Eating Out
Stone Soup Kitchen
584 Woodward Ave., Atlanta.
404-524-1222; stonesoupkitchen.net
Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.;
Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
In 1978, it was known as the Stone Soup Natural Food Store in Virginia-Highland. Today, it’s the Stone Soup Kitchen on Woodward Avenue. Tucked between Grant Park and Cabbagetown, this neighborhood gem is a tasty breakfast, brunch or lunch option for your next “explore Atlanta” adventure or especially when visiting nearby Zoo Atlanta or the Oakland Cemetery. This establishment offers many of the best Georgia-grown products, including Mills Farm’s Red Mule Organic Corn Grits, plus many vegan and gluten-free options.
What’s on the Menu: As an occasional coffee drinker, I took one whiff of the restaurant’s aromatic coffee and made an immediate request for a mug and the name of the coffee. I pondered the extensive menu and settled on “the usual,” given my affinity for cheese grits. The bacon was extra thick, the mammoth biscuit was delicious with McCutcheon’s orange marmalade, and the cheese grits were perfection! My friend ordered the “ssk grab ’n’ go biscuit” and I experienced breakfast envy. Soup offerings include Cuban black bean, Hungarian mushroom, the best-selling chicken curry over rice, and a daily soup special. I ordered the chicken curry soup to go – and devoured it and the tasty corn muffin for lunch. Salad and sandwich selections round out the menu. All sandwiches are served with chips or the gratitude (small salad) of the day.
Why Parents Will Like It: Nice comfy booths and soft lighting inside offer a relaxing option that is dramatically different from hustle-and-bustle establishments. You’ll find private lot parking and an entrance via the back door, plus a heated patio for al fresco dining. The entire menu is available at any time, so you can please a breakfast lover and lunch lover simultaneously. Plenty of high chairs ensure that parents can eat without holding a toddler. There’s nothing on the menu over $10. The servers seem to “get” kids and their intolerance for waiting; our server was friendly, quick and efficient.
Why Kids Will Like It: While there is no kids’ menu, breakfast selections can be ordered a la carte or easily shared. Hot-off-the-griddle buttermilk pancakes (available plain or with chocolate chips, blueberries or pecans added) are served with fruit and are sure to satisfy. My tiny friend was amazed at the size of her chocolate chip pancakes and happily sipped her hand-stirred chocolate milk. Cup-sized soups are perfect for lunch, and all sandwich selections are available in half-portion sizes.
– Dana diLorenzo
Updated 5/2014
