The Legacy of Southern Hospitality at Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Words by Nicole Letts
Photos by Mary Mac’s, Lynsey Weatherspoon
Born of an era of postwar resilience, Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1945. Proprietor Mary MacKenzie was one of many trailblazing women who established “tea rooms” around town when opening a restaurant was not a societal norm for women. As the sole survivor of the city’s original 16 tearooms from that period, it stands, 80 years later, as a living legacy, carried on by a lineage of formidable women and their dedication to authentic Southern cuisine and gracious hospitality.
One of the women who carries on MacKenzie’s vision is veteran server Marion Mims. Mims has held her role at Mary Mac’s for more than 30 years, first stepping into the restaurant in 1994. Over her decades of service, Mims has welcomed countless guests, including notable figures such as Ted Danson, Richard Gere, the Dalai Lama, and former President Joe Biden twice, once as vice president and later as president. She remains an integral part of the restaurant, greeting guests with a warmth and dedication that embody the restaurant’s spirit. We chatted with Mims to get the lowdown on her favorite Mary Mac’s dishes, what Southern hospitality means to her, and how she kicks up her heels during her days off.
What makes Mary Mac’s a special place to dine?
The food is amazing, and they’ve been trying to keep the food the same as it was when it opened up back in 1945. The only thing that changed is the prices! I also think it’s because of the people who work there. Ever since I’ve been there, they treat the customers like family, and we do the same thing. I call [my customers] “baby” and “honey,” pat them on the back, and ask them how they’re doing. It’s just a nice place to come. I like all of the people I work with, too. Sometimes you have a disagreement, and you might get mad with one. But we still like each other, and we work well together.
I read your favorite dish is the chicken-fried chicken. Why do you love it so much?
I think the cooks put their heart and soul in. The chicken-fried chicken is really good. It’s deep-fried with white gravy on it. And the chef back there is amazing. He can cook anything!
I just treat people the way I want to be treated: nice.
I am sure the celebrity encounters are exciting, but tell me about some of your regulars who make your day-to-day special.
There’s a couple that comes in, and we connected by talking about the grandkids. I was taking care of my great-grandson after his mother passed, and we were talking [about that]. So every time they come in, they always send him some money, $10 or $15. They say to tell him to put it in his bank. They even started calling him their grandson, too. I have a lot of regulars. Sometimes I can’t even wait for all of them because they come in at the same time, especially on Sunday after church.
What does Southern hospitality mean to you?
To me, you treat people the way you want to be treated. I mean, I don’t like talking about people. I don’t like bad-mouthing folks. I just treat people the way I want to be treated: nice.
How do you relax after a long day of work?
I work on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so through the week, I stay at home. I cook dinner for my grandkids. I cut up potatoes and roast them; I cook them meatloaf, fried chicken, and fried pork chops. They like spaghetti, and they like shrimp pasta. Then, I sit back and watch my stories.
If you’re going out to dinner in Atlanta, where are you going?
No Southern food! We go to Olive Garden or sometimes Red Lobster.
For travelers, Mary Mac’s is more than a meal. It’s a Southern rite of passage. Thinking of popping into Mary Mac’s or ordering online from their menu on Goldbelly? Mims dishes on what to order at the restaurant:
Meatloaf
Fried chicken
Tomato pie
Collard greens
Sweet potato soufflé
