Leon’s Full Service

Absolutely phenomenal. From the service to the food to the atmosphere. It is everything I could have asked for in lunch after a busy morning at the Capitol. Such professionalism paired with a laid back atmosphere places this Resturant at the tippy top of my list for the dekalb area. Btw do not even look at the desert menu. You will find yourself questioning yourself on your limit of food that you can fit into your stomach. Btw it is totally worth exceeding that limit. Remember no pain no gain???

This is one of my favorite little spots in Decatur. Love the goat stuffed peppadews (how do you spell that?) And the burger and fries never fail. The yummy side sauces for the fries will keep anyone coming back for more. Love me some Leons!

Decided to try this spot because my sister, whose in town on business, from out of state, said it was #1 on TripAdvisor. Our waitress was very helpful and knowledgeable about menu items. We had the hand cut pomme frites… Fries in a bucket. Came with sauces. The waitress let us know her favorite 3 so we went with those. All very delicious. My favorite was the garlic aioli. I went with the short ribs for my entrée. It was paired with the parsnip purée. A surprisingly delightful change from just the regular mashed potato. Staff offered great alcoholic beverages to try also. My dinner company got to enjoy those. I will use an über myself next time or a designated driver so that I can indulge in one. Would also like to try the Cornish hen on my next visit. It looked very delicious from what I saw on the ladies table next to us.

Leon’s is located in the heart of Decatur. The Hive Mind was a seasonal drink, and one of the best crafted cocktails I’ve actually ever had. The food was also great! We got the fried green tomatoes, the fried calamari and the risotto (Yes, fried, fried and risotto) =) The fried green tomatoes were hot, crispy on the outside and juicy tart on the inside-​a delicious marriage of textures! The calamari was semi-​soft to a three additional bite of chewy, and the risotta was a semi-​creamy dish with a kick of garlic. Some of my favorite flavors! Yummy!
Go early, because the wait can get long, and it’s not that large of a restaurant.

Time
Wednesday, 1:00pm. The restaurant was full, but there was seating at the bar that provides full service.
Parking
There’s a couple of lots around the area and street parking. Basically anywhere you park though, it’ll cost you a couple bucks and is less than a five minute walk (as is the case for almost every place in Decatur).
Atmosphere
Bar is neat with bottles of liquor, liqueurs, bitters, etc. surrounding you. Place is always lively and the staff is friendly/​patient, knowledgeable and helpful.
Drink
The drinks are always good and they make the effort to put their own twist on them /​change the flavors with the seasons. Shared the Eggnog this time, which was frozen with a hefty amount of spices.
Food
*Preface: First time I had eaten here and salads generally are not what I would order (was just in the mood). Would like to try other items that people seem to love.
Kale Salad with Chicken: Even though the dish was named Kale Salad, I didn’t have any kale, which was disappointing. It was also pretty expensive ($ 8 for the salad and another $ 8 for the chicken). The chicken was very good — moist and well-​seasoned — I just wish it didn’t double the price of the dish.
Summary
4: Representative of the great drinks and service. Next time I’m here for food though, I’ll skip the salad and try something else.

Friendly staff and good food and drinks.
The outdoor area is spacious and comfortable. I had the pimms cup and it was delicious. They add a seasonal twist to it too.
We also shared the charcuterie board and it was huge and filling. They charged $ 1 extra for more bread though, which is fine if they told us that, but we didn’t know so it looked petty on our bill.

