The August debut of Georgia’s Restaurant further adds to the variety of dining options at Irvine Spectrum Center. The Fried Chicken Plate, which includes three pieces of the perfect ratio of seasoned crust to luscious brined meat and two sides, is the must-try dish fueling this eatery’s recent expansion. Co-owner Nika Shoemaker-Machado talks about her family’s fast-casual dining, which they call “soul delicious.”
What new cuisine does Georgia’s bring to the Spectrum Center?
We’re the first in Irvine to serve truly down-home Southern fare such as blackened catfish, fried green tomatoes, hearty gumbo and St. Louis-style barbecue pork ribs … kitchen-table favorites we serve with a side of warm family vibes. Opening in the Spectrum Center is such an exciting step forward for us. We’re thrilled to share these beloved dishes with a diverse new audience on a grand scale.
What’s the Georgia’s origin story?
Our menu is built on treasured family recipes from my mother, “Nana” Gretchen Shoemaker. She and my father, George, ran a successful catering company. His passing paused the catering business for many years, until 2014, when our family revived it
as an eatery at the Anaheim Packing House.
What’s the most unique thing people will find here?
We have a yummy peach cobbler, and we could well be the only place in Irvine that sells sweet potato pie daily.
What dishes do you expect will be most popular?
Our customers have favorites throughout a generous menu of small bites, specialties, sandwiches, soulful sides and nostalgic desserts. We hope our top sellers will be star players here, too: fried catfish with creole cornmeal crust, smothered pork chops, skillet-fried and blanketed in bacon gravy, and our acclaimed three-piece fried chicken plate. Entrees also include a choice of two Soulful Sides from a choice of 15, including buttery candied yams, jazzy Cajun rice, creamy mac and cheese and savory black-eyed peas.
Where can we find you?
Look for Georgia’s Restaurant near Dave & Buster’s.
