Soul food is some of the best food you can eat. Lots of love goes into what is made. I had the smothered pork chops with Mac and cheese and corn on the cob. It also came with corn bread. The chops were so good with all that yummy gravy. I could take a bath in it. I love the Mac and cheese. It's some of the best I've had. The corn bread was so good. I could eat a basket of them. Everyone is so nice. They treat you like family. Give them a try

R GA

First time visiting this place and I will definitely be back with the whole family. Staff is so sweet and attentive. The food is DELICIOUS! I got the Chicken and Waffle, yams, and peach cobbler. They gave me a complimentary corn bread with butter that was also yummy. The chicken was nice and crunchy with the perfect amount of spices. The yams were not overly sweet, which I loved. And the peach cobbler did not disappoint. Definately coming back to try the rest of their menu!

Cap10Bill Nortman

Georgia’s Restaurant is my new favorite spot at the Irvine Spectrum. The location is super convenient, especially since it’s close to the parking structure and easy to get in and out. The outdoor seating is clean, shaded, and comfortable, and the inside has a warm, homey feel with wood accents, open shelving, and a visible kitchen that adds to the charm. Our server, Quantis, was outstanding. Friendly, soulful energy and very helpful with recommendations. The food was excellent across the board. The jambalaya was packed with flavor and generous portions of meat. The fried chicken with cornbread crust was incredibly juicy and perfectly seasoned. The mac and cheese was rich and flavorful, and the shoestring fries were crispy with great seasoning. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with thoughtful décor and a clean, well-organized space. The menu has plenty of great Southern comfort options, and everything we tried delivered. Great beer selection including my personal favorite Elysian Brewing "Space Dust IPA" Overall, Georgia’s has quickly become a go-to spot for me at the Spectrum. Great food, great service, and an easy location. Highly recommend.

Emiko Kawashima

We stopped for lunch on a Saturday, and it was past 1 pm. There was a plenty of patio and indoor seating. We ordered our food, and we were served our food within ten minutes. Mine was a blackened fish with a side of black-eyed peas and collard greens. We each got cornbread as well. Everything tasted good, and I would definitely go back there to try other dishes when I am in the area.

H B

It is not easy to find southern food here. We are so happy to find this place with all the Cajun food options. We ordered the jambalaya with pasta, waffles with fried chicken, French toast and some fries, etc. Jambalaya is very flavorful and authentic with all the spice tastes. Other food is good too, it would be better if they have more Cajun food options.

Annie Tang

I lived in Maryland for three years in near proximity to Southern food, while in-state or traveling through the South, and I was delighted to find out about this restaurant in Irvine Spectrum. Fried catfish, flat iron steak, smothered pork chops, and fried green tomatoes were fantastic. I was impressed with the seasoning and breading in the fried items. I'm so happy this is here and hope it stays at Spectrum.

Forest Rettino

Great food, reasonable prices, quick and friendly service, the only thing i think that could be improved is it could be a bit more cozy. Bottomless mimosas were great, fried chicken was crispy and comforting, the mac n cheese was rich and creamy & the coleslaw was fresh and crunchy. The pulled pork sliders were fantastic as well. Definitely check it out especially as a brunch spot.

Ahacool Kim

Georgia Restaurant at Irvine Spectrum is a great spot! I went for brunch hoping to try the egg fry, but only the lunch menu was available. The food was delicious, reasonably priced, and came in large portions. You pay when ordering, and the service was excellent. Coffee refills are unlimited, which was a nice bonus, so I happily added extra tips. Highly recommend this place!”

