Newton Citizen

Having run her own restaurant in Columbus, Ga. for several years, Eleanor Johnson decided to remain in the food industry when she relocated to Conyers in 2008.

She worked for a short time as a chef at Sharon's, a Southern cooking restaurant that is not longer in business, before deciding to once again become an entrepreneur.

Johnson opened Sweet and Savory Cafe in July. The restaurant is located at 1410 Klondike Road in the Texaco plaza shopping area in Conyers.

With a modest-sized seating area than can hold about 30 people, the restaurant serves up heaps of Southern specialties -- Southern fried chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, fried shrimp, catfish nuggets and fried talapia are among the main dishes.

Vegetable sides include collard greens, green beans, cabbage, fried okra, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, black eyed peas and rice, potato salad, and cole slaw.

Johnson said sometimes she'll serve special dishes, such as pot roast and vegetables or savory baked chicken with dressing, and Fridays she cooks seafood dishes like shrimp and grits.

There's also no lack of desserts on the menu, with Johnson offering apple cobbler, peach cobbler, banana pudding and sweet potato pie.

Johnson said the restaurant is family-owned and run. She operates the business with her daughter Melissa Nesbitt. Johnson's son, Joe Hodge, works at the restaurant as well.

"That's what we wanted, something small, to keep it family-oriented, something cozy that people like," said Johnson.

Sweet and Savory Cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday; and closed on Monday.

For more information, call the Sweet and Savory Cafe at 678-374-1800.