The Old-School Georgia Café Still Running An All-You-Can-Eat Menu Locals Grew Up On

There’s something magical about walking into The Dillard House in the small mountain town of Dillard, nestled in north Georgia’s Rabun County.

The moment you step through those doors, the aroma of homemade biscuits and country ham wraps around you like a warm hug from grandma.

For more than a century, this beloved spot has welcomed families from across the South to share heaping platters of comfort food, passed around family-style until everyone’s buttons are ready to pop.

Family-Style Dining That Defines Southern Tradition

Y’all won’t find any menus at The Dillard House! When you sit down at one of their long wooden tables, food just starts appearing—and it keeps coming until you wave the white flag.

The servers, many who’ve worked there for decades, bring out steaming platters of Southern classics without you having to order a thing. Everything’s passed around family-style, just like at grandma’s house when all the cousins came over.

What makes this place special is how they’ve preserved a dining tradition that’s disappearing faster than dewdrops in July sunshine. In our fast-food world, The Dillard House remains steadfastly committed to unhurried meals where conversations flow as freely as the sweet tea.

All-You-Can-Eat Meals Served Straight To The Table

The first time I brought my city-slicker friend Mark here, his eyes nearly popped out of his head when the third round of food arrived! “You mean we can have more?” he whispered, clutching his belt. That’s the beauty of The Dillard House—nobody leaves hungry.

Unlike modern buffets where you trudge through lines with plastic trays, everything at The Dillard House comes straight to your table. Fresh batches of fried chicken, country ham, and catfish appear just as you’re scraping the bottom of the serving dishes.

Their pricing model seems almost rebellious in today’s portion-controlled restaurant world. One fixed price covers everything—appetizers, meats, vegetables, breads, and desserts. The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh, following the rhythm of seasons rather than corporate supply schedules.

Generations Of Locals Grew Up On These Plates

The walls are decorated with faded photographs showing families gathered around these same tables in the 1950s, 60s, and every decade since. You’ll spot grandparents who first came as children, now bringing their own grandchildren to experience the tradition.

Local high school graduations, wedding rehearsal dinners, and Sunday after-church gatherings have all happened within these walls for over a century. The Dillard House isn’t just a restaurant—it’s where the community’s story continues to unfold, one shared meal at a time.

From Fried Chicken To Country Ham And Endless Sides

Lord have mercy, that chicken! Golden-brown crust shattering between your teeth to reveal juicy meat that’s been soaked in buttermilk overnight. The recipe hasn’t changed since 1917, and thank heavens for that stubborn dedication to tradition.

Alongside these stars parade the supporting cast: creamed corn scraped fresh from the cob, green beans cooked with fatback until tender, sweet potato casserole topped with pecans, and collard greens that would make your grandma jealous.

My personal weakness is their cornbread—crumbly, slightly sweet, and perfect for sopping up pot likker. The sides rotate seasonally, featuring whatever local farmers bring to the back door that morning, maintaining a farm-to-table approach long before it became fashionable.

A Mountain Setting That Feels Like Home

Perched in the rolling North Georgia mountains, The Dillard House sits like a proud matriarch overlooking her domain. Last fall, I watched the maple trees outside the dining room windows turn every shade of fire while demolishing a plate of apple cobbler with cinnamon ice cream melting on top.

The restaurant itself is housed in a sprawling white clapboard building with wide porches perfect for rocking chair digestion after your meal. You’ll hear more “y’alls” and “bless your hearts” here in five minutes than in a month anywhere else, creating an atmosphere as comforting as the food.

What strikes me most is how the place makes everyone feel like they belong. City folks, locals, and tourists all receive the same warm welcome—and the same enormous portions! The Dillard House remains an authentic slice of Georgia hospitality in a world that increasingly forgets the value of taking time to break bread together.