You Haven’t Tried True Georgia Comfort Food Until You’ve Been Here

There's no shortage of comfort food in Georgia. And while there are likely a few dishes that spring to mind when it comes to Southern comfort food, few can beat iconic breakfast dishes like buttermilk biscuits and grits. It's a fresh, refined take on these dishes that makes one Atlanta restaurant standout, though. While the unfussy, homemade biscuits are a true hallmark of Georgia comfort food, few dishes are as classic as a grit bowl with fried trout and an over-easy egg. What truly makes them stand out, however, is Chef Hudson Rouse's focused approach and menu items with true Southern roots.

The Must-Try Dishes You Can’t Miss at Babygirl

With Babygirl, Chef Rouse expands his community market and quick-service counter at Pure Quill Superette to introduce another slate of undeniably Southern dishes in an elevated but casual dining room. Here, guests will find it hard to choose from a wide array of selected Georgia brunch plates ranging from a Scotch egg and Belgian waffles to classics like a fried chicken sandwich or lemon pepper wet wings at lunch. But the two dishes visitors shouldn't pass by are the biscuits and the grits bowl with fried trout and an over-easy egg on top. These dishes are not only representative of classic Southern fare but also of Atlanta's favorite flavors.

While many people are familiar with shrimp and grits, fried fish and grits is an even deeper cut from the cloth of Southern comfort food. Fortunately, Babygirl executes it beautifully with cornmeal-coated and fried trout that's crisp and flaky. Paired with a runny egg that is soaked up by the grits, it's as old-school as it gets. In a similar vein, the biscuits here are the closest I've ever seen to my own family's — which has roots in Georgia that stretch back over seven generations. These biscuits are fluffy with a tender crumb on the inside and a perfect crisp shell from the lightly browned top on the outside. While the biscuits are served with two kinds of jam (perfect for enjoying a "dessert biscuit" as some call them) and a pat of butter, I like to eat them plain to savor the delicate buttermilk flavor.

What Makes This Georgia Restaurant So Special

Located in the heart of Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood near Decatur, Babygirl welcomes you into a bright space with minimalist features and a peaceful water fountain on the patio. Inside, there are long, continuous booths along the windows, a few free-standing tables both inside and on the patio, and bar seating. This casual spot has quickly become a neighborhood favorite set among other local restaurants in Georgia for quick weekday breakfasts and leisurely weekend brunches.

With freshly squeezed juices, a smoothie, cocktails, and plenty of coffee to pair with some of the best comfort food in Georgia, it's easy to understand why people keep coming back. Whether you're craving a simple, nostalgic meal like cheese toast with fruit or tried-and-true Southern comfort staples, there's something for everyone here.

What to Expect When You Visit

One of the biggest challenges of dining out in Atlanta is frequently parking. Fortunately, there's a free lot for visitors as well as street parking just outside the restaurant. Babygirl is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Guests can typically walk in and seat themselves, too. Expect most dishes to clock in around $15, with some outliers. After eating, the neighborhood is a lovely spot to walk with a to-go coffee or juice, or head to nearby Decatur to peruse local shops.

So, the next time you're in need of a crowd-pleasing breakfast or lunch spot in Atlanta, Georgia, head to Babygirl. Whether you order your go-to comfort food favorites like biscuits or branch out with a grits bowl topped with fried fish and an egg, no one will be left hungry or dissatisfied here.