Leon’s has a terrific atmosphere and, while I’ve only been a handful of times, the food has been outstanding for each visit.
My last visit I had the beef brisket, which is served as an open faced sandwich. The brisket itself was bursting with flavor and came garnished with some fried onions and with just the right amount of a peppercorn gravy. I believe the bread was a Texas or garlic toast, and complimented the beef very nicely.
Their beer menu is also nicely varied and they aren’t afraid to rotate new taps in. Many a beer connoisseur will be satisfied with their offerings.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Leon’s was an awesome, on-​the-​whim decision I got to try out with friends while visiting Atlanta for the first time. After walking through the cute and homey Christmas-​lights-​lit Decatur, we finally decided on Leon’s. The outdoor area won us over with it’s warm heat lamps and gorgeous patio area.
What hooked me personally however, was the entire separate vegetarian menu! An entire page of options for me to try — I really wanted to order everything. And for the quality of food I believe the pricing is excellent here at Leon’s. I ended up trying the calabrian chili pimiento with crostini and house pickles, deviled eggs with smoked tomato, and brussel sprout hash with smoked pecans, apple, and sherry vinegar. Everything was on point and delicious. I especially loved those deviled eggs and would highly encourage you to try them out! Other highlights I really wanted to try were friend green beans and the baby kale salad.
The service was also a definite bonus here when I was already entranced by all my options. Our server Jay had been in the area a while and had lots of suggestions for places to check out as well as ideas for anyone interested in living in Atlanta (it’s been on my mind). He was extremely helpful and great with the selection of beers as well, with me trying out Red Brick’s Divine Bovine milk stout, something I would tell anyone to taste and savor if they get the chance.
For vegetarians and omnivores alike Leon’s was an experience I would return to again and again, even amongst all the cozy spots I saw in Decatur — try it next time you’re in town and maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to get Jay helping you out!

I miss the old chef.
The latest menu has foie gras, an ethically sketchy product.
The only farm that produces it in an super animal-​friendly way is in Spain.
I’ve seen other restaurants serve chicken liver pâté instead of foie gras. do that?

Easygoing atmosphere. Wonderfully attentive wait staff; you tend to have multiple people check in on the table. Friendly, too.
Appetizers are fun and flavorful. Some are rotated seasonally, while some are Leon’s staples. The pom frites are perfectly crispy and have many yummy dipping sauce options. We have yet to try a charcuterie selection, but may give it a go on a night reserved for only apps and cocktails. They say they’re excellent.
Again, there are staple main courses and salads with seasonal options, too. Impressed with the catch of the day and the brisket. Baby kale salad was fresh and flavorful. A-​plus.
Cocktails are unique and creative (some are standards). Nice options for local beers, too. Staff is versed in where and what the beers are about.
Have. Not. Tried. Dessert. Which makes me sad… Hopefully next time.

My friend and I took an out-​of-​town author and his wife here last night and the author said that Jefferson gave him the best service he’s ever had at any restaurant. And he would be right. It was exceptional. Jefferson knows the food and drinks very well and is obviously quite passionate about his job. Wonderful, wonderful service.
I’ve always loved Leon’s food. The goat cheese-​stuffed peppadews are a staple in my life. The author ordered the Brussel sprouts appetizer, which was excellent.
My main course, however, the quail was very strange. It looked appealing on the menu; it seemed to include diverse and complimentary accompaniments, but all I saw on my plate was quail atop a butterscotch-​colored purée. The purée hit me with a punch as soon as I tasted it, which I liked at first, but I soon grew tired of it’s sickening sweetness.
Here is the way the dish was described: grilled quail | apple & sage cornbread stuffing, white corn purée, roasted squash, apple gastrique
I think there was a bit of stuffing hidden beneath the quail. But was my purée and squash mixed together? I couldn’t separate the tastes at all. And where was this apple gastrique I was supposed to experience? No, all I could taste was some quail (a bit overcooked) ontop of a too sweet purée. Not good.
You let me down, Leon’s. It really was a disappointment! And an expensive one, at that. :(

In town for business and looking for and interesting, non-​chain restaurant for dinner open on a Monday night, we saw the good reviews for Leon’s, and that they had vegetarian options for the vegetarian in the group. It looked like a great fit and we weren’t disappointed!
They have a great beer and cocktail selection. I always try to get something local when possible, and really enjoyed an Oktoberfest from a Georgia brewery — Autumn Defense from Wild Heaven Craft Beers.
I had the pork chop for my entrée, and it was done perfectly. Crispy on the outside and tender and juicy inside. The rice and eggplant sides were delicious as well. There were other menu items that sounded really tempting too; it was hard to decide!
I stayed with the pork theme for dessert and had the bacon-​caramel ice cream sundae. Bacon, caramel, and hot fudge over ice cream, topped with homemade potato chips. Wow, this was good! I’d try to re-​create at home if I thought my waistline and arteries could handle it! I’m really surprised I haven’t seen this in Indiana yet, since we Hoosiers will put bacon on anything and everything!
The prices were extremely reasonable for the quality of the food. The atmosphere on the patio was delightful, and service was great!

