Road trips for us inevitably take us off the beaten path, especially when we ask locals about the best places to eat.
Take Hunter’s Café.
While stopping in a wine and cheese shop in Darien, Georgia, we noticed a lovely oil painting of an old weathered clapboard restaurant. The rendition of the small café showed it on a dirt road, surrounded by huge live oaks and looked too interesting of a place to pass up. Being supper time and hungry, we inquired about its location, if it still existed. The owner of the wine and cheese shop was the talkative, friendly sort who gladly gave us directions. I loved his southern drawl and charm.
After getting in the car, we repeated the directions to each other but didn’t bother to write them down, confident that we understood them clearly.
The cafe is located off of hwy 17 on Shellman Bluff in Georgia’s coastal low country. Sound’s easy, but it wasn’t. It took us two stops along the way, asking for directions. Advised with new information and gas, we headed down dirt roads, lined with massive live oaks with their gnarled branches reaching out over the road. Finding the correct dirt road to get to the sound was the tricky part.
“There it is,” I proclaim. “Just like the painting.”
Definitely off the beaten path, the crab stew, sweet potato fries and cold beer was worth it, and so was the front porch view of the marsh adjacent to the Julienton River which meanders towards the Sapelo Sound.
In business since 1967, the waitress couldn’t imagine why we had such a hard time finding this iconic place.
“Why honey, everyone knows how to get here. You just didn’t follow the right person. Next time, look for a truck with fishing poles and follow them here,” she laughed.
If only it were that easy.
On the Go with Lynne 
Sounds like a great find though, Lynne. Always best to ask the locals where they eat – that way you find the BEST places …. eventually!
I agree, Marianne. Eventually we make it.
Sitting in my boring office with my leek & potato soup, I wish I could transport myself there immediately! great find.
Wish I could transport you here. I’m glad we didn’t give up on finding this place.
Another enjoyable day from Lynne. Thank you.
Thanks Lynn. Jean was with us on this particular venture. She wanted us to go there so we could take a picture of the restaurant. She admired the oil painting and wanted to paint one herself, but never did. And, of course, we were curious about this rustic place that was even written up in the NY Times.
It truly is a great feeling when what you get is truly worth the trouble you had for getting it. Loved the pictures, and it sure looks like a lovely place. Glad you made it in the end! 🙂
All in all, it ended up another Mayhew adventure in eating. 🙂
You don’t give up easily, do you? 🙂 So glad your trek was well worth the journey, Lynne. The food sounds delicious, and the view is just wonderful.
It’s not in our genes to give up quickly. Read the above reply to lynnsarda to get the back story. Good food for this rustic hide a way. I now have directions written down for future reference. 🙂
It looks very appealing, Lynne. I could just sit awhile and gaze across the water. Is that a bench with my name on it I can see outside? 🙂
The view in itself was worth it as well as those massive live oaks. I believe it’s Christmas there year round and I believe the bench has several names on it, including yours. (They’ve probably been carved in. ). 🙂
Crab stew, sweet potato fries, cold beer and a front porch view of the marsh! What more could you ask for? My mouth is watering as I write. 🙂
This sounds like your kind of place, Debbie. Authentic, friendly, and full of atmosphere. Of course being on the marsh helps. 🙂
By the way. How is Ron doing? That was quite an experience in third world health care. Thank goodness he was in good hands.
Lovely! Sounds like it was worth it! 🙂
Rather rustic, don’t you think? Definitely a local watering hole which happens to have good sea food.
Your entire adventure of finding it adds to the charm – beautiful pictures!
You’re right, Meg. Getting there is an experience in itself. Thanks for your thoughts and compliments.
How beautifully serene. Makes me wanna pack my bags and take a break:) lovely pictures.
It was quiet since we missed the crowds as well as a serene view. Worth the effort. 🙂
What a fun, ‘hidden’ gem, Lynne. Those sweet potato fries are reminding me that a trip back to the States is long overdue too. 🙂
Southern food isn’t my favorite and the fries were not soaked in grease, making it worth while. The chowder was the best. Right now we’re on a three week trip through North Carolina visiting family in the mountains. Just had mountain rainbow trout which is delicious. 🙂
Lynne, the mention of chowder and fresh fish is tempting my tummy! Wish you and Ron safe and memorable travels with your family.
Thanks, Tricia. 🙂
Hunter’s Cafe, appropriately named since it is not so easy to find. You will have earned your meal!
Somehow I hadn’t made the analogy, but I will for now on. 🙂
Sweet potato fries, yummy! Love the idea of following a local fisherman to that place, haha!
I found that amusing too. I have written the directions down for future reference.
Hello! Feel free to watch my new photo album “Roses” Greetings
Thank you, Marko, I will.
Wholly echoing Debbie’s sentiments!! Sounds like a very special place that was worth hunting out Lynne 🙂
When it comes to atmosphere and a sense of region, we’ll take the time to find it knowing there will be some frustration. I now have written directions. 🙂
Love how you two explore and find the most interesting places. Fun post!
We love exploring and have been doing it again in South Carolina on our way to and from the NC mountains to visit family. We’ll be home in a couple of days. Thanks for your comment, Carol. I know how much you are enjoying your wild flower walks and photo shoots. 🙂
The rewards of searching for, and finding, out-of-the-way spots are great–and while the Hunter’s Cafe may have made the Times, it sounds as if the food is special, and its unspoiled and remote location are well worth the excursion. Besides which, the truck-driving fishermen always know the best places!
Nicely said, VB. I think I’ll skip the truck stops on the interstate, though. Although, that could produce some interesting stories.
Oh, Lynne. This looks SO absolutely wonderful!
And the confidence in not writing it down made me laugh. I read a quote that went something like “the biggest lie I tell myself every day is that I don’t need to write things down, that I will remember.”
I need to WRITE that quote down. 🙂 I don’t think I’ll remember it.
Love the ambience!
It had it’s own character and brought tourists and locals together for good food and conversation.
Lynne, We’ve been there! Isn’t it fun? But you have the best line of all-time, “Why honey, everyone knows how to get here. You just didn’t follow the right person. Next time, look for a truck with fishing poles and follow them here.” We don’t live too far away and it was a great discovery. So glad you found it, too. 🙂 ~Terri
We’ve been twice, now, and finally know our way. No fishing poles to guide us. You must know where all the neat eateries are in the area. :). Where is home?