GEORGIA’S RESTAURANT
REDEFINING SOUTHERN SOUL FOOD IN LBC

What’s good for the soul must be good for the body, right? That just seems logical. At Georgia’s Restaurant, with locations in Anaheim and Long Beach, the Southern Soul Food is good for you, your soul and for whatever else ails you.

An Anaheim favorite for the last five years, Georgia’s Restaurant has been serving up Southern “soul-delicious” cuisine at the Anaheim Packing District—a must-visit food hall that has redefined the concept and taken the food hall design to new heights. Now the Soul Food restaurant has set up shop at the Long Beach Exchange by the airport—an oversized shopping and culinary complex with an impressive food hall inside a giant airplane hangar. Georgia’s is located outside of the hangar but it’s cozy patio seating area offers a nice view of the hangar and all the action that takes place around it.

“We are committed to ensuring that Georgia’s Restaurant captures the feeling of having a meal in our home,” says co-owner Nika Shoemaker-Machado.

Dining at Georgia's Restaurant feels like you’re having a large, family style home cooked meal. It’s southern comfort food done right.

During our recent visit to the Long Beach location, we started off with some sensational Small Bites, including Fried Green Tomatoes served with lemon aioli, and the Piggy Cheese Fries—crispy fries loaded with slow roasted BBQ pork. Consider the Piggy Cheese Fries a must-have starter if you’re sharing.

A great healthy option is Georgia’s House Salad prepared with spring mix, red onions, tomatoes, and candied pecans. It tastes good and it’s good for you.

A fab lunchtime option is the Spicy Crispy Chicken sandwich served on an organic brioche with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and garlic mayo spicy sauce. It’s also good for dinner if you’re not dining family style. And as we find ourselves in the midst of a fried chicken sandwich craze these days, this one definitely holds its own.

Somehow we missed out on two signature menu staple items. The Fried Chicken dish features Brazilian buttermilk brine and a seasoned crispy cornmeal, while the Smothered Pork Chops are hand-tossed, pan fried, and covered in bacon gravy.

"Most people are compelled to lick the plate clean," says Nika.

After we slapped our foreheads in shame, I promised that a return visit is a must.

But we were thoroughly satisfied with the slow roasted St. Louis BBQ Ribs served with signature house-made BBQ sauce, and the Creole Flat Iron Steak. Both were crowd-pleasers all the way around.

Soulful Sides that we found delectable included Red Beans & Rice; Baked Beans; Potato Salad; and Mac & Cheese. And Nana Gretchen's famous Cornbread served with house-made honey butter is a must-have. One is just not enough.

I haven’t found a more impressive food hall than the Anaheim Packing District. It’s a food mecca where you will want to make a day of it enjoying food and drink, especially Georgia’s Soul Food cuisine. The Long Beach Exchange has its work cut out for itself if it wants to be a dining destination but a visit for eats at Georgia’s Restaurant is wholly worth it.

Georgia's Restaurant is located at the Long Beach Exchange at 4101 McGowen Street #115. Open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm; Friday from 11am to 10pm; Saturday from 9am to 10pm; and Sunday from 10:3am to 9pm. Call 562-420-5637.

Story By: Jose Martinez

Photography Courtesy Of: Georgia's Restaurant