Tracy Gates is the owner and 'Guardian of Soul Food' at The Busy Bee Cafe, a historic and award-winning soul food restaurant in Atlanta, GA. She continues a 75-year legacy of serving authentic Southern cuisine.
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CafeItalianAmericanModerateLunchDinnerCasual
Last updated: 7/31/2026, 5:08:25 AM
Key Information
Established in 1947, Busy Bee Cafe is a historic, second-generation family-owned restaurant in Atlanta, led by Tracy Gates since 1987. It is renowned for its authentic Southern soul food and hospitality. The cafe holds significant historical value, having been frequented by Martin Luther King Jr. It currently operates primarily as a take-out establishment, with orders often taken in the parking lot.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise Busy Bee Cafe for its authentic, down-home soul food, with the fried chicken and oxtails frequently highlighted as exceptional. The food is described as well-seasoned and comforting, often evoking a sense of nostalgia. While the restaurant has transitioned to a take-out model, which some note has led to occasional inconsistencies in seasoning, it remains a beloved staple in Atlanta. Long lines are common, indicating its popularity, and ordering ahead is often recommended. The service, particularly from staff like Angelique, is often commended.
The Busy Bee Cafe is located at 810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. It has been a cornerstone of the Atlanta community for decades, preserving the legacy of Southern soul food.
Contains pork (e.g., smothered pork chops, bacon in collard greens)
Best Times to Visit
The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. Due to its popularity, long lines are common, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. It is highly recommended to order ahead to minimize wait times.
Awards & Recognition
James Beard Award Winner
Michelin Gourmand
4
As a native, Busy Bee is a known staple for southern, home-cooked meals. Generally, how they do business has changed since Covid, and I applaud their ability to pivot. Although I still order frequently, the quality of the food (seasoning) is not as consistent as it used to be. The service and atmosphere is what it is within the new pick-up and go structure. Regardless, they are still in soul food rotation.
So today I had a REAL taste for some good soul food… you know the kind that just hits your spirit 😩💛 But I was not about to make that drive all the way to Atlanta, so I decided to order through Uber Eats from Busy Bee 🐝
Let me tell y’all… that was one of the BEST decisions I’ve made in a minute!
I ordered for my whole crew — my mom, my sister, my brother-in-law, my nephew, and myself — and we went ALL IN. We had smothered pork chops, buy one get one free smothered chicken wings AND fried chicken wings (because why not! 😂), plus broccoli & cheese casserole, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, and that cornbread stuffing…
BABYYYYY… when I say every single bite was GOOD… I mean GOOD GOOD 🤤🔥
Everything was seasoned just right, cooked with love, and giving real, authentic, down-home soul food. You can tell this is the kind of food that’s been perfected over time — not rushed, not watered down… just straight comfort on a plate.
We were literally sitting there eating and just looking at each other like “yeah… this is it right here” 😂 That’s when you KNOW the food hit!
I’m already planning my next order — whether it’s for my family again or just me having a “treat myself” day. Because yes… it’s THAT serious.
And listen… I’m just gonna be honest… in MY humble opinion 👀 this right here is better than Paschal’s. I said what I said! Don’t come for me 😂
But for real, thank you Busy Bee for coming THROUGH with some amazing, authentic soul food that really fed the soul today 💛 If you haven’t tried it yet… what are you waiting on?! Go get you some!
Trust me… you’re gonna be thinking about that next plate before you even finish the first one 😩🍽️
Fantastic fried a chicken and oxtail was crazy good. Line is long but that was expected. Too bad they didn’t let us go inside to check out the pics. Pretty cool to be able to eat at one of the places King jr used to frequent.
Best Fried Chicken and soul food in Atlanta… seriously worth a visit. Don’t take my word for it… this is a James Beard award winner, and they also earned Michelin Gourmand. They have daily specials, including fried shrimp and catfish. The collard greens, fried okra and green beans are off the charts. Orders are taken in the parking lot. There will be a line. So I recommend ordering ahead prior to your arrival if you are in a hurry. The fried chicken is made to order and the aroma will tempt you all the way home. Angelique, who takes the orders… she is a force of nature & gives great suggestions. If you are coming to Atlanta anytime soon, add this local gem to your itinerary!
This southern soul food spot exceeded my expectations. It's a small spot that is take out only, but it's worth the wait and the food makes up for the lack of seating. The fried chicken is to die for with its crunchy dredge and umami flavor. The collard greens were well flavored with the small pieces of bacon, and the baked beans were surprisingly great, perfect balance of sweetness in the side. Busy Bee does an exceptional job with their southern dishes
