They don't know how to manage a crowd on a holiday. Reservations mean nothing. The food may be good, but certainly not worth waiting over an hour after your reservation. And they're rude about it too - southern cooking certainly doesn't mean southern manners. This place has passed its prime.
(1)
Dwight D.
My family and went to the Blue Willow on Sunday 6-14-15. We got there around 4:45 and there was no wait. The first thing I noticed was, all the food was gone and staff with BAD attitudes were taking their time refilling the serving line. I and several other customers asked about bring out certain things and was told, "I dont know what to tell you". After waiting so long, I asked to speak with the manager. A female Manger came over and told me that they had served 500 people that day. I replied, thats not my problem, I paid $22.00 for food you don't have. She told me with a attitude, that she would give me half price. I didn't want that, we just wanted the food we came for. After waiting almost 30mins for chicken, my son was about to bite into a leg that on one side was still raw. I cut that leg open and it was still raw and still had blood on the inside. I stopped a server and showed this to them and asked that she show the manager. The manager never came back over and its was over an hour before the items we wanted that we were told four times would be out in 15mins. It took 1hr and 15 mins before we got corn bread. Several times I went to the serving line and the manager was just sitting at the front. In the section we were sitting in, several tables were complaining about waiting for food. Poor service and a very poor Manger. I hope The Blue Willow hadn't forgot about CUSTOMER SERVICE. NO FOOD AND BAD MANAGERS CAN KILL ANY BUSINESS, DONT CARE HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS. Dont know if I will go back.
(1)
Jennifer C.
Classic southern staples, reliably good food, and a fun experience for out of towners, especially those not from the south. The salad bar is mediocre (only three salad dressings and nothing resembling a vinaigrette, and while they had oil and vinegar, they put out white vinegar, not balsamic), but there is more than enough good food to make up for it. It's beautiful around Christmas time.
(4)
Christopher B.
It's a buffet but not the typical Chinese or Golden Coral versions we are all too familiar with and tired of. They are even better than most chain 'made to order' restaurants. What sets them apart if one simple fact, they serve real food. The meats, potatoes (reg. and sweet), fried green tomatoes, breads and desserts are real and fresh. The atmosphere is great. It's an old mansion that is a business but they've retained that feeling that you're eating in someones home. The staff is also very friendly. Price wise, is it cheap? No. Is it expensive? No. At $21.95 per adult (beverage included) the fact is you get what you pay for. I would rather go here once a month than to any fast food chain or other chain restaurant multiple times a month.
(5)
Ray M.
My wife and I had lunch here on May 25, 2015. What a meal it was. This was the absolute best buffet I have ever enjoyed. It seemed as if my mother Polly had come back to cook for us. The chicken and dumplings alone were worth the trip but, that was only the beginning. They had fried chicken, ribs, fish, roast beef and ham and vegetables galore. They had fried green tomatoes that melted in our mouths. We then sampled the desserts. Having diabetes, I could only have a taste of each. This time they had brought my Aunt Doodie (Theo) Minick's back. The peach cobbler was hot, fresh and out of this world. They had the thin layered chocolate cake, lemon cake and coconut squares. Everything was hot and fresh, I doubt they even have a freezer in the place the food was so fresh. This is the best food and dining experience we have ever had for such a reasonable price. The people who waited on us did so as if they owned the place and had a vested interest. Any trip to Atlanta will definitely include a trip to the Blue Willow
(5)
Gabriela S.
Southern buffet in the Georgia boonies?! Yes, please and thank you. Decadent fixins that will satisfy any pallet. I'm not a soul food snob so I can say I was super satisfied. I would say go if you want to get away from city life and taste some true southern comfort. The restaurant is an old house, super cute and the drive through social circle is quaint and beautiful.
(4)
Luckie D.
We dined at the BWI on Tuesday 8/6/2013 for dinner after a few days at the lake and I feel the need to offer a response to a few of the unflattering reviews. 1. We paid $16 per adult which I found to be fair. 2. They did have sweet tea as well as unsweet tea and lemonade. 3. The food was hot, fresh and homemade. It was seasoned lightly but far from salty (I don't use any table salt) 4. The ladies who took care of our party of four were both attentive by removing plates and refilling glasses and quite engaging and friendly. Granted, items change and there was no gravy for the mashed potatoes, no white meat fried chicken and the coconut cake was a little dry but the fried chicken, green beans, turnip greens and mac&cheese more than made up for it. The bottom line is the food is fresh, homemade Southern food your grandmother may not have made herself but she certainly would have enjoyed it and been grateful for the effort and service. For all the would be food critics if you could do better I guess you'd eat at home or open your own BWI.
(4)
Homer L.
Excellent food, service and facility
(5)
Adrienne W.
I'm a die-hard Blue Willow fan, and i'll tell anyone i meet. Southern food doesn't get better than this restaurant. You'll be hard-pressed to find Fried Chicken that's as light, crispy and juicy as the chicken served up by the piles in this restaurant. Their chicken and dumplings put my grandmother's to shame (sorry nanna) and i've never had a better fried green tomato or chicken liver in my life. Yes, the Blue Willow isn't cheap, but that's because the food isn't cheap. I've never left feeling like i've over payed for the meal i'd just eaten, especially on a Friday or Saturday. Fridays and Saturdays are their special nights, where you get to enjoy most of the usual foods they serve, along side a seafood buffet and all you can eat Prime Rib. I'm picky about my fried oysters, but there's not a single thing to complain about from oysters cooked by Blue Willow. Hickory smoke glazed salmon, fried catfish, a delicious seafood bake, twice baked loaded baked potatoes and so much more! Guaranteed to satisfy your steak and seafood craving. The Blue Willow is timeless, as is their food. Highly, highly recommended.
(5)
Cameron E.
This place has been featured on Southern Living and USA Today! Me and my friend went there because he said it was very good! He was right! Every southern foodie should go here! It's nice to expect great things, and still be blown away!
(5)
David C.
Been here many times and find it always good. We love southern food and this is it. The old house adds to the ambiance of the experience. Can't drive by without stopping. Their green fried tomatoes with red tomato chutney is the best.
(5)
Jason D.
We've been twice now, once for the lunch buffet, and once for their dinner "seafood" buffet. Both times have been perfect. Loved everything about it, from the soups and salads, to the fried chicken, to the house made mashed potatoes, all the way to the banana pudding and chocolate cake. Servers are attentive, and it's well worth the drive.
(5)
Stephen G.
Coming from up north I have to say this is the best southern buffet. Waitress was on point always kept our glasses full. The tea was delicious. The people that were dinning there was nice and welling to greet you with some good southern hospitality.
(4)
Denise S.
Everything I tried tasted good. I'm only reducing it due to the overall price and the lack of "crispness" on the fries dishes, i.e the fried chicken and green tomatoes. I think it's a tad much for a Sunday buffet dinner. I was expecting a larger selection of food considering the price. $55 bill for two people including tip.
(4)
Jodi G.
OMG this was worth the 40 min drive from our house!! This is by far the best southern down home cooking we have ever had outside of someone's home. The yams were perfection. The fried chicken taste like my mamas, and the peach cobbler and Biscuits were made by someone's grandmother with love:) reasonably priced for $25 to get all you can eat of this delicious food was a steal. Friday night is seafood night as well . We will be back soon with friends. Simply delicious!!!
(5)
Hanna A.
The food is disgusting!!!! the restaurant is not clean, it's very hot in there, and the waiters look sweaty and nasty, not worth $23.99. Fyi... I never seen food so nasty looking in my life.
(1)
E B.
This use to be the place to go. Now I think it's gone down hill since the owner passed away. I've heard they got bought out now. Use to be a nice family owned restaurant.
(3)
Liz V.
Blue Willow is proof food tastes better when it is made with love. I came here for lunch and while I was expecting the typical meat and vegetable buffet, I was put in my place when I witnessed the large room with one of the biggest buffets I've ever seen. When you arrive at the Blue Willow you walk through several garden areas to get to the house. From the back parking lot you walk past a pond with a cross over bridge and bright pink knock out rose bushes. The manicured green bushes guide you to the front of the house where you are greeted by blue hydrangea flower bushes, butterflies dancing amongst the lilly's, roomy benches meant for long conversations and a wishing fountain. The lush green grass looks like a carpet. I couldn't help myself, I had to take off my shoes and walk around exploring and smelling the flowers. We were 10 minutes too early for lunch so we made ourselves at home in the rocking chairs on the front deck. The oversized patio, large white pillars and carved wood features reminded me of the Tara plantation from Gone With the Wind. The restaurant wasn't even open yet we were being offered glasses of chilled lemonade by Carol, one of the hostesses. She was personable in getting to know us, giving me history on the house and of course teasing me about the lunch buffet. How do I describe the first time I saw the buffet? Perhaps, I should start with saying you can smell it before you walk in the door! Everything was laid out perfectly in appropriate corners depending on taste and order. Sure, I could go on about the freshly chilled salad bar and the 2 hot soup options, 1 of which being homemade chicken and dumplings but I cannot tell a lie, my focus was on the hot bar. I was given a beautifully delicate blue toile China plate and told to eat as much as I could. Challenge accepted! I've been dieting for months and the buffet became my personal playground. My first trip I loaded up on everything. I feel bad for listing everything but here goes nothing: rice, corn, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, Salisbury steak, baked tilapia and...unbutton the top button on your pants, green beans. After my first bite of fried chicken and fried green tomato, the other things on my plate were on their own! The fried chicken was so moist and cooked so perfectly I wanted to go back to the kitchen and hug whomever made this heavenly gift. The chicken didn't taste like your typical fried chicken as it wasn't heavy and was so light tasting. The fried green tomatoes were what I've always imagined fried green tomatoes should taste like. I am tempted to go back and slap every previous restaurant that has served me fried green tomatoes before for these are the ONLY way they should ever be made again! I was not worth conversation between bites as every delicious bite sent me in to another world where I danced amongst the gardens of the Blue Willow and playfully picked fried chicken and fried green tomatoes from the trees in a fit of joy. As if I wasn't bloated enough, the dessert section begged me to sample it's goodies. I am not big on pie but I am in love with their apple pie with sugar cinnamon crust. I clapped between bites of their flour less chocolate cake and the peanut butter pie had a perfect smooth, crunchy texture that almost sent me in to diabetic shock. Even on the ride home, as I was surrounded by typical Atlanta traffic and was over an hour and a half from my house, I was still so happy and zoned in my food coma. I am convinced if everyone in Atlanta was given anything from the hot bar or dessert section from the Blue Willow violence and road rage would no longer exist. Until we meet again...
(5)
em d.
Loved it back then! I hate how it's surrounded my shops now. It used to be beautiful country. So fitting for the style house. The food is wonderful though.
(4)
Brittany H.
Yummy lemonade and please order the fried green tomatoes with chutney - awesome! Kind of pricey, but a really cool piece of history and a great place to take family for some southern cooking when they come to town. Feels intimate but grand at the same time and the service was great. Buffet style, though I don't know if that's all the time or not, but I think so.
(4)
Julie F.
The dining experience is all about the ambiance here. The gardens are beautiful in the spring. The wait staff are nice, and our waitress even had a very southern accent. To me, the only reason to come here is for Fried Green Tomatoes and Tomato Chutney. The fried green tomatoes are sliced thick, and they are always good. I wish I could find the recipe for their tomato chutney. The salad bar is very minimal, and the dessert table is always full with pecan pie,chocolate cake, peach cobble, and more. If you were born and raised in the south like I was, you will not think this restaurant is anything grand. However, I took one of my Asian friends and her mom, and they thought it was the best southern food they had tried. For this southern girl, I could cook all of this stuff at home. I went on a Thursday night so it was about $20 plus tip. You can also view the entire house if you desire.
(3)
Patrice C.
The small town of Social Circle. There was something toxic about this restaurtant. I was in a daze..... After I tried to eat everything at the buffet I then had to take a nap inthe parking lot..
(5)
Perl G.
It's like a step back in time, it's set in an old fashioned southern mansion, with a real southern style buffet, everything was delicious except the chicken was too greasy, & the fried green tomatoes were the best!.
(4)
Mark T.
With so many options for southern greatness located in and around Atlanta, it's hard to imagine any reason for driving out to Social Circle, Georgia. It's difficult to justify, to provide enough reasoning that it would compel you to load up into your car and drive nearly 2 hours east to the relative middle of nowhere. Because you took the scenic route. The route that winds between towns with barely a name and pass by in a blink or less and before you realize it, you're at the next field, the next pasture or farm with horses and cattle grazing. On a cloudy day you arrive in Social Circle, Georgia and pulling up to the parking lot of the Blue Willow, you immediately notice how grand, how immense, how deeply southern and traditional the scene feels. A historic house and tour buses parked in the lot out back. Not school buses, chartered buses, the kind people pay good money for in order to travel in large groups. What's so special about this place? Why drive out to the middle of nowhere or the edge of somewhere and visit Social Circle? It's simply because of the food. The service is adequate, but it's the food that draws the people. Without getting too intense and overdoing forever made dishes, The Blue Willow Restaurant and Inn is actually a southern comfort food buffet - of the highest quality possible without going much further than the epitome of the greatest dishes any matriarch of a Georgian family could pull together for a special gathering. Fried chicken, collard greens, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, seafod au gratin, meat loaf, and a host of other dishes. The deserts are all fine, but as if it were state law, the pecan pie is the best. The Blue Willow Restaurant is an excellent slice, of Georgia, of southern food, and of road trip destinations that should be on anyone's list of options for a day trip - when you want to leave Atlanta for something else, for something different, when the roads all lead to possibility simply because you've left the main highway and drove until you arrived, wherever you ended up.
