Thumbs Up Diner

Second time visiting this location. There was a short wait about 15 minutes, but it was well worth waiting. The service was great and the food was even better. This time around I opted to create my own omelet. I was very impressed with the omelet.
My brunch date had smoked chicken and waffles. The waffles was just a basic waffle, but the flavor of that chicken was to die for. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice laid back brunch

Great meal and great prices. My girlfriend and I went here our first time in Atlanta. We waited about 30 minutes before we were sat but the place was packed so it wasn’t a surprise. The waiting area was fairly disorganized but the place is smaller so there wasn’t much choice if you didn’t want to stand outside. The girlfriend got the shrimp scramble with tomato, spinach and mozzarella (special) She said it was pretty good but the shrimp didn’t taste quite right. I ordered the shrimp and fried catfish plate with grits. (Special) My food was amazing. Shrimp was good. Catfish was so moist but not so moist that it made the fry soggy. We also ordered a side of spuds with cheese. Absolutely delicious. You can taste the freshness of all the in all of the ingredients. The bell peppers were especially tasty. A must try item on the menu. Lastly, anytime you’re in the South you HAVE to order the sweet tea. The sweet tea here is so good as expected. Will definitely go here again if I’m ever back in Atlanta.

I went here on Sunday morning for breakfast with my boyfriend while we were visiting ATL. The food was GREAT! The place is small, busy and popular. I gave it a four for the waiting space. It was crammed full of people that just finished the hot chocolate run and felt like we were intruding on other guest’s breakfast. Other than that they were kind, prompt and food was great. My boyfriend got the fish and shrimp platter with grits. The catfish was perfectly cooked! I got a mozzerella scrambled egg shrimp plate, it was okay. We shared a plate of cheesy spuds and a glass of Georgia sweet tea which were my favorite! Overall an awesome little diner that I would return to if ever hungry for breakfast (served all day) while in Atlanta.

I have been watching my mother get the same breakfast for 37 years. 2 eggs, over easy, a side of toast, and bacon. She knows how fried eggs are supposed to taste. She’s not snobby about it, but she knows what is good. I watched her repeat 6 times, over the coarse of breakfast at Thumbs Up, «Oh my gosh! These eggs are perfectly cooked!»
That is what Thumbs Up is: the staple diner, where everything that you get is exactly what you want, perfectly cooked. My personal favorite is the sassy scramble, which has smoked salmon and cream cheese in it.
It has spoiled me for all other breakfast spots. Seriously. But go during off hours, it is packed otherwise.

Thumbs up diner is a fun southern diner — it’s got the great, greasy classics, plus fun options like catfish and grits. If you go on the weekend, you’ll almost surely have a wait, but there is a bench outside and a little courtyard next door where you can wait. First, go in and put your name on the list — if you can, say «yes» to sitting at the counter — it can cut your wait in half. On a Sunday afternoon, we waited about 45 minutes for two spots at the counter. Service at the counter was friendly, but quick (emphasis on quick — they really are trying to move people through). Our catfish-​and-​grits and egg-​and-​potato skillet were both really good and very reasonably priced!

Popular local diner for good reason. If you show up during peak periods, you can wait an hour or more. You can get in faster by sitting at the counter.
Family went for breakfast and canvased the menu with a little bid of everything: eggs, pancakes, waffles, omelets, and french toast. All good but I think the scrambles were the best. Eggs were light and fluffy and the additional items were fresh and flavorful.
Enjoy!

Great food. The veggie skillet was amazing. The «build your own breakfast» is fantastic because you can order whatever you want and just add it all up; you don’t get more food than you need, or you can have as much as you want because you get to build it just the way you want it.
The veggie/​potato skillet (we paid extra to add the sautéed veggies) was so so fresh, crunchy, flavorful. I will certainly come back for it. The coffee was delicious. Simple, and neither bitter or acidic.
Our server seemed a bit flustered and overwhelmed by all her tables. We were an easy group (only 3 of us, and simple orders), but she still struggled to bring us waters and refill our coffees. The food was delicious as was the coffee.
Though the restaurant was full, the wait for a table was brief (we were seated within minutes of getting there). The food flows! The other servers were really nice and accommodating. Everyone was working really hard. The bathroom was clean and well maintained. There is free parking around back. And a cute little waiting area with benches. A cute little herb garden around the side with (what looked like) basil, mint, cilantro and more.

