Every weekend, a crowd gathers outside a little country-style diner on Memorial Drive, coffee cups in hand, waiting for a table. I wanted to know if the food inside lives up to all that patience.
Home Grown has thousands of reviews and a reputation as an Atlanta breakfast favorite, so the stakes felt high. Here is what I found, from the famous chicken biscuit to the honest truth about the line.
A Country Diner on Memorial Drive
Picture a stretch of Memorial Drive SE, just east of downtown Atlanta, and a modest diner that looks more like a roadside stop than a hot spot. That is Home Grown, sitting at 968 Memorial Dr SE in the 30316 zip code.
It calls itself a breakfast restaurant, and it keeps things simple.
The place is described as a laid-back eatery serving locally sourced breakfast and Southern fare in a retro country-diner setting. I liked that description the moment I read it, because it promised comfort instead of fuss.
Nothing about the outside screams trendy, and that turns out to be part of the charm.
One visitor put it well, saying looks can be deceiving here. The plain appearance hides some of the best breakfast food they had eaten in a long while.
I went in with that in mind and kept my expectations open.
The numbers back up the buzz. Home Grown holds a 4.6 star rating across more than 4,600 Google reviews, which is a huge count for a small breakfast spot.
A crowd that size does not show up by accident.
So the question for this whole article is simple. Is the food good enough to justify standing outside on a Saturday morning?
Let me walk you through it piece by piece.
The Story Behind the Counter
Some restaurants feel run by a company. Home Grown feels run by a person, and his name is Kevin.
He introduces himself in replies to reviews as the owner chef, and he even invites guests to stop and say hello next time.
Plenty of people take him up on it. Visitors from the UK wrote about meeting Kevin on the way out and feeling like they finally got the Southern hospitality they had heard about.
Another guest called him a really nice dude who summed up that warm welcome.
Loyalty runs deep here too. One regular says they have been coming since 2017 and fell for the place from day one, mostly for the biscuits and gravy.
They admit they never order anything else, which tells you how strongly that dish sticks.
Another diner simply called Home Grown a true Atlanta institution. That is a big title, but when locals and tourists say the same thing, I start to believe it.
Fun bit: some folks found the spot by scrolling TikTok, so its fame stretches well past the neighborhood now.
Kitschy Walls and Vibrant Art
Walk inside and your eyes get busy fast. The walls are packed with vibrant, interesting art, and guests describe the photos as kitschy and cool.
It is the kind of decor you keep noticing new things in while you wait for your plate.
Here is a detail I loved. Some of the art on the wall is actually for sale, so your breakfast could come with a souvenir if something catches your eye.
That gives the room a gallery feel without any stuffiness.
The overall style is old school diner. One visitor said it felt like a mix of being in the country and the city at the same time, which matches the retro country look against a busy Atlanta street.
Another simply called it cute with a home atmosphere.
Guests also mention a very diverse clientele. That mix adds to the buzzing energy people talk about, especially on weekends.
You will see families, couples, and travelers all sharing the same cozy space.
The Famous Comfy Chicken Biscuit
If Home Grown had a signature handshake, it would be the comfy chicken biscuit. It is the most talked about dish in the reviews by a wide margin, with dozens and dozens of mentions.
I knew I had to start there.
The idea is pure Southern comfort: fried chicken on a biscuit, covered in gravy. One visitor paired it with collard greens and said it was so filling they could have ordered a half size.
Another said it made their whole day.
Biscuits and gravy fans get their own reward. The longtime regular I mentioned earlier was told the kitchen just does it better here, and they agree after years of visits.
Others also praise the biscuit with apple butter as warm and fluffy.
My tip is to come hungry or plan to share. Portions on this plate are hearty, and you will want room for a side or two.
If you only try one thing on a first visit, most regulars would point you right here.
Fried Green Tomatoes, Grits and Southern Sides
Honestly, the sides might steal the show. Fried green tomatoes come up constantly, and more than one guest called them the best they have ever had.
One diner gave special credit to the horseradish ranch served alongside.
Cheese grits are another favorite. Visitors describe them as smooth and comforting, and several people recommend them by name.
Pimento cheese also earns a lot of love among regulars.
