabaga before - it tasted like some kind of squash. YUM!!!!!! I tried my other friend's turnip greens and they were good too but more sweet than I had expected. Lunch also comes w/ a choice of bread - I got the jalapeno cornbread which was delicious too. Portions are HUGE - I had enough food for 2 meals, and the leftovers actually tasted better.
Eyed my friend's "fried chicken leg & thigh" and seriously the thigh was so humongous it really looked more like a breast. I'm thinking the thighs must belong to the same chicken w/ the Dolly Parton fried breasts.
We also got a slice of the Coca Cola Cake for $3 b/c I was curious. It was good but tasted more like German chocolate cake - maybe the frosting had a slight Coke flavor.
FYI - street parking is available in addition to the lot next door. Try to come early - we arrived around 11:30 and got the last table.Listed in: MIdtown Atlanta Lunch Spots
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Review from Angel M.
Atlanta, GA
12/18/2011
Good ole home cookin! This unique spot is a hard catch. Because of my schedule I rarely make the time reference, however one day at lunch I was driving by and realized it was 2:45. I made an illegal uturn and parked right alongside this little country store looking spot. I was a bit nervous, but previous yelp reviewers helped settle me. One step through the door and your are transported to some small town otp like all of Atlanta usta be.
The Atmosphere
The tables are close, and you eating with people you don't know like they are your family. All your necessary condiments are right there in front of you.Just walk on in or stand in line...when you get to the counter order with a smile. This was once a grocery store so the look is quite nostalgic like you should be able to get a bag of boiled peanuts and a nehi in a bottle. It feels and smells such that your tummy knows this is gonna be good and worth it....I hope there is a cot somewhere close.
The Area
This part of town is rather sparsely populated residentially. Its more of an industrial area. If there is a parking lot I wasn't looking...I tell ya I was trying to beat the clock. Parking is available on the side streets just don't block anyone's driveway.
The Food
Yum, yum, yum! Allow me this caveat..its not the best soul food you have ever eaten but is is DAMN good!....Its home cooking, brisket, meatloaf, fried chicken, you know the old southern fare. Sides are the same green beans, collards, mac and cheese ect. Yes Virginia there is cornbread, and its good!
My Experience
Driving down Marietta street I saw the blue awning 11-3 I glanced at my dash and after nearly wrecking my car, ducking and dodging semis and breaking all manner of traffic laws I walked in at 2:45 thinking we are gonna have to make this quick. They were nice enough to allow my guest and I to eat in. We didn't have to get a take out, for that you get a star...cause it smelled so good I would have eaten it in the car. Everyone raves about the Fried Chicken...hell this is Atlanta, GA you can get Fried yard bird on every corner. They had a mythical substance on their menu...the perfect comfort food....so I had to get it. Meatloaf with mash potatoes and gravy, all that was missing was green peas and it would have felt like home. I must say albeit a little pricey it was some pretty darn good meatloaf. My guest had the brisket...which he said was pretty good! So after we ate...we walked over to the queen of this kingdom of comfort food and paid...it was a little strange tho...she sits a desk with one of those cigarette sales thingy that you find in the corner store, up above her head. I told her how awesome it felt to be in the place and that I would return with others. Now just to make it between 11am - 3pm. I think I can.
The Verdict
Go. Order anything. This spot is A.Mac Certified YUMMY. You are gonna spend between $11 to $12 per person so be prepared. -
Review from Daniel B.
7/27/2011 4 photos
I've wanted to try Carver's for a while, but the restaurant's limited hours (11-3, weekdays only) make it a challenge for me given where I work. I took a long lunch one day to try this famed Atlanta establishment and I'm happy to report that it was worth it.
Carver's is located in the middle of nowhere, Westside ATL. The store is easy to miss because it blends in well with its worn-out surroundings. There's no parking lot, but you can parallel park along Longley Ave, a residential side street next to the store. You can also park in one of the abandoned parking lots east of the store on West Marietta St.
This restaurant is old and small. They do sell some groceries in the back, although I didn't see a single customer browse around that section. I heard they sell these limited amounts of "groceries" to stay in business at this location.
