New soul food restaurant opening soon in Middle GA will bring ‘a little Southern charm’

Jones County native and Maconite Amelia Hicks plans to serve up soul food with “a little Southern charm” at the Hen’s Nest.

The new restaurant at 1897 Shurling Drive in Macon is set to open Dec. 4.

“It’s Southern soul food — home cooking,” said Hicks, the general manager. “It makes me think about family, love, sitting around the dinner table … just ol’ country soul food.”

Her signature dish: cornish hens.

She’ll also be cooking up fried buttermilk chicken wings, smoked pork chops with gravy, turkey wings, seasoned collard greens, cheesy macaroni cheese, green bean casserole, black eyed peas, cornbread dressing, potato salad, deviled eggs, sweet potato pie and more.

Hicks, who’s worked before as a dietary manager, started cooking at an early age with her grandmother and mother.

The first dishes she recalled making were fried chicken and collard greens at age 13.

She’s cooked for years for family and friends.

“I was the house that everybody came out to,” Hicks said.

Southern charm

The restaurant’s name comes from Hicks’ love of country decor, especially hens.

“Not only will I give you good food but beautiful seating, a little Southern charm,” Hicks said.

The small restaurant with limited seating of up to 50 people will offer dine-in and takeout, she said. Customers also will be able to reserve a private dining room area.

Initial operating hours are expected to be noon to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Also, the restaurant later may add an old fashioned ice cream shop on site, Hicks said.

Additionally, if the restaurant proves successful as expected, another location, possibly in McDonough or Savannah, already is under consideration, she said.

“You’re going to get that home feeling of laughter, fun and good food,” Hicks said.

This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 11:27 AM with the headline "New soul food restaurant opening soon in Middle GA will bring ‘a little Southern charm’."