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Tolex African Grill

3.9 (18 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Suya, jollof rice and plantains.

I'm an American of Nigerian descent, a local journalist, and a foodie. I had just about given up on Nigerian food in Atlanta. I've never been fond of my native cuisine. That's a confession. The cultural disconnect is real. I live four minutes away from Tolex. I drive by it every time I leave Pine Lake. I've been in this restaurant before, under previous ownership, and been disappointed. But I visited the home village in Imo State at Christmas for the first time in my life a few months ago, eating as much authentic Nigerian food as I could. And I wanted to compare notes. I'm glad I did. Tolex beat anything I ate in the village, and anything I had at the high-end restaurants in Abuja on the way home. Purists will hear that and argue that claim to death, of course. But the truth is, Nigeria is hurting right now and it shows up in the food culture. The quality of ingredients available in a market in Nigeria has deteriorated with the economy. People have been struggling to find enough to eat. Those conditions can shape the practices of a cook, and a real chef makes something work. Take that skill, and apply it to what can be obtained in an Atlanta-area farmers market - which is to say, absolutely anything - and you get Tolex. It is operating in the better traditions of Black American food, produced with ingenuity, well seasoned without a lot of flash. I ordered suya, which is traditionally a northern Nigerian dish, along with jollof rice and plantains. Suya is a simple dish - grilled meat prepared with a peppery spice that includes roasted peanut, garlic and paprika. Jollof rice is a spiced tomato dish omnipresent in west African cuisine. Plantains are universal. Each was perfect. Plantains done properly are actually hard to find in Atlanta. It an easy measure of the quality of a kitchen for me. If they can do plantains well, they should have the gear and skill to do other basics well. The suya was tender without being overdone, with an excellent spice blend. The jollof rice was flavorful and did not have unnecessary embellishments - everyone wants their jollof rice to be special, and invariably that ends up turning a simple dish into an overwrought, time-consuming error. Tolex is a hole in the wall at the end of a strip mall filled with ethnic African businesses that is likely to be overlooked by anyone who can't read Amharic or Somali. But the parking lot was full. So was the counter, with brown bags for takeout. This iteration of the restaurant appears to be surviving on a robust DoorDash business. The restaurant interior is what you'd expect in a strip mall: working class seating with a TV playing Burna Boy videos. Atlanta has had dozens of Nigerian restaurants open and close over the years. Many have been marketed as flashy, upscale "elite" establishments designed to project an image of success - Yahoo Boy aesthetics - while overcharging for average fare, counting on ethnic affinities to get them through without actually building those relationships. As I sat there, a parade of customers came through, most of whom were Nigerian, many of whom were familiar with the owner and the business. Tolex is the equivalent of the family restaurant in a Chinatown or Indian neighborhood that is primarily patronized by the diaspora community. And that might be why it works. Tolex is not cheap. But it's also not more expensive than any other decent restaurant on the east side. A plate, a drink and a side will set you back about $28 before taxes and a tip. So far, it's worth every penny.

Efo Riro Egusi Soup
William N.

Great authentic food. My favorite African spot. The menu has variety. Service is great and the food is always hot and fresh! I order Togo this time. The establishment is small seating 5 tables max.

Nigerian fried rice meal

We came here for vacation and tried this Nigerian restaurant for the first time!! Being Nigerian, I am picky but this food didn't disappoint at all!! We came back for second!!! We are at the restaurant and the owner were so nice!!! Food was generous!!!

Goat pepper soup extremely delicious
Jessica C.

I walked into the building and it felt like home the owner Tolex and staff are so welcoming and then the menu tells you everything you need to know I ordered the goat pepper soup the asun egosi soup with foo foo and the beef suya with fried rice when I say I had sat there and enjoyed every bite of everything I have to come back and try everything the soobolo drink is superb and wines were amazing with this authentic food from the mother land I'm truly impressed and will be back

Jollof rice

I ordered my food for delivery and the food was good. The portion size was very small for the price I paid, though. I'm a bit disappointed by that.

Efo Riro with goat  Fufu and a Side of Fried Rice

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2 years ago

The service was wonderful! I loved the music! I'll be back soon to order again. If you come make sure you try the mackerel fish and rice !

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3 years ago

Authentic West African food, Very good service! I recommend this establishment. You won't regret it.

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3 years ago

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Toyin O.

Thank you so much. We truly appreciate your support

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Sweet Potato Cafe - Beautiful Comfort Food!

Sweet Potato Cafe

4.0(516 reviews)
3.8 mi
$$

Ny curated an Exemplary Excalibur Exquisite dining experience…read more Life Affirming 10 months post aortic surgery - turkey burger wholeness plus hand cut sweet potato fries Living 1/hour away is a drop for amazing farm to taste nourishment See you soon & bringing fam next time

OH My GOODNESS!! One…read moreof the best farm to table eateries ive had the pleasure of eating a "Stone Mountain Village Gem" I walked up to this amazing eaterie sitting on the corner across from the theatre. Fresh grown gardens surround the eatery where you can witness where your veggies are coming from :) Absolutely organic and the flavor says it all. I entered and the cozy old school music playing faintly in the background made me feel at home in "Ma Mas" kitchen and the place was OCD clean. Staff of older experts warmly greeted me which one turned out to be "Chef K" herself from the food network #Surprised me :) We went over the well prepared Menu as the place filled instantly as I sat down. I was finally a happy camper in "Stone Mountain Village" food scene I had the fried green tomatoes and Salmon Crockets Made from scratch (OMG) NO canned salmon either culinary prepared from whole salmon Those flavors fermented in my mouth and I was a happy camper ate good Great to be totally be pleased with spending your money for great food prepared with LOVE! HANDS DOWN !! Sweet Potato Cafe in Stone Mountain is your best choice

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Sweet Potato Cafe
Sweet Potato Cafe - Sweet Potato Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich!

