Helen Georgia Dining?

My wife and I will be there two nights just before their October festival. So where are some memorable (if any) places to eat in Helen and surrounding areas? 

There's a bakery there called Hofer's. I grew up on their Sandy Springs location and the Helen store was just as good but it's been a few years since I've been there. Great bakery goodies and sandwiches. The white bread for the turkey melts in your mouth and the po boy bread is perfectly chewy. In all the years I've been, I've never had the hot foods so I can't comment on those.

I have it under good authority that Pauls by the river is a good spot.

Helen is pretty much a culinary wasteland, but the Old Heidlberg Schnitzelhaus and North Georgia Barbeque are pretty good . The Troll Tavern is a nice place to sit and drink, but the food is to be avoided. If traffic isn't too bad, Ma Gooch's Restaurant in Cleveland has decent meat & three type fare.  pb

Thanks all for the very useful info.

 
 
 

flyguyfl


Thanks all for the very useful info.

North Georgia BBQ is REALLY good "que. Be aware that there are a LOT of alleged German food places to eat, most of them aren't worth the trouble. If you want a nice evening meal, the Nacoochee Grill will fit that bill.

I've never found much in the way to eat in Helen unless you're just needing some sausage along with your gallons of weak beer.

About ten miles away, down GA-17, you'll find better grub in Clarkesville, including Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House (link goes to my review)... I'll be that way myself towards the end of October and am looking forward to a return visit!

I had a great blackened chicken sandwich at"The Troll." However, @ $ 11.99 and nothing but chips & a pickle, it's wildly overpriced. I must say seating outside by the river is very, very cool. In te daytime it's fun watching the tubers. At night it's very relaxing.
 
North Ga. BBQ is excellent. It is better than many Atlanta Q houses, save for maybe Harold's. Good folk.
 
DO NOT leave Helen, without a visit to Betty's. Old-time Mom & Pope country store, with many unique items. Last I was there, they had soft drinks like RC Cola and various flavors of Nehi soda, in a big tin tub of ice. Real sugar. Real glass bottle Real COOL!
 
Just a WARNING: Helen at OctoberFest is a madhouse! Traffic backs up for miles, and rooms go fast. 
 
Just so ya know...

porkbeaks


Helen is pretty much a culinary wasteland, but the and are pretty good . The  is a nice place to sit and drink, but the food is to be avoided. If traffic isn't too bad, Ma Gooch's Restaurant in Cleveland has decent meat & three type fare.  pb

We did try the Old Heidlberg Schnitzelh the first day and found it acceptable but not exactly like the food in Germany. Maybe having iced tea in lieu of beer influnced that taste test. lol The plate was so large that we split one and I had the goalash which was excellent.
The last night we ended up in Cleveand and ate at Ma Gooch's where I had the largest fried chicken breast I have ever seen.  Even took a photo.  The veggies that came with it were good olde country fare too.
 
So thanks for the recommendations.

flyguyfl

porkbeaks


Helen is pretty much a culinary wasteland, but the and are pretty good . The  is a nice place to sit and drink, but the food is to be avoided. If traffic isn't too bad, Ma Gooch's Restaurant in Cleveland has decent meat & three type fare.  pb

We did try the Old Heidlberg Schnitzelh the first day and found it acceptable but not exactly like the food in Germany. Maybe having iced tea in lieu of beer influnced that taste test. lol The plate was so large that we split one and I had the goalash which was excellent.
The last night we ended up in Cleveand and ate at Ma Gooch's where I had the largest fried chicken breast I have ever seen.  Even took a photo.  The veggies that came with it were good olde country fare too.

So thanks for the recommendations.

You are very welcome. I'm happy you found those places to be good.  pb