You can stop looking for a great breakfast place because I've found it for you!! As a recent part-time resident of Marietta, I was desperate to find some decent cheese grits and not the bland, watery kind with cold American cheese thrown on top!! What they serve here is the gold standard!! Thick, perfectly seasoned and the cheese is already in there. On top of that fulfilled quest, they even serve up some sturdy, delicious bacon rarely seen these days. As a bonus, my sourdough toast even arrived with some peach jam. Breakfast was made complete with scrambled eggs and served with a smile by the friendliest waitstaff I've seen in a while. As you would expect, Saturday mornings in a breakfast joint are busy. They were, but did the service go lacking? Not at all. The vibe was happy because they had a roomful of satisfied customers. I've done the legwork for you, so get on over there as soon as you can! read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Front of Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

While making a purchase, I ordered an orange juice. The cashier informed me that I could retrieve it myself from the cooler when I was ready. As I was preparing my coffee, the customer behind me--who appeared to be of the same race as the cashier--also ordered an orange juice. At that point, the cashier stepped over, retrieved the juice herself, and announced, "That's the last orange juice." I immediately stated that I had already been sold an orange juice and asked what I was expected to receive. I was then told I could have apple or cranberry juice instead. This interaction left me confused and concerned, as the only apparent difference between how the two transactions were handled was race. Regardless of intent, the situation gave the clear impression that I was treated differently based on skin color. Experiences like this are unacceptable and deeply troubling. All customers deserve equal and respectful treatment. If you are tired of racism in any way shape or form stand up and do not support this. Let them know by keeping your hard earned money and taking it somewhere else. read more

Wow. I am picky when it comes to potato bowly type things and this place did not disappoint. They were crunchy and pillowy at the same time. I got the simple bowl with the potatoes and onions/peppers and an egg. Very large portion and their strawberry jam for the toast was awesome. My daughter got the chicken salad sandwich. We will definitely go back! There are so many other things I want to try. Our waiter was super nice as were the folks behind the counter. The place is small but very cute. Music and tv shows were quirky. Haha read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - My daughter's chicken salad sandwich. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

The orange colored liquid you see here, HOT SAUCE. I ordered a low country heap everything was swimming in hot sauce, (I know it was Crystals because I happen to like that brand). This was just.... HORRIBLE! They could have trashed this as accidents happen, nope! They sent it with hot sauce oozing out everywhere! I usually am a fan of the establishment but how you choose to be represented is how your customers see you. read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Supposed to be Low Country Heap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

Ambience was warm and inviting. Food was delicious, especially the fried fish! Service was fast and friendly. I almost don't want to give this 5 stars because they'll get too busy for us to come and eat. Joking aside, this is a great hole in the wall spot with adequate parking! read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - RJ and mama approve! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

My husband, my husband and I are always looking for new restaurants and diners to try out. This restaurant is not too far from our home and we decided to give it a try. And boy were we happy we did. The food the service is absolutely wonderful. I chose the shrimp and grits while my husband chose a traditional breakfast with a waffle. The waffle was absolutely delicious. My shrimp and grits. I haven't had any better than this in Atlanta, I've only had anything close to it in Louisiana. The prices are outstanding. The staff are great. This is a great place to have breakfast brunch or lunch. I love the diner sale of the restaurant. It is decorated nicely. They have outside seating which my husband and I enjoyed read more

See all

Thumbs Up Express is a hidden gem nestled on Canton Rd. It did not disappoint! The dining room is rather small but the tables turn relatively quickly. The decor is bright and inviting. The service was wonderful and welcoming. You order at the counter and find yourself a seat. The shrimp and grits were generous and tasted very fresh. They smartly serve them in a take home tin which you'll need because the portion is generous. The chicken and waffles were good and the Belgian waffle was thick. The French Toast was delicious and an enormous size of bread. My only suggestion is they could offer real maple syrup for an extra $1 per portion. We will definitely be back! read more

See all

Most definitely one of the best breakfast spots to receive a great meal. Everything is delicious. I love ordering the fish and grits breakfast. Seasoned properly and is always still hot once delivered. read more

Food-Amazing! So many great options. Service top notch! Ambiance is a retro vibe. Great breakfast lunch or dinner spot read more

