Sawmill gravy, fried inexperienced tomatoes, and liver and onions are a few of the particularly Southern gadgets on The Colonnade’s beloved menu — not often modified in its 98-year historical past. Opening its doorways for the primary time in 1927, The Colonnade rapidly turned a staple in Atlanta’s eating scene.
Colonnade fanatics search consolation within the quintessentially smothered and coated choice of dishes that conjures recollections of a loving matriarch making ready a home-cooked meal. As Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant, a few of its oldest and most loyal patrons might keep in mind when substances have been rationed throughout World Conflict II. As traditional because it will get, The Colonnade’s retro decor might be noticed in motion pictures just like the 2013 comedy Id Thief, starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy.
By no means needing publicity or computer systems, The Colonnade’s Southern hospitality speaks for itself. Patrons can count on a pleasant face once they enter and a full coronary heart and abdomen once they depart.
The Colonnade is steadfast within the struggle in opposition to gentrification in Atlanta and a logo of
perseverance following the two fires that shut down Cheshire Bridge Street in 2021 and 2023.
Jodi Stallings’ father bought The Colonnade in 1979 after it had moved from its flagship location at Piedmont Street and Lindbergh Drive in 1962. Stallings was able to go the torch to some acquainted faces after operating the household enterprise for 45 years.
Former inside designer Paul Donahue and retired meals service CPA Lewis Jefferies opened Lingering Shade, a cocktail bar and social membership, in 2018 earlier than buying The Colonnade earlier this 12 months. They’re solely the third house owners within the restaurant’s practically 100 years.
“We fell into the bar enterprise and [are] truly nearer to retirement age than starting-the-business age,” Donahue mentioned in an interview with Georgia Voice.
The duo have been longtime regulars when the diner’s earlier house owners approached them about promoting. Jeffries began eating at The Colonnade as a toddler over sixty years in the past and Donahue’s patronage extends practically three a long time.
For its first 87 years, The Colonnade was a cash- and check-only institution, however it’s “now accepting plastic” as only one effort to enchantment to the following era of patrons. Beneath their possession, Donahue and Jeffries hope to carry The Colonnade’s conventional Southern cooking to a youthful crowd.
“[The Colonnade] is thought for being ‘homosexual and grey,’” Jeffries mentioned. “I believe it’s gotten a little bit bit gayer since we purchased it, and we need to herald some youthful clients to benefit from the place too.”
Ever the designer, Donahue hopes some minor revitalizing and a brighter coloration palette will complement the restaurant’s midcentury structure and welcoming environment, which is made by doable by its tenured workers — a lot of whom have labored on the diner since Stallings’ father purchased The Colonnade.
“It’s not effective eating, white tablecloth,” Donahue mentioned. “It’s not the most recent, biggest fusion of no matter is happening within the restaurant world. It’s at all times been traditional, good Southern meals served by pleasant folks.”
Newcomers can count on really Southern plates, starting from chicken-fried steak to turkey and dressing, all served every day. Longtime followers of The Colonnade can count on extremely requested gadgets like fried oysters, nightly prime rib, and spinach salad to make reappearances on the menu.
Saturday lunches have additionally reappeared within the change, which has been welcomed by many. Donahue and Jeffries say they hope to be open day-after-day within the close to future.
Situated at 1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, The Colonnade welcomes walk-ins from Wednesday to Sunday. Keep updated with renovations and menu additions on Fb and Instagram.