(4)
Patty B.
This is the perfect restaurant for any occasion! The beautiful antebellum mansion and the gardens are gorgeous. The Southern food is fabulous. All of the staff is inviting and courteous. You can't miss with this choice of a restaurant. AMAZING!
(5)
George C.
Having grown up in Georgia, with roots in Chamblee and Waycross, I am amazed at the mystique of Southern Cooking. Fried chicken, biscuits, corn bread, grits, hoppin' john, collard greens, pole beans, candied yams, cream corn, glazed ham and sweet tea- all "musts" on the cultural table. Trouble is, with all the interpretations out there, it's hard to find a place that offers all of the food icons in the tempting way that any group of church ladies can do any Sunday. That said, this place does a pretty good job. My major gripe is that I have never been here when it wasn't belly-to-belly, side-to-side, wall-bulging, floor-sagging PACKED with people. Retrieving food becomes a tactical exercise, slipping between ample hinies, sliding between chair backs, stepping over lil darlins, jousting for a spoonful of beans or a ladle of gravy, smiling like a person of culture whilst grimly outmaneuvering little old ladies to the dessert table- all while dexterously balancing a plate of delectable goodies. Yes, the food IS good. Not Aunt Grace good, but more than passin' fair. What is nice is that sampling a bit here and a little there is doable, instead of being stuck with a meat and two. Ya'll try it, y'hear?
(4)
Rachel C.
I agree, I agree, I agree. This is a place not to be missed. Should be on your list of 100 things to do before you die. Don't go without a reservation because you WON'T get in . . . . too many other folks want to eat here. Good, no GREAT, Southern food. The every half hour seating is a bit strange, but just do it their way and you will be rewarded. All in all this is a place your tummy will appreciate. You may need a place to lay down and take a nap before you drive home. ZZZZZ . . . . .
(5)
Michael S.
Excellent meal. We went for lunch and it was fan-dam-tastic!! Fried chicken, squash casserole, Mac & cheese, ham, collards.. everything we ate was delicious. There were alot of people there, but the cooking was like they made it just for us. You can't compare this to Golden Corral or any of those other cheesy $10 buffet places. This place is in a league of its own and well worth the drive from Atlanta.
(5)
James K.
Southern Hospitality perfected. I remember years ago reading how this restaurant was endangered to closing before author Lewis Grizzard discovered it and wrote a life-changing article in favor of the place. A quick visit to this antebellum home gone restaurant and its no surprise why. I admit it has been several years since I have gone to this restaurant but I recall eating foods here that I normally hate or would never even try and absolutely loving it. Take a road trip Atlanta! Come see this amazing restaurant in the quiet little town of Social Circle just about an hour south down I-20. You wont be disappointed!
(5)
Edna J.
On a cross country trip from California to North Carolina, we stopped in quaint Social Circle, GA to check out the downtown area. A lady at an antique shop recommended we try the buffet at the Blue Willow but we had just eaten and were not hungry so we went on to do other things and then left town with a few travel brochures that I reviewed on the road. 60 miles east of Social Circle, we started to feel hungry and one of the brochures back page had an article on the Blue Willow. They clearly declared it the best buffet in the south. We love southern food so I made a call to a friend who grew up in Social Circle and he said it was a good place to eat. After I ended the call we turned the car around and drove another 60 miles to get to the Blue Willow, fully aware that eating there would set us back 1 hour plus a total of 180 miles but hoping our expectations would be met. The restaurant is beautiful, the servers are great, and there was not wait that Friday evening but the food left a lot to be desired. The salad bar is better at Hometown buffet. The fried green tomatoes and chutney were delicious but I make better collard greens and I'm Hispanic born and raised in California. Nothing else really impressed us. We didn't even want to try the desserts but I reluctantly tasted a piece of dry and sugary pecan pie. The price was in the affordable range but the food was not what I was expecting. After completing this trip, I have come to the conclusion that Paula Deen's recommendations shouldn't be taken seriously. She also claimed Willie Mae's Fried Chicken in New Orleans was the best in the world and it is not! To conclude, if you are in Social Circle, eat at the Blue Willow and enjoy the architecture of this restaurant, its fried green tomatoes, and moderate prices but don't go out of your way to do so.
(3)
Kevin H.
This is rare, I hate buffets and I loath country bumpkin restaurants. I am an urban creature except for wine countries and gorgeous high deserts filled with gourmet treats. So when I found myself in Social Circle Georgia eating at a buffet needless to say my excpectations were low. There is a time for everything and this is time for me to be totally wrong. All of my preconceived notions as to what a buffet could be and how high quality of food it could offer have been forever changed. This place is truly a world class gem. The food is amazing, the friend chicken gave even the best in Harlem's a run for its money. The peach cobbler was truly to die for, I paid dearly for I stuffed myself like a pig at this dinner, not over indulging on any one item but sampling so many delights offered in one evening. This place is a winner! Social Circle Georgia may be a backwater hick town in the middle of nowhere, BUT it has a damned good buffet, if your ever in the neighborhood (can't imagine why but if you are) then by all means eat here.
(5)
Kara G.
Not bad at all. So this is buffet style so don't eat for a few days before you visit, gotta get your $18 worth. I went for mother's day with my dad and step-mom. We had reservations and still had to wait for an hour before we were seated. The food was good. Lots of southern vegi's: greens, fried green tomatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, etc. The chicken was too salty in my opinion, but other than that it was good. Great desserts, typical southern food in a charming location. Liked the gift shop as well. However, Mary Mac's Tea Room really offers the same style of food, hell Mary Macs may even be better and it's not an hour outside of civilization. For sure wouldn't drive an hour just to go to this place, but overall it was good.
(4)
Kenny B.
First time eating at Blue Willow Inn and it was okay. I felt they could have put out at least 4 kinds of meat. The southern decor was nice. Check it out for yourself but come with a hearty appetite and healthy wallet.
(2)
Linda M.
First visit here on Saturday.....five stars for the grounds and the building and four for the food. We went on the recommendation of friends who have been four or five times over the years. We did have reservations and only had a five minute wait while they decided where we would sit. No big deal and in the end we got the sun porch with three other small groups. It was a nice intimate setting and fairly quiet compared to other areas we "heard" in the building. Our server, Lisa, was wonderful and stayed on top of everything from sweet tea (their "champagne of the South") to lemonade (Blue Willow's "wine") to clearing away plates and bringing fresh ones. She walked us through the lines and commented on what we "just had to try" and made sure our every culinary need was met. I'm sure she is still enjoying her tip! Next time around I will absolutely ask if we can be seated in Lisa's area. The food was not bad at all and I especially enjoyed their salmon. It just might be close to the best I have had outside of where you can just pull one out of the water and I LOVED the shrimp. The salad bar was plentiful and the clam chowder was filling...almost too much so. But we tried most everything and had room for dessert tasting. This time was all about the four of us having a chance to share a meal and visit and catch up and with our bellies happy we accomplished that. We'll be back, but not for awhile.
(4)
L M.
This is the place to eat if I want some REAL southern food.....or so I was told since I"m not from the south. I have to say...I was a bit DISAPPOINTED. Right from the get go the hostess was RUDE! I think this has to do with us being asians. We did not feel welcome and comfortable the whole time we were there. Our waitress looked at us as if she has never seen asian people before., LOL. She looked like she did NOT want to wait on us. We had little children and they were cold and unfriendly to our kids too. Not once did they try to say hi...or made any friendly gestures towards the kids. The waitress presented us with our check quite early and we felt as if we were being rushed out of the restaurant. The food was okay, not something to brag about. The fried chicken was dry and bland. The only thing we enjoyed was the collard greens and the selection of desserts. I would not recommend this place to any of my asian friends. It's unfortunate that everyone else has rated this place with more than 4 stars, but we didn't feel that our experience was positive enough for more than two stars. Its just SAD that it's the 21st century and people are still being treated like this.
(2)
Sharon M.
I visited on a Saturday in June 2015 for lunch with a dear friend who is local Georgian native. I had asked for a true Southern meal in a beautiful authentic location during my first visit to Georgia. Wow! I got all I asked for and much more. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and professional and I had a wonderful experience. Then I was treated to a stroll through the gardens and a visit to the the gift store. The lady there was delightful and very sweet and kind. I purchased several treats and souvenirs. I loved it all! I highly recommend this restaurant! A true example of Southern hospitality. I will definitely return to The Blue Willow the next time I'm fortunate to visit Georgia! Sharon Major Ventura, California
(5)
Kelly S.
OooooooOOOOOOOOOoooooooo-OVERRATED! This was like eating at Ryan's, minus a couple of things . . . like, soda, fried okra, gravy for the mashed potatoes, and reasonable pricing. I have to say the worst thing I had was the chocolate cake (and it was probably the worst piece of chocolate cake I've had in my life). It was dry as a bone, which is beyond unexpected at a place where butter likely reigns supreme. Another big sticking point for me was that there was no gravy for the mashed potatoes, and no fried okra. (I get that stuff changes daily, but there are a few staples that should never be skipped.) I also saw no white meat chicken, and for $24 a person, you'd think they could throw a breast or two into the mix. Seriously, can't remember the last time I was this underwhelmed by a place. I was actually approaching ANGRY at the amount I spent on a subpar selection of subpar food. The environment is somewhat cute, being in an old home and all. But it was so quiet, it seemed more like a nursing home cafeteria. A little music never hurt anybody! I won't be back, and I won't be recommending it to anyone else either.
(1)
Scott H.
I heard people rant and rave about this place for years. I have been three times total over a ten year period. This place is the biggest pretender I have ever seen. The food is mediocre at best. I am not sure if they have changed or not, but the last time I went they did not even offer sweet tea. They only had unsweet tea. This is the south!!! Are you friggin kidding me? The buffet is not very good, the food is not very good, the service has never been very good and it has always been hot in there. And to make things worse, the last time I went was on a Sunday. It was the day after the Gamecocks had beaten my Dawgs in Athens. The place was overrun with beer gut, obnoxious Gamecock fans (like there is any other kind). I gave it two stars only because the atmosphere is pretty cool for the theme of the place. All jokes aside, I recommend that everyone try this place one time just so you can see exactly how overrated it really is.
(2)
Marga J.
IF you are willing to eat overcooked ("Southern" style) veggies with meat in every dish, then you would probably like this place. However, if you are vegan or vegetarian (as with most places in the south) you will be out of luck and perhaps should just drive on.... Sad it wasn't better/healthier.
(1)
Joseph T.
Pretentious food snobs beware! Very traditional, very Southern, very unhealthy food is served here...and it's great. While a bit pricey for what it is, if you crave a home-cooked quality Southern meal it's worth an occasional splurge. Few restaurants even try to replicate what they do here anymore, and this place is a treat for those of us who grew up in the rural parts of the South and miss the family meals of childhood.
(5)
Cat R.
Took my mother to the Blue Willow Inn at her request for Mother's Day. I called two weeks ahead and they were completely booked with reservations for the day. After hearing that it would only be for my mother and myself, the woman I spoke to (Cathy) said they could probably fit me in right when they opened and advised me to show up early for Mother's Day. The Blue Willow Inn opens at 11AM on Sundays, but I didn't know how long the drive would be and I made sure to show up early. My mother and I arrived around 10:15. As soon as we saw people being let into the lobby at 10:30, I decided to go in and inquire about a table. My mother has a hard time walking and can't breathe well, so I asked her to stay in the car while I checked on a table for us. Our name wasn't on the reservation log, but just as Cathy said they would, the hostess noted that there was a spare two-top where they could seat us. Phew! I couldn't imagine the trouble if we'd driven that far only to know they couldn't accommodate us. I asked when we should come in (closer to 11?) and they said to bring Mom in so they could seat us early. This was great, as we'd both skipped breakfast to be sure we were hungry. We were the first table seated on Mother's Day, and they treated my mother like royalty. Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess motioned us to the back, but my mother couldn't breathe so she had to spend about 5 minutes catching her breath from the brief walk from the handicapped spot. No one rushed us. When we were sat, our waitress (whose name I didn't catch, which is truly unfortunate) gave us so much wonderful attention, which my mother loved. After Mom recuperated she took us into the buffet room to show us what the dishes were. My mother, after being very ill, has a stomach the size of a pea at this point. She devoured the chicken and dumpling soup, and several types of salad quickly. And then she was promptly full. I enjoyed the salad, and really loved the buffet. It's not fancy food, it's just southern food, and a lot of it. I ate two plates' worth. My mother picked at her entree plate, after devouring the soup and salad she had filled up her stomach. She tried so hard to eat more than a few bites, but couldn't. She said, "The only problem with a buffet here is they won't let you take anything home." I told her not to stuff herself painfully, that it didn't matter. Our waitress saw Mom's picked at plate and asked if everything was okay. Mom said she'd filled up from just the small bowl of soup and bites of different salads. Our delightful waitress said, "Let me go box this up for you." And she did! Mom took home a full plate of food, and ate it over the course of two days, enjoying it all. We enjoyed our lunch so much at the Blue Willow Inn on Mother's Day that I hope it becomes a tradition (and that my mother is in better health to enjoy it next year). They treated us like royalty and truly made my mom feel appreciated which, let's face it, was the whole point of taking her there on Mother's Day. Is their food gourmet? No. But it's good, typical southern food. There's a lot of it, and the ambiance and service was perfect. I appreciate the folks at Blue Willow Inn so much for giving us the Mother's Day I had desperately hoped for, and that my mother had dreamed of. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Vel r.
