Ida’s Downtown

This is the dirtiest restaurant I have ever seen. I can’t comment on the food because after seeing the condition of this place I lost my appetite. Someone needs to get a health inspector on there before someone gets sick!

The other day I found myself near the heart of the downtown Atlanta; near most of the County and state government buildings. I was hungry and it was well past the lunch hour so I started walking around looking for a place to eat. I had been to the eye doctor so I wanted to eat where it was indoors and where I could be out from under the bright sunshine.
I was looking for a food court in the building next to the Fulton County Government building (that I had remembered from back when I last voted or did jury duty). Instead I stumbled upon Ida’s. Ida’s is set up in an old basement restaurant space and is basically an old school Southern «meat and two.»
A meat entrée comes with two sides, bread and tea (or lemonade). I opted for smothered chicken (chicken covered in onion /​brown gravy), turnip greens, butter beans, corn bread and lemonade. My meal was good but not great. My piece of chicken was a thigh /​drumstick piece; it was tasty enough but was kind of scrawny. The greens were very good. The butter beans were tasty also. The corn bread was above average. Lemonade tasted like it was from a machine and not homemade. I think my bill came out to about $ 7 and change (including tax and tip).
Quality wise my meal was just okay; some parts were better than other parts. Ambience-​wise the place is certainly very interesting. Portioning wise, I think I would have been better off driving over to Eats on Ponce. It may have cost me a couple more bucks (around $ 9 with tax /​tip); however, I could have gotten a similar meal with bigger /​better portioning. And better ambience.

whole fish fried, generous side of grits, coffee, friendly folks, clean, quiet, organized — $ 5.67 (probably the most you could ever spend). Eggs and fish all fresh-​made. Extremely convenient location 1 block south of 5Pts MARTA

Ida’s is my favorite option for breakfast in the mornings. Right in the heart of the downtown near most of the County and state government buildings. My favorite is bacon and a biscuit. It’s only $ 1.70. Even if they went up on the price, I wouldn’t have a problem. My co-​workers enjoy their lunch options. I personally never been.

Waited 20 mins for fresh cooked fish, wrong veggies in box so the guy added the yams to the fish part in the container. Got to work with yam juice soaked fish.

Excellent food in the basement area of Capital Bank in downtown Atlanta. What a wonderful greeting you get from James or any of the other workers there. They are genuine in their character and their conversations, they are very inquisitive as to what you really want for your meal and the prices are fantastic! It’s like you’re at your Aunt and Uncle’s house gettin’ breakfast or lunch during the day! The seating is plentiful and the lighting is excellent and calm. It’s worth a look to anyone downtown to just stick your head in and chat with the crew and soak in the atmosphere — and take some biscuits with you!