There are two white boards posted on the walls that have the day's entrees, sides, desserts, and drinks written with prices. This is a typical Southern "meat and two" type of establishment. You grab your own tray and silverware, take it to the window counter, place your order, wait for your food and drink to be delivered (in a matter of seconds), place it on your tray, and find whatever available seat you can. Due to the tiny nature of the restaurant, you will more than likely share your table with strangers. Watch your step - the floor ramps up about halfway through the building.
I decided to try their fried chicken (thigh and leg), collard greens, fried okra, and cornbread for $8.95. Carver's plates range in price from $7.95 to 11.95 each. It was a good amount of food and I left full. I also sampled some of my friend's mac and cheese and chocolate Coca-Cola cake. Overall, everything was good to very good. Both pieces of fried chicken were among the best I've had anywhere. They were delightfully crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. I could feel my arteries clogging up as I swallowed each piece.
The collard greens, fried okra, and mac and cheese seemed pretty standard to me. Nothing about the way they were prepared or tasted really stood out or set themselves apart from the competition. Nevertheless, they were solid.
The collards were chopped into small pieces. The mac and cheese made use of little noodles and the cheese was creamy. The taste of the cornbread was distinct. I could really taste the buttermilk in the bread. I liked it. It would have been perfect if was slightly more moist. The chocolate Coca-Cola cake was very good. It tastes just how it sounds, like chocolate cake, but with an aftertaste of Coke. I recommend ordering one if you've never had it before.
Carver's is cash only so remember to bring your bills. Robert and Sharon Carver, the owners and whom the restaurant is named after, sit behind the cash register to watch over the restaurant and check you out when you leave (you pay after you finish eating). In the end, this is a great Southern kitchen. Now only if they were open more hours...Listed in: Southern Food in Atlanta,…
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Review from Harrison H.
Atlanta, GA
8/11/2011
I've heard that the lines here can get a bit intense during the lunch hours, but I went on a Friday around noon and there was basically no line at all, and I had no problem finding a seat, so I was very pleased and surprised about that. I've been wanting to try this place for a long time, but the limited hours make it difficult.
I think maybe I had my expectations built up a little bit, because I was a little bit let down by the Dolly Parton chicken breast. It was good, but it wasn't my favorite style. It's the kind with real soft and tender breading, where I tend to prefer a crispy breading. Also, the chicken was slightly dry at parts, but that's to be expected based on the size of the meat.
The cornbread was delicious. It was almost too sweet though. I also tried the jalapeno cornbread, and that was significantly better than what you get from Fox Bros (or other spots around town). In fact, everything was a little too sweet. The sweet potato casserole was impossible to eat because it was too sweet. I didn't try the sweet tea, but I've heard you need an insulin shot for that.
All in all it was good, but I think I was a little bit let down because my expectations were so high. But I do really like the feel of the place, and it's reasonably cheap all things considered.
Popeyes is still better. -
Review from Ashley W.
Atlanta, GA
12/12/2011
I have to say the owners are so sweet, but I have had better soul food. The fried chicken was good, but the sweet potato soufflé was diabetic coma sweet. And I have a sweet tooth, but it was even to much for me. The collards were not good and the squash soufflé was not the best. But the sweet tea was divine!!! True southern sweet tea. Overall I wouldn't go again.
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Review from Len L.
Decatur, GA
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
A friendly little southern style food joint. The menu changes from day to day so you will see a variety of meats and veggies. Service is cafeteria style so see what you are getting as you order. If you are trying the local meat and threes, you gotta include this one in your adventure.
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Review from Juichia C.
Atlanta, GA
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I finally made it to Carver's last Friday! I was extremely excited to try the fried chicken. The Dolly Parton fried chicken breast was, I'm sad to report, a little disappointing.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the fried chicken breast, however it is not five star quality fried chicken. Some parts of the breast were dry. The skin and batter is pretty good, but definitely not the best I've had. It simply isn't the juiciest fried chicken with the crispiest batter.
