Photo by Alex Cates/The Atlanta Voice
Bryant “Chef Baul” Williams can still recall the fond memories of his grandmother, Betty Sue, whipping up a home-cooked meal for him after his football games and a plate of grits, eggs, and bacon in the morning. Cooking was her love language for her grandkids, and Williams said watching her happiness as she made meals for people from scratch inspired him to do the same.
Food bound them together, and years later, Williams has opened a brunch restaurant in her honor, a space of Southern comfort similar to the feeling he got in his grandmother’s kitchen.
“My grandmother expressed her love through cooking to me at times when she really couldn’t buy things or do what I wanted her to do financially. My grandma would let me come to her home and cook for me,” Williams said. “I have the same approach to just be happy and try to serve somebody and help them when you’re feeding them.
On Sunday, March 2, Williams and his wife and business partner, Daniella Williams, celebrated the grand opening of Betty Sue’s. Located in the Five Points Plaza at 20 Broad St SW Ste F, the new brunch concept is next door to Binky’s Eatery, their first restaurant venture that opened in 2023.
Colors of blush pink and olive green with gold accents and flowers adorn the interior and exterior of the restaurant, a mix of Southern flare and a Parisian cafe that was the brainchild of his wife. Unlike Binky’s, Betty Sue’s is a sit-down restaurant where patrons enjoy Williams’ popular menu items such as oxtail, grits, and fruity pebble french toast. He also has his line of stone ground grits for sale.
Atlanta is known for its lively—and sometimes hectic—brunch scene, especially on the weekends when it’s not uncommon to find a scene similar to a party underway. But Williams said his intent is for Betty Sue’s to be a family-oriented eatery for tourists and locals alike where they can enjoy a quiet and comfortable meal.
“You don’t have to dress up. There’s no dress code. There’s no automatically added gratuity. We were thinking about the everyday consumer and just coming up with some affordable dishes and the top-requested dishes I was getting.”
Within two years, Williams has opened two restaurants in the heart of downtown Atlanta. It’s a journey from selling plates to rappers during late-night studio sessions to working in an upscale restaurant and becoming a tour and private chef for celebrities such as Migos, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, and more.
Williams said working as a private chef for celebrities for the last decade has helped him refine his cooking, and he is now able to cook for picky people. His breakfast dishes were a hit among his clients, so he knew opening a brunch restaurant in the heart of Atlanta was the perfect next step after Binky’s.
“Now they can come to me. I don’t have to go to them and cook. And I think it worked out pretty great for us. I kept my faith strong in God and my wife behind me, and we put our hands together as a team. I feel great. My wife she’s proud of me. I’m proud of her.”
The restaurant is open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.