See all

Food is very tasty, Service above average, prices are cometitive, worth the value! Ambiance diner style, seating at bar or tables. Warrior Breakfast! Grits perfect, Eggs exactly to order, bacon cooked thoroughly, Best Fathers Day breakfast ever at 1:30 pm. read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Eggs over medium, bacon & cheesy grits Best breakfast ever! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

We ordered breakfast via uber eats from this restaurant. They sent very large portions but the pancake tasted like dough. It tasted undercooked. The eggs were bland . We threw away the whole order. We were disappointed. read more

Okay, this place isn't a looker per se, but it doesn't matter because dang the food was good!! I had the French toast with eggs and chicken and that was some of the best French toast I have had. The chicken was also SO good. I tried some of my friend's potatoes as well and they were great. I will be a repeat customer for sure. We all enjoyed our meals a ton! read more

Great Service. Great Food . Great People .. If your out that way you should definitely try them out

First time to this location. I was the first customer for the day, so when I arrived, the door was still locked, however the cashier had to let me in, lol. As I walked in, I could smell the freshness of the space as if it was recently cleaned. The bathroom was also clean and well put together. I ordered at the front with the cashier. The coffee was fresh and hot. I was really impressed with the cleanliness of the restaurant. Even from what I could see, the back of the house was clean and organized. The Shrimp and grits was a very large portion, served hot. The order arrived at my table very quickly after placing the order. The flavors were present. Shrimp, plump and not over cooked. Grits, just the right consistency. I would've preferred the veggies to have a little more softness, they were more crunchy than I like for shrimp and grits. For the portion, I would've enjoyed one or two more shrimp. Notwithstanding, the food was tasty and enjoyable. Overall, this has been a wonderful experience. It seems this restaurant is relatively new to the area. They are ready to serve the community and is a great addition to the area. It's recognizable the proprietors care about offering a good experience. read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Shrimp and Grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

We really enjoyed Thumbs Up Diner. Their breakfast food is amazing. I love how they put banana in the fresh fruit side item. We will definitely be back! read more

See all

Thumbs Up Diner, THANK YOU for offering the BEST food. From the microgreens sprinkled on the DELISH veggie omelet and fresh sliced tomatoes to the quality herbal teas to the AMAZING french toast to the HOMEMADE jelly, I cannot say enough about this diner. It is clear that the owners are true foodies and who TRULY CARE about providing fresh, thoughtfully made food! read more

Just FYI- I think the reviews should say you order at the counter and then they bring you what you ordered. You have to get your drinks yourself. The French toast was amazing, as was the gravy. Everything else was regular. I ordered "the diner" pictured below (sorry French toast was eaten by the time I thought of taking a picture). read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

I am in town visiting for a baseball tournament, and need some breakfast while I was waiting for my room to be ready, and Thumbs Up did not disappoint. The service was friendly and the food was amazing. The daily special was a surf and turf breakfast, 2 smoked turkey wings, fried catfish, potatoes, eggs and toast. Portions were more than filling. I hope I will be able to come back for lunch before I leave. 10/10 I highly recommend. read more

It's been 7 months and I still love this place. The food is fantastic, and the portion is so big for the price! The manager is still awesome, and always gets our order right. The inside is so cute and occasionally plays shows on TV like supernatural, which we personally love. If I could eat here every day, I would! read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Chicken and Waffles, Fruity French Toast, Veggie Bagel, Scrambled Eggs! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

Thumbs Up Diner Delivered Some Love Today! I ordered Thumbs Up through UberEats, and let me tell you--it felt like they packed the whole Southern kitchen and delivered it with soul. I went with the Fish and Grits combo, added a side of country sausage, and threw in some blueberry pancakes for good measure. From the first bite, I knew I made the right call. Let's break it down: * The Fried Fish? Straight-up star of the show. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned like somebody's grandmama was in the back making sure it got done right. I don't even like seafood like that--but this made me question everything. * Eggs with Cheese: They said cheese, but the cheese said, "I'm shy." Still, the eggs were solid and did their job. * Wheat Biscuit: Slamming. Soft and delicious... it might just deserve its own fan club. * Country Sausage (side): No complaints. Seasoned, juicy, satisfying. * Grits: Creamy, warm, perfectly salted--not an afterthought at all. They knew what they were doing. * Blueberry Pancakes: Slamming. Sweet, fluffy, and packed with real blueberries. This was my dessert and breakfast all in one. Everything was still warm when it arrived, which is rare in the delivery game. Whoever packed this order took their time and showed care. Bottom line: This meal came through like a warm hug on a cool morning. Whether you're a local or ordering in like I did, Thumbs Up Diner is worth it. I'll definitely be back--with or without the seafood hesitation. read more