Marina Zemskaia

This recently opened restaurant offers a cozy and beautifully decorated space, especially for the holidays. The Christmas decorations, warm lighting, and inviting atmosphere make it a perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner. The staff is friendly and attentive. The menu is expansive, catering to a variety of tastes. Here's a breakdown of what they offer: Small Bites - Cajun Fries - $5.95 - Garlic Fries - $6.95 - Sweet Potato Fries - $6.95 - Fried Pickles - $9.95 - Fried Green Tomatoes - $10.95 - Chicken Wings (4-8 pieces) - $10.95 to $14.95 - Pulled Pork Sliders - $11.95 - Shrimp Basket - $13.95 Po’ Boys & Sandwiches Served with fries or coleslaw: - Spicy Andouille Po’ Boy - $11.95 - Shrimp Po’ Boy - $12.95 - Grilled Chicken Sandwich - $11.95 - Tri-Tip Sandwich - $17.95 Bowls & Salads - Hoppin’ John Bowl - $11.95 - Red Beans & Rice Bowl - $11.95 - Georgia’s House Salad - $10.95 Plate-Up Comes with 2 soulful sides: - Fried Chicken - $17.95 - Grilled Tilapia - $17.95 - Smothered Pork Chops - $20.95 - Blackened Catfish - $20.95 Soulful Sides Available à la carte: - Collard Greens, Cabbage, Mac & Cheese, Yams, Cornbread, Mashed Potatoes, and more - Starting at $4.95 Specialties - Fish & Grits - $16.95 - Chicken & Waffle - $17.95 - Gretchen’s Jambalaya - $18.95 Desserts Peach Cobbler, Beignets, Sweet Potato Pie - $5.45 There’s also a comfortable seating area where you can relax while waiting for your takeout order. We ordered the Blackened Chicken Pasta and Grilled Shrimp, but they didn’t fully meet our expectations. The flavors weren’t as bold as we hoped. However, the rest of the menu looks promising. This place is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for a charming spot to enjoy soulful dishes and festive vibes. We’ll be back soon to explore more of the menu!

Mike Robbins (Adventures With Mike)

Shopping makes me hungry and Georgia’s hit the spot! Being from the south, I was thrilled to see “soul food” and headed right over. It was exciting to see Shrimp and Grits on the menu. The sweet tea here is divine, the service was outstanding but the shrimp and grits? Off the chart delicious! Some of the best I’ve had in the whole country. Can’t wait to come back and try other things. Well done, Georgia!

Frank Paulin

Soul food is some of the best food you can eat. Lots of love goes into what is made. I had the smothered pork chops with Mac and cheese and corn on the cob. It also came with corn bread. The chops were so good with all that yummy gravy. I could take a bath in it. I love the Mac and cheese. It's some of the best I've had. The corn bread was so good. I could eat a basket of them. Everyone is so nice. They treat you like family. Give them a try

⭐⭐⭐⭐ More than just a meal – it's an experience of soul and story. Let me start by saying I’m very particular about my grits. Most restaurants don’t get them right, so I rarely order them. Georgia’s is one of the few exceptions. This was my third visit overall—I’ve been to the Long Beach location and now the one in Irvine—and I’ve found myself confidently ordering grits every single time. At the Long Beach location, I had the shrimp and grits, which were fantastic. This time in Irvine, I tried the fish and grits. Once again, they were perfect—creamy, flavorful, and the ideal comforting base for the well-seasoned fish. As a pescatarian, my menu options are sometimes limited, but what I have tried here is consistently tasty and full of flavor. I also have to give a special mention to their cornbread; it’s exactly the kind of warm, slightly sweet complement you want with this food. But the food, as excellent as it is, is only half the story. What truly impressed me was learning about Ms. Georgia herself. In an area like Irvine, which isn't known for its diversity, finding a genuine soul food restaurant is a treasure. My curiosity led me to look up who "Georgia" is, and I discovered an article about the remarkable Gretchen Shoemaker. Her story moved me deeply. At 76 years old, after the passing of her lifelong husband and partner, she found the strength to start this business and begin a new chapter. She took her husband's name (George), added letters from her daughters' names, and created "Georgia's" as a tribute to her family and her heritage. The recipes are centuries old, passed down through the women in her family, but the secret ingredient she openly shares is love. After reading about how she and her husband would dance and sing in the kitchen while prepping for her catering business, her joy and resilience became a palpable part of the experience for me. You can feel that history and heart in every bite. Seeing her, or knowing she’s the force behind it all, adds a layer of authenticity and inspiration that’s rare. As someone who understands the challenge of starting over later in life, I find her journey profoundly inspiring. Georgia’s Restaurant is more than just a place for a great meal of shrimp & grits or fish & grits (which I highly recommend). It’s a place with genuine soul, run by a family with a powerful story. I’ll definitely be back, and I encourage anyone looking for a meal filled with flavor and heart to support this incredible local business.

The food is great! Service is very good. You order at the counter then they bring you your food. But they also give you fresh cornbread muffins. Prep time is reasonable. The restaurant is clean, bright and bustling. Prices are reasonable considering it California.

