In most towns, finding a great meal is the challenge. But Locust Grove, with its charming Main Street and steady stream of weekend visitors, presents a different puzzle: where can you savor a truly exceptional bite without the tourist shuffle? We might sound like culinary hermits, but after one too many meals soundtracked by stroller parades and generic chain chatter, you’ll treasure these 18 gems where the food—not the frenzy—takes center stage.
Marco’s Pizza
$ | (678) 782-7833 | WEBSITE
Locust Grove has exactly one Marco’s Pizza. We’d like more, but at least our one Marco’s Pizza is consistently enjoyable. It’s also just a lovely place to have a quick, satisfying meal. The Locust Grove restaurant is usually full of people grabbing hot, fresh slices or waiting for their 2-topping special pizzas. The best thing to get here is the 2-topping special: a perfectly baked pizza with generous portions of your chosen toppings that arrives steaming hot.
A friendly staff member delivering your order to finish things off is a good call too—or just get another slice of the dangerously delicious pizza.
Sunrise China
$ | (678) 432-2088 | WEBSITE
Locust Grove has plenty of casual spots serving very good things to eat, and Sunrise China is at the top of that list. The small restaurant has excellent Chinese-American food and makes some of the best General Tso’s chicken in town, most of which costs less than $12. There are also bigger platters that come with fried rice, egg drop soup, and a protein, as well as sides like the wonton soup (that you should always order).
All of the above tastes significantly better when the food is presented beautifully on those serving plates, by the way, so take in that inviting atmosphere.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (404) 301-4422 | WEBSITE
The list of things we love about Chick-fil-A is longer than the drive-thru line during lunch rush. On that list is a chicken sandwich so perfectly cooked you’ll be tempted to order two, a warm (but efficient) atmosphere that does for family meals what sunshine does for a picnic, and friendly staff who make the entire restaurant feel like one big welcoming hug. Because it’s so well-organized, things move smoothly at Chick-fil-A even during the busiest hours.
So rest assured that no one will rush you while you’re enjoying that magical frosted lemonade.
Planet Smoothie
$ | (678) 272-8390 | WEBSITE
The distractions at Planet Smoothie are few, because anyone pulling up here is going to spend most of their time staring at the menu board like a kid stares at an ice cream truck. And when your order is ready, you’ll mostly hear the whir of blenders and the sound of straws. You come to this spacious, welcoming spot—which does excellent versions of smoothie and açaí bowl classics—to drink until you’re well past refreshed.
And you can do that with their great cookie crusher smoothie, a selection of fresh fruit blends, and one of the best açaí bowls in town that will convert you to the ways of the drive-thru.
Lovin’ Oven Pizzeria
$ | (678) 432-9498 | WEBSITE
Most folks know Lovin’ Oven Pizzeria, a solid pizza spot on Main Street, for its calzone. That’s still a great order here, but the menu has expanded over the years, and now they offer generous portions and freshly made dough—and it’s all really tasty. You can enjoy the cozy setting and good service, though service can be slow at times. Plus, you can experience all of the above in Lovin’ Oven’s promising little dining room, which is the ideal spot for a relaxed meal.
I Love NY Pizza
$ | (770) 898-8887 | WEBSITE
Judging by the simple storefront and takeout-only setup, you might think I Love NY Pizza was just another quick pizza joint. But thankfully the authenticity speaks for itself once you taste it. There’s usually just the friendly owner taking orders and preparing the food with impressive speed in the spotless kitchen. It’s all New York-style slices here, so come hungry—but the generously-topped pizza with that classic flavor is good enough to make the drive completely worthwhile.
Guthrie’s
$ | (470) 507-0201 | WEBSITE
This classic McDonough spot is a chicken strip joint where you can order crispy strips with fries while sitting next to a construction crew and never know it. To keep things moving, a quick-service counter splits the dining area from the kitchen, and there’s so much efficiency in the air, you’ll feel your order is ready before you even finish paying.
If you’re looking for that famous sauce, there’s a convenient drive-through, where you’re greeted by Gina’s friendly voice that will make you want to smile before lifting a crispy strip to your lips.
CALIXTE Haitian American CATERING!
$$ | (678) 400-3210 | WEBSITE
CALIXTE Haitian American CATERING! is the dining equivalent of a vibrant market feast. The welcoming space has a celebratory family gathering energy—with warm lighting and tables perfect for sharing generous plates. There’s not really a rigid menu structure. You just chat with the professional and friendly team, and they guide you through the standout dishes.
CALIXTE is more about hearty meals than delicate bites (so come ready to eat), but there is a must-try lemonade that will refresh you between bites of that perfectly seasoned griot you ordered because you trusted the recommendation.
Bojangles
$ | (770) 957-5421 | WEBSITE
This fast-food joint in Locust Grove is the kind of place you hit every time the thought of making breakfast at home feels as daunting as running a marathon before coffee. The reliably good food here leans Southern breakfast, but they have everything from Cajun chicken biscuits to tender meals and even tasty grits. There are also quick options like sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits if you want to keep things kind of simple.
The dining area is about the size of a small convenience store and you’re unlikely to encounter a leisurely brunch crowd at the drive-thru outside (unless they are very confused).