Customer service was great. Food was delicious. I ordered the waffle with fruit and whipped cream. It smelled amazing and had enough sweetness that I skipped the syrup. Coffee was good. Cute place with limited seating. read more

From a girl that doesn't care to much about the first meal of the day, if i could i would eat here every morning! Service was a 10/10. The ambiance gave modern diner. But let's get into the food! Grits amazing! Veggie omelette absolutely amazing! The fried catfish stole the show though, so fresh and well seasoned! Definitely taking a trip back to this location! read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Veggie omelette with a side of grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

Eggs cold Potatoes had been sitting and reheated therefore hard and onions and peppers half cooked and just thrown on top; not cooked w potatoes Grits too thick and room temperature Biscuits-yuk. Made of something other than normal ingredients- Peach jelly- odd taste and too thin Bacon under cooked AND, you order at counter--no help w anything like refills Coffee In paper cups And they get a tip before you know all of this Pass..... read more

Excellent food, great service, very cool retro vibe. We ordered breakfast after lunchtime, and it was superb.

I definitely recommend this place. There is a little bit of a wait but the food is worth it. Very comfortable spot for a weekend breakfast. read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Shrimp and grits were excellent. I highly recommend ordering this dish. Everything was very fresh and the coffee was delicious. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

The Food was really good but i'm sure that depends on what mood the cook based from my experience today. My dad recommended this place to me and was super excited to bring me but today we came on 10/25/25 right before 11:50AM. We had no problem ordering and were amazed at the menu and its options. Big Portions As Well!!! It looks like we came in right before more and more people started to park in the lot getting ready to come in. We ordered our food and it came out relatively quick. Once we started eating , i counted 12 people they could have fed get turned down because " We are a little short staffed today, feel free to wait until 12:30 when we start taking orders again" Why is it the customers problem that your short staffed , it's Saturday at peak brunch hour, the best thing to do would tell them that it might be a little bit of a wait which is normal for people eating brunch on a Saturday. A couple people complained and were a little upset and even took pictures of the place to leave bad review i imagine. I'm sure they were very disappointed but it was so uncomfortable that me and my father were the only ones eating in the restaurant as family after family gets turned down due to just having "one cook, one front end person, and one dishwasher." Thankfully we were saved the embarrassment of nobody asking why we're eating when they couldn't get service. This places owner needs to figure something out because it's such a shame that they have to turn people down when they just want to support a locally owned business. I'd leave 1 star but i don't want to ruin the restaurant's reputation. read more

We've been here three times now, I think the French toast is my favorite, though I can't ever make it to the second slice! The breakfast potatoes are delicious, and my husband is a huge fan of their omelette, which they are always willing to customize. Friendly service, and they've done a great job cleaning up this little corner of Canton Road! read more

The food is excellent and pleasing to the eye. The service is on point and you may have to wait even if you call in your order in advance. They are busy from the time they open until closing. They offer dining inside or outside but regardless I think you'll enjoy the food and the price. Because this joint is small for those looking to dine inside may have little wait. The staff ensures the plates have been removed, but one or two may want to linger. This a great example of "Big things come in small packages. The ambiance is comfortable and cozy. So, if you like home cooked fish and grits like back in the day, then you'll love eating here. My last opinion; If you're a fan of Shrimp and grits, try it here. Sorry Pappadoxas, but Hands Down, Thumbs Up is now your competition!!!!!! read more

For a diner, they have a lot more selection than most! Amazing options from eggs to French toast. And the value... inflation may have hit everywhere, but it didn't break *this* diner. I believe the value is still there. Altogether, a 5-star diner. read more

I enjoyed this diner. It is fast. The grits and eggs perfectly cooked. The pancakes were not fluffy. Think it needed eggs in the batter. Coffee was good not watered down like 98 percent of the restaurants.The waiters were nice and very efficient.Loved bacon.Ambiance was more like a diner but very clean.Friendly neighborhood vibe read more

Excellent choice for breakfast! Friendly service. Great brisket omelet and then plenty leftover. Indoor or outdoor seating great for an early morning meal. read more

