Delicious food from Talmo Market Grill ~ Talmo, GA

A little over a year ago, my sister, mom and I met for lunch.  They asked me to meet them at Talmo Market Grill.  I had no idea where Talmo was, but I agreed!

Turns out that Talmo is not that far from my neck of the woods in NE Gwinnett county.  It's a sleepy little place that feels like the middle of nowhere, yet it only takes me about 20 minutes to get there.

Located across the street from the railroad tracks, you can either park in the small parking area, or over by the tracks.  Get there early - this is a small place and you might have to wait on a table otherwise!

The food here is simple and delicious - burgers rule the menu, (hand formed and made with grass-fed TALMO RANCH beef) but they also offer other items like chicken salad, pimento cheese, BLTs, Frito pie, or salads.  Sides include fries, potato salad, pasta salad or chili.

For dessert, there are daily specials, plus shakes, floats and rice krispie treats.

There are a few tables at the front of the restaurant, where you will place your order.  There are more in the back room, down the hall.   The building is older, and the decor is vintage to match.  It's such a comfy, cozy place to eat!

I've had a burger there, which was delicious.  The chicken salad has become my favorite thing, though!  The fries are freshly cut, hot and so good!  My sister has had salads and a burger there and they were both great.  My mom loves the burgers, too.

We shared a dessert on one visit, I think it was a cherry turnover ala mode.  It was perfect!!

Burger with pimento cheese - yum!! 

my sister's salad - she topped it with a burger patty

They also offer breakfast and it's as good as you'd imagine!! Biscuits are huge and filled with eggs, bacon or sausage - the perfect start to your day.  We got there when they opened and that was a great time to be there - it was filling up by the time we left! 

the back dining room 

Order at the front counter 

Check this board for dessert options and daily specials! 

Talmo Market Grill is located at 558 Main St. Talmo, Georgia and their hours are 7 am to 2 pm, every day but Sunday. (Closed on Sunday!)  UPDATE:  They are closed the week of July 4th, 2019! Reopening on July 8

Check out their Facebook page here!

Have you been to Talmo Market Grill?  Tell me what your favorite thing is there!

Travel - The Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, GA (from Fried Green Tomatoes movie!)

Yesterday David and I took a fun road trip with our friend Crystal and her adorable son.  She wanted to visit the tiny middle-Georgia town of Juliette.  Now, if you don't know about Juliette, you may find that you actually do recognize it from Hollywood and the silver screen.  Back in the 1990's, a little movie was filmed there called Fried Green Tomatoes.  If you haven't seen it, you should find a copy to watch! The movie is based on the book by Fannie Flagg, called Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.  I need to finally watch the movie, and read the book again - it's been too long!

This tiny town got a makeover for the movie, and thus the Whistle Stop Cafe was born.  Located about 10 minutes off I-75, it's very easy to find if you are traveling to or from Florida or South Georgia.  Turn right on McCrackin Street and the cafe will be past the stores and on your left.  It's a small cafe, but you can make reservations online.  If you go during the week, like we did, it's not likely to be packed.  We left Crystal's house (near Cumming) around 9:30, made two fast stops along the way and still got to the Cafe about 12:10.  We did have to deal with some construction delays on Hwy 400 and again on I-75.

Entering the cafe is like going back in time!! First, the front porch is rustic and so cute.  Pull the old-fashioned handle on the door and you're inside the sweetest cafe ever!  The time-worn, wooden floors and white-washed planks on the walls and ceiling, old signs and pictures on the walls, and the safe built into the bar next to the cash register are a few details that make this place seem like a refuge from the busy world outside.  Ceiling fans lazily spin, and the lights are a little dim. It's just perfect!
There are booths along both walls, and a few tables for larger groups. There are also stools at the bar for additional seating.

The waitresses here are precious!! Never saw one of them without a big smile.  They greeted us and invited us to sit anywhere.  We chose a booth towards the back where we could see the railroad tracks. Not two minutes into our visit a train flew by our window!

You know we like our iced tea here in the South.  I am a huge fan of unsweet tea, so that was my choice, and D & Crystal ordered sweet tea.  Our drinks arrived in icy cold mason jars - wide mouth for unsweet, regular for sweet.  The girls kept our glasses full throughout the meal, which is always a plus when you are dining out.   There was no charge for refills or our to-go cups of tea, but sodas only come by the can, so if you want refills, you will pay for each. Remember you can click on the pictures to see a bigger version!  You can purchase the cute t-shirts the waitresses wear at the brick depot gift shop just down the street. (forgot to take a picture!)

The menu was two-sided and simple.  I ordered a basket of Fried Green Tomatoes to bring home to my husband.  He loves them, and no way would I let him miss the ones from this Cafe! Crystal tried one and said they were delicious.  D and I think tomatoes are disgusting, so we took her word for it!!

