Y’all, gather ‘round and let us tell you about the sweet potato, which some may consider the unsung hero of Southern kitchens. Who are the “some” we are referring to? We couldn’t tell you. But we are definitely not talking about the sweet potato that gets a generous serving of brown sugar and margarine mixed in to then be blanketed by marshmallows before being placed in the oven. While sweet potato casserole is quite the indulgence, we want to talk about sweet potatoes without all the unhealthy ingredients being added to it.
First things first: sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that are nutritional dynamos that could put a multivitamin to shame. One baked sweet potato delivers a load of vitamin A (often over 100% of your daily needs), plus good helpings of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. That’s not just food, that’s edible superhero soup.
And speaking of heroes, sweet potatoes support gut health like nobody’s business. Packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber that work together to keep things moving, this sweet tater even promotes the growth of friendly gut bacteria. How sweet is that?
Now, we’d be lying if I said they didn’t help keep your eyes and immune system functioning right. Thanks to their high beta‑carotene content that’ll make carrots feel jealous, sweet potatoes give your eyes and your immune system a serious boost. Your vision will be as sharp as your uncle’s one‑eyed barnyard glare.
Let’s not stop there. Sweet potatoes might just strengthen your heart and protect against disease. Their fiber content helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while those vibrant pigments, especially in purple varieties, bring in antioxidants that might help reduce inflammation and even combat certain cancers.
So why are Sweet Potatoes a Southern Staple?
Sweet potatoes thrive in the warm, sandy soils and the long growing seasons of the American South, with Georgia being in the company of states like North Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi in leading national production. Ultimately, the region’s climate ensures a consistent, high-quality crop, typically harvested in late summer to early fall and cured to enhance sweetness and shelf life.
From a produce perspective, sweet potatoes have deep roots in Southern agriculture and culinary history, dating back to Indigenous cultivation long before European settlement. Over centuries, they became a staple crop due to their hardiness, nutritional value, and versatility. Today, Southern-grown sweet potatoes are prized for their freshness, vibrant orange flesh, and naturally sweet flavor, making them a cornerstone of seasonal produce offerings across the country.
And because it’s so fresh, healthy and naturally sweet, we mash them up with coconut oil as a perfect side for our protein plate or vegetable plate. With sweet potatoes being a good source of complex carbs, it makes sense for it to be offered at our restaurant.
Visit Maepole to Check out Our Sweet (Potato) Menu Items
So there you go: sweet potatoes—Southern staple, literally sweet accompaniment to every lunch or dinner, and a secret health weapon disguised as a root vegetable. At Maepole, we are sweet on this vegetable, which is why we offer the Boxcar, which comes with sweet potatoes, mac & cheese, green beans & onions, pork, and sriracha-honey. You can also order a custom plate with your choice of protein, greens and of course, our clean sweet potato. Whatever you decide, we can deliver on healthy fast food in Atlanta, GA.
Established in 2018 by co-founders Pete Dale, Michael Clancy, and Nathan Goodman, Maepole is a healthy, quick-serve Southern restaurant known for its hormone and antibiotic-free meats, and its wide variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Our healthy fast food concept started out in Athens and we now have 3 locations but are working on opening more over the next few months and years. Be sure to check out our amazing menu and order online. We also offer catering!
Chase St. Athens
1021 North Chase St.
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 850-3600
Epps Bridge Pkwy Athens
1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy
Suite 207 Athens, GA 30606
(706) 510-3133
Atlanta
72 Georgia Ave SE Suite 500
Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 907-4355