CeeCee L

⭐⭐⭐⭐ More than just a meal – it's an experience of soul and story. Let me start by saying I’m very particular about my grits. Most restaurants don’t get them right, so I rarely order them. Georgia’s is one of the few exceptions. This was my third visit overall—I’ve been to the Long Beach location and now the one in Irvine—and I’ve found myself confidently ordering grits every single time. At the Long Beach location, I had the shrimp and grits, which were fantastic. This time in Irvine, I tried the fish and grits. Once again, they were perfect—creamy, flavorful, and the ideal comforting base for the well-seasoned fish. As a pescatarian, my menu options are sometimes limited, but what I have tried here is consistently tasty and full of flavor. I also have to give a special mention to their cornbread; it’s exactly the kind of warm, slightly sweet complement you want with this food. But the food, as excellent as it is, is only half the story. What truly impressed me was learning about Ms. Georgia herself. In an area like Irvine, which isn't known for its diversity, finding a genuine soul food restaurant is a treasure. My curiosity led me to look up who "Georgia" is, and I discovered an article about the remarkable Gretchen Shoemaker. Her story moved me deeply. At 76 years old, after the passing of her lifelong husband and partner, she found the strength to start this business and begin a new chapter. She took her husband's name (George), added letters from her daughters' names, and created "Georgia's" as a tribute to her family and her heritage. The recipes are centuries old, passed down through the women in her family, but the secret ingredient she openly shares is love. After reading about how she and her husband would dance and sing in the kitchen while prepping for her catering business, her joy and resilience became a palpable part of the experience for me. You can feel that history and heart in every bite. Seeing her, or knowing she’s the force behind it all, adds a layer of authenticity and inspiration that’s rare. As someone who understands the challenge of starting over later in life, I find her journey profoundly inspiring. Georgia’s Restaurant is more than just a place for a great meal of shrimp & grits or fish & grits (which I highly recommend). It’s a place with genuine soul, run by a family with a powerful story. I’ll definitely be back, and I encourage anyone looking for a meal filled with flavor and heart to support this incredible local business.

We went on a Friday Afternoon with few people inside. Service is great, we got drinks refill on time. My kids like the cornbread and butter. I like the cajun rice and fish. They could improve on the shrimp, the person who had the meal said it was hard/chewy but he liked the cajun rice too. We ordered 2 mac and cheese one was ok, and one was too peppery. Maybe for adults that is ok.

3.9/5 on this first trip here. Service is good. Place is nice and clean. Plenty of options on the menu. Red beans and rice were most flavorful. The beans were a little undercooked and it could use a little more spice. The Mac and cheese was decent. It could use a little seasoning. The corn bread was good. The smothered pork chops were bland. The meat and gravy definitely needed seasoning. The fried catfish was cooked to perfection! It needed a little seasoning but with some hot sauce and tartar sauce it was delicious. The potato salad was good too. It just needed a little less celery. The pink lemonade was delicious. Overall this is definitely a place we’ll be visiting again. Nothing was too bad that would keep us away. Will definitely order something different to try next time.

Kristina B

We went on a Friday Afternoon with few people inside. Service is great, we got drinks refill on time. My kids like the cornbread and butter. I like the cajun rice and fish. They could improve on the shrimp, the person who had the meal said it was hard/chewy but he liked the cajun rice too. We ordered 2 mac and cheese one was ok, and one was too peppery. Maybe for adults that is ok.

Mr Flann

3.9/5 on this first trip here. Service is good. Place is nice and clean. Plenty of options on the menu. Red beans and rice were most flavorful. The beans were a little undercooked and it could use a little more spice. The Mac and cheese was decent. It could use a little seasoning. The corn bread was good. The smothered pork chops were bland. The meat and gravy definitely needed seasoning. The fried catfish was cooked to perfection! It needed a little seasoning but with some hot sauce and tartar sauce it was delicious. The potato salad was good too. It just needed a little less celery. The pink lemonade was delicious. Overall this is definitely a place we’ll be visiting again. Nothing was too bad that would keep us away. Will definitely order something different to try next time.

Keumdal Jung (Kimmy J)

Love their patio seats. Very peaceful and quick enough service. The food portion wasn’t enough, two small chicken with one small waffle for $18. Overall it was decent

Charlie Reiter

I had the Lemon Sea Bass, which was fantastic and delivered to our table super fast. The server and cashier were very kind and efficient as well. My only real complaint is that the Beignets were more like mini donuts than the fluffy hollower New Orleans beignets I’m used to.

I have ordered the blue Georgia’s with sweet potato fries. The fries were delicious and hot and fresh but the salad was not good enough! The lettuce was not fresh! The atmosphere was casual and simple! Service staff so so!! The price was average for the meal!