I visited this restaurant today after church around 12:30 pm. The wait was ridiculous at 1hour and since there is limited seating inside you must wait outside. The wait to be served is like another 15 minutes. The coffee luke warm and water like straight from the outside faucet. I order the skillet plate and it was average with little seasoning. The kids ordered pulled pork sandwhich and chicken tenders. Both thought they were ok but nothing to brag about. The music system is whack. Low music as if playing from someone’s cell phone. Lastly the bathroom only set up for one guest per time which is so inconvenient. I gave it a 3 because the prices were good for 4 adults I spent $ 40. The food was average and I guess if you have nothing else to do the atmosphere is ok just don’t expect any rush to get you served. Enjoy!

I’ve been to this location multiple times and there is nothing to write home about anything they serve. I think if you have few extra minutes at home, you can make a better scramble egg or omelette. BTW: there quantity of food is not for a hungry soul but for a person wanted to taste the food. Waffle House is better.

My friend and I came for a late ‘brunch’ here. We arrived around 2:30pm and was seated around 3pm. This place is really popular so we ended just taking our seats at the bar. The staff was friendly and got us water immediately and gave us time to review the menu.
There are quite a few things on here that I wanted to try — but the fried catfish and grits caught my eyes because it offers a little bit of everything (catfish, eggs, grits, and biscuit) for only $ 9.50. My friend built her own breakfast plate and ordered a huge piece of french toast (one is PLENTY). Maybe it’s because we were here close to closing, but our food took a while to come.
When the food did come, my friend and I both thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The fried catfish was very good. The grits wasn’t very flavorful but I liked it. The biscuit feels very homemade and was good with jam. For about 10 bucks — I was SO FULL. Definitely a good place for brunch/​lunch if you don’t mind waiting!

Loved the folks working here, liked the food.
Cleanliness probably isn’t the first adjective that comes to mind here as tables are vacated faster than they can be cleaned; instead «greasy spoon» probably gives you an accurate visual image: older, no frills, and short order food coming out fast.
The staff is really great and not a bit of that super fake chain restaurant stuff where they try to upsell you everything with plastic smiles. Tons of old folks here, folks that say «see you next week to the staff,» and plenty of tourist folk like me.
I love how you can «build your own» breakfast or lunch plate. No one ever offers this option! What if I want potatoes AND pancakes without having to pay out the poopshoot?!
I did get the catfish with eggs, potatoes, and a biscuit. Some of the BEST catfish I have ever eaten. Hot, crisp, perfectly seasoned, and outta this world! The rest of everything was just so-​so, and it tastes like they use some sort of a margarine spread to cook the rest of their food. It just had this artificial butter taste to it, which was kinda unappetizing :(
Overall experience was really nice for a super chill, laid back mom-​and-​pop place that you could wear pajama pants to and not feel too ratchet. :)

Delish. Had the shrimp and grits, French toast, Belgian waffles. The shrimp were scrumptious, the grits needed some salt pepper and hot sauce for my taste but thoroughly cheesy and perfect after I kicked it up. The waffles were perfect as was the French toast with the light hint of cinnamon.
The French toast is advertised as challah. I’m pretty sure it’s not challah (as a New Yorker that not what challah looks like back home) but it’s OK bc it was perfect as is. Perfect post flight breakfast! Thank you!

What a great place to eat brunch! Located in Edgewood in a cute building with a cool bar that has a very welcoming atmosphere. My co-​worker had raved about this place so she said we must go and I’m so glad she took me!
This place is pretty old school and when you walk you write your name on a notepad to reserve your place in line for the next table. Although we had to wait a brief moment the service is quick and within minutes we were seated. Both breakfast and lunch is served but I recommend getting the breakfast. I selected the Mediterranean eggs with a multigrain biscuit. And let me tell you these biscuits are like no other! Handmade and so delicious — really can’t be beat. The eggs were also amazing and the mix of feta, tomatoes, and olives really made a delicious breakfast. All the items on the menu looked very tasty so I really don’t think you can go wrong with anything.
The price point is also very reasonable which is always nice for a good meal. The only downside is it’s cash only but they do have an ATM. Although this is an inconvenience I totally recommend going because the food is delicious!!!

