Had amazing smash burger! Would definitely go back again. Nice outdoor seating with view of Helen.read more

I was surprised at all the things this store had! We grabbed sandwiches from them two nights and…read morethey were very good! We also bought groceries, beer, soap, fire starters, marshmallow sticks, water and a few other necessities. One evening we sat out back for live music and drinks! Everyone was friendly and helpful. Betty's is an all in one stop shop!

Food always good. A bit pricey but very good. It's quite small and noisy. Sitting elbow to elbow…read morewith strangers. Wish they would find a larger place.

Okay so this place is way bigger than expected. Walked in as a party of 7 and immediately seated…read more The seating is small but not. There is an upstairs as well. The service was great our waitress was awesome. The grit balls were good and I'm not a grit fan. The kids meals were nicely sized. The veggie burger was great, the burgers were great and cooked to exact desired temperature and my grilled chicken was so delicious and flavorful. I got mine on a gluten free bun and it was nice and soft. The sweet potato fries were delicious and honestly I was so surprised that they had sour cream for me to dip it in. The prices were good as well. 4 people got soda or tea and one got a beer. The total was around 120$ I would absolutely go back.

Hidden Gem Alert…read more Some places spend millions trying to manufacture "authentic." The Open Door at Alley's Ol' Store apparently skipped that meeting and just kept being authentic. The building looks exactly like what you'd hope to stumble across while wandering the North Georgia mountains. Rustic. Colorful. Cozy. The kind of place that makes you instinctively slow down because you know there's probably something interesting inside. Parking is a bit of a scavenger hunt, but that's part of the adventure. If you're expecting a six-level parking garage with valet service, you've made several wrong turns. The staff immediately made us feel like we'd wandered into Papaw's store and the grandkids were helping out for the afternoon. Two young ladies were running the place, one at the register and one making sandwiches. They weren't reciting a corporate script or trying to upsell me a rewards program. They were just genuinely friendly people who actually seemed happy we stopped in. Imagine that. This isn't a restaurant pretending to be a country store. It is a country store. There's no fancy dining room either. You can eat on the little front porch if it's available, but we grabbed our sandwiches and walked across the street to the riverside park. Honestly, I can't think of many lunches that end with eating beside a mountain river and making a few casts with a fishing rod before heading down the road. That's hard to beat. Now let's talk sandwiches. Three of us ordered the Harvest. Presentation? Maybe a 7 out of 10. Nobody is arranging edible flowers with tweezers back there. It's toasted store-bought bread filled with ingredients that simply belong together. Sometimes food doesn't need to perform gymnastics. It just needs to taste good. And it did. Every bite reminded me that somewhere along the way we've confused "artisan presentation" with "good cooking." The Harvest isn't trying to become internet famous. It's just quietly being delicious. My brother ordered the meatloaf sandwich, and if he wasn't already family, I probably would've stolen half of it. He declared it fantastic with exactly the right amount of condiments. The grandkids inhaled their grilled cheese and ham & cheese without a single negotiation, which every parent knows is basically a Michelin star. One thing that really caught my attention was the steady parade of locals coming in for takeout. That's the kind of review you can't fake. Locals vote with their wallets every day, and this place clearly keeps getting elected. Here's another tip: don't skip the neighboring art gallery. My daughter wandered in and came back smiling. The manager wasn't just selling artwork. She was telling stories. She explained the history of the area, how it shaped the artists, and why certain pieces existed. You could tell she genuinely loved what she was talking about. That's becoming a rare commodity these days. By the time we left, I realized something. The Open Door doesn't have the polish of a big destination restaurant. It doesn't need dramatic plating, twelve-word menu descriptions, or foam strategically placed with tweezers. It has something much harder to create. Character. If you're driving through Lakemont, call ahead if you're in a hurry. If you're not, browse the store, visit the gallery, grab a sandwich, walk across to the river, and stay awhile. Some places feed your stomach. Places like this feed your trip. That's the definition of a hidden gem.

We stopped in with our grandkids to get desserts after picnicking at the park across the road. I…read morehave a small service dog for a serious medical condition. My daughter was carrying her due to my grabbing some meds out of the car & she was told to leave - dogs not allowed. I stepped in and explained she was a service dog. The woman behind the register needs some training on how to handle service dogs because her response was embarrassing and uncalled for. She rolled her eyes and nodded her head and said "ohhhhkayyyyyy" and walked back behind the counter. We left without patronizing this establishment. Please read up on ADA guidelines for service animals so that this is not repeated for future customers.

Excellent service and the ice cream sundae was delicious! So many flavors to choose from!read more

The food here is so good. They have some of the most unique burgers ever! When my daughter was…read moreworking here I was introduced to many of their menu options. They have some of the best menu items in town. I definitely recommend!!!

The activities guy at Unicoi recommended. Supposed to have burgers. Their Buddha burger with red…read morepepper jelly won an award--made it on best 33 Georgia diner list. So we had to have the Buddha burgers-- all 3 said it was awesome, came with great potatoes. I had the veggie sub--hoochie mama--delicious bread, delicious melty cheese, so yummy. And the potato salad and cucumber salad were great. We shared the homemade tres leches-- it was fantastic!! We are coming back for breakfast! Place is neat as a pin, awesome service and food came out quickly. We opted to eat outside. Did breakfast and it was fab. Found out during breakfast there are professionally trained chefs in the kitchen. Hubby said that was the best burrito he ever had.