Moe’s Southwest Grill
$ | (678) 272-2223 | WEBSITE
Moe’s Southwest Grill is a Southwest restaurant right off the main highway in Locust Grove, easy to spot with its bright signage and ample parking. And this place is almost too perfect a quick, satisfying meal. It has a clean, well-lit dining room, a friendly counter-service setup, and a drive-thru for those on the go—which is never so chaotic that you feel rushed. But even if you’re not in a hurry, you should still come here. The Southwest food is good (and reasonably priced).
Definitely order the chicken bowl or the home wrecker, which come loaded with fresh ingredients that make every bite flavorful. And know that the staff, especially Q, provides genuinely friendly service, because that’s a big part of why you’re coming here too.
Rock N Roll Sushi
$$ | (877) 223-6154 | WEBSITE
Rock N Roll Sushi is a casual Locust Grove spot with outstanding taste in classic rock and one of the most consistently fresh sushi menus in town. This place is lively enough to show someone you’re having fun, but warm enough to not make you self-conscious about your chopstick skills. Food is why you’re coming here though, and you can always expect to find some of the area’s best hibachi on the menu, as well as fried rolls and that steady flow of flavorful sushi.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
$ | (678) 432-5633 | WEBSITE
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is the kind of place you go to when you want something way better than you could possibly make at home, without having to put on anything fancier than what you’re already wearing in your living room. Chances are, most people at this family-friendly spot are going to be using their inside voices when their mouths aren’t full of things like chicken, sundaes with cookies, and a good brownie.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is both casual enough to make leaving the house not feel like a mission and delicious enough to make you glad you didn’t just stay in and have some stale cereal.
Crumbles by Nicole
$ | (678) 764-2340 | WEBSITE
Thanks to its cozy corner location and soft pastel walls, Crumbles by Nicole is one of the most serene dessert spots in Locust Grove, with an atmosphere that turns bustling afternoons into peaceful retreats. It’s why your grandmother loves it, but also why you should visit if you’re very tired of noisy chain bakeries. Plus, the sweets are exceptional.
Crumbles’ key lime pie is perfectly tart and comes with a buttery graham cracker crust, but the highlight of this treat is a whipped cream topping that needs to be on every forkful. Then there’s the cookie dough cheesecake you could savor for hours like a cherished memory, which is served with a drizzle of caramel sauce. For something lighter, go with the airy blueberry lemon cupcake.
Shorty’s BBQ and More
$ | (770) 286-7785 | WEBSITE
Shorty’s BBQ and More is a barbecue joint that’s a perfect option for all occasions that call for a low-key meal with some excellent smoked meats and classic sides. The menu is straightforward, but as good as you’d expect from one of Locust Grove’s best BBQ spots. They make an outstanding brisket, chopped chicken sandwiches served with potato salad or mac and cheese, and a few sweet treats like peach cobbler. Nothing on the menu costs more than $18 either.
The space isn’t really big enough to handle a huge group, but it’s perfect for families and small groups that are very sick of fancy dining rooms.
Pita
$ | (470) 278-8130 | WEBSITE
At first glance, Pita looks like a straightforward Mediterranean street food spot perfect for a quick bite—which it is. But the really remarkable thing about this Tanger Outlet Mall restaurant is the food. They have a focused menu with recognizable things like gyros, flavorful rice, steak fries, and lamb egg rolls. It seems like typical fast-casual fare, but each dish is among the best versions of these very popular Mediterranean staples you’ll find anywhere in Locust Grove.
The pita bread is excellent, the sauces complement everything perfectly, and vegetarians find plenty of great options. It makes Pita feel like a destination dedicated to authentic street food—and it’s still a welcoming, clean place with sweet, friendly staff for folks who just want a reliably delicious meal.
Mesquite Mexican Grill and Bar
$ | (770) 957-3338 | WEBSITE
Unlike so many Mexican joints, Mesquite Mexican Grill and Bar is a clean, welcoming space where you’ll have no trouble focusing on the delicious food in front of you. It also has this friendly atmosphere that kind of makes you feel like you’re dining with family. This place makes some of Locust Grove’s best Mexican food (and one of the area’s very best fajita experiences).
Try to sample just about every section of the menu when placing an order—especially the Texas fajitas, a sizzling platter that’s presented hot, with tender strips of meat you get to wrap right in warm tortillas. Just know that you will get excellent service here, especially from Marisol who goes above and beyond.
San Diego Mexican Restaurant
$ | (678) 583-4003 | WEBSITE
Inside this Locust Grove spot, you’ll find a lively patio, plenty of parking, and a friendly staff ready to welcome you. What you won’t find: rushed service or a stuffy atmosphere. Between bites, your table will tell the story of a satisfying meal—with creamy trails of chunky guacamole, a scattering of sizzling chicken fajitas, and drips of flavorful Shrimp a la Diablo. You’re coming here for a relaxed, flavorful, and family-friendly experience.
Just be sure to start with the House Special that’s hearty, well-seasoned, and served with warm tortillas.
Spudz
$ | (470) 878-6424 | WEBSITE
Spudz feels more like a friendly gathering spot than a typical restaurant. And people here tend to settle in as if they were visiting a neighbor’s kitchen, so no fuss or formality. The most inviting seating is in the clean, bright dining area, so save this place for when you want to relax and enjoy a meal. The menu features vegetarian options, large portions, and some standout dishes like the chicken bacon ranch with red potatoes that are almost—but not quite—decadent.
It’s all delicious, but also reasonably priced, with most entrees around $12-18, which makes this place a great spot for a casual family dinner or relatively easy group meal where everyone can share spuds and enjoy shakes.