I chose the sweet potato casserole and the collards. The collards were EXCELLENT. It was flavorful but not too salty nor oily. The sweet potato casserole was inedible. I went with someone who LOVES sugar and he could not eat the sweet potato casserole. The explosion of sugar in the sweet potato made it hard to swallow it.
Corn bread is by far the best I've had in a looong time.
Overall, I think Carver's is a nice, charming little place to take out of towners, but I have to say it is just a tad over hyped. -
Review from David K.
Buford, GA
7/22/2011
Didn't think BBQ beef brisket was hard to make good, but they make it GOOD. The whole place is tiny and is pretty old, but the food and people make it like you're eating at home.
The fried mac and cheese looks like a pitiful square looking pseudo-corn bread, but in reality is one of the best mac and cheese you can ever have. I was trying to figure out where all the amazing flavor was coming from as I saw very little cheese--just really good.
The coleslaw wasn't the best I had, but like any BBQ, gotta have it with coleslaw.
Their lunch menus seem to change from what I hear and you can also get a $1 off student discount. Make sure you bring cash as they only accept cash. You may also want to try to beat the lunch crowd as the lines can get pretty long. -
Review from Cara B.
Atlanta, GA
7/19/2011
I feel like a debbie downer among these really positive reviews.
Carvers is another one of those Atlanta traditions that has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I finally made it over here and I have to say, it's way overpriced.
The food was decent. The fried chicken is huge, kind of bland, and a little dry. The mac and cheese wasn't very flavorful, but I did like the crunchy top layer. Collards had too much vinegar in them (I couldn't even finish them). The bf loved his sweet potato casserole. I thought it was way too sweet, but it's also not the type of thing I would typically order. I did love the jalapeno cornbread.
For the two of us it was a solid $25 for the whole meal (no drinks, includes a student discount). While the servings are huge, I don't need to spend $15 for lunch, especially when I could make that same lunch at home and probably be happier with the outcome.
Don't forget that it's cash only! -
Review from Vincent H.
Atlanta, GA
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to take family when they are in town! The food is wonderful and the "dive" style ambiance offers quite an enjoyable lunch experience. Word of caution.. you will be sitting with other people if you chose to dine in. Personally, I like eating with strangers because it offers an opportunity to have some interesting conversations! The prices have gone up a little in the past year or so and you will be paying average of $12 for an entree, two sides, and bread. If you eat lunch here you won't need a large meal for dinner.
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Review from Robert C.
8/7/2011
Great food, huge portions, but limited hours.
Carver's offers up lunch between the hours of 11 and 3 on weekdays. It's your basic meat and three (well, two) -- a meat entree, two sides, and bread -- and it'll run you somewhere between $7.95 and $12.95. (A vegetable plate of three or four sides only will run you $6.95 or $7.95, respectively.) Drinks are an additional $1.50, and a slice of cake will run you $2.50. Choose between seven to ten entrees, twelve to fourteen sides, and four or five desserts every day.
When you enter the building, you'll grab your cutlery and a tray, and make your way up to the serving window. Here, you'll receive not only your food, but your drink, your dessert, and a ticket. Seating is spread out over a handful of communal tables, and there's a friendly employee that comes around to take your trays and top off your beverages. Hold on to your ticket so you can pay on your way out; note that students can get a significant discount at the register. Cash only.
I had the fried chicken with creamed corn, mac and cheese, and cornbread, along with sweet tea and a slice of chocolate Coca-Cola cake. My piece of fried chicken was enormous, but it was a bit dry and flavorless. I'll probably go with a different entree next time.
Then again, maybe I'll just go with a vegetable plate, since what stood out to me were the sides. Both the creamed corn and the mac and cheese were delicious. The cornbread was some serious quality, too -- moist and not too sweet. It's admittedly a bit of a challenge to find decent cornbread these days, and Carver's provides a pretty good rendition of the stuff.
And fortunately, they don't drop the ball with dessert. While many of these meat-and-three places offer dry and mediocre cake, the slices here are incredibly moist and rich. Delicious.