Comfort food at its finest!…read more Biscuits & gravy, cold brew French toast & a breakfast burrito had my husband and I full all day! Cool little spot on the creek. Not impressed with service - not the friendliest, but 4 stars for the creekside location & the food.

This is a charming old country store with wonderful jellies, relishes, candy, local crafts, knives,…read moreclothing, bird feeders, puzzles, soaps. Very friendly and helpful staff. Well worth the stop.

Adorable and historic shoppe with the sweetest staff! Part museum, part gift shoppe-including…read morebiscuits (cookies), cheeses, clothing, kitchenware, and more. Worth the stop!

When I'm in town Sweet Pea's is my go too before 2pm. Anytime I can get a club sandwich with fries…read moreor when they have a Cuban as a special, I'm game. Cheryl is always so nice and greets me with a smile every time. Def one of my favorites in town with reasonable pricing

My experience was alright, it wasn't bad it just didn't blow me away especially for what I got. I…read morehad the lox bagel, and it was basically them giving me the ingredients and I had to put it together myself, and for right at $18 the sandwich should come assembled, because it wasn't a quick ordeal. I haven't gone back since my visit last year, but I've had this review in my drafts for a while, and decided it was finally time to post it. Things may have changed since I was there, but from my one experience it wasn't bad, but there are better restaurants for the price in Blairsville

If you've spent more than five minutes eating your way through Alpine Helen GA, you already know…read morethe truth: finding genuinely good, made-from-scratch food here feels like a competitive sport--and most places are losing. Campfire Restaurant isn't just winning... it's playing a completely different game. I've been here since day one, watching owner Matt and his crew build this place with intention and pride. This isn't a "let's open and see what happens" spot--this is passion, detail, and respect for doing food right. In a town where "authentic" can mean reheated and overpriced, Campfire stands out like a perfectly cooked ribeye in a sea of mediocrity. The vibe hits immediately--rustic North Georgia lodge meets modern comfort. Wood, textures, that Smoky Mountains ambiance. Indoor dining is cozy, outdoor dining under Edison lights is where the magic lives. It's date night, family dinner, or "I survived today" energy all in one place. Locals recommend this place for a reason--and locals don't hype things lightly. Now the food. Everything is made in-house--real Southern food, comfort food, and American food with flavor and consistency. The Southwest Gunpowder Nachos? Legendary. Handmade chips, massive portions--get steak and extra corn. It's two meals unless you're me. Best value in Helen. The smash burger is easily one of the best in Georgia--juicy, consistent, unforgettable. Fried chicken is solid, but locals will tell you: get the chicken tenders. Ribeye is tender, juicy, and always recommended. Mac and cheese? Creamy, different--but I'll admit I'm biased because mine is elite. Still worth trying. And the s'mores dessert--if you don't have room, make room. It's rich, indulgent, and perfect for date night or birthdays. Service has that "Cheers" feel--friendly, consistent, no judgment if you roll in looking like life just happened. They remember you, take care of you, and that matters. Parking is easy in the Alpine village shopping center. Seating is quick if you're smart about timing (don't be silly). Live music adds to the vibe without overpowering it. Prices are reasonable (rare for Helen), portions are big, and quality stays consistent--that trifecta is everything. This is a bucket list, must visit, locals favorite, top rated spot in Alpine Helen GA. Whether it's Oktoberfest, a Smoky Mountains trip, or just a Friday night--this is where you go when you want food that actually delivers. And honestly? In this town... that says everything. #facts REASONS TO VISIT: 1. Must visit, bucket list restaurant in Alpine Helen GA 2. Locals favorite, top rated, best in North Georgia 3. From-scratch Southern food, comfort food, American food 4. Southwest Gunpowder Nachos (huge portions, local favorite) 5. Smash burger (one of the best in Georgia) 6. Ribeye steak (tender, juicy, highly recommended) 7. Fried chicken + local-favorite chicken tenders 8. S'mores dessert (perfect for date night & celebrations) 9. Indoor dining + outdoor dining patio ambiance 10. Live music, Smoky Mountains vibe 11. Friendly service, "Cheers"-style experience 12. Reasonable pricing + generous portions 13. Quick seating (if you time it right) 14. Great for families, groups, date nights 15. Ample parking in Alpine village shopping center

We got there about 8:15 and were seated quickly. I knew I was going to order the ribeye, and my…read morewife ordered the chicken Alfredo. When a server set the steak on the table shortly after, I asked for 57 sauce, as I'm a sauce guy. When the server brought it back he told me to try a bite without sauce as their steaks are well seasoned. Boy was he right! The gunpowder seasoning along with the clarified butter really enhanced the flavor of the ribeye. My wife gave me a bite of her chicken Alfredo and it was well seasoned too. Nice balance of garlic. The sides are the reason for a the 4 star review, though if judged by the steak alone, it would easily be a 5 star review. I ordered the loaded mashed potatoes, and they were topped with cheese and bacon. The potatoes needed seasoning. Mostly salt, pepper, and butter. The same could be said of the Mac and cheese. Our server was amazing. He had a great personality, and made sure we had a good meal The restaurant was clean.