Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the legendary soul food restaurant Paschal’s opened its doors in 1947. Originally a small luncheonette, the founders, James and Robert Paschal served sandwiches and later expanded to hot lunches. That expansion was just the beginning.
Wanting a specialty dish for their new dinner menu, the Paschal brothers endeavored to serve the “best fried chicken” in Atlanta. Over the years Paschals would extend to include the restaurant, Paschal’s Motor Hotel with 120 luxury rooms, and a lounge bar called, La Carrousel.
In the 1960s Paschals became a place for civil rights leaders and other historical figures to convene, strategize, and have a warm meal during the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Aretha Franklin, and Maynard Jackson were just some of the guests who dined at this historic space.
Today, Paschal’s continues the legacy of its founding brothers by serving their secret recipe fried chicken and keeping the history and impact of the restaurant alive and well.
Sankofa Impact visits Paschal’s during our Pilgrimage to the South. This stop typically comes at the end of the trip and gives us an opportunity to reflect on our time in the American South while eating the same meal as our guiding figures.