Everyone says that parking's a challenge, but it's not a big deal. There's space all up and down the residential streets, though you ought to watch out for tall grasses and pets tied up in the front lawns. However, parking's also available in the parking lot next door. Don't worry about getting towed -- there are signs posted that explicitly ask you to park your car next door, rather than on the street. -
Review from Jeremiah J.
Atlanta, GA
6/18/2011
Carver's is where people in the city go and think it's great "country cookin'". I'm born and raised in rural GA and now live in Atlanta. You gotta go out in the sticks to get good authentic southern food. The Tavern in Trion GA is great. Jim's Drive in in Summerville GA is great. The Partridge in Rome GA is awesome. Jerry's in Carrollton GA is also top notch. Mary Mac's has the best Southern food in Atlanta.
Carver's tastes like it's out of a can.
Oh yeah...Star cafe is also pretty good Southern food for Atlanta. -
Review from Dean S.
Santa Monica, CA
11/20/2011
Carvers country kitchen is the best place to grab a lunch for take-out after a night out in Atlanta.
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Review from Ben O.
4/5/2011
Carver's is proof that people will tolerate much in deference to great food. No parking? We'll just park on the street and hump it in. A doorway that's too narrow for a wheelchair (and a floor that slopes dangerously at the junction between what used to be two buildings)? We'll perform a complex ad-hoc ballet to get the patron and her wheelchair inside and keep her upright. Crowded dining room? Well, I'd expect no less from food this good. You ran out of Coca-Cola cake for the day? I guess I should have gotten here earlier.
Come here for true Southern food. But get here a few minutes before they open. You don't want to miss the Coca-Cola cake. -
Review from Sam A.
Norcross, GA
6/27/2011
Step on in and feel right at home! While you're definitely not dining in an elaborately decorated arena, your taste buds will enjoy such emotions never experienced before! The food is both plentiful (everyone I've come with on all three occasions have had to take leftovers out!) and delicious! Be sure to call ahead and see if they have the main dish you want on the menu that day, as the lunch selection somewhat changes to change day by day.
Aside from the superior taste, it's the small things that really boost Carver's to a 5-star rating. First and foremost, you walk up to the register and pay after you eat! While this may seem normal at regular restaurants, the "stand up and order your food" mantra typically would imply you having to pay before you eat... not at Carver's! Finally, students get either a dollar off their bill or a free drink. Way to cater to the Georgia Tech and Georgia State food lovers, Carver's!
So when you're in the area or not, bring a couple of $20's (it's cash only) and immerse yourself in what southern cooking really and truly is! -
Review from Annabel T.
Irvine, CA
7/30/2011
Get there early!
My friend and I arrive a little after 11AM and the place filled up quickly. Be ready to be friendly and share a table!
I tried to the meatloaf special-delish! Moist, great sauce, and a heaping portion. The green beans were just ok. Sweet creamed corn!
A fun place to go for lunch as you never know what they'll have on the menu each day! -
Review from Erin H.
Atlanta, GA
3/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Over the past few months, Carver's as become one of my favorite places in town to eat lunch. Well, it's become one of my favorite places to pick up lunch from (to take home and eat). Although Carvers is cute 'n' all, it's not the most comfy spot to dine, especially if you are dining as a lone wolf. There are a decent amount of tables on the side of the building that's not occupied by the grocery, but those tables are typically full of groups or pockets of business folk in for a quick bit of Southern cookin' goodness. Soooo, it's just a matter of preference that I feel more comfortable taking my eats around the corner to the homestead; slappin' on some sweatpants; and then stuffing my face like it's my last meal (behind closed doors so I feel less shme). Actually, I might request Carver's as my last meal if God forbid I ever wandered on to Death Row (hey, stuff happens).
Their mac 'n' cheese is probably my favorite side dish on the menu, followed closely by the sweet potato casserole. During my visits, I have yet to see fried corn nuggets offered as a side (like their online menu touts), but, by God, I'm going to keep coming back with hope that they will appear on the menu (which changes daily).