I went here with a group of friends and I was relatively disappointed with the food. We ordered ribs, flat iron steak, and tri tip. Only the ribs were good. The steak was like chewing gum. For sides, we got garlic fries, grits, mashed potatoes, and Mac and cheese. I'd definitely stay away from the grits and the cornbread was depressingly bland although the butter was nice. The mac and cheese was good and the fries were alright. Although I understand it is not fair to expect true Cajun style soul food at a fast casual restaurant, I would say that this place is barely in range taste wise. The service was great though. I'll be back to give it another try in case we just went on an off day.

I made the mistake of ordering a chicken salad at a soul food place so don't make the same mistake as me! Total came to $20 including tip and it was very basic and tiny for the price. It was literally a half breast of a grilled chicken, I would guess like 2 whole romaine leaves chopped up, blue cheese crumbles, and cherry tomatoes. Tasted okay. The saving grace was the cornbread it came with that was tasty and sweet. I was thinking I could've gotten a better salad for the same price at a nicer establishment like Paul Martins. The customer service was good. She was nice and offered water. The restaurant itself is cute with nice ambience and outdoor seating.

mah maleki

I have ordered the blue Georgia’s with sweet potato fries. The fries were delicious and hot and fresh but the salad was not good enough! The lettuce was not fresh! The atmosphere was casual and simple! Service staff so so!! The price was average for the meal!

AS

I went here with a group of friends and I was relatively disappointed with the food. We ordered ribs, flat iron steak, and tri tip. Only the ribs were good. The steak was like chewing gum. For sides, we got garlic fries, grits, mashed potatoes, and Mac and cheese. I'd definitely stay away from the grits and the cornbread was depressingly bland although the butter was nice. The mac and cheese was good and the fries were alright. Although I understand it is not fair to expect true Cajun style soul food at a fast casual restaurant, I would say that this place is barely in range taste wise. The service was great though. I'll be back to give it another try in case we just went on an off day.

Tai Ton

I made the mistake of ordering a chicken salad at a soul food place so don't make the same mistake as me! Total came to $20 including tip and it was very basic and tiny for the price. It was literally a half breast of a grilled chicken, I would guess like 2 whole romaine leaves chopped up, blue cheese crumbles, and cherry tomatoes. Tasted okay. The saving grace was the cornbread it came with that was tasty and sweet. I was thinking I could've gotten a better salad for the same price at a nicer establishment like Paul Martins. The customer service was good. She was nice and offered water. The restaurant itself is cute with nice ambience and outdoor seating.

Mark N.

Popped in for a quick order of chili cheese fries. Waited 20 minutes, a bit long. Firstly, tasted great, but looks like it was cooked too long and the edges of the container were burnt and in the food. Will try again!

Went to the Irvine Spectrum location for lunch for a quick bite. This was our first time here; we ordered the mash potatoes, corn on the cobb, grits, Mac n cheese, and fried tomatoes. Unfortunately, the only thing that tastes good was the fried tomatoes 😕. The mash potatoes tasted like they were made with dirty potatoes & did not taste good at all so we had to throw it away. The grits & Mac n cheese were watery and the corn on the cobb was just ok. It should be an overall practice to try the chef's food before hiring them for the job or provide training so the food is made well for customers to enjoy. One plus is they play good music.

Jay C

Went to the Irvine Spectrum location for lunch for a quick bite. This was our first time here; we ordered the mash potatoes, corn on the cobb, grits, Mac n cheese, and fried tomatoes. Unfortunately, the only thing that tastes good was the fried tomatoes 😕. The mash potatoes tasted like they were made with dirty potatoes & did not taste good at all so we had to throw it away. The grits & Mac n cheese were watery and the corn on the cobb was just ok. It should be an overall practice to try the chef's food before hiring them for the job or provide training so the food is made well for customers to enjoy. One plus is they play good music.

The food had NO flavor. The location in Long Beach was much better. You can tell they fried the chicken in the same grease they fried the fish in. Nothing had flavor and the fried fish was rubbery. I think the cooks need to be re trained to follow recipes better. Ambience was nice and friendly staff.The food had NO flavor. The location in Long Beach was much better. You can tell they fried the chicken in the same grease they fried the fish in. Nothing had flavor and the fried fish was rubbery. I think the cooks need to be re trained to follow recipes better. Ambience was nice and friendly staff.