I ordered the breakfast sandwich through Uber eats. It was supposed to have sauteed onions and mushrooms on it it had absolutely nothing on it, it was plain. The patties were cooked so well done that they were hard and crusty. I had ordered onion rings and got French fries that were soggy. Everything was horrible! Won't ever order from here again! read more

Just found this gem this week and have already been there twice for breakfast! Today I had one egg, bacon, and rye toast. Two days ago, I had a bacon biscuit (huge) and a side of sausage gravy (more like a bowl full). Both meals were delish and the next time I go I will try the fried catfish. I asked two people that had the catfish and they both said it was wonderful. Now, I have to say something about the staff. Three men were working the "front", and they were SO pleasant that my thought was "they must LOVE working here!". And they are very, very attentive to our table. There are three umbrella tables outside, and all three were busy both days we were there. read more

This was my first time visiting this spot, and I'm so glad I did! It was delicious. I'm vegetarian and I appreciated that they had veggie sausage on the menu. The biscuits were also amazing and came with HOMEMADE jelly! Such a cute spot, and well priced. I will be back! read more

Thumbs Up Diner Express - Farmhouse Breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Marietta, Georgia

See all

Service & Staff- Fast and Efficient Food - Best omelette in town, great coffee Prices - affordable Ambiance - relaxed and inviting read more

Hate to leave this review. The first three times I came here, it was great. Food as ordered served in a timely fashion. Staff was friendly and on-point. THIS time however.....totally different story(I'd actually leave ZERO stars if that were an option). I spent over $60 on lunch for my wife, daughter & I. They served my daughter's food first. 15 min later mine came out, cooked totally wrong and missing half the order. The manager(I assume)came out from the kitchen to my table and said "what's the problem?". I explained that I ordered grilled pork chops, not fried. He said "they asked you three times how you wanted and you said fried". I explained quickly he was wrong(and he had no way of knowing I am on the Carnivore diet, which means I don't eat carbs of any kind, much less ANYTHING deep fried. I would never even utter the WORD "fried"). He gave me a huge attitude and stormed off back to the kitchen. My wife couldn't believe it. While he was gone, they dropped my wife's omelette off. Problem is, there was no silverware to be seen so she didn't have a way to eat it. As it all started sinking in that this just was not going to be the $60 experience we paid for, we gave up and merely asked for everything to go(and since my daughter was long since done eating). When I got home to FINALLY eat what I'd paid for, I quickly discovered my eggs were NOT cooked medium well. They were loose as a goose and running all over. Barely cooked. Yuck. The pork chops were indeed grilled, but within an inch of their life. They were so dry I couldn't even choke them down(which believe me, I tried!). I wound up throwing it all away. What a waste of my hard-earned dollars. I am SO disappointed and will never be back. I wish I could have my money back since I most certainly did NOT get what I paid for. Between the incorrect order, the meals dropped off at all different times(not too mention a really long wait time period) and the total attitude from the assumed "manager", we will sadly not be back. Save your $$ and go somewhere else that they value local folks' business. Small businesses rely on that, and they would be well served to learn this lesson. NEVER AGAIN. read more

I had a very pleasant experience here. They have a limited menu compared to the normal Thumbs Up Diner but it should give you a taste of everything you want. But alas the thing I wanted was on their normal menu but not on this menu. Luckily all the ingredients were there in other dishes. Since they weren't busy at the time the manager agreed to make it. She and the cook came from an existing diner so they were familiar with the dish. It came out exactly right. The service was extremely friendly and helpful. In this setup you order at the counter , get your own drink and take a number then sit down to wait for your food to be brought to you. The place was bright and clean. All and all a nice addition to the neighborhood. read more

Amazing food, friendly service. Will for sure be coming back again! Can't believe we haven't been here before. Our new favorite breakfast place! read more

Great food, no wait (at peak dining hour) and fellow taking the order was very accommodating to my wife. Service was great. Only issue is not a lot of places to sit. We sat outside at a picnic table - sun became a factor and there are no umbrellas. Also, the trash bin is next to the outside dining. You can smell the trash from the outside dining seats. We loved the food and service and 100% will be back. read more

What a great breakfast spot! We ordered the chicken biscuit, double dipped French toast, and the chicken and waffles. We also grabbed a side of the chicken gravy. All of it was seasoned well and so filling. The service was great too. And we loved the music and atmosphere read more