THE DISH: We Got Soul

By Meghan Kotowski (1076)
meghan.kotowski@gwinnettdailypost.com

As of Thursday, December 13, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photos: Meghan Kotowski We Got Soul serves baked chicken with macaroni and cheese, collard greens and black eyed peas as well as its spin on bruschetta, an Italian bread dish.

Guests order at the counter and find a seat until their food is prepared.

ON THE MENU

• Fried pork chop sandwich — Seasoned and fried pork chop served on white or wheat bread and a side of fries, $6

• Chicken wrap — Spinach, avocado and house dressing wrapped in a boneless chicken breast, $8

• Ultimate ribeye — 12 ounce ribeye glazed in a honey citrus sauce served with potatoes and a side salad, $17

• Tilapia — Grilled or blackened tilapia served over rice and a choice of side, $10

Map

We Got Soul

We Got Soul

5210 Stone Mountain Highway, Suite A, Stone Mountain

770-413-4213

www.facebook.com/WeGotSoulfood

Open since: Dec. 8

Owner: Shatarreca Pettiford

Location: We Got Soul is located at the intersection of Stone Mountain Highway and East Park Place Boulevard in between Applebee's and O'Reilly Auto Parts.

Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Sundays through Saturdays

Atmosphere: If you didn't know it was the holidays, you would when you pulled up to We Got Soul. The outside windows are painted with snowmen and candles, wishing everyone a happy holiday.

When you get inside, you feel like relaxing with a big plate of food. That's what owner Shatarreca Pettiford was going for when she decorated the place.

"It's a home vibe," she said. "I want people to feel like they're at home."

The inside is small with large booths taking up most of the space. Behind the register, there are two televisions. For the sports lovers, ESPN is projected on a separate large white wall in the dining room.

The other walls are dark red with sayings like, "Happiness dwells in the soul."

"I plan to add more sayings (to the walls)," Pettiford said. "I just like things like that."

Menu: The menu is soul food and then some. At the front of the restaurant, guests order food from the front counter, either from the menu or from the food on the heated display case.

The case holds meatloaf, baked chicken and sides, sides with more sides. The kitchen turns out Southern staples like black-eyed peas, collard greens and mashed potatoes with the skin left on.

"I grew up in the South and I like to eat, so I wanted people to experience the food I did growing up," Pettiford said. "We have other things for people who don't have a soul food appetite."

We Got Soul offers pork chops, seafood, sandwiches, salads and even salmon croquettes.

Although Pettiford doesn't cook much for herself, she came from a big family who cooks -- that's where she learned to put dishes together.

"Any day of the week if you stop by my sisters' houses, it would look like they were cooking for the holidays," she said.

The restaurant also offers a small kids' menu with chicken tenders, hamburger or leg and thigh meals, complete with crayons and puzzles to keep the little ones busy.

Things you might not know: We Got Soul has a Toys for Tots drop-off box for the holidays.

Gwinnett Daily Post