Even if you don’t get the urge to pry one of the pastel roller skates off the wall and take a spin around the massive dining room, the ’90s R&B, energetic staff, and tasty Southern food at Marcus Bar & Grille make it the kind of spot that can easily have you dancing in your seat. Decked out with mustard yellow walls, vinyl records of Atlanta artists, and even a pillow featuring TLC’s Left Eye behind the bar, the Edgewood Avenue restaurant is a place where you might run into the homies or a random family member while you’re out with a group or on a date. If you do come with a group, we recommend the family-style platters of crackly-skinned fried chicken on a plump waffle, savory-sweet cornbread served in a skillet with a dollop of honey butter, and earthy slow-cooked greens. Even with these and other hits, there are some dishes that can be skipped, like the underseasoned B&G Wagyu Smashburger with two wagyu patties, cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, and onion jam in a thick bun. On weekends, it’s all about the miles-long brunch buffet ($38 per person and $18 for kids 6-13). There, you’ll find things not on the weekday à la carte menu, like hearty shrimp gumbo with chorizo, cinnamon-spiced warm stewed peaches, and tender baked salmon bites. The restaurant is quiet enough in the early morning for chats between ever-present tables of college friends or the after-church crowd. As the day goes on, the space gets more animated as more people pour in, especially during the dinner buffet, Sunday Supper & Spins, which features a live DJ.
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