Expert Travel Tips from Georgia’s Visitor Information Centers
One of the best ways to get tips for things to see and do in Georgia is to stop into our nine Visitor Information Centers, where the staff knows the state better than anyone. You’ll get a warm and friendly welcome, travel ideas, directions, and the chance to snap your photo with our “Georgia On My Mind” signs.
Travelers who stop at the centers often ask, “Where is a good place to eat?” See below for recommendations from each of the Visitor Information Centers for some of the best foods to eat at restaurants around the state.
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Green Jacket salad at Becks in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta
Pimento cheese hush puppies and Green Jacket salad
Becks in Augusta
Why you’ll love it: House-made pimento cheese that will melt in your mouth, served with chile sauce. The Green Jacket salad is an Augusta favorite! Very light but savory.
Recommended by Keri Ogletree, Manager
The Melt
Smoke & Barrels in Evans
Why you’ll love it: Smoked tri-tip beef with smoked provolone cheese and whiskey onions with white barbecue sauce. A good ole Southern sandwich!
Recommended by Kenny Davis, Information Specialist
Barbecue platter at Country's Barbecue in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus
Barbecue pork platter (sliced or chopped), served with two sides and bread of your choice
Country's Barbecue in Columbus
Why you’ll love it: A local favorite, Country's has the best sweet tea in the city, and the pork is smoked over hickory and oak wood. The vegetables are fresh and locally grown. You can’t leave without dessert: the famous Southern banana pudding. The flavors will take your taste buds on a journey.
Recommended by LaTivia Rivers, Manager
Georgia peach French toast at Mama's Boy in Athens, Georgia
Lavonia
Georgia peach French toast
Mama's Boy in Athens
Why you'll love it: This Southern take on classic French toast is crowned with compote made with Georgia-grown peaches. It is crispy, yet fluffy, and is served with candied pecans, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Top it with local maple syrup, and you have a sweet and comforting dish.
Recommended by Odie Hoffman, Information Specialist
The Roast Beef Special
211 Main Street in Lavonia
Why you'll love it: If you want good Southern comfort food, the roast beef plate is the one to try. The roast beef is shredded and juicy, never dry. It's served with homemade creamy mashed potatoes and savory brown gravy, fresh green beans, or substitute with any fresh sides, and a homemade roll. So simple, yet so full of flavor. End it all with one of their spectacular freshly made desserts - the strawberry cake is the best!
Recommended by Jane Sheldon, Information Specialist
Moe's Original BBQ in Rome, Georgia
Ringgold
Smoked half chicken platter (served with cornbread and two sides)
Moe's Original BBQ in Rome
Why you’ll love it: The chicken and barbecue sauce is perfection. The service is immaculate. They are ever evolving their side menu items, which shows the care and creativity that goes into crafting every dish. This is not just a restaurant, but a Southern experience.
Recommended by Lillie Poe, Manager
Forbidden Fruit Pizza
Cesario’s in Rossville
This fiery brick oven crust is topped with fresh mozzarella, bacon, tangy pineapple, roasted cashews, peppadew peppers for just a subtle bite, toasted coconut, and sweet-n-spicy Calabrian hot honey. This dish is guaranteed to enhance your dining experience, as well as your palate!
Why you’ll love it: Cesario’s is a family-owned Italian restaurant known for its creative pizzas, fresh ingredients, and a menu inspired by the owner's Italian ancestry. The restaurant offers a unique brick-oven pizza style with a soft crust and toppings, alongside other dishes like bruschetta, pasta, and sandwiches. It also features a new-aged atmosphere with outdoor seating, live music on Fridays, and a full bar.
Recommended by Emily Womack, Information Specialist
Hanger steak at Cotton & Rye in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah/Port Wentworth
Hanger steak
Cotton & Rye in Savannah
Why you'll love it: Cotton & Rye offers a creative twist on classic comfort food, with fresh ingredients which include braised leeks, duck fat potatoes, mushroom duxelles, demi, all alongside friendly service. Amazing flavors!
Recommended by Kellie Lord Zieba, Manager
The Reid's Burger at Reid's Apothecary in Brunswick, Georgia
St. Marys
The Reid's Burger
Reid's Apothecary in Brunswick
Why you’ll love it: You’ll love this dish because it hits every comfort-food craving at once. The creamy house-made pimento cheese melts into the smoky bacon, all wrapped in a soft brioche bun with garlic aioli that ties every flavor together.
Recommended by Susanne McNeal, Manager
Susan Hayward salmon salad at The Brown Dog Eatery in Carrollton, Georgia
Tallapoosa
Susan Hayward salmon salad
The Brown Dog Eatery in Carrollton
Why you’ll love it: Picture a decadent salad of fresh fruit, including strawberries and blueberries, nestled on a bed of baby spinach. Now, add in pickled red onions, pecans, goat cheese, and grilled salmon topped off with balsamic raspberry vinaigrette. All this to pay homage to Susan Hayward, famous actress active 1937-1972. She, along with husband Floyd Eaton Chalkley, lived and farmed in Carroll County.
Recommended by Melinda Marlow, Manager
Double smashburger and fries
Draketown Eats in Temple
Why you’ll love it: The burger is tender, juicy, and cooked to order. Their fries are crispy and delicious.
Recommended by Candy Dearing, Information Specialist
Valdosta
All-you-can-eat buffet, featuring fried pork chops, mac n’ cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and banana pudding
Ole Times Country Buffet in Valdosta
Why you’ll love it: It’s good Southern comfort food at its finest.
Recommended by Brandie Wiggins, Information Specialist
Fancy’s Favorite Meat Loaf, seasoned Ford Hook limas, cream corn, collards, Mom’s 15-layer chocolate cake, The Buzz espresso
Fancy Girl Farms in Hahira
Why you’ll love it: Fancy Girl Farms is a classic meat-and-three-style restaurant with a modern feel. For dinner, you can get their delicious meat loaf with lima beans, cream corn, and fried okra on the side. Then, enjoy a coffee from their in-house coffee shop while browsing all of the fresh Georgia-grown produce they have to offer. A true hidden gem and one-stop shop!
Recommended by Nicholas Taylor, Information Specialist
Bulloch House in Warm Springs, Georgia
West Point
All-you-can-eat buffet, featuring fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and butter peas
Bulloch House in Warm Springs
Why you’ll love it: Comfort food, chock full of memories. Be sure to save room for a huge “slab” of their multi-layered chocolate cake, my favorite, like grandma wished she could make.
Recommended by Dave Verner, Information Specialist
Chicken broccoli casserole, turnip greens, pineapple casserole, and sliced tomato
Taste of Lemon in LaGrange
Why you’ll love it: Home-cooked comfort. Every bite feels like Sunday at Grandma’s - the way food used to taste!
Recommended by Rebecca Clopp, Manager
