The Georgia Buffet So Delicious Locals Visit Every Weekend
Tucked along a quiet stretch of mountain road, a place has been feeding generations with comfort and tradition. Long tables fill quickly in Dillard, Georgia as families arrive hungry for familiar flavors and unhurried meals.
The Dillard House greets them with platters that never seem to empty and aromas that feel like home before the first bite. Country ham, warm biscuits, apple butter, and slow-cooked vegetables all carry the spirit of Southern cooking passed down through time.
A Century Of Southern Hospitality
Back in the 1910s, A.J. Dillard and his wife opened a simple boarding house in the mountains. What started as a place for travelers to rest has grown into one of Georgia’s most beloved dining destinations.
Generations have passed through these doors, each leaving with full bellies and fond memories. The family legacy continues today, keeping traditions alive with every meal served.
Family-Style Feasting At Its Finest
Forget choosing just one entrée from a menu. At the Dillard House, servers bring heaping platters and bowls straight to your table, and you help yourself to as much as you want.
This communal approach creates a cozy, home-like atmosphere where strangers become friends over shared dishes. Seconds, thirds, and even fourths are always encouraged and welcomed here.
Signature Apple Butter That Steals The Show
One taste of the Dillard House’s apple butter and you’ll understand why people come back weekend after weekend. Made from a time-honored recipe, this sweet spread has a perfectly balanced flavor.
Slather it on warm biscuits fresh from the oven, and you’ve got pure comfort in every bite. Some guests have been known to ask for extra jars to take home.
Country Ham With Authentic Mountain Flavor
Country ham holds a special place in Southern cuisine, and the Dillard House version honors that tradition beautifully. Cured and prepared using methods passed down through generations, each slice delivers salty, savory goodness.
Paired with redeye gravy or enjoyed on its own, this ham represents mountain cooking at its most authentic and delicious.
Acorn Squash Soufflé Worth The Drive
Vegetables get the star treatment here, especially the famous acorn squash soufflé. Light, fluffy, and subtly sweet, this dish surprises first-timers who never knew squash could taste this good.
The recipe balances natural sweetness with buttery richness, creating something both comforting and elegant. Even picky eaters find themselves reaching for seconds of this beloved side.
Blue Ridge Mountain Views On Every Side
Location matters when it comes to dining experiences, and the Dillard House sits in one of Georgia’s most beautiful spots. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, diners enjoy stunning views from the Little Tennessee River Valley.
Morning fog rolling over peaks or autumn leaves painting hillsides create backdrops that enhance every meal served here.
Breakfast That Locals Plan Their Weekends Around
Southern Living Magazine readers voted the Dillard House as a top breakfast spot, and one visit explains why. Fluffy biscuits, creamy grits, crispy bacon, and farm-fresh eggs arrive in generous portions.
Many locals make Saturday morning pilgrimages here, turning breakfast into a cherished weekend ritual. The meal feels like visiting grandma’s house, if grandma cooked for fifty people.
Recipes Handed Down Through Generations
Modern trends come and go, but the Dillard House stays true to recipes that have fed families for decades. Each dish reflects knowledge passed from one generation to the next, preserving flavors that might otherwise be lost.
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients meet traditional cooking methods, resulting in meals that taste like they came from a beloved family kitchen.
More Than Just A Restaurant Experience
After enjoying a massive meal, guests can explore the property’s many offerings. Comfortable rooms, cozy cottages, and spacious chalets provide overnight accommodations with mountain views included.
Horseback riding, fishing, hiking trails, and even a petting zoo keep visitors entertained beyond mealtime. Weekend getaways become easy when everything needed sits on one beautiful property.
Perfect Venue For Family Gatherings
Reunions, anniversaries, and corporate retreats all find a home at the Dillard House. Special event packages take the stress out of planning, while the family-style dining naturally brings groups together.
Spacious facilities accommodate crowds of various sizes, and the mountain setting provides a memorable backdrop. Celebrations here feel both special and comfortably casual at once.
Recognition From Southern Living
When Southern Living Magazine readers vote for their favorite restaurants, they know what they’re talking about. The Dillard House has earned multiple Reader’s Choice Awards, including honors for breakfast and overall Southern dining excellence.
These accolades confirm what locals already know – this place delivers consistently delicious food with genuine warmth and care every single visit.
Why Regulars Keep Coming Back
Some restaurants chase trends while others create lasting connections, and the Dillard House falls firmly in the second category. Regulars return not just for the food, but for the feeling of being welcomed home.
Staff remembers faces, recipes stay consistent, and the atmosphere never changes in all the right ways. This reliability turns first-time visitors into lifelong fans.