Then there are the cheesy grit tots. A first-timer said to order a plate for the table to share, and I think that is smart advice.
They sound like the perfect snack while everyone decides on mains.
Not every bite wins everyone over, though. One recent guest found the eggs, biscuit, and grits bland on their visit, while still praising the bacon and atmosphere.
I share that because a fair picture matters, and the vast majority of reviews lean the other way.
Beyond Biscuits: A Lengthy Menu
Chicken and waffles fans, you are in luck. It is one of the most recommended plates, and several groups ordered it alongside breakfast enchiladas, which also get glowing praise.
The menu is called lengthy for good reason.
Sweet tooth? Guests rave about a French toast sandwich, with one suggesting you add scrambled eggs with cheese.
The churro waffle got described as a spiritual experience, and someone recommends topping it with chicken sausage.
Savory options run wide too. People mention country fried steak smothered in brown gravy, steak hash, chorizo breakfast tacos, a fried chicken sandwich with really good fries, a spicy sloppy Joe, and the Wes Sandwich, a loaded BBQ chicken sandwich with bacon.
Salmon patties have a following, though reviews are mixed. One guest found the portion small and closer to a croquette, and another felt the patties were a bit bready.
Vegetarians will be glad to hear there are veggie sausages, and the thick, crispy bacon earns praise from just about everyone.
Coffee Worth a Detour
Coffee lovers, this part is for you. One guest called the coffee here really underrated and raved about a cold brew with smoked chocolate syrup.
Others simply called it solid, which is exactly what you want with a plate of biscuits.
Drinks go beyond plain coffee. A visitor praised the chai tea both hot and cold, and another called a drink named the velveteen bursting with flavor.
It is fun to try something new while you eat.
The bigger surprise is the cafe in the back. Reviewers say a coffee shop called Storyteller recently opened behind the restaurant.
You can sit down comfortably there, and guests say the service is great too.
That little cafe changes the waiting game. Instead of standing around, you can grab a drink and relax until your table is ready.
It is a clever touch for a place that gets this busy.
The Weekend Line, Honestly Measured
Let me be straight about the wait. On weekends, expect it.
One guest said to plan for at least 20 to 25 minutes, and another arriving Sunday around noon was quoted 30 to 45 minutes.
That second group waited about an hour before switching to takeout, which was ready in 15 minutes. They ate on a nearby bench and still enjoyed the food.
Another regular noticed large parties lingering after meals, which slowed things down.
Still, many say the line moves pretty quickly, so do not let it scare you off. Counter and bar seating can open up fast, and one pair got a counter spot and was served right away.
A Friday morning visitor around 10:30 found plenty of room.
You can also wait outside at the picnic area with a coffee, or wander nearby shops. My verdict on the line itself?
Go on a weekday if you can, or bring patience and a friend.
Hours, Prices, Parking and Getting There
Good news for planners: Home Grown keeps the same schedule all week. It is open every day from 8 am to 2 pm, Monday through Sunday.
One guest even noted it was open on Memorial Day.
Prices get praised over and over. Visitors call the food very affordable, competitively priced, and fair.
One person said the low prices make you want to keep ordering more.
Getting there is easy. Guests mention free parking and a great location close to the Beltline, so you can walk over if you are exploring the trail.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both available, and the bathrooms are described as clean and well kept.
A quick allergy note matters too. One guest with a mushroom allergy learned the table all purpose sauce contains mushroom extract, so ask about ingredients if you have restrictions.
You can call ahead at 404-222-0455 or check homegrownga.com.
My Verdict on the Wait
So, worth it? For most people, I say yes.
The food is hearty, the prices are friendly, and the welcome feels real. Thousands of high ratings do not lie, even if a few folks leave unimpressed.
Home Grown suits travelers who want a true taste of Southern breakfast, locals craving a cozy routine, and anyone who loves a colorful, quirky room. It also works for groups with mixed tastes, thanks to that long menu and veggie options.
Coffee fans get a bonus with the back cafe.
If you hate waiting, try a weekday morning or grab takeout. On weekends, sip a drink outside and let the anticipation build.
Order the chicken biscuit, add fried green tomatoes, and see for yourself why the line keeps forming.
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