Sweet Potato Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich!

Sweet Potato Cafe - Inside

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Inside

Cherokee Rose BBQ Bar & Kitchen - Waffle Centers & Syrup

Cherokee Rose BBQ Bar & Kitchen

4.5(231 reviews)
3.8 mi
$$

We had such a lovely dining experience at Cherokee Rose. Our party of eight; four adults and four…read morechildren arrived after being turned away from another restaurant that was closing early, and we couldn't be happier that we ended up here. Everyone was incredibly accommodating and welcoming. The food was absolutely amazing, truly 5-stars quality across the board. The smoked filet was phenomenal, and the craft cocktails, white sangria, and wine selection were all excellent. Even though there wasn't a children's menu, the staff went above and beyond to make sure our kids were taken care of. The chef even prepared special dishes just for them, which we truly appreciated. I can't say enough about how thoughtful and accommodating the entire team was. Our waitress, Liz, was such a professional she helped us navigate the drink menu and made suggestions and brought surprises and samples based on our likes. We will be returning!

This restaurant is also owned by the same owners as the "The Oak Bar" on main street Stone Mountain…read moreVillage . The owner has some other restaurants downtown Decature as well The "Cherokee Rose", very nice ambient atmosphere good looking restaurant. However it appears to be Family run with close friends and their kids. The Staff is not very attentive, one bartender so long waits or missed over waiting to place a drink and food order No one's really educated on the menu when asked a question about the food items. They just slide a menu in front of you as a gesture - you read it if you want to know. I can't see the small print on these menus to save my life lol I invited a industry colleague for a business dinner Ok, food review they offer an oxtail protein in the collard greens "Yummy" however I didn't find oxtail in the collard greens anywhere. My guest ordered some cwing dinner that looked like a contraption. As far as the presentation was delivered. I decided on a liquid diet after seeing the food delivery Next week I personally stopped in-for lunch wanted to give this place a chance to rebound and my full attention on a fair review. I wanted to also make sure management was there. An older caucasian woman greets me well we have a cordial conversation about my previous experience and my embarrassment at such a nice looking restaurant She was unable to believe this happened at her restaurant. Just plain disbelief and raved about the kitchen and pride that goes into her food to later having to eat those words Again, limited menu what is up with the 4-5 items to chose from. I donot eat steak fries So I just ordered the burger - medium well - not burned and it had no venison mixed or blended meat added The burger came out with old brown tarnished lettuce I sent it back for fresh lettuce . She brought it back they added thousand island dressing when I specially asked for mayo on the side which was also provided. What is going on in the kitchen I took a bittersweet bite anyways and spat it out. Took my utensils which looks like a switch blade in a fairly nice restaurant. bad esthetics decisions I knifed out The center of the uncooked raw meat of the burger and waited patiently for the nice lady to find her way back over to me I offered to just pay and leave. She ask what was the problem . I uncovered the burger and allowed her to witness fir herself Her face turned beet red and quickly said no charge and stormed off to her kitchen where I am sure like "The Oak" there was a Waffle House griller reject acting as a chef " Pictures attached : I can't make my Experiences UP! #SMH you just can't get what you pay for anywhere these days Me being a restaurant consultants. I've contacted a few franchises and alerted them to a decent food market thst can use some great affordable food options Let me help "Stone Mountain Village Grow"

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Cherokee Rose BBQ Bar & Kitchen - Dining area

Dining area

Cherokee Rose BBQ Bar & Kitchen - Shrimp & Grits (Brunch menu)

Shrimp & Grits (Brunch menu)

Cherokee Rose BBQ Bar & Kitchen - Exterior

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Exterior

First Watch - Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast

First Watch

3.4(126 reviews)
4.8 mi
$$
Casual dining
Gluten-free friendly

I came to First Watch for brunch with my cousin and his wife. We came on a Saturday, and it was…read morePACKED. We had to wait about 30-40minutes, which I guess was expected. We all got an iced coffee to start. I got mine without whipped cream. It was good, but still very sweet. So keep that in mind if you don't want something too sweet. I got the farmhouse hash with my eggs sunny side up. It was so good and hearty! Had bacon, avocado, onions, tomatoes, and cheese. It was also served with toast. It was very filling! I finished most of it. Someone else got the farmhouse hash as well, but with eggs scrambled and no avocado. The other person got the tri-fecta, which is 2 eggs any style served with a waffle with choice of breakfast protein. The food was all pretty good. It didn't take too too long to come out. Like I mentioned earlier, the place was super packed. Be prepared if you are coming on the weekends. Parking was also quite the task. While it's in a parking lot, all the spots were filled up. I had to park quite far to get a spot! First Watch was good, but I don't care too much to come back.

Food was good. Ambiance--typical First Watch however I loved the round table for our group. So…read morethank you hostess. Service, hummmm... I arrived early (15 minutes before the rest of party) our server (tall blonde) walked around me to every other one of her tables for the entire 15 mins and NEVER once acknowledged me. NEVER stopped to ask if I needed/wanted anything while I wait, yet when my party member started to show up (and yes these are white ladies and I am a woman of color) she was/became so attentive that I almost grew sick of it. When you are in the service industry you better leave that attitude/racism/bullshit home bc it will reflect in your tips which I am guessing you need or you would not be there. I'm out of that location for a while.

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First Watch - Server Julie

Server Julie

First Watch
First Watch

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Tolex African Grill - african - Updated May 2026

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