What a remarkable night, so happy we chose this restaurant! We were lucky enough to have two servers, whose night-​long dueling offered joyful entertainment. On one hand there was Jeremy, who offered impulsive, risk-​taking adventures and (or vs.) there was Patrick who hosted a charming, reliable meal.
We started with the French fries with garlic aioli and gravy sauces. With all those potatoes, you’re bound to be satisfied. Patrick gets the point for this suggestion.
For the drinks, we tried a lot over the course of the night. Neon blonde, a refreshing cocktail with cucumber and thyme. Next up was the Bee’s Knees, a simple yet delicious combo of lemon, gin, and honey. We finished the meal with the light, fruity French 75. For the drinks, Jeremy definitely gets the points.
For our meal, we ordered the grilled quail and the beef brisket. The quail was absolutely perfect, served with tomatoes on a bed of corn purée. The stuffing really makes this top notch. I paired the beef brisket with the tomato soufflé at Patrick’s recommendation, which was a good choice. It offered a lighter feel to a very heavy dish. Patrick takes the win for this round.
For dessert, Jeremy suggested swapping the whipped cream for apple cinnamon ice cream on top of the peach crisp. Boy are we glad we did, the warm pecan crumble with the savory ice cream was a perfect pairing. The Nutella candy bar is unlike anything I’ve ever had and was delightful. Needless to say, Jeremy took the point for this one.
So, at this end of the meal, the score was 2 – 2. Meaning Leon’s Restaurant definitely wins for an awesome night, wonderful service and amazing eats! Thanks so much!