Restaurant in a old mansion. Very good bufffet. Gift shop in back building. Staff is nice. I make reservations.
(5)
Judy A.
Enjoyed a retirement party last evening at this beautiful restaurant! The crab legs special meal was delicious! The waitresses were awesome!
(5)
Richard R.
Great Gee-hossefat! If you live in Atlanta or anywhere east of the metro area and haven't been here before... shame, shame, shame on you! This is hands down one of the best Southern Style buffet in Georgia for a multitude of reasons: 1) The Blue Willow Inn restaurant is housed in a turn of the century Greek Revival mansion in the historic district of Social Circle. Mind your driving speed or get a ticket. 2) Margaret Mitchell, author of GONE WITH THE WIND, was a frequent visitor here when it was then the residence of John Upshaw, cousin of Berrien "Redd" Upshaw, who was Margaret Mitchell's first husband in 1922. Incidentally, their best man would become her second husband in 1925. 3) Redd Upshaw was also believed to be the basis for Margaret Mitchell's character Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind. He had a bad boy reputation which one recent writer wanted to explore. Read about Redd here: gwtwbook.com/ripupshaw.a… 4) The property over time also served as Social Circle's clubhouse and community center in the 1950's until the late 60's. In 1984 it was purchased by Homer Harvey (Church of God) and in 1991 Louis & Billie Van Dyke purchased the main house and front two acres to establish the Blue Willow Inn. 5) Lewis Grizzard, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist, experienced fried green tomatoes at the restaurant in 1992. He wrote an article about his experience blogs.ajc.com/food-and-m… and Blue Willow Inn became legendary, drawing people from all 50 states. Coincidentally, Margaret also worked as a writer for AJC. 6) Blue Willow Inn was voted "Best in the South" by Southern Living magazine readers in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The category was retired by SLM in 2001. It was also listed in USA Today's Top 10 as one of the 'Best in America', Gourmet magazines Top 100 as well as featured on Food Network as one of the top 5 "Bodacious Buffets" in America. 7) And your final reason to visit Blue Willow Inn? Because I said so!!! THE SCENE This is artery clogging, high blood pressure fried food heaven!!! And I mean that in the BEST way! If I'm gonna go... I'd want to go like this. A full belly, a satisfied set of taste buds, customer service that makes you feel like royalty and a historic landmark location fit for world class authors. ---------- - - - - - - - - - - THE DETAILS Date & Time: Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 @ 4:35pm Special Occasion: Celebrating my sons Ranger School graduation Dining Companions: Entire family What to expect: Classic Southern Charm in an amazing old mansion Decor: 1900's decor in each room. We ate in the Garden Room. Service: OUTSTANDING, warm, hospitable & funny! Liquid: Sweet tea like it's supposed to taste Ordered: Saturday Night Buffet $23.95 (go online for 10% coupon) Dislikes: Stuffed Crab was ok, but too much breading Total: $23.06/person w/tax & discount ---------- - - - - - - - - - - THE FOOD * Fried Oysters (5/5) - Best Fried Oysters around * Fried Shrimp (4/5) - Excellent fresh flavor * Fried Catfish (whole) (4.5/5) - Nearly the best I've ever had * Fried Green Tomatoes with an AWESOME chutney (4.5/5) - Chutney makes this dish! Don't eat them with out it! * Stuffed Crabs Shells (3/5) - Not enough crab meat * Short Ribs (3/5) - Good flavor, just not a fan of Short Ribs * Prime Rib Roast (3.5/5) - Good flavor, but a little too undercooked for me * Baked Salmon (4/5) - Covered with a sweet sauce, it was fantastic * Shrimp Alfredo (4/5) - Awesome * Brocolli Casserole (3.5/5) - Very good and filling * Roasted Potatoes (3/5) - meh, ok * Turnip Greens (4/5) - Salty goodness * Corn (4/5) - The only thing that would have made this better would have been cream style fried corn. * Pole Beans w/ham & onions (4/5) - Fresh & tasty! * Optional steamed crab legs ($8/pound) * Excellent salad bar options including crab salad * THEE BEST Fried Chicken in the Metro Atlanta Area DESSERTS & BREADS * Cheese and Pecan Biscuits - I cleaned out the warming drawers (don't judge me) * Hush Puppies/buttermilk biscuits/yeast rolls - Too full to try any * Strawberry Shortcake (3.5/5) - I enjoyed it very much * Lemon Meringue (3/5) - Only average * Countless other desserts. Be sure to ask for ice cream (it's free) TIPS Get here early for dinner. The gift shop next door is open to browse or enjoy the large coy pond. Also, sit and rock in the turn of the century rocking chairs that line the over-sized front porch or enjoy the fountain and seating throughout the front yard which is shaded by huge old Oaks. Don't forget to tour the house and watch your head coming down the grand staircase. THE VERDICT Unless you have a problem with fried foods, I doubt if anyone would not love this place. If you are wanting a REAL Southern meal experience, you couldn't do better than this historic landmark anywhere in a 250 mile radius!
(5)
Jay M.
I've bee to BWI three times now. I am a huge fan of fried chicken...starting to salivate just now thinking about it. I convinced my party to go to BWI a couple of Saturdays ago before we went out to Burge to shoot clays. While we all "enjoyed" our meals, there are elements that could definitely be improved. Fried chicken...just okay this time. Chicken livers...dry. Mash Potatoes...good. Green Beans...over cooked and limp. Okra...missing. Roast beef...tough and chewy, gravy lacked any flavor (school cafetery quality). Rice...just there to sop up gravy, no real contribution. Tea...could use major improvement. Peanut Butter Pie...great! Pecan Pie...nice enough. Chocolate cake...trying too hard, drop the chocolate bits and focus on improving the cake. Salad bar was good enough. Staff was nice enough, but their uniforms could use a total make-over. Why not plain clothes and BWI aprons? Would be a nicer look and more friendly. Real table instead of foldouts from Office Depot would go a long way to improving atmosphere. Why not have the waiters or at least a representative stop by and talk about the Inn & history...including town? There lacks a serious "Southern down home" feel to the BWI that with a little effort could certainly be present and would be wonderful. I understand that the Lady of the house has come out of retirement...but didn't meet her until we bought a book of her recipes. Would have been more impressed with a stop by our table to see how we were doing. There is this whole wonderful house that no one knows anything about or the town. With just a little effort, maybe a tour of the upstairs...would add a good amount of charm. The grounds need a total rework also. Everything this is looking dated, worn and not cared for. Looking like a cheap 70's hotel in decay. We all felt totally bloated for HOURS after the meal. If they are using MSG to bump up the flavors...STOP!!! Holy moly...we're were totally uncomfortable for hours even after shooting and walking around in the woods. Even the ladies who only had one plate. No one had much dinner 7 hours later. Some thing's being added or they're using more processed foods/products than we think. Overall, okay...but I won't be able to get my wife back there. Too expensive for the value received. Hope BWI will give it another try, revamp some of their minor issues, focus on the house as much as the food and make it a stronger "southern" experience than it has become. I will try it again in a year or so...hope to find improvements. It has such great potiential...if it stops resting on its past.
(2)
Stan L.
Excellent food. We ate lunch here on a Tuesday noon. For the quality and quantity good price. Peach cobbler and apple pie very good. Chicken and chicken livers both good too
(4)
Nick B.
Fried Chicken is off the chain.
(5)
Max C.
Good intro to southern food. Hit and miss on buffet items. Try a bit of everything and you'll find something delicious. A bit pricy.
(4)
Kimberly S.
So I am a big fan of Blue WIllow! This is one of my mom's favorite spots and we had to drive from Atlanta to Social Circle every couple of months to spend $20 for a menu of mostly fried foods. But the food is really good and I LOVE the company (MY MOM!!!!) so I don't really mind. Now this is a self serve buffet unlike The DIlalrd House, where they bring the buffet to your table). At my last visit It consisted of Fried Chicken, Chicken Livers, Ham, Fried Fish, Baked Chicken, Roast Beef (I think) Fried Green Tomatos, Rice and Gravy, YUMMY Mac N Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Green Beans, Squash Caserole, Collard Greens, Bread and a list of Desserts (Pecan Pie, Chocolate Cake and Peach Cobbler to name a few). Now this list is not complete. They had so much on the buffet that I would have to write them all down to tell you the exact menu items. I think this is one of GA's best buffet style SOUTHERN COUNTRY COOKING Restaurants. I don't like the fact that so much of the food is fried, nor that there were pieces of ham in most of the vegetables, which leaves me to eat all starches. Notwithstanding the Fried Green Tomatoes. I can eat a plate of them alone! The Chicken is fried perfectly, the Man N Cheese is WONDERFUL, the Pecan Pie makes you want to stick one in your purse to go straight from the buffet. LOL! I love the VERY VERY Sweet Sweet Tea too! Try this spot if you are ever in the area or just want to dine in an Antebellum Masion.
(5)
Caroline E.
Ok for a buffet this place is good. The food seems fresh and it tastes good. It is all fried so if you expect to eat healthy then you are sol.
(3)
Terry W.
Stopped in for Sunday brunch $19.95 / person Buffet style Some people hate on them for the price, but tell me, where else can you dine under chandeliers in the grandeur of a true Ole south mansion, where there are little grandmotherly types in the kitchen baking you up fresh deserts like Buttermilk pie, Southern Pecan pie (not that frozen box stuff either), Apple pie with a 2 inch tall flaky crust, Peanut butter pie, for around 20 bucks?. The wait staff all wear black and white uniforms like the maids staff in a old mansion would be expected to, and they treat you like you own the place. And if fried foods offend you, well you might as well wait in the car, because on the buffet you will find, Fried green tomatoes with a side of chutney, Southern Fried chicken, fried chicken livers, fresh mash potatoes with pools of butter keeping them moist, sweet corn souffle, and for the more health conscious, they do have baked chicken, baked fish, baked "city ham" green beans, squash medley, and a full salad bar, plus fresh made soups. Believe me this is not an all inclusive list, I probably one hit half of what they have to offer, I just remember the things I sampled. This would be a good place for the use of rare big word Farctate, "The state of being stuffed with food" You defiantly leave here feeling like you did after a Holiday meal back home. If the atmosphere isn't worth an extra $5, I don't know what is... It's got to cost a fortune to keep the place in as pristine condition as it is, They even have converted the old pool to a walking garden pond, and the pool house to a gift shop. Is for sure on the list of places you want to take out of town guests to impress.
I'm not exaggerating when I say I've been coming here for years. Probably over a decade. As a child, I was infatuated by the fact that I could eat as much as I wanted of whatever I wanted. When you're young, or at least when I was young, you don't really pay attention to what you're eating; you just kinda shovel it in. Lol! But anyways, now that I'm older and actually taste my food, I have an actual opinion. The Blue Willow Inn has never disappoints me. It's a great place to come with friends and/or family for a deliciously soulful meal. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet with typical southern fixins' like: Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, BBQ pork, roast beef in gravy, cornbread stuffing, biscuits, a salad and dessert bar, and more. Now, this isn't elite fine dining, but it's a big step above average food. I'm always pretty impressed by their food, especially the fried green tomatoes (OMG YUM!) The atmosphere is great. The exterior is beautiful, with a nice fountain and beautiful flower beds during the spring and summer. The porch is lined with rocking chairs that will take you back in time to simpler days, when all you had to worry about was if you had enough sugar for the sweet tea. The interior is really quaint and pretty. My favorite place to sit is upstairs, but sometimes that section is closed. The staff and servers are always really nice. In fact, tonight we went with my 3 year old brother. He's picky about food and only likes chicken if its in drum form (after all, he is only 2). They didnt have any drums in the pan if chicken at the buffet line, and noticing we needed something, one of the kitchen staff asked if she could help us. We told her our predicament, and she said give her 10 minutes. 10 minutes later she showed up at our table with with two drums and the biggest smile. How sweet! This is not unusual fare at the Blue Willow. All in all, I love the Blue Willow, and have since I was a little girl. I highly suggest you give it a visit. You won't regret it! Well, you might regret not having enough room for some pecan pie after helping yourself to some yumtacular soul food.
(5)
Jack And Jill S.
Salty Salty Salty. Not much on the vegetable selection that isn't covered in cheese and breading. I couldn't eat most of the food because it was repulsively salted. I did appreciate the fresh salad bar but I just wish this part of the buffet had more of a selection. They have way too many desserts and not enough low calorie selection.