A classic gourmet southern diner; If such a thing
exists. Arrived Sunday brunch at 11. We had a 25 minute wait. Luckily they have benches. Service was super friendly and efficient. We ordered scrambled eggs and grits and a scrambled egg dish with fresh salmon and cream cheese served with a bagel
that was exceptional. Great coffee and fresh brewed tea are always appreciated. The chairs and booths were very comfortably padded. Loved the space.
Tushy Review — — - 5 cheeks !

Great place! I live very close, so decided to check it out since I kept reading about it as one of the best breakfast places in Atlanta. I decided to order a take out. I was there in 15 mins and the food was ready (it was a week day). I ordered The Skillet Heap ($ 7.69) with additional ham ($ 1.69). It was very good. The potatoes are great, but I wish they would peel the potatoes though. I kind of had to do it myself while eating because I don’t like the skin. Then I ordered the Basa Catfish Fillet ($ 4.99) which was huge and very good; grits ($ 1.69) — good, and ham, egg, and cheese on a white toast ($ 3.98) — also good (maybe the bread needs to be toasted a little more). The next day I ordered shrimp and grits ($ 11.49) with the cajun seasoning on the side because I can’t eat spicy food. They were good!
Overall I like the place a lot; people working there are very nice.
The restaurant is cash only, but they have an ATM ($ 2.50 fee– didn’t have to use it, but asked in case I need it in the future). I wish the place was open longer than 3 P.M. because I could eat breakfast all day long :)
Thank you, Thumbs up!

This review is not based on their food.
Sunday brunch was definitely hectic, and I understand wait-​times can be long (45 minutes), but I was confused as to why other groups were being seated before us even though we came before them. It wasn’t really a matter of # because those groups had 3 – 4 while my group had 3. We even said yes for the countertop tables (if any were available), and a 3-​person group, who arrived well after us, were seated at the countertop a full 15 minutes before we decided to leave. There was also a woman next to me who was extremely impatient because she had been waiting an hour. I recommend steering clear of here during weekend brunch.

Gotta give it A FIVE! Two «Thumbs Up»!
I tried the French toast for the first time. It was SO GOOD! Also had catfish, side of spuds and grits (don’t judge me… I was hungry). Everything was delicious!

CASH ONLY. Atm inside if necessary.
Very homely interior, classic diner space. Booths, tables and counter seating alike.
Great portions — had an omlette (w salmon, spinach and cream cheese) with the biscuit. Was stuffed by the end of the meal! The jam/​compote thing was dense and perfectly sweet.
Free coffee refills. Staff was attentive and friendly.
Parking was easy for an early Mon morning breakfast, but I can easily see it getting packed.

This place gets 4 stars because of the service alone… Which is pretty good btw. As for the food. It’s a 3
Before I get into food… This is a CASH ONLY place… But fret not… There’s an ATM inside that only charges bout 2 bucks. The signs are everywhere… Yet… My nonobservant ass missed them all. Haha. Luckily, my friend pointed it out.
Ok… Back to the food. I orders the chicken strips and waffles with a side of cheese grits. I didn’t enjoy the grits as much. May be the cheese they’re using. I don’t know. As for the chicken strips… They were dry as heck. The waffles and eggs were perf. Although I had those two indifference’s. I’d go back. The food, atmosphere, and workers there were all very comforting. No idea why… But it just felt so homey. So. Yeah. I’d definitely go back.

Walked in and it was extremely packed. People were standing outside and inside the place. I ended up sitting at the bar which was cool. I could’ve sat down earlier but I didn’t want the seat closest to the door so I let an older woman go in front of me.
I ordered turkey bacon, eggs with cheese, grits, and a piece of french toast. All was good. The only reason I didn’t give this place 5 starts is because they don’t have fried chicken wings for the chicken and waffles combo only smoked. Other than that, I could appreciate the fact that they realize everyone doesn’t eat pork or red meat. That’s fantastic! My waitress was very cool and took care of me. The meal was priced decent. Had to make a trip here after everyone said this was the place to eat breakfast. Glad I knocked this one off the list!
Remember to sign in when you first walk in and also to bring cash because it is a cash only restaurant unless you want to be at the mercy of their ATM located on site! Cheers!