Vittles Restaurant in Smyrna serves up home style meals like your momma’s. For 30 years, this mom-and-pop has satisfied the souls of many.

“By the grace of God we are still here,” said owner Mace Donaldson, who opened Vittles on Aug. 17, 1982. She got the idea for the name of the restaurant from Beverly Hillbillies Granny Clampett who loved to cook vittles.

Vittles serves breakfast anytime, lunch and dinner, all at a great value. Lunch includes 15 specials along with daily specials such as chicken and dumplings made from scratch, pot roast, chicken pot pies with homemade crust, and fresh trout.

A-meat-and-2 special is offered for only $5.79 with 30 sides to choose from such as steamed broccoli, mac-n-cheese, black eyed peas, fresh collard greens, and Brussels sprouts.

“People love our food because it tastes good and it’s reasonably priced,” said Donaldson, who worked with chain restaurants before opening Vittles.

The Marietta resident is married to Gary. They have one daughter, Tiffany, who works in the business.

Although Vittles has a Southern flair in its fare with traditional favorites such as fried chicken and pork chops, it is easy to eat healthy as well. “It’s Southern style but with a healthy twist,” Donaldson said.

Her favorite is thing on the menu is the fresh grilled salmon. Other meats and fish can be grilled rather than fried. “You can eat healthy or you can eat Southern style. You can choose,” she said.

Vittles can’t be talked about without mentioning the friendly atmosphere.

“We only meet a stranger once — everybody that walks in, somebody greets them. The table across from them talks to them. It’s like Cheers without the beer,” Donaldson said.

“(Vittles) is very casual. Everybody’s friendly. The customers will tell you what to eat,” she said.

Not only are Vittle’s customers loyal, its employees are loyal as well. Vittle’s employees have worked there 25 years with the exception of Donaldson’s daughter and her friend, Jennifer, who both grew up at the restaurant.

“The secret to my success is that my crew stays, and I don’t have turnover. They know they have to take care of the customers because they are the most important thing. It’s a blessing not to have to train people over and over. They know the right thing to do,” she said.

“We are very blessed to have repeat business,” Donaldson said.

The restaurant is located at 2579 South Cobb Drive in Smyrna.

Visit Vittles from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except for Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (770) 433-0047.