For lunch I ordered the Sampler - I thought we could share it.  It had two massive chicken tenderloins, a pile of onion rings, a pile of sweet potato stix and several more fried green tomatoes.  It also came with cups of honey mustard, ranch, a tangy horseradish sauce for the FGT, and the most amazing BBQ sauce EVER!! The chicken was seriously the best chicken I've ever eaten. Tender, moist and so flavorful.  I brought home so much leftover food though - that platter is massive!

David chose a grilled cheese - it looked so good - cheese melting over the edges and some kettle-style chips, plus a pickle on the side.

Crystal ordered the pulled BBQ pork.  She declared it delicious, as well as the slaw and the garlic mashed potatoes she chose for her sides.  Little Parker (he's under two) shared sweet potato stix and the bun from her sandwich.  Everyone was full and happy.

Of course we decided to share dessert! They had some delicious-sounding choices - pecan cobbler, peach cobbler, apple dumplings, and a hot fudge cake.  But we chose the lemon cheesecake and it was perfect. Light, sweet, and chilled from the fridge.  It was the perfect ending to our meal at the Whistle Stop Cafe.

We didn't have time to explore after lunch, since we wanted to get back to the North side of Atlanta before rush hour.   We left there at 1:30, dropped Crystal off before 4 pm, and were back home before 5.

However, if you'd like to explore the area, Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site is only a few minutes away and offers a museum, plus the chance to explore an 1800's cotton plantation. There are also some darling stores and such right there on McCrackin Street in Juliette. There is even an Opry House and Opry Land across the street from it.  Such a cute little town and well worth the drive!

The Whistle Stop Cafe is located at 443 McCrackin Street, Juliette, GA 31046. They are open 11 am to 4 pm daily. 

Paula Deen Live! Holiday Show Atlanta area only!

I am so excited to share my latest giveaway.  As y'all know, Paula Deen is Queen here in the South when it comes to cooking!  My readers know I've even shared a few of her recipes here on the blog.  I love her attitude, her sassiness, and the delicious food she creates! So I am thrilled to announce a giveaway for two tickets to the Paula Deen Live! Holiday Edition Show, which will be November 16 at 6 pm in Atlanta.  One winner will receive TWO free tickets to the show!  (Contest open only to Atlanta-area residents)

Come see Paula's live show at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, GA on Nov 16 and get a heaping helping of Paula's recipes, some good old-fashioned fun and lots of laughter. Join Paula as she demonstrates how to make her favorite seasonal dishes, shares family stories and plays cooking games with her fans. Some lucky audience members will even get to join Paula on stage! How awesome would that be?!

To enter, I've got a rafflecopter widget below with a few mandatory entries, and several optional ones - enter as many times as you'd like using the available entry methods.  A few are available for you to do every day so come back often!  Please share this giveaway with your Atlanta friends, and good luck!!

Jazzed-Up Pimento Cheese

So happy it is the weekend again! : )  We have a teacher furlough day on Monday, so the kids are off.  That means this is a fabulous three-day weekend!

Today we are going to a potluck get-together at our friends Stephanie & Jamie's home in Forsyth County.   Steph & I met our junior year of high school, went to Berry College together for one year, and have remained friends through thick and thin ever since!  I love these get-togethers at their home - lots of friends, delicious food, and lots of laughter & friendship!  We try to have these every few months at their home, and it's something we all look forward to.

Today I'm making my Buffalo Chicken Dip (double batch!),  Creme de Menthe Brownies, & Jazzed Up Pimento Cheese for sandwiches.  Pimento Cheese is kind of a staple here in the south.  This Pimento Cheese is my version of a local cafe's amazing Pimento Cheese. The now-closed Red Sky Cafe in Buford served their Pimento Cheese on biscuits, mixed in with hot grits, and even offered a grilled version with a side of strawberry jelly.  It is SO good - there's a little kick from the jalapenos and a little crunch from the chopped pecans.  Heavenly, I'm telling you!

Jazzed Up Pimento Cheese  

• 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 oz jar diced pimentos, finely chopped (because I don't like them big - I chop them til they are almost non-existent, lol)
• appx 1/2 cup mayonnaise - we prefer Duke's mayo, or Kraft's Olive Oil Mayo if I'm out of Duke's.
• dash of salt
• 1 Tbsp of the juice from a jar of jalapeno slices  (can also add chopped jalapenos,  or more of the juice to taste)
• 1/3 c chopped pecans

Mix it all up, then store in covered container in the fridge overnight.  I like to slice a package of soft rolls (the kind in the little foil pan, found on the bread aisle) in half, and take the top half off.  Spread the bottom layer of rolls with PC, replace top half of bread, and toast in the oven til brown and PC is bubbly.  Serve with a side of strawberry jelly, just like they used to do at Red Sky in Buford!!  YUM!  Also good with crackers, or on celery.