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!!

Holiday Party Recipes

The first two are from my favorite Georgia girl, Paula Deen & her boys, Jamie & Bobby.
Pecan-Crusted Cranberry Cheese Balls

8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp softened cream cheese
3 Tbsp dried sweetened cranberries
2/3 c finely chopped pecans

Mix together cheeses and cranberries in a bowl.  Form into small, bite-size balls, then roll in the pecans.  You'll have to press gently to get the pecans to stick into the balls.  Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.  Let them come to room temperature before serving.  Stick a cocktail toothpick into each, you can serve with crackers, fruit, and nuts on a platter - yum!

Turtles

1 lb caramel candies
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
8 oz salted pecans
12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Grease 2 cookie sheets.  In a double boiler, or microwave, melt caramels and butter stirring frequently until smooth.
On the cookie sheets, arrange 36 groups of 3 or 4 pecans, about 2 inches apart.  Spoon a tsp or so of caramel over the nuts, cool for 15 minutes. 
In double boiler or in the microwave, on low power, melt the chocolate chips, stir until smooth.  Spoon chocolate by tsp over each caramel turtle; spread with a butter knife.  Let candies set at room temp, or you can place in the fridge to set more quickly.  
(You can also use salted cashews or other favorite nuts in place of the pecans)

Holiday Punch
The night before, make ice cubes with an additional bottle of the sparkling grape juice, keep in freezer until serving time

(start this about 2 1/2 hours before serving so it has time to chill)
3 c cold water
3/4 c sugar
1 bottle sparkling grape juice (I like white, but you can use red, as well)
1 cup orange juice
1/2 c lemon juice
3 16 oz chilled bottles 7-up
5 cinnamon sticks

In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar and cinnamon sticks to make a cinnamon simple syrup.  Heat to boiling over medium heat, stir as needed.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove & discard cinnamon sticks, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. 

In a large punch bowl, combine the cinnamon syrup, the juices and sodas.  Add the sparkling juice ice cubes from the night before, and garnish with citrus slices, fresh mint leaves, or more cinnamon sticks.  Beautiful and delicious!

How I make Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits

This sweet little recipe originally came from the Queen of Butter & all things Southern, Ms. Paula Deen. I really wanted to make these to go with our Hawaiian Chicken & Rice supper, but I didn't have everything the recipe called for....but wait...when has that ever stopped me from tweaking and trying my own thing?!   That's part of the fun of cooking and baking for me

I didn't have the all-purpose flour or baking powder the original recipe called for, and I detest tossing dough on a floured surface,then cutting it out with a biscuit cutter!! I decided to add some cinnamon because we all love it, and it's good for you, too! And finally, I used vanilla almond milk instead of regular milk. Here is the recipe I ended up with:


Sweet Potato Drop Biscuits

1 1/4 cups self rising flour
2 Tbsp sugar
pinch of sea salt
Several shakes of cinnamon
3/4 c baked, mashed sweet potato (2 small sweet potatoes worked out to 3/4 cup for me)
1/2 stick softened butter
2 Tbsp vanilla almond milk

Mix dry ingredients. In larger bowl, cream butter with mashed potatoes. Add dry ingredients, mix well. Add almond milk 1 Tbsp at a time, to thin a bit. Drop dough by large spoonfuls onto greased sheet. Brush tops with honey butter. Bake at 400 degrees for 15- 18 minutes. When done, brush with more honey butter. Makes about 16 small drop biscuits.





Thanks for featuring my take on Sweet Potato Biscuits, Stephanie Lynn!