(2)
NerdoLoco H.
I used to like going here, but it has changed. I believe the owner passed away a couple of years ago and perhaps it is in new hands now. We ate here yesterday and the staff is still very nice, but the food was just not the same. It didn't seem to follow the same recipes. Mashed potatoes were really salty and the fried chicken, which is the only reason we trek an hour and a half for every few years, was bland and cold and dry. It was absolutely not the same as before. I was longing for Popeyes or some Bo time. The rest of the food was cold. The salad bar was pitiful, just plain horrible. I barely ate a thing because nothing was worth wasting calories on. If it's good fried food I'd eat it with gusto, but the fried mushrooms were all batter and the fried green tomatoes were flavorless. I won't be going again. I give two stars because they have tried to maintain and preserve this landmark. I wish the food was still the same. I heard other people in there raving about it, but this was their first visit. It's a shame they don't know how good it used to be.
(2)
Rina C.
Had the most amazing time here. the waitress is funny and showed us around with the best shouthern hospitality. we feel like visiting an old friend's home for dinner. the best shouthern cuisine. even though it's buffet style, everything is perfectly cooked. especially the desert section. if you LOVE desert as much as I do, start with desert first to make sure that you taste a decent portion of every desert. I can't stay away from that section. a little bit of different taste of southern cuisine wrapped up our staying in Georgia with perfect ending.
(5)
Laura T.
Just ate here this w/e for 1st time after I read the AJC article that they were considering closing. Glad I did!! Really enjoyed our lunch. Very good Southern home cooking with good service. - Country Ham - yummy - **Fried green tomatoes - best I think I've ever had - Mac-n-cheese - very creamy & cheesy - Parmesan Chicken - a little too dry for my liking - Roast beef - wasn't a fan of this; too tough & not all that tasty - Butter beans - good - **Yams/sweet potatoes - some of the best I've had - Mashed potatoes - just ok - Biscuits - pretty good - Fried chicken - I can't speak firsthand, but everyone else at my table liked it, especially my hubby - Sweet tea - perfect - Desserts - all the ones I tried were good, especially the chocolate pie & lemon meringue pie. Go prepared to eat yourself silly. And I highly suggest making a reservation!!
(5)
Tressi J.
I come from a long line of fine Southern cooks, so I am gonna be a little harsher than the other reviewers here. The grounds and building get 5 stars, the food 3... they do have good sweet tea, but the food is sort of on the average side in my opinion. The best thing I had was the chicken and dumplings and the corn muffins--those 2 items get thumbs up. The other dishes I can make better, so I am not going to jump up and down over them. There was a long wait -- but I didn't mind because I got to rock on the massive front porch overlooking the beautiful grounds and sip on lemonade. I'd go back, but it isn't like my Granny's cooking.
(3)
Jilly H.
I have tried the BWI numerous times starting in 1993. Each time I go it just gets worse and worse, if possible. As many have mentioned, their fried chicken is or used to be pretty good but as of my last visit in 2012, it was just plain gross. Greasy, dry (sounds like an oxymoron but yes, its possible). The decor needs a major redo. It is dated and shabby and in some instances, just dirty. Most of their food comes from preprocessed sources such as country time lemonade, canned beans, etc. If they are resting on their laurels, they are pretty long in the tooth. Lewis Grizzard has been dead for over 20 years and I think the Southern Living awards are equally as old. Food is very much, no, exactly like school cafeteria food except for the prices. Wow! $24 and no white meat in the fried chicken. Salads are skimpy and mediocre. Peach cobbler is runny. They also have some serious cleanliness issues. They were shut down at Christmas 2011 due to a large party getting violently ill due to food poisoning. The group was made up of attorneys. Big rut ro. BTW, this was published in the county paper. There are so many places that serve safe and good southern food in clean and pleasant surroundings. The BWI is not that place however.
(1)
Sara V.
After a few recommendations from friends and co-workers, I decided to try it when asked where would I like to go on Mother's Day. I am glad I did, I loved it and so did my family. My favorites were the mac and cheese, I went back for seconds and thirds on that one. I also loved the squash casserole (just right), the ham (good) and the tilapia (good). The chicken was a little to salty as well as the fried green tomatoes. The green beans seemed to have needed a little more salt. as well as the collard greens The creamed corn was OK. I was so full that I didn't get a chance to try the desserts, but both of my children tried a few of the pies and cakes and had no complaints. Ambiance was beautiful, it made me feel like I took a few steps back in time set in a beautiful mansion with a beautiful garden. The service was really good. The waitress was very attentive, kept drinks filled and clean plates on our table. We didn't have reservations, we waited about 45 minutes to be seated, but it was well worth the wait. Can't wait to go again. This is a nice place to bring out of town family and friends for a nice meal at decent prices.
(5)
Brooke M.
My goodness. The Blue Willow Inn is FANASTIC!!! I live about an hour and a few minutes away and it is a trip worth taking. The place itself is beautiful. An old mansion and inside the tables are set in rooms that make you feel like you're at home. The food.....mmmm the food. Some of the best southern food I have ever tasted (besides my granny's of course!). Its a buffet so TRY EVERYTHING. The pecan pie will send you on a trip that you don't want to come back from. On top of the food, the workers are so sweet and kind. Love that southern hospitality! I'm addicted and will go back soon!
(5)
Hugh C.
The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA is a hit and a miss at the same time. It reminds of the Peter Pan Inn in Urbana, Maryland prior to 1986. The rooms have a differnt decor and they seem to be trying to be channeling their inner "Gone With the Wind" mind set. This is a buffet, so, due to circumstances, the food can't be "grandma's home cooking" ... we are operating with a factory production line here and the food cannot be picked this morning from the garden. So, yes, you are going to be eating things that came out of a can a few minutes ago. The differnce is in the preparation of the food, they try very, very hard to make it a Southern style buffet with regional food and I will give them kudos for that. However what I will not give them kudos for is the dress policy. We called and asked them a few days before did they have a dress policy and if so, what was it. Well, we adhered to it (dressy or business casual but not traveling sightseer casual) but then when we arrived there was a party of hip-hop wannabees wearing nothing close to the dress policy and they were let in before us. It got me mad that we obey the rules and others don't but yet are not turned away. We do go there every time we are down Atlanta way and especially on our way to or from the annual "POW Days" program at Andersonville NHP, Georgia. Last bit of advice, don't be rolling down the highway and decide to go eat there. There is a 99.9 percent chance that they can't take you. So, make sure that you call ahead for reservations, the further out - the better.
(3)
C. Dub D.
Wow This is the epitome of a buffet. Better yet it's an understatement to call this place a BUFFET. The food is spectacular. The food taste as if it came from your grandmother who stays in Backwood Timbucktoo, AL. Every entree is rich and they do not spare ingredients on their fingerlicking dishes. Everything is fresh and done with love. The fried chicken is stupid ridiculous, the macaroni and cheese is 5 star. NO its not done in cheap velveeta or cheese sauce. Its made with REAL cheddar cheese. This is the real deal. They do not cut any corners when it comes to preparing this succulent dishes. I am BORN and raised in Atlanta...and this is one of the Best Soul Food spots Atlanta has to offer. If you are a restaurant connoisseur this is the place to GO!
(5)
Phin S.
This place is good for what it is. That said, I wouldn't really want to come more than once a year. If you eat here often, you will die young. I can't stand the concept of paying a fixed price and then eating as much as possible. It makes me feel obligated to stuff myself until I feel sick. They just have all of these pies sitting out waiting to be devoured, so I have to decide whether to eat the pies or the steaks or the mac and cheese.... It is perplexing. I ended up putting them all on my plate at once. I left feeling sick. Good, different, fantastical, odd, fun, unhealthy, dangerous. Pretty good food, too.
(3)
Chrissy A.
The small town of Social Circle is home to the Blue Willow Inn, one of the best buffet-style restaurants in North Georgia and on my must stop list anytime I travel on I-20 between Augusta and Atlanta. Located north of the interstate, and north of the city as well, the Blue Willow welcomes guests from across the Southeast who know to take exit 98 to visit one of the Treasures of I-20. From the ample parking lot behind the inn return to the front and enter the main door. A greeter will take your name and verify your reservation (Which are pretty much required-seeing that this place is oh-so popular with tourists and locals alike). A meal at the Blue Willow Inn is an event. A big, big event. Sunday supper to the max--seven days a week. Located in a grand old mansion, it is a serve-yourself buffet. Pay one price and eat all of everything you want. Seatings are made on the half-hour, but it is done one party at a time. There are two levels, an upstairs and a downstairs, but there is no appreciable difference in the two. An older man dressed in tophat and tails or women dressed as cooks call names on the massive front porch overlooking the inn's colorful garden that serves as a waiting room. When your party is called they escort you to the table and seat you. Drinks are Southern-style, ice tea (sweet or unsweet), lemonade, coffee or water with lemon, and served by a hospitable local crew that take pride in the restaurant. Once seated and served drinks its time to visit the buffet. As with any country restaurant in North Georgia the litmus test of good food will be the fried chicken, and a generous sample always find its way to my plate. Fried Green Tomatoes, also seem to find their way onto my plate, and plenty of them.. Aong with a generous helping of macaroni and cheese. And Sha-Zam-Get ready for greatness! The chicken was oh-so-yummy, with a generous, thick coating of breading consisting of more than simple flour and spices. The skin was left on and while the outside was fried crispy the inside was kept moist and tender. Fried green tomatoes were well-breaded and simply hit the spot. Slices of heaven I tell you. The mac and cheese was excellent, traditional in style with a crispy top with elbow macaroni underneath laying in a bed of smooth cheese in a white sauce. The buffet does not stop at fried chicken. Also offered on the day we visited was ham, roast beef (Georgia style, not the kind you buy in a deli) and a shrimp and crabmeat souffl. Of the three the ham was outstanding and the roast beef was good. The souffl, unfortunately, was not that good. Vegetables included green beans cooked Southern-style (with pot licker and bread for sopping), corn on the cob and creamed potatoes. The stand-alone dessert bar is normally packed with eye-pleasing delights. On the day I visited a strawberry short cake and whipped cream mixture drew oohs and aahs from passing customers. Also on the menu were excellent home made brownies (plenty of sugar in these delights), a multiple layer chocolate cake, cookies, and pecan pie. All desserts were above average, with a special nod going to the brownies because of there chocolaty chewiness. Oh & P.S. In the buffet room of the Blue Willow Inn, there is always a drawer full of warm corn bread. Now you know where they hide it!! Help Yourself!!! Definitely some serious corn bread! And ....If you have to wait for a table inside, or if you need to relax a bit before making the drive home... the front porch is arraged with rocking chairs that are perfect for relaxing in... Food: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Service: 5 Recommendations: Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese Fried Green Tomatoes Corn Bread Sweet Tea All in All: Seriously Worth Stopping In ...For One of the South's Best Buffets!!!!
(5)
Andy H.
Oh man, if there is one place to hit in the Metro Atlanta area this is it. Take a half a day away from your business engagements and go. The food is out of this world...true southern fare. The southern food is only matched by the hospitality. The setting in the dining room is classic but not stuffy, and the surroundings are truly confederate...Antebellums and all!
(5)
Sandte S.
You absolutely have to make the drive, it's not an option. If you want as much good southern food as you can stuff into your face, this is where you need to be. Make reservations, hang out for 30 minutes, but dine here. I know people are weird about buffets (my mom is, I get it) but she had no problem here. The atmosphere is really nice, it's like eating in a dining room at your grandmom's house. The peach cobbler is so good, they say they don't have vanilla ice cream but they do, ask until you get! The fried chicken and baked chicken is delicious. I had never eaten fried green tomatoes before I visited here but these things are sooo good. So if you have visitors or if you want to eat at a real southern restaurant please stop here trust me it will be worth the drive. Just be prepared to wait if you don't have reservations and be sure you check and make sure you're not coming on seafood night if that's not what you want.
(5)
Camille R.
Take yourself back to your grandmother's table... well, it may be a lot fancier than your grandmother's TABLE, but think about her FOOD... fried chicken, butter beans, mashed potatoes, coconut cake, lemon meringue pie... bit.ly/tI49rM
(5)
Sharmaine I.
Alright. So I absolutely LOVE this place. If you ever come to the Atlanta area to visit or if you already live here and you haven't ventured out to the Blue Willow Inn, it's a MUST. It's definitely located out in the boondocks but it's well worth the drive down I-20. The food is painfully good and you want to prepare yourself physically and mentally before going here. Now normally I' extremely hesitant about buffets but one look at all that delicious soul food, any reservations that you once had flies out the window. So check it out yall. That's some good down home cooking!
(5)
Jodi G.
OMG this was worth the 40 min drive from our house!! This is by far the best southern down home cooking we have ever had outside of someone's home. The yams were perfection. The fried chicken taste like my mamas, and the peach cobbler and Biscuits were made by someone's grandmother with love:) reasonably priced for $25 to get all you can eat of this delicious food was a steal. Friday night is seafood night as well . We will be back soon with friends. Simply delicious!!!
(5)
Hanna A.
The food is disgusting!!!! the restaurant is not clean, it's very hot in there, and the waiters look sweaty and nasty, not worth $23.99. Fyi... I never seen food so nasty looking in my life.
