The Colonnade

Everyone loves the institution that Atlanta calls the place where grays and gays come to play... And that place is the Colonnade. Country cooking that will pack your colon with all the manmeat you can handle and then give you seconds. It makes many people here happier than a pig in shit. This place is like the Johnny's Hideaway on Cheshire, except it's ran by his semi-closeted brother. I love this place because it's full of drama, it's like a soap opera, filled with a cast of lively people and others that have one foot in the grave. I don't know if the elderly should really be eating all this fatty foods. But hey, I rather die with a full belly than a clean pair of underpants... Because when you die, you lose all bodily functions anyways. All that thought into putting on a clean pair of underpants everyday would have been wasted. Nevermind that, let's get this shit going already...

You gotta start off with a couple of really badly concocted 70's cocktails at the side lounge with the fake library wall paper, it's a must. A little booze always helps to lubricate your innards for what's to come... It's not a gay thing, I swear. Not that there's anything wrong with it.

Cheekan Livers. Still the best in town. Finding giant crispy livers that aren't rubbery are hard to come by these days. Half portion is more than enough. I have never attempted to order the full portion... That would be just sick and perverted. The crust on these offal tidbits is outstanding. Flaky, crispy and seasoned nicely. It is total crack. I like to stuff my cheeks with them and pretend I'm a chipmunk... Or a chick you find next door. They might actually be cheaper than this app. Damn, I love Cheshire Bridge.

Southern Fried Cheekan. I must admit, they weren't as good as they used to be. It seemed like they fried off a shitload of them and let them sit under heat lamps. Could it be just tonight because it was National Fried Chicken Day? Mebbe, mebbe not... You would think they would fried one of the their most popular classic dishes the same way all the time no matter what. This chicken deserved the same crust/batter that they fried the livers in because that shit is really good. This visit the chicken skin/crust was already falling off the meat before you even take the first bite. Ok, not that it was a bad fried chicken, it just didn't live up to the past visits which the chicken/skin/crust combo was real solid. Would I come back again for the cheekan? Fuck yeah.

The sides were more disappointing than the chicken. Fried okra, rice & giblet gravy, collards, brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, green beans were all pretty lackluster and unseasoned. The giblet gravy looked and tasted like it came from a bag or a cup that the entire staff dittled in it... 5 line cooks and a cup. But let's face it, no one comes here for the sides... Well, when I say no one, I meant me. I always order the same 2 dishes every time I come here (ok, I have tried a few other dishes but they were forgettable) and that is what you see above... Stick with the mac & cheese as the side, they're your best bet.

This place will never go out of style or out of business. It is always packed and the food is decent... Always packed, in more ways than one. Pump pump squirt.

1.5 Stars.

1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 874-5642
http://colonnadeatl.com/