- Food for the Soul, a beloved Athens eatery, is known for its traditional “soul food” and welcoming atmosphere.
- Food for the Soul features a $15 all-you-can-eat buffet, requiring diners to wear gloves for self-service.
- The menu boasts classic Southern dishes, with standouts including fried chicken, cornbread, and fried okra.
If it’s comfort food you’re after, Athens is full of places where you can get it. After all, it’s a small southern town, and many of us were either raised on that style of cooking thanks to a culinary-inclined friend or family member. Others have simply grown up eating at restaurants that serve it.
In any case, folks around here have a variety of opinions about how these dishes should taste, and not everything is going to suit all tastes.
Where there doesn’t seem to be any debate is at Food for the Soul, which serves traditional “soul food” at 1965 W. Broad St. between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Sunday.
No matter what the weather is like, what kind of day you’re having or how bad the news is, there’s nothing that Food for the Soul can’t spread some sunshine on.
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Owned and operated by Harold Henderson, Food for the Soul is one of the Athens area’s most well-loved restaurants, and it was featured in a 2022 Southern Living Magazine travel video that concluded with a stop inside Henderson’s popular business.
Because it’s only open four days a week, the modestly-sized eatery is a bustling environment where Henderson and his crew work like a well-oiled machine to serve their deeply loyal patrons.
In the interest of keeping Food for the Soul’s system running smoothly, it’s best to know a little about how things work before you go. The daily menu is posted on the wall, and below it is a box of plastic gloves and hand sanitizer. Wearing at least one of these gloves is required before you’re allowed to self-serve your plate or container from the cafeteria counter. After filling your plate, expect an easygoing hello from Henderson at the checkout.
The main attraction at Food for the Soul is the dine-in only $15 all-you-can-eat buffet, which includes drink and dessert. As with any buffet, options vary by the day, and the selection of meats when the Banner-Herald visited included fried chicken, fried pork chops, Salisbury steak and more. The wide variety of sides included staples like greens, black-eyed-peas, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and more.
The last thing to know about Food for the Soul is that you will not find better fried chicken, cornbread or fried okra anywhere in Athens. In the interest of trying something different, we went for the fried pork chops with a side of cheesy rice and a cup of sweet tea. With no fusion and no frills, our meal took a cold rainy day and transported us to a peaceful evening surrounded by family at our granny’s kitchen table.
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