This review update for Leon’s mainly covers new and different dishes I’ve tried since posting my original review. Therefore, my rating is based on the food, not the drinks. The menu, look, feel, vibe, and service at the restaurant has hardly changed over the past several years, so most of what’s written in my previous review below still apply today. Leon’s remains a happening spot (among many) in Decatur for its unique bites, assorted brews, friendly service, cool setting, and laid back and casual atmosphere.
One thing that’s great about Leon’s is it’s open late: until 1am, Sunday-​Thursday nights, and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. Perfect for those looking for a good late night dinner. I’ve only visited at night, where prices run about $ 5 – 12 for small plates (appetizers and sides), roughly $ 12 for sandwiches/​burgers, and $ 20 – 25 for entrees.
No, they still don’t take reservations. On weekends, be prepared for a wait. The bar always seems packed with waiting guests as a result. The bar area is cool. The exposed bulb light fixtures and contemporary-​rustic design sort of remind me of Empire State South. Garage doors open up and connect the bar to the outdoor covered patio. In cold months, the patio is kept warm by ceiling heaters. The garage doors harken back to the days of the full service filling station (hence, Leon’s Full Service).
I’ve changed my mind about Leon’s bacon in a glass. It’s good. The bacon slices are rich, full-​flavored, and not too fatty. The optional peanut butter «supplement» (dipping sauce), while tasty, isn’t required. The bacon is good enough on its own. The fries have gotten better too. There are 14 different sauces to choose from to go with your fries. When in doubt, ask your server.
I’ve revisited the beef brisket sandwich. It’s OK. You get a lot of meat, but there are some tough, dry, and unappetizing chunks.
New/​different items I’ve tried include:
Snacks:
Moroccan-​style beef brisket jerky
Peppadews, goat cheese-​stuffed
Whole garlic-​dill pickle
Small plates:
Frankfurter — Kohlrabi-​kale slaw, fingerling potato chips, grain mustard
Artisanal Cheeses:
Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog
Consider Bardwell (Manchester, VT)
Landaff cheese (Jasper Hills, VT)
Mains:
Pan-​roasted wild striped bass, ragout of cannellini beans, pancetta & leeks, oven-​dried tomato, crispy leeks, Grana Padano.
Salad:
Baby kale — shaved radish and carrots, preserved lemon, feta, tahini-​sumac dressing
Sandwiches:
Burger — grass-​fed beef, Tillamook cheddar, housemade catsup & mustard, B&B pickles, baby iceberg lettuce
In general, the food here can be quite salty. Some dishes are loaded in so much sodium that they’re hard to enjoy. Examples include the Frankfurter and striped bass (which was a special the time I tried it). Regardless, the Frankfurter sausage is plump and hearty and prepared with a different blend of spices. I really like the Kohlrabi-​kale slaw (Kohlrabi is German turnip cabbage) that comes with. It’s fresh and crispy. The spicy grain mustard is a nice touch too.
When it comes to the striped bass entrée, the fish itself tastes great. However, the bed of cannellini beans, leeks, dried tomato, and Grana Padano cheese are just too salty. The cured pancetta doesn’t help. Same with the fried leeks, though they’re probably added to the dish for extra texture (crispiness). If the saltiness was lessened, this could be a fantastic dish.
I’m so-​so on the new (new to me) snacks I’ve tried. The Moroccan-​style beef brisket jerky tastes better than it looks. It’s a plate of shredded, marinated beef brisket. If you like goat cheese, you’ll probably like the cheese-​stuffed peppadews. Peppadews are small, red, non-​spicy peppers that resemble cherry tomatoes. The garlic-​dill pickle is reminiscent of New York deli-​style pickles.
The meat and cheese selections are very good, so if you are into charcuterie and cheese boards, give them a look.
The baby kale salad is good. It has a Mediterranean/​Persian flavor to it because of the radish, lemon, and tahini (made from sesame seeds) and sumac (fruity Persian spice) dressing. The baby kale is expectedly smaller, softer, and more tender than regular kale.
The burger at Leon’s is OK. It’s huge and looks funny (in a good way) when placed next to the accompanying B&B (bread and butter) pickle, which is tiny. The beef patty, which is nice and thick, is somewhat tough and chewy. The lightly toasted bun and Tillamook cheese are excellent though.
Service is terrific. Self-​serve bottles of water are provided at every table (and you’re going to need it).
I’ve never had a problem parking for Leon’s. In Decatur, all metered parking is free after 6pm. I’ve been able to find a spot on E Ponce De Leon Ave, one block east of the restaurant, multiple times. If you absolutely can’t find a spot, park at the courthouse parking deck on the other side of the square. It’s free after 5pm.

The advantage of friending likeminded Unilocalers, is the distinct possibility that they’ll turn you on to a dish — maybe two — that you wouldn’t otherwise choose.
Never have I ordered brisket in a restaurant. But if you’re vacillating over a few choices (including the brisket) I wholeheartedly say, «brisket all the way!» This is one good sandwich.
Coupled with a generous order of pommes frites, there was more food than I could finish. My husband ordered the potatoes with a different dipping sauce. Mine was good — the masaman curry — but his garlic aioli was even better. (I think the masaman should be somewhat thicker.)
I withheld a fifth star for a few reasons:
— Oy! Was it hot! With the open air concept it was bordering on uncomfortable inside.
— A bottle of help-​yourself-​water is left on the table. (I like that!) But why was it tepid?
— Wine. My wine — an okay glass of merlot/​syrrah — cost almost as much as the sandwich. Why not offer house wine, a California red and white, in the $ 6 range?