(1)
E B.
This use to be the place to go. Now I think it's gone down hill since the owner passed away. I've heard they got bought out now. Use to be a nice family owned restaurant.
(3)
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Address :294 N Cherokee Rd
Social Circle, GA, 30025
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
N J.
They don't know how to manage a crowd on a holiday. Reservations mean nothing. The food may be good, but certainly not worth waiting over an hour after your reservation. And they're rude about it too - southern cooking certainly doesn't mean southern manners. This place has passed its prime.
(1)Dwight D.
My family and went to the Blue Willow on Sunday 6-14-15. We got there around 4:45 and there was no wait. The first thing I noticed was, all the food was gone and staff with BAD attitudes were taking their time refilling the serving line. I and several other customers asked about bring out certain things and was told, "I dont know what to tell you". After waiting so long, I asked to speak with the manager. A female Manger came over and told me that they had served 500 people that day. I replied, thats not my problem, I paid $22.00 for food you don't have. She told me with a attitude, that she would give me half price. I didn't want that, we just wanted the food we came for. After waiting almost 30mins for chicken, my son was about to bite into a leg that on one side was still raw. I cut that leg open and it was still raw and still had blood on the inside. I stopped a server and showed this to them and asked that she show the manager. The manager never came back over and its was over an hour before the items we wanted that we were told four times would be out in 15mins. It took 1hr and 15 mins before we got corn bread. Several times I went to the serving line and the manager was just sitting at the front. In the section we were sitting in, several tables were complaining about waiting for food. Poor service and a very poor Manger. I hope The Blue Willow hadn't forgot about CUSTOMER SERVICE. NO FOOD AND BAD MANAGERS CAN KILL ANY BUSINESS, DONT CARE HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS. Dont know if I will go back.
(1)Jennifer C.
Classic southern staples, reliably good food, and a fun experience for out of towners, especially those not from the south. The salad bar is mediocre (only three salad dressings and nothing resembling a vinaigrette, and while they had oil and vinegar, they put out white vinegar, not balsamic), but there is more than enough good food to make up for it. It's beautiful around Christmas time.
(4)Christopher B.
It's a buffet but not the typical Chinese or Golden Coral versions we are all too familiar with and tired of. They are even better than most chain 'made to order' restaurants. What sets them apart if one simple fact, they serve real food. The meats, potatoes (reg. and sweet), fried green tomatoes, breads and desserts are real and fresh. The atmosphere is great. It's an old mansion that is a business but they've retained that feeling that you're eating in someones home. The staff is also very friendly. Price wise, is it cheap? No. Is it expensive? No. At $21.95 per adult (beverage included) the fact is you get what you pay for. I would rather go here once a month than to any fast food chain or other chain restaurant multiple times a month.
(5)Ray M.
My wife and I had lunch here on May 25, 2015. What a meal it was. This was the absolute best buffet I have ever enjoyed. It seemed as if my mother Polly had come back to cook for us. The chicken and dumplings alone were worth the trip but, that was only the beginning. They had fried chicken, ribs, fish, roast beef and ham and vegetables galore. They had fried green tomatoes that melted in our mouths. We then sampled the desserts. Having diabetes, I could only have a taste of each. This time they had brought my Aunt Doodie (Theo) Minick's back. The peach cobbler was hot, fresh and out of this world. They had the thin layered chocolate cake, lemon cake and coconut squares. Everything was hot and fresh, I doubt they even have a freezer in the place the food was so fresh. This is the best food and dining experience we have ever had for such a reasonable price. The people who waited on us did so as if they owned the place and had a vested interest. Any trip to Atlanta will definitely include a trip to the Blue Willow
(5)Gabriela S.
Southern buffet in the Georgia boonies?! Yes, please and thank you. Decadent fixins that will satisfy any pallet. I'm not a soul food snob so I can say I was super satisfied. I would say go if you want to get away from city life and taste some true southern comfort. The restaurant is an old house, super cute and the drive through social circle is quaint and beautiful.
(4)Luckie D.
We dined at the BWI on Tuesday 8/6/2013 for dinner after a few days at the lake and I feel the need to offer a response to a few of the unflattering reviews. 1. We paid $16 per adult which I found to be fair. 2. They did have sweet tea as well as unsweet tea and lemonade. 3. The food was hot, fresh and homemade. It was seasoned lightly but far from salty (I don't use any table salt) 4. The ladies who took care of our party of four were both attentive by removing plates and refilling glasses and quite engaging and friendly. Granted, items change and there was no gravy for the mashed potatoes, no white meat fried chicken and the coconut cake was a little dry but the fried chicken, green beans, turnip greens and mac&cheese more than made up for it. The bottom line is the food is fresh, homemade Southern food your grandmother may not have made herself but she certainly would have enjoyed it and been grateful for the effort and service. For all the would be food critics if you could do better I guess you'd eat at home or open your own BWI.
(4)Homer L.
Excellent food, service and facility
(5)Adrienne W.
I'm a die-hard Blue Willow fan, and i'll tell anyone i meet. Southern food doesn't get better than this restaurant. You'll be hard-pressed to find Fried Chicken that's as light, crispy and juicy as the chicken served up by the piles in this restaurant. Their chicken and dumplings put my grandmother's to shame (sorry nanna) and i've never had a better fried green tomato or chicken liver in my life. Yes, the Blue Willow isn't cheap, but that's because the food isn't cheap. I've never left feeling like i've over payed for the meal i'd just eaten, especially on a Friday or Saturday. Fridays and Saturdays are their special nights, where you get to enjoy most of the usual foods they serve, along side a seafood buffet and all you can eat Prime Rib. I'm picky about my fried oysters, but there's not a single thing to complain about from oysters cooked by Blue Willow. Hickory smoke glazed salmon, fried catfish, a delicious seafood bake, twice baked loaded baked potatoes and so much more! Guaranteed to satisfy your steak and seafood craving. The Blue Willow is timeless, as is their food. Highly, highly recommended.
(5)Cameron E.
This place has been featured on Southern Living and USA Today! Me and my friend went there because he said it was very good! He was right! Every southern foodie should go here! It's nice to expect great things, and still be blown away!
(5)David C.
Been here many times and find it always good. We love southern food and this is it. The old house adds to the ambiance of the experience. Can't drive by without stopping. Their green fried tomatoes with red tomato chutney is the best.
(5)Jason D.
We've been twice now, once for the lunch buffet, and once for their dinner "seafood" buffet. Both times have been perfect. Loved everything about it, from the soups and salads, to the fried chicken, to the house made mashed potatoes, all the way to the banana pudding and chocolate cake. Servers are attentive, and it's well worth the drive.
(5)Stephen G.
Coming from up north I have to say this is the best southern buffet. Waitress was on point always kept our glasses full. The tea was delicious. The people that were dinning there was nice and welling to greet you with some good southern hospitality.
(4)Denise S.
Everything I tried tasted good. I'm only reducing it due to the overall price and the lack of "crispness" on the fries dishes, i.e the fried chicken and green tomatoes. I think it's a tad much for a Sunday buffet dinner. I was expecting a larger selection of food considering the price. $55 bill for two people including tip.
(4)Jodi G.
OMG this was worth the 40 min drive from our house!! This is by far the best southern down home cooking we have ever had outside of someone's home. The yams were perfection. The fried chicken taste like my mamas, and the peach cobbler and Biscuits were made by someone's grandmother with love:) reasonably priced for $25 to get all you can eat of this delicious food was a steal. Friday night is seafood night as well . We will be back soon with friends. Simply delicious!!!
(5)Hanna A.
The food is disgusting!!!! the restaurant is not clean, it's very hot in there, and the waiters look sweaty and nasty, not worth $23.99. Fyi... I never seen food so nasty looking in my life.
(1)E B.
This use to be the place to go. Now I think it's gone down hill since the owner passed away. I've heard they got bought out now. Use to be a nice family owned restaurant.
(3)Liz V.
Blue Willow is proof food tastes better when it is made with love. I came here for lunch and while I was expecting the typical meat and vegetable buffet, I was put in my place when I witnessed the large room with one of the biggest buffets I've ever seen. When you arrive at the Blue Willow you walk through several garden areas to get to the house. From the back parking lot you walk past a pond with a cross over bridge and bright pink knock out rose bushes. The manicured green bushes guide you to the front of the house where you are greeted by blue hydrangea flower bushes, butterflies dancing amongst the lilly's, roomy benches meant for long conversations and a wishing fountain. The lush green grass looks like a carpet. I couldn't help myself, I had to take off my shoes and walk around exploring and smelling the flowers. We were 10 minutes too early for lunch so we made ourselves at home in the rocking chairs on the front deck. The oversized patio, large white pillars and carved wood features reminded me of the Tara plantation from Gone With the Wind. The restaurant wasn't even open yet we were being offered glasses of chilled lemonade by Carol, one of the hostesses. She was personable in getting to know us, giving me history on the house and of course teasing me about the lunch buffet. How do I describe the first time I saw the buffet? Perhaps, I should start with saying you can smell it before you walk in the door! Everything was laid out perfectly in appropriate corners depending on taste and order. Sure, I could go on about the freshly chilled salad bar and the 2 hot soup options, 1 of which being homemade chicken and dumplings but I cannot tell a lie, my focus was on the hot bar. I was given a beautifully delicate blue toile China plate and told to eat as much as I could. Challenge accepted! I've been dieting for months and the buffet became my personal playground. My first trip I loaded up on everything. I feel bad for listing everything but here goes nothing: rice, corn, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, Salisbury steak, baked tilapia and...unbutton the top button on your pants, green beans. After my first bite of fried chicken and fried green tomato, the other things on my plate were on their own! The fried chicken was so moist and cooked so perfectly I wanted to go back to the kitchen and hug whomever made this heavenly gift. The chicken didn't taste like your typical fried chicken as it wasn't heavy and was so light tasting. The fried green tomatoes were what I've always imagined fried green tomatoes should taste like. I am tempted to go back and slap every previous restaurant that has served me fried green tomatoes before for these are the ONLY way they should ever be made again! I was not worth conversation between bites as every delicious bite sent me in to another world where I danced amongst the gardens of the Blue Willow and playfully picked fried chicken and fried green tomatoes from the trees in a fit of joy. As if I wasn't bloated enough, the dessert section begged me to sample it's goodies. I am not big on pie but I am in love with their apple pie with sugar cinnamon crust. I clapped between bites of their flour less chocolate cake and the peanut butter pie had a perfect smooth, crunchy texture that almost sent me in to diabetic shock. Even on the ride home, as I was surrounded by typical Atlanta traffic and was over an hour and a half from my house, I was still so happy and zoned in my food coma. I am convinced if everyone in Atlanta was given anything from the hot bar or dessert section from the Blue Willow violence and road rage would no longer exist. Until we meet again...
(5)em d.
Loved it back then! I hate how it's surrounded my shops now. It used to be beautiful country. So fitting for the style house. The food is wonderful though.
(4)Brittany H.
Yummy lemonade and please order the fried green tomatoes with chutney - awesome! Kind of pricey, but a really cool piece of history and a great place to take family for some southern cooking when they come to town. Feels intimate but grand at the same time and the service was great. Buffet style, though I don't know if that's all the time or not, but I think so.
(4)Julie F.
The dining experience is all about the ambiance here. The gardens are beautiful in the spring. The wait staff are nice, and our waitress even had a very southern accent. To me, the only reason to come here is for Fried Green Tomatoes and Tomato Chutney. The fried green tomatoes are sliced thick, and they are always good. I wish I could find the recipe for their tomato chutney. The salad bar is very minimal, and the dessert table is always full with pecan pie,chocolate cake, peach cobble, and more. If you were born and raised in the south like I was, you will not think this restaurant is anything grand. However, I took one of my Asian friends and her mom, and they thought it was the best southern food they had tried. For this southern girl, I could cook all of this stuff at home. I went on a Thursday night so it was about $20 plus tip. You can also view the entire house if you desire.
(3)Patrice C.
The small town of Social Circle. There was something toxic about this restaurtant. I was in a daze..... After I tried to eat everything at the buffet I then had to take a nap inthe parking lot..
(5)Perl G.
It's like a step back in time, it's set in an old fashioned southern mansion, with a real southern style buffet, everything was delicious except the chicken was too greasy, & the fried green tomatoes were the best!.
(4)Mark T.
With so many options for southern greatness located in and around Atlanta, it's hard to imagine any reason for driving out to Social Circle, Georgia. It's difficult to justify, to provide enough reasoning that it would compel you to load up into your car and drive nearly 2 hours east to the relative middle of nowhere. Because you took the scenic route. The route that winds between towns with barely a name and pass by in a blink or less and before you realize it, you're at the next field, the next pasture or farm with horses and cattle grazing. On a cloudy day you arrive in Social Circle, Georgia and pulling up to the parking lot of the Blue Willow, you immediately notice how grand, how immense, how deeply southern and traditional the scene feels. A historic house and tour buses parked in the lot out back. Not school buses, chartered buses, the kind people pay good money for in order to travel in large groups. What's so special about this place? Why drive out to the middle of nowhere or the edge of somewhere and visit Social Circle? It's simply because of the food. The service is adequate, but it's the food that draws the people. Without getting too intense and overdoing forever made dishes, The Blue Willow Restaurant and Inn is actually a southern comfort food buffet - of the highest quality possible without going much further than the epitome of the greatest dishes any matriarch of a Georgian family could pull together for a special gathering. Fried chicken, collard greens, mac & cheese, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, seafod au gratin, meat loaf, and a host of other dishes. The deserts are all fine, but as if it were state law, the pecan pie is the best. The Blue Willow Restaurant is an excellent slice, of Georgia, of southern food, and of road trip destinations that should be on anyone's list of options for a day trip - when you want to leave Atlanta for something else, for something different, when the roads all lead to possibility simply because you've left the main highway and drove until you arrived, wherever you ended up.
