I’ve never tried this iconic Macon soul food eatery ... until now. Here’s what I thought
In 1959, Macon was blessed with an authentic southern soul food when H&H Restaurant was born.
Founders Inez Hill and Louise Hudson (Mama Louise) opened the restaurant with good southern cooking and Macon’s musical history in mind. Much of H&H’s menu even reflects the heartfelt friendship between Mama Louise and Macon’s own musicians, from the Midnight Rider biscuit to the Ramblin Man biscuit.
The restaurant is iconic to the community, so to be a local and not have eaten at H&H, well, it’s unusual. I get many weird looks when I tell people that I’ve lived in Middle Georgia my whole life and I have never been to H&H Restaurant. But that changes now.
I finally tried H&H — here’s what I thought of the atmosphere, food and more:
Atmosphere
Walking into H&H is like walking into a time capsule of Macon’s history. The walls of the restaurant are plastered with old music posters from legends such as The Allman Brothers Band, Otis Redding and more. The entire place felt really comforting to walk through, from the savory smells to the smiling faces.
There were also several other people seated in the restaurant, all chatting and happily chowing down. The entire staff seemed genuinely happy to be there and were extremely friendly with other customers. In fact, some of them knew each other by name.
From the eclectic old cafeteria vibes to the rich, nostalgic ambiance, this place is sure to please.
In all, I give the atmosphere a 5 out of 5.
Food
Here’s the part I couldn’t wait to try: the soul food. Because it’s soul food, right? It’s rich in culture and taste. So, what is there not to love?
Well, from my point of view: absolutely nothing.
I started my lunch with an order of the fried mushrooms, which came with their signature “soul sauce.” The mushrooms were hot and crispy on the outside, with a soft inside that was savory and satisfying in every single bite. Paired with the tangy taste of soul sauce, this appetizer was one I could eat before every meal.
For my main course, I ordered the “Meat and 2.” My choices were dark meat fried chicken, mac and cheese, and green beans. The meal also came with a choice of cornbread, a biscuit or roll, so I chose a biscuit.
The meal came out quick and hot, and naturally, I decided to start with a big a bite of fried chicken. The bite was both crunchy and yet, at the same time, it melted in my mouth. It was so freshly fried that the dark meat was extremely juicy. The flavor just exploded off of the bone. I have never had fried chicken like this before, y’all. It was truly the best I’ve ever had.
The mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy, but was similar to every soul food restaurant mac and cheese, so there wasn’t too much of a difference there.
However, the green beans were cooked to perfection. I had one bite and was in love with the salty, savory seasoning of the vegetable. I need to know how to cook green beans like that because I would literally eat them that way everyday.
This restaurant’s food was life-changing, so I definitely understand why H&H is a must for locals and tourists. I give the food a 5 out of 5.
Service
Like I previously said, H&H was friendly from the get-go. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a smiling hostess, who immediately seated me.
My server’s name was Terrence and he was super inviting, knowledgeable and honestly, he felt like a friend. I give the service a 5 out of 5.
Price
The prices at H&H are super reasonable. For amazing cuisine at a homegrown spot, I’d pay much more. I didn’t get around to ordering dessert this time, but at H&H, the prices were a dessert.
The appetizer was $8 and my meal was $12.50, so overall, I give the prices a 5 out of 5.
What do you think about H&H in Macon? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM with the headline "I’ve never tried this iconic Macon soul food eatery ... until now. Here’s what I thought."