You have to try their chicken and dumplings. Great flavor with a different twist on the "dumpling" concept. And Carver's has really yummy chicken fried steak, which is just an absolute guilty pleasure for me. Theirs is really top notch, though. Very tender; very flavorful; and very covered with your choice of gravy. :) What's not to love about that? Still on my to-try list: Pork Chops 'n' Gravy; Jambalaya (for curiosity's sake); fried catfish; meatloaf; and the Dolly Parton Fried Chicken Breasts (yyyyyeah...good joke).
For about $10, you get 2 sides, 1 meat and a bread of your choice. My recommendation is the freshly baked corn bread. It's AWESOME and I appreciate that, like all of Carver's creations, it's homemade, thus is absent of that prefab cornbread muffin-thingy look.
I typically forgo the sweets at Carver's (restraint must be exercised SOMEWHERE), but a few of the options look really tasty; namely, the Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake and the Strawberry Cake. And I know one of these days I'll break down and get some banana pudding.
Wash all of this crap down with a delicious, fresh-brewed, amply-sugared sweet tea, and you'll find your self in an artery-clogging, slap-yo-mama inducing food coma. That's not a bad thing, by the way. Quite a disgustingly awesome state in which to find oneself.
I do laugh a bit at some of the other reviews that comment on how large the portions are, but then turn around and say how expensive Carver's is. I think that's an asinine contradiction. If you're gonna get food like this, go all out. I like the portion sizes. Carver's isn't (or at least shouldn't) be somewhere that one goes every day. But as a one-a-month indulgence, it'll give you a strong Southern cookin' fix. I think for what you get, $10-$12 a plate is really reasonable and worth the casheesh considering how damn good everything is.
The only reason I didn't give Carver's 5 stars is because I do wish they were open more often. Although you can find the grocery open Monday-Friday, you can only get lunch at Carver's TUESDAY through Friday from 11-3. Adding a few Saturday hours would make this girl (and her husband who can never make it to Carver's because of his work schedule) over-the-moon excited.
For someone who lives in the neighborhood, I appreciate Carver's on a multitude of levels, including, of course, the awesome food and the amount of care they take every morning in preparing the menu. Keep up the great and delicious work, Bob and Sharon! -
Review from Joe L.
Atlanta, GA
So I finally came to this place (its only open for lunch on weekdays, and I cant really skip class..) BUT its definitely worth while.
The stars are definitely the side dishes.
The potato ham casserole was absolutely the bomb. If its there, just get it and enjoy it.
the sweet potato casserole was good but really sweet. and they put pecans in it I think (which caused me to put pecans in my recipe for it from now on)
the banana pudding was pretty good, not mind blowing but still tasty and cheap for the amount that you
the chicken and dumplings was ok, the chicken was kinda dry, but soaked in the delicious gravy. and the dumplings were very homestyle (that is... heavy).
I would definitely like to mention the people that eat here. If you want to eat where the locals eat, where the blue collar workers eat, eat here. i sat down by myself, and literally within 5 minutes was talking to a few guys (who didnt know each other beforehand) about nascar and sweet iced tea. That is southern hospitality at its best.Listed in: Breakfast/Bunch Places, ROTD
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Review from Jean W.
Newnan, GA
9/28/2011
I don't see how this place gets such great reviews. The food was totally average, the mac and cheese actually had dried-out parts. And the prices were high for this type of food - $10 - 13 per entree.
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Review from Dru J.
1/11/2011 ROTD 12/12/2011
Just as the name suggests: simple, unpretentious, appealing. Reminiscent of an old school corner store, parking is haphazard, lighting is dim and the furnishings, minimalistic. Great atmosphere.
Feeling ravenous, I decide to go for it and order the Dolly Pardon plate. Fried chicken breast, turnip greens, mashed potatoes and jalapeno cornbread. I'm not disappointed. The aptly named chicken breast is a mountain of guilty pleasure (and if not the best fried chcken in the metro, its tied for first). The mashed potatoes are . . spritual and the remainder of the sides competent. I can only eat half.
Lunch is $11.00, not bad when you consider it was both lunch and dinner. Cash and checks only. -
Review from Emily G.
Updated - 3/23/2011 4 photos
The short and sweet guide to Carver's Grocery:
Order the Dolly Parton for the only pair of big breasts that will cost you under $12.. and these ones aren't fake either.
For a poor man's meal (i.e. me), get the ham and take home the leftovers. Put some cranberry sauce or raspberry jam on top and stick it in the microwave. Its like Christmas dinner in March. At 1 carver's lunch, you get 2 full meals. Not bad for $10. -$1 with student ID!
Read my previous review for a more detailed-version of the entrees/sides and more tips. Get there before 12!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/24/2011
I finished my plate clean. Like a boss.
Massive food coma afterward. I got dessert and swore I could… Read more »
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Review from Jonah K.
4/6/2011
Service is amazing, very nice. Sides are out of this world. The cornbread is the best I have had anywhere. I have no idea what they put it in, but WOW. The jalapeno cornbread is also awesome.
Fried chicken was HUGE, and very good. I still like busy bee better, but its a close second place.
Food is a deal, and I'm not a leftovers person. There is no way I could finish my food. I was even eating greens! -
Review from Kisha M.
1/14/2011
I have been driving past this little place on the corner for years and always wondered what it was like on the inside. Over the Christmas break, I finally conned a friend into going with me, and he even treated.
Like most "dives" you order at the counter and walk away with your food. It was pretty busy on a weekday afternoon and I was worried we wouldn't get a seat, but the tables turned over fairly quickly.
I ordered the fried chicken, mac n cheese and sweet potatoes. It was a ton of food. Really too much for lunch. The food was pretty good, but nothing I would ever crave. When I eat pieces of chicken that big I start to worry about it being injected with hormones. The mac n cheese was not a good ratio of velveeta to real cheese. It was way too velveeta-y and had zero seasoning. The sweet potatoes were good.
What the place lacked in deliciousness I felt it made up in character. The staff was very friendly. There was a lady who kept coming around to refill drinks. I didn't mind sitting at the communal tables either. I felt like we were a special group of people eating together.
I did think the food was overpriced. I think it was about $8.95 per person and that didn't even include a drink. For the quality of the food and the sharing of tables and whatnot, I would have expected it to be a couple of dollars cheaper. Glad my companion treated!
P.S. Cash Only! -
Review from T M.
Atlanta, GA
9/24/2011
Awesome. Inexpensive, Very Southern.
If you are on a diet, stay away.
Casserole dishes are incredible. -
Review from Michelle A.
Atlanta, GA
10/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I've been trying to come here for well over a year now. Unfortunately, I work just far enough away that it doesn't fit into my lunch hour, and of course it's only open 11-3 M-F. FAIL (on my part).
A series of unfortunate events, though, led me to have some time off and a hankering for southern cooking before I ventured to the realm of the north (aka Florida). I'm surprised I didn't scare off the staff with my excitement...
Mashed potatoes, mac n' cheese, creamed corn, and broccoli souffle were my choices along with a biscuit while Ryan R. grabbed some meafloaf, sweet potatoes, and peach cobbler. Drool. I devoured what I could shovel into my mouth but made sure to save enough for later. After all, a meal like this needs to be repeated and clearly I don't get to repeat it often... or ever. That mac n' cheese is full of crack or something. Broccoli souffle wasn't too eggy and full of big chunks of crispy broccoli. Creamed corn was FRESH. Not a can. It was fresh kernels of awesome. The boy's meatloaf was delicious and needed no extra condiments, and my biscuit was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Perfection on a plate is what I'm getting at here. The fact they serve it up with an Arnold Palmer pretty much makes this the best restaurant in the history of the planet.
Even better is the staff. Seeing my hands full of stuff, my food was carried to the table for me and the man even went back to get me silverware so I wouldn't have to. Drinks were constantly refilled and if it's a condiment, it's out for you to use. It's not just a place where they serve up Southern food; they serve up a healthy dose of Southern hospitality to boot. I'd gladly keep pulling out cash to come here... so it's probably a good thing I can't normally make it over here.
Parking is the worst part. I parked on the street but found out on one side of the building there is a lot I could've used. Apparently most people don't know that because the lot was virtually empty but the street was packed on both sides for an entire block. So take note!