Honestly, I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to write a review of Leon’s…it’s one of my favorite restaurants – LOVE! The reason though is the total experience I have every time I come here, hence 5 stars. The location is great and the restaurant/​converted station is super cool, especially when they open up the «garage doors» between the patio and bar area… I love sitting there. And, going along with the Full Service theme, you can usually expect 2 – 3 servers to assist you at any given time. So, after yesterday’s delicious lunch, I figured it’s time to give Leon’s its props!!!
My entire family actual loves this place, which if you knew how many «picky» eaters are in the family… then you know that’s a Big deal LOL. We have some great memories at Leon’s and I’ve never had a bad meal. The menu changes and there have been a few items that I wish they would bring back. But the staples: Brisket Sandwich, Mussels, Warm Chickpea & Cherry Salad, Veggieloaf and most importantly, Pub Frites are keepers!
Lastly, since this place can get jam packed during peak hours, try visiting for an early or late lunch if possible. They do not take reservations, unfortunately, so the wait can be lengthy. Plan accordingly and happy eating!!!

Can’t give a full review, but I’ll definitely be back again to do so!
All we had was dessert and coffee. That being said, the strawberry cobbler is to die for!

Good vibes, great service!
$ 7 for a dinner serving portion of fries and countless sauces to choose from. Done! Mic drop.
P. S. I love fresh fries so this is the place to be if you have a fry fetish like me.

I went back to Leon’s and I wanted to update it because this time I sat at a table and wanted to talk about customer service. Our server, Jeremy was excellent. I liked that all of us didn’t have to be there to sit at the table. And Jeremy was patient with us while we were waiting for our third party who was taking forever. At no point did we feel rushed since we just had some drinks and the fries while waiting. The servers are knowledgeable about the drinks as well and I appreciate that.
I ordered the pork belly/​kimchi grits starter. Can I tell you, pork belly is my new crush. This dish was so yummy, although spicy which I was not expecting. Unfortunately, I had to send the dish back because there was a hair in it. Now I don’t get crazy about this type of stuff because things happen. But I do get crazy if it is not handled in the right way. Jeremy took the dish and asked no questions. Well he asked if I wanted a fresh order, but I said it was a little more spicy than I was expecting. He said he can get me the pork belly and switch it up for me. A fresh dish came out, piping hot, with pork belly and rice and it was great!!! Any they also took the dish off the bill. See that’s how I want to feel if something unfortunate happens. And I have to say Leon’s staff handled it like a champ.

I just happened to be in the neighborhood and saw this place in passing. The name rang a bell so I immediately checked to see if it was on my list of places to try. Indeed it was so I called a friend to join me. We went inside around 9 pm and the place was packed. It is a quaint, cute little spot not at all what I expected. When our 30 minute wait turned into 40 I was actually about to throw in the towel and say goodnight. No waiting area except standing by the door waiting to be seated or praying for an open space at the bar pretty much sucked. I had on heels and a one point I thought my toes actually screamed at me. Imagine that.
Just as we were about to leave, the sweet little hostess said that she had a table for us. Sweet relief, my toe thanks her. We had the sweetest waitress named Sarah. I asked for a drink recommendation explaining what I was looking for. She recommended the «travel more» and it was perfect. A nice subtle hint of raspberry indeed and all I needed was one.
I ordered the brisket along with pub frites. Spicy tomato mayo and massaman curry were both my sauce of choice for my frites. My friend ordered a hamburger that she proclaimed to be «as good as her grandmothers homemade burgers». She said it was seasoned perfectly and the meat was tender and juicy. I thought wow, that burger really must be good! I thoroughly enjoyed the frites. They were seasoned well and I thought the massaman curry was a great accompaniment. Being a lover of all things spicy, I found the spicy tomato mayo to be a bit bland. I could have eaten the frites alone and everything would have been right with the world.
Now about my my brisket. It was a little on the cold side. Not refrigerator cold. I mean cold like it was plated and sat aside while waiting on my frites to cook. It is served open face so I had to knife and fork it which was a bit of a struggle because my bread was very chewy. There was some type of salty goodness on the bread that was tasty but nonetheless it was very chewy. The ends were a little burnt which I did not mind but it was a small struggle to cut into pieces. My friend got in a good laugh watching me work and I admit it was funny. Although it wasn’t hot, the brisket itself was very tender and oh so perfect. Will I visit and order it again? Absolutely yes but I will make sure to go at a time when they are not so crowded. I don’t think my poor feet will have it any other way.