(4)Patty B.
This is the perfect restaurant for any occasion! The beautiful antebellum mansion and the gardens are gorgeous. The Southern food is fabulous. All of the staff is inviting and courteous. You can't miss with this choice of a restaurant. AMAZING!
(5)George C.
Having grown up in Georgia, with roots in Chamblee and Waycross, I am amazed at the mystique of Southern Cooking. Fried chicken, biscuits, corn bread, grits, hoppin' john, collard greens, pole beans, candied yams, cream corn, glazed ham and sweet tea- all "musts" on the cultural table. Trouble is, with all the interpretations out there, it's hard to find a place that offers all of the food icons in the tempting way that any group of church ladies can do any Sunday. That said, this place does a pretty good job. My major gripe is that I have never been here when it wasn't belly-to-belly, side-to-side, wall-bulging, floor-sagging PACKED with people. Retrieving food becomes a tactical exercise, slipping between ample hinies, sliding between chair backs, stepping over lil darlins, jousting for a spoonful of beans or a ladle of gravy, smiling like a person of culture whilst grimly outmaneuvering little old ladies to the dessert table- all while dexterously balancing a plate of delectable goodies. Yes, the food IS good. Not Aunt Grace good, but more than passin' fair. What is nice is that sampling a bit here and a little there is doable, instead of being stuck with a meat and two. Ya'll try it, y'hear?
(4)Rachel C.
I agree, I agree, I agree. This is a place not to be missed. Should be on your list of 100 things to do before you die. Don't go without a reservation because you WON'T get in . . . . too many other folks want to eat here. Good, no GREAT, Southern food. The every half hour seating is a bit strange, but just do it their way and you will be rewarded. All in all this is a place your tummy will appreciate. You may need a place to lay down and take a nap before you drive home. ZZZZZ . . . . .
(5)Michael S.
Excellent meal. We went for lunch and it was fan-dam-tastic!! Fried chicken, squash casserole, Mac & cheese, ham, collards.. everything we ate was delicious. There were alot of people there, but the cooking was like they made it just for us. You can't compare this to Golden Corral or any of those other cheesy $10 buffet places. This place is in a league of its own and well worth the drive from Atlanta.
(5)James K.
Southern Hospitality perfected. I remember years ago reading how this restaurant was endangered to closing before author Lewis Grizzard discovered it and wrote a life-changing article in favor of the place. A quick visit to this antebellum home gone restaurant and its no surprise why. I admit it has been several years since I have gone to this restaurant but I recall eating foods here that I normally hate or would never even try and absolutely loving it. Take a road trip Atlanta! Come see this amazing restaurant in the quiet little town of Social Circle just about an hour south down I-20. You wont be disappointed!
(5)Edna J.
On a cross country trip from California to North Carolina, we stopped in quaint Social Circle, GA to check out the downtown area. A lady at an antique shop recommended we try the buffet at the Blue Willow but we had just eaten and were not hungry so we went on to do other things and then left town with a few travel brochures that I reviewed on the road. 60 miles east of Social Circle, we started to feel hungry and one of the brochures back page had an article on the Blue Willow. They clearly declared it the best buffet in the south. We love southern food so I made a call to a friend who grew up in Social Circle and he said it was a good place to eat. After I ended the call we turned the car around and drove another 60 miles to get to the Blue Willow, fully aware that eating there would set us back 1 hour plus a total of 180 miles but hoping our expectations would be met. The restaurant is beautiful, the servers are great, and there was not wait that Friday evening but the food left a lot to be desired. The salad bar is better at Hometown buffet. The fried green tomatoes and chutney were delicious but I make better collard greens and I'm Hispanic born and raised in California. Nothing else really impressed us. We didn't even want to try the desserts but I reluctantly tasted a piece of dry and sugary pecan pie. The price was in the affordable range but the food was not what I was expecting. After completing this trip, I have come to the conclusion that Paula Deen's recommendations shouldn't be taken seriously. She also claimed Willie Mae's Fried Chicken in New Orleans was the best in the world and it is not! To conclude, if you are in Social Circle, eat at the Blue Willow and enjoy the architecture of this restaurant, its fried green tomatoes, and moderate prices but don't go out of your way to do so.
(3)Kevin H.
This is rare, I hate buffets and I loath country bumpkin restaurants. I am an urban creature except for wine countries and gorgeous high deserts filled with gourmet treats. So when I found myself in Social Circle Georgia eating at a buffet needless to say my excpectations were low. There is a time for everything and this is time for me to be totally wrong. All of my preconceived notions as to what a buffet could be and how high quality of food it could offer have been forever changed. This place is truly a world class gem. The food is amazing, the friend chicken gave even the best in Harlem's a run for its money. The peach cobbler was truly to die for, I paid dearly for I stuffed myself like a pig at this dinner, not over indulging on any one item but sampling so many delights offered in one evening. This place is a winner! Social Circle Georgia may be a backwater hick town in the middle of nowhere, BUT it has a damned good buffet, if your ever in the neighborhood (can't imagine why but if you are) then by all means eat here.
(5)Kara G.
Not bad at all. So this is buffet style so don't eat for a few days before you visit, gotta get your $18 worth. I went for mother's day with my dad and step-mom. We had reservations and still had to wait for an hour before we were seated. The food was good. Lots of southern vegi's: greens, fried green tomatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, etc. The chicken was too salty in my opinion, but other than that it was good. Great desserts, typical southern food in a charming location. Liked the gift shop as well. However, Mary Mac's Tea Room really offers the same style of food, hell Mary Macs may even be better and it's not an hour outside of civilization. For sure wouldn't drive an hour just to go to this place, but overall it was good.
(4)Kenny B.
First time eating at Blue Willow Inn and it was okay. I felt they could have put out at least 4 kinds of meat. The southern decor was nice. Check it out for yourself but come with a hearty appetite and healthy wallet.
(2)Linda M.
First visit here on Saturday.....five stars for the grounds and the building and four for the food. We went on the recommendation of friends who have been four or five times over the years. We did have reservations and only had a five minute wait while they decided where we would sit. No big deal and in the end we got the sun porch with three other small groups. It was a nice intimate setting and fairly quiet compared to other areas we "heard" in the building. Our server, Lisa, was wonderful and stayed on top of everything from sweet tea (their "champagne of the South") to lemonade (Blue Willow's "wine") to clearing away plates and bringing fresh ones. She walked us through the lines and commented on what we "just had to try" and made sure our every culinary need was met. I'm sure she is still enjoying her tip! Next time around I will absolutely ask if we can be seated in Lisa's area. The food was not bad at all and I especially enjoyed their salmon. It just might be close to the best I have had outside of where you can just pull one out of the water and I LOVED the shrimp. The salad bar was plentiful and the clam chowder was filling...almost too much so. But we tried most everything and had room for dessert tasting. This time was all about the four of us having a chance to share a meal and visit and catch up and with our bellies happy we accomplished that. We'll be back, but not for awhile.
(4)L M.
This is the place to eat if I want some REAL southern food.....or so I was told since I"m not from the south. I have to say...I was a bit DISAPPOINTED. Right from the get go the hostess was RUDE! I think this has to do with us being asians. We did not feel welcome and comfortable the whole time we were there. Our waitress looked at us as if she has never seen asian people before., LOL. She looked like she did NOT want to wait on us. We had little children and they were cold and unfriendly to our kids too. Not once did they try to say hi...or made any friendly gestures towards the kids. The waitress presented us with our check quite early and we felt as if we were being rushed out of the restaurant. The food was okay, not something to brag about. The fried chicken was dry and bland. The only thing we enjoyed was the collard greens and the selection of desserts. I would not recommend this place to any of my asian friends. It's unfortunate that everyone else has rated this place with more than 4 stars, but we didn't feel that our experience was positive enough for more than two stars. Its just SAD that it's the 21st century and people are still being treated like this.
(2)Sharon M.
I visited on a Saturday in June 2015 for lunch with a dear friend who is local Georgian native. I had asked for a true Southern meal in a beautiful authentic location during my first visit to Georgia. Wow! I got all I asked for and much more. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and professional and I had a wonderful experience. Then I was treated to a stroll through the gardens and a visit to the the gift store. The lady there was delightful and very sweet and kind. I purchased several treats and souvenirs. I loved it all! I highly recommend this restaurant! A true example of Southern hospitality. I will definitely return to The Blue Willow the next time I'm fortunate to visit Georgia! Sharon Major Ventura, California
(5)Kelly S.
OooooooOOOOOOOOOoooooooo-OVERRATED! This was like eating at Ryan's, minus a couple of things . . . like, soda, fried okra, gravy for the mashed potatoes, and reasonable pricing. I have to say the worst thing I had was the chocolate cake (and it was probably the worst piece of chocolate cake I've had in my life). It was dry as a bone, which is beyond unexpected at a place where butter likely reigns supreme. Another big sticking point for me was that there was no gravy for the mashed potatoes, and no fried okra. (I get that stuff changes daily, but there are a few staples that should never be skipped.) I also saw no white meat chicken, and for $24 a person, you'd think they could throw a breast or two into the mix. Seriously, can't remember the last time I was this underwhelmed by a place. I was actually approaching ANGRY at the amount I spent on a subpar selection of subpar food. The environment is somewhat cute, being in an old home and all. But it was so quiet, it seemed more like a nursing home cafeteria. A little music never hurt anybody! I won't be back, and I won't be recommending it to anyone else either.
(1)Scott H.
I heard people rant and rave about this place for years. I have been three times total over a ten year period. This place is the biggest pretender I have ever seen. The food is mediocre at best. I am not sure if they have changed or not, but the last time I went they did not even offer sweet tea. They only had unsweet tea. This is the south!!! Are you friggin kidding me? The buffet is not very good, the food is not very good, the service has never been very good and it has always been hot in there. And to make things worse, the last time I went was on a Sunday. It was the day after the Gamecocks had beaten my Dawgs in Athens. The place was overrun with beer gut, obnoxious Gamecock fans (like there is any other kind). I gave it two stars only because the atmosphere is pretty cool for the theme of the place. All jokes aside, I recommend that everyone try this place one time just so you can see exactly how overrated it really is.
(2)Marga J.
IF you are willing to eat overcooked ("Southern" style) veggies with meat in every dish, then you would probably like this place. However, if you are vegan or vegetarian (as with most places in the south) you will be out of luck and perhaps should just drive on.... Sad it wasn't better/healthier.
(1)Joseph T.
Pretentious food snobs beware! Very traditional, very Southern, very unhealthy food is served here...and it's great. While a bit pricey for what it is, if you crave a home-cooked quality Southern meal it's worth an occasional splurge. Few restaurants even try to replicate what they do here anymore, and this place is a treat for those of us who grew up in the rural parts of the South and miss the family meals of childhood.
(5)Cat R.
Took my mother to the Blue Willow Inn at her request for Mother's Day. I called two weeks ahead and they were completely booked with reservations for the day. After hearing that it would only be for my mother and myself, the woman I spoke to (Cathy) said they could probably fit me in right when they opened and advised me to show up early for Mother's Day. The Blue Willow Inn opens at 11AM on Sundays, but I didn't know how long the drive would be and I made sure to show up early. My mother and I arrived around 10:15. As soon as we saw people being let into the lobby at 10:30, I decided to go in and inquire about a table. My mother has a hard time walking and can't breathe well, so I asked her to stay in the car while I checked on a table for us. Our name wasn't on the reservation log, but just as Cathy said they would, the hostess noted that there was a spare two-top where they could seat us. Phew! I couldn't imagine the trouble if we'd driven that far only to know they couldn't accommodate us. I asked when we should come in (closer to 11?) and they said to bring Mom in so they could seat us early. This was great, as we'd both skipped breakfast to be sure we were hungry. We were the first table seated on Mother's Day, and they treated my mother like royalty. Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess motioned us to the back, but my mother couldn't breathe so she had to spend about 5 minutes catching her breath from the brief walk from the handicapped spot. No one rushed us. When we were sat, our waitress (whose name I didn't catch, which is truly unfortunate) gave us so much wonderful attention, which my mother loved. After Mom recuperated she took us into the buffet room to show us what the dishes were. My mother, after being very ill, has a stomach the size of a pea at this point. She devoured the chicken and dumpling soup, and several types of salad quickly. And then she was promptly full. I enjoyed the salad, and really loved the buffet. It's not fancy food, it's just southern food, and a lot of it. I ate two plates' worth. My mother picked at her entree plate, after devouring the soup and salad she had filled up her stomach. She tried so hard to eat more than a few bites, but couldn't. She said, "The only problem with a buffet here is they won't let you take anything home." I told her not to stuff herself painfully, that it didn't matter. Our waitress saw Mom's picked at plate and asked if everything was okay. Mom said she'd filled up from just the small bowl of soup and bites of different salads. Our delightful waitress said, "Let me go box this up for you." And she did! Mom took home a full plate of food, and ate it over the course of two days, enjoying it all. We enjoyed our lunch so much at the Blue Willow Inn on Mother's Day that I hope it becomes a tradition (and that my mother is in better health to enjoy it next year). They treated us like royalty and truly made my mom feel appreciated which, let's face it, was the whole point of taking her there on Mother's Day. Is their food gourmet? No. But it's good, typical southern food. There's a lot of it, and the ambiance and service was perfect. I appreciate the folks at Blue Willow Inn so much for giving us the Mother's Day I had desperately hoped for, and that my mother had dreamed of. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Vel r.
Restaurant in a old mansion. Very good bufffet. Gift shop in back building. Staff is nice. I make reservations.
(5)Judy A.
Enjoyed a retirement party last evening at this beautiful restaurant! The crab legs special meal was delicious! The waitresses were awesome!
(5)Richard R.
Great Gee-hossefat! If you live in Atlanta or anywhere east of the metro area and haven't been here before... shame, shame, shame on you! This is hands down one of the best Southern Style buffet in Georgia for a multitude of reasons: 1) The Blue Willow Inn restaurant is housed in a turn of the century Greek Revival mansion in the historic district of Social Circle. Mind your driving speed or get a ticket. 2) Margaret Mitchell, author of GONE WITH THE WIND, was a frequent visitor here when it was then the residence of John Upshaw, cousin of Berrien "Redd" Upshaw, who was Margaret Mitchell's first husband in 1922. Incidentally, their best man would become her second husband in 1925. 3) Redd Upshaw was also believed to be the basis for Margaret Mitchell's character Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind. He had a bad boy reputation which one recent writer wanted to explore. Read about Redd here: gwtwbook.com/ripupshaw.a… 4) The property over time also served as Social Circle's clubhouse and community center in the 1950's until the late 60's. In 1984 it was purchased by Homer Harvey (Church of God) and in 1991 Louis & Billie Van Dyke purchased the main house and front two acres to establish the Blue Willow Inn. 5) Lewis Grizzard, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist, experienced fried green tomatoes at the restaurant in 1992. He wrote an article about his experience blogs.ajc.com/food-and-m… and Blue Willow Inn became legendary, drawing people from all 50 states. Coincidentally, Margaret also worked as a writer for AJC. 6) Blue Willow Inn was voted "Best in the South" by Southern Living magazine readers in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. The category was retired by SLM in 2001. It was also listed in USA Today's Top 10 as one of the 'Best in America', Gourmet magazines Top 100 as well as featured on Food Network as one of the top 5 "Bodacious Buffets" in America. 7) And your final reason to visit Blue Willow Inn? Because I said so!!! THE SCENE This is artery clogging, high blood pressure fried food heaven!!! And I mean that in the BEST way! If I'm gonna go... I'd want to go like this. A full belly, a satisfied set of taste buds, customer service that makes you feel like royalty and a historic landmark location fit for world class authors. ---------- - - - - - - - - - - THE DETAILS Date & Time: Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 @ 4:35pm Special Occasion: Celebrating my sons Ranger School graduation Dining Companions: Entire family What to expect: Classic Southern Charm in an amazing old mansion Decor: 1900's decor in each room. We ate in the Garden Room. Service: OUTSTANDING, warm, hospitable & funny! Liquid: Sweet tea like it's supposed to taste Ordered: Saturday Night Buffet $23.95 (go online for 10% coupon) Dislikes: Stuffed Crab was ok, but too much breading Total: $23.06/person w/tax & discount ---------- - - - - - - - - - - THE FOOD * Fried Oysters (5/5) - Best Fried Oysters around * Fried Shrimp (4/5) - Excellent fresh flavor * Fried Catfish (whole) (4.5/5) - Nearly the best I've ever had * Fried Green Tomatoes with an AWESOME chutney (4.5/5) - Chutney makes this dish! Don't eat them with out it! * Stuffed Crabs Shells (3/5) - Not enough crab meat * Short Ribs (3/5) - Good flavor, just not a fan of Short Ribs * Prime Rib Roast (3.5/5) - Good flavor, but a little too undercooked for me * Baked Salmon (4/5) - Covered with a sweet sauce, it was fantastic * Shrimp Alfredo (4/5) - Awesome * Brocolli Casserole (3.5/5) - Very good and filling * Roasted Potatoes (3/5) - meh, ok * Turnip Greens (4/5) - Salty goodness * Corn (4/5) - The only thing that would have made this better would have been cream style fried corn. * Pole Beans w/ham & onions (4/5) - Fresh & tasty! * Optional steamed crab legs ($8/pound) * Excellent salad bar options including crab salad * THEE BEST Fried Chicken in the Metro Atlanta Area DESSERTS & BREADS * Cheese and Pecan Biscuits - I cleaned out the warming drawers (don't judge me) * Hush Puppies/buttermilk biscuits/yeast rolls - Too full to try any * Strawberry Shortcake (3.5/5) - I enjoyed it very much * Lemon Meringue (3/5) - Only average * Countless other desserts. Be sure to ask for ice cream (it's free) TIPS Get here early for dinner. The gift shop next door is open to browse or enjoy the large coy pond. Also, sit and rock in the turn of the century rocking chairs that line the over-sized front porch or enjoy the fountain and seating throughout the front yard which is shaded by huge old Oaks. Don't forget to tour the house and watch your head coming down the grand staircase. THE VERDICT Unless you have a problem with fried foods, I doubt if anyone would not love this place. If you are wanting a REAL Southern meal experience, you couldn't do better than this historic landmark anywhere in a 250 mile radius!
(5)Jay M.
I've bee to BWI three times now. I am a huge fan of fried chicken...starting to salivate just now thinking about it. I convinced my party to go to BWI a couple of Saturdays ago before we went out to Burge to shoot clays. While we all "enjoyed" our meals, there are elements that could definitely be improved. Fried chicken...just okay this time. Chicken livers...dry. Mash Potatoes...good. Green Beans...over cooked and limp. Okra...missing. Roast beef...tough and chewy, gravy lacked any flavor (school cafetery quality). Rice...just there to sop up gravy, no real contribution. Tea...could use major improvement. Peanut Butter Pie...great! Pecan Pie...nice enough. Chocolate cake...trying too hard, drop the chocolate bits and focus on improving the cake. Salad bar was good enough. Staff was nice enough, but their uniforms could use a total make-over. Why not plain clothes and BWI aprons? Would be a nicer look and more friendly. Real table instead of foldouts from Office Depot would go a long way to improving atmosphere. Why not have the waiters or at least a representative stop by and talk about the Inn & history...including town? There lacks a serious "Southern down home" feel to the BWI that with a little effort could certainly be present and would be wonderful. I understand that the Lady of the house has come out of retirement...but didn't meet her until we bought a book of her recipes. Would have been more impressed with a stop by our table to see how we were doing. There is this whole wonderful house that no one knows anything about or the town. With just a little effort, maybe a tour of the upstairs...would add a good amount of charm. The grounds need a total rework also. Everything this is looking dated, worn and not cared for. Looking like a cheap 70's hotel in decay. We all felt totally bloated for HOURS after the meal. If they are using MSG to bump up the flavors...STOP!!! Holy moly...we're were totally uncomfortable for hours even after shooting and walking around in the woods. Even the ladies who only had one plate. No one had much dinner 7 hours later. Some thing's being added or they're using more processed foods/products than we think. Overall, okay...but I won't be able to get my wife back there. Too expensive for the value received. Hope BWI will give it another try, revamp some of their minor issues, focus on the house as much as the food and make it a stronger "southern" experience than it has become. I will try it again in a year or so...hope to find improvements. It has such great potiential...if it stops resting on its past.
(2)Stan L.
Excellent food. We ate lunch here on a Tuesday noon. For the quality and quantity good price. Peach cobbler and apple pie very good. Chicken and chicken livers both good too
(4)Nick B.
Fried Chicken is off the chain.
(5)Max C.
Good intro to southern food. Hit and miss on buffet items. Try a bit of everything and you'll find something delicious. A bit pricy.
(4)Kimberly S.
So I am a big fan of Blue WIllow! This is one of my mom's favorite spots and we had to drive from Atlanta to Social Circle every couple of months to spend $20 for a menu of mostly fried foods. But the food is really good and I LOVE the company (MY MOM!!!!) so I don't really mind. Now this is a self serve buffet unlike The DIlalrd House, where they bring the buffet to your table). At my last visit It consisted of Fried Chicken, Chicken Livers, Ham, Fried Fish, Baked Chicken, Roast Beef (I think) Fried Green Tomatos, Rice and Gravy, YUMMY Mac N Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Green Beans, Squash Caserole, Collard Greens, Bread and a list of Desserts (Pecan Pie, Chocolate Cake and Peach Cobbler to name a few). Now this list is not complete. They had so much on the buffet that I would have to write them all down to tell you the exact menu items. I think this is one of GA's best buffet style SOUTHERN COUNTRY COOKING Restaurants. I don't like the fact that so much of the food is fried, nor that there were pieces of ham in most of the vegetables, which leaves me to eat all starches. Notwithstanding the Fried Green Tomatoes. I can eat a plate of them alone! The Chicken is fried perfectly, the Man N Cheese is WONDERFUL, the Pecan Pie makes you want to stick one in your purse to go straight from the buffet. LOL! I love the VERY VERY Sweet Sweet Tea too! Try this spot if you are ever in the area or just want to dine in an Antebellum Masion.
(5)Caroline E.
Ok for a buffet this place is good. The food seems fresh and it tastes good. It is all fried so if you expect to eat healthy then you are sol.
(3)Terry W.
Stopped in for Sunday brunch $19.95 / person Buffet style Some people hate on them for the price, but tell me, where else can you dine under chandeliers in the grandeur of a true Ole south mansion, where there are little grandmotherly types in the kitchen baking you up fresh deserts like Buttermilk pie, Southern Pecan pie (not that frozen box stuff either), Apple pie with a 2 inch tall flaky crust, Peanut butter pie, for around 20 bucks?. The wait staff all wear black and white uniforms like the maids staff in a old mansion would be expected to, and they treat you like you own the place. And if fried foods offend you, well you might as well wait in the car, because on the buffet you will find, Fried green tomatoes with a side of chutney, Southern Fried chicken, fried chicken livers, fresh mash potatoes with pools of butter keeping them moist, sweet corn souffle, and for the more health conscious, they do have baked chicken, baked fish, baked "city ham" green beans, squash medley, and a full salad bar, plus fresh made soups. Believe me this is not an all inclusive list, I probably one hit half of what they have to offer, I just remember the things I sampled. This would be a good place for the use of rare big word Farctate, "The state of being stuffed with food" You defiantly leave here feeling like you did after a Holiday meal back home. If the atmosphere isn't worth an extra $5, I don't know what is... It's got to cost a fortune to keep the place in as pristine condition as it is, They even have converted the old pool to a walking garden pond, and the pool house to a gift shop. Is for sure on the list of places you want to take out of town guests to impress.
(5)Liz C.
Sometimes reality and expectation just never meet. The Blue Willow Inn Restaurant was just such an experience for me. I had been dying to go there after I read about its claim to fame - a southern food buffet of epic proportions - about a year ago. So, when the paternal part of my fiancé's family invited us to join them for Sunday lunch, I was completely psyched. I was even more excited after looking at their low rent website. I mean, surely the only reason that they would have such a crappy site is that they're old school, small town southern folks who are totally focused on the food. Right? Upon arrival, I discovered that the seating set up is kind of weird, since the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant is located in an old mansion. We ended up sitting across the hall from the buffet itself in a room with a fireplace and maybe four other tables. Since it's all about the buffet, the server is just there to meet your drink needs and clear your plates as you make your way through the buffet and into a new and larger pant size. Our server was adequate, but certainly not what you would call friendly or enthusiastic about her job. Overall, I wasn't very impressed with most of the food. The fried green tomatoes were salty to the point that I took two bites and called it quits. The pecan cheddar biscuits (they sound so promising and delicious, don't they?) were dry and pretty much flavorless. The mashed potatoes were good, but not great. The sweet potato soufflé, chicken parmesan strips and seafood au gratin were delicious and earned a spot on my plate on more than one return trip to the buffet line. I wanted to love the banana pudding, but it was disappointing. I would come back to The Blue Willow Inn Restaurant on two conditions: 1.) I'm not the one driving and 2.) I'm not the one footing the bill ($17.95 on a Sunday is a lot to pay for a meal filled with dishes that can be described as mostly "just okay").
(3)Kaytea L.
I'm not exaggerating when I say I've been coming here for years. Probably over a decade. As a child, I was infatuated by the fact that I could eat as much as I wanted of whatever I wanted. When you're young, or at least when I was young, you don't really pay attention to what you're eating; you just kinda shovel it in. Lol! But anyways, now that I'm older and actually taste my food, I have an actual opinion. The Blue Willow Inn has never disappoints me. It's a great place to come with friends and/or family for a deliciously soulful meal. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet with typical southern fixins' like: Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, BBQ pork, roast beef in gravy, cornbread stuffing, biscuits, a salad and dessert bar, and more. Now, this isn't elite fine dining, but it's a big step above average food. I'm always pretty impressed by their food, especially the fried green tomatoes (OMG YUM!) The atmosphere is great. The exterior is beautiful, with a nice fountain and beautiful flower beds during the spring and summer. The porch is lined with rocking chairs that will take you back in time to simpler days, when all you had to worry about was if you had enough sugar for the sweet tea. The interior is really quaint and pretty. My favorite place to sit is upstairs, but sometimes that section is closed. The staff and servers are always really nice. In fact, tonight we went with my 3 year old brother. He's picky about food and only likes chicken if its in drum form (after all, he is only 2). They didnt have any drums in the pan if chicken at the buffet line, and noticing we needed something, one of the kitchen staff asked if she could help us. We told her our predicament, and she said give her 10 minutes. 10 minutes later she showed up at our table with with two drums and the biggest smile. How sweet! This is not unusual fare at the Blue Willow. All in all, I love the Blue Willow, and have since I was a little girl. I highly suggest you give it a visit. You won't regret it! Well, you might regret not having enough room for some pecan pie after helping yourself to some yumtacular soul food.
(5)Jack And Jill S.
Salty Salty Salty. Not much on the vegetable selection that isn't covered in cheese and breading. I couldn't eat most of the food because it was repulsively salted. I did appreciate the fresh salad bar but I just wish this part of the buffet had more of a selection. They have way too many desserts and not enough low calorie selection.
(2)NerdoLoco H.
I used to like going here, but it has changed. I believe the owner passed away a couple of years ago and perhaps it is in new hands now. We ate here yesterday and the staff is still very nice, but the food was just not the same. It didn't seem to follow the same recipes. Mashed potatoes were really salty and the fried chicken, which is the only reason we trek an hour and a half for every few years, was bland and cold and dry. It was absolutely not the same as before. I was longing for Popeyes or some Bo time. The rest of the food was cold. The salad bar was pitiful, just plain horrible. I barely ate a thing because nothing was worth wasting calories on. If it's good fried food I'd eat it with gusto, but the fried mushrooms were all batter and the fried green tomatoes were flavorless. I won't be going again. I give two stars because they have tried to maintain and preserve this landmark. I wish the food was still the same. I heard other people in there raving about it, but this was their first visit. It's a shame they don't know how good it used to be.
(2)Rina C.
Had the most amazing time here. the waitress is funny and showed us around with the best shouthern hospitality. we feel like visiting an old friend's home for dinner. the best shouthern cuisine. even though it's buffet style, everything is perfectly cooked. especially the desert section. if you LOVE desert as much as I do, start with desert first to make sure that you taste a decent portion of every desert. I can't stay away from that section. a little bit of different taste of southern cuisine wrapped up our staying in Georgia with perfect ending.
(5)Laura T.
Just ate here this w/e for 1st time after I read the AJC article that they were considering closing. Glad I did!! Really enjoyed our lunch. Very good Southern home cooking with good service. - Country Ham - yummy - **Fried green tomatoes - best I think I've ever had - Mac-n-cheese - very creamy & cheesy - Parmesan Chicken - a little too dry for my liking - Roast beef - wasn't a fan of this; too tough & not all that tasty - Butter beans - good - **Yams/sweet potatoes - some of the best I've had - Mashed potatoes - just ok - Biscuits - pretty good - Fried chicken - I can't speak firsthand, but everyone else at my table liked it, especially my hubby - Sweet tea - perfect - Desserts - all the ones I tried were good, especially the chocolate pie & lemon meringue pie. Go prepared to eat yourself silly. And I highly suggest making a reservation!!
(5)Tressi J.
I come from a long line of fine Southern cooks, so I am gonna be a little harsher than the other reviewers here. The grounds and building get 5 stars, the food 3... they do have good sweet tea, but the food is sort of on the average side in my opinion. The best thing I had was the chicken and dumplings and the corn muffins--those 2 items get thumbs up. The other dishes I can make better, so I am not going to jump up and down over them. There was a long wait -- but I didn't mind because I got to rock on the massive front porch overlooking the beautiful grounds and sip on lemonade. I'd go back, but it isn't like my Granny's cooking.
(3)Jilly H.
I have tried the BWI numerous times starting in 1993. Each time I go it just gets worse and worse, if possible. As many have mentioned, their fried chicken is or used to be pretty good but as of my last visit in 2012, it was just plain gross. Greasy, dry (sounds like an oxymoron but yes, its possible). The decor needs a major redo. It is dated and shabby and in some instances, just dirty. Most of their food comes from preprocessed sources such as country time lemonade, canned beans, etc. If they are resting on their laurels, they are pretty long in the tooth. Lewis Grizzard has been dead for over 20 years and I think the Southern Living awards are equally as old. Food is very much, no, exactly like school cafeteria food except for the prices. Wow! $24 and no white meat in the fried chicken. Salads are skimpy and mediocre. Peach cobbler is runny. They also have some serious cleanliness issues. They were shut down at Christmas 2011 due to a large party getting violently ill due to food poisoning. The group was made up of attorneys. Big rut ro. BTW, this was published in the county paper. There are so many places that serve safe and good southern food in clean and pleasant surroundings. The BWI is not that place however.
(1)Sara V.
After a few recommendations from friends and co-workers, I decided to try it when asked where would I like to go on Mother's Day. I am glad I did, I loved it and so did my family. My favorites were the mac and cheese, I went back for seconds and thirds on that one. I also loved the squash casserole (just right), the ham (good) and the tilapia (good). The chicken was a little to salty as well as the fried green tomatoes. The green beans seemed to have needed a little more salt. as well as the collard greens The creamed corn was OK. I was so full that I didn't get a chance to try the desserts, but both of my children tried a few of the pies and cakes and had no complaints. Ambiance was beautiful, it made me feel like I took a few steps back in time set in a beautiful mansion with a beautiful garden. The service was really good. The waitress was very attentive, kept drinks filled and clean plates on our table. We didn't have reservations, we waited about 45 minutes to be seated, but it was well worth the wait. Can't wait to go again. This is a nice place to bring out of town family and friends for a nice meal at decent prices.
(5)Brooke M.
My goodness. The Blue Willow Inn is FANASTIC!!! I live about an hour and a few minutes away and it is a trip worth taking. The place itself is beautiful. An old mansion and inside the tables are set in rooms that make you feel like you're at home. The food.....mmmm the food. Some of the best southern food I have ever tasted (besides my granny's of course!). Its a buffet so TRY EVERYTHING. The pecan pie will send you on a trip that you don't want to come back from. On top of the food, the workers are so sweet and kind. Love that southern hospitality! I'm addicted and will go back soon!
(5)Hugh C.
The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA is a hit and a miss at the same time. It reminds of the Peter Pan Inn in Urbana, Maryland prior to 1986. The rooms have a differnt decor and they seem to be trying to be channeling their inner "Gone With the Wind" mind set. This is a buffet, so, due to circumstances, the food can't be "grandma's home cooking" ... we are operating with a factory production line here and the food cannot be picked this morning from the garden. So, yes, you are going to be eating things that came out of a can a few minutes ago. The differnce is in the preparation of the food, they try very, very hard to make it a Southern style buffet with regional food and I will give them kudos for that. However what I will not give them kudos for is the dress policy. We called and asked them a few days before did they have a dress policy and if so, what was it. Well, we adhered to it (dressy or business casual but not traveling sightseer casual) but then when we arrived there was a party of hip-hop wannabees wearing nothing close to the dress policy and they were let in before us. It got me mad that we obey the rules and others don't but yet are not turned away. We do go there every time we are down Atlanta way and especially on our way to or from the annual "POW Days" program at Andersonville NHP, Georgia. Last bit of advice, don't be rolling down the highway and decide to go eat there. There is a 99.9 percent chance that they can't take you. So, make sure that you call ahead for reservations, the further out - the better.
(3)C. Dub D.
Wow This is the epitome of a buffet. Better yet it's an understatement to call this place a BUFFET. The food is spectacular. The food taste as if it came from your grandmother who stays in Backwood Timbucktoo, AL. Every entree is rich and they do not spare ingredients on their fingerlicking dishes. Everything is fresh and done with love. The fried chicken is stupid ridiculous, the macaroni and cheese is 5 star. NO its not done in cheap velveeta or cheese sauce. Its made with REAL cheddar cheese. This is the real deal. They do not cut any corners when it comes to preparing this succulent dishes. I am BORN and raised in Atlanta...and this is one of the Best Soul Food spots Atlanta has to offer. If you are a restaurant connoisseur this is the place to GO!
(5)Phin S.
This place is good for what it is. That said, I wouldn't really want to come more than once a year. If you eat here often, you will die young. I can't stand the concept of paying a fixed price and then eating as much as possible. It makes me feel obligated to stuff myself until I feel sick. They just have all of these pies sitting out waiting to be devoured, so I have to decide whether to eat the pies or the steaks or the mac and cheese.... It is perplexing. I ended up putting them all on my plate at once. I left feeling sick. Good, different, fantastical, odd, fun, unhealthy, dangerous. Pretty good food, too.
(3)Chrissy A.
The small town of Social Circle is home to the Blue Willow Inn, one of the best buffet-style restaurants in North Georgia and on my must stop list anytime I travel on I-20 between Augusta and Atlanta. Located north of the interstate, and north of the city as well, the Blue Willow welcomes guests from across the Southeast who know to take exit 98 to visit one of the Treasures of I-20. From the ample parking lot behind the inn return to the front and enter the main door. A greeter will take your name and verify your reservation (Which are pretty much required-seeing that this place is oh-so popular with tourists and locals alike). A meal at the Blue Willow Inn is an event. A big, big event. Sunday supper to the max--seven days a week. Located in a grand old mansion, it is a serve-yourself buffet. Pay one price and eat all of everything you want. Seatings are made on the half-hour, but it is done one party at a time. There are two levels, an upstairs and a downstairs, but there is no appreciable difference in the two. An older man dressed in tophat and tails or women dressed as cooks call names on the massive front porch overlooking the inn's colorful garden that serves as a waiting room. When your party is called they escort you to the table and seat you. Drinks are Southern-style, ice tea (sweet or unsweet), lemonade, coffee or water with lemon, and served by a hospitable local crew that take pride in the restaurant. Once seated and served drinks its time to visit the buffet. As with any country restaurant in North Georgia the litmus test of good food will be the fried chicken, and a generous sample always find its way to my plate. Fried Green Tomatoes, also seem to find their way onto my plate, and plenty of them.. Aong with a generous helping of macaroni and cheese. And Sha-Zam-Get ready for greatness! The chicken was oh-so-yummy, with a generous, thick coating of breading consisting of more than simple flour and spices. The skin was left on and while the outside was fried crispy the inside was kept moist and tender. Fried green tomatoes were well-breaded and simply hit the spot. Slices of heaven I tell you. The mac and cheese was excellent, traditional in style with a crispy top with elbow macaroni underneath laying in a bed of smooth cheese in a white sauce. The buffet does not stop at fried chicken. Also offered on the day we visited was ham, roast beef (Georgia style, not the kind you buy in a deli) and a shrimp and crabmeat souffl. Of the three the ham was outstanding and the roast beef was good. The souffl, unfortunately, was not that good. Vegetables included green beans cooked Southern-style (with pot licker and bread for sopping), corn on the cob and creamed potatoes. The stand-alone dessert bar is normally packed with eye-pleasing delights. On the day I visited a strawberry short cake and whipped cream mixture drew oohs and aahs from passing customers. Also on the menu were excellent home made brownies (plenty of sugar in these delights), a multiple layer chocolate cake, cookies, and pecan pie. All desserts were above average, with a special nod going to the brownies because of there chocolaty chewiness. Oh & P.S. In the buffet room of the Blue Willow Inn, there is always a drawer full of warm corn bread. Now you know where they hide it!! Help Yourself!!! Definitely some serious corn bread! And ....If you have to wait for a table inside, or if you need to relax a bit before making the drive home... the front porch is arraged with rocking chairs that are perfect for relaxing in... Food: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Service: 5 Recommendations: Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese Fried Green Tomatoes Corn Bread Sweet Tea All in All: Seriously Worth Stopping In ...For One of the South's Best Buffets!!!!
(5)Andy H.
Oh man, if there is one place to hit in the Metro Atlanta area this is it. Take a half a day away from your business engagements and go. The food is out of this world...true southern fare. The southern food is only matched by the hospitality. The setting in the dining room is classic but not stuffy, and the surroundings are truly confederate...Antebellums and all!
(5)Sandte S.
You absolutely have to make the drive, it's not an option. If you want as much good southern food as you can stuff into your face, this is where you need to be. Make reservations, hang out for 30 minutes, but dine here. I know people are weird about buffets (my mom is, I get it) but she had no problem here. The atmosphere is really nice, it's like eating in a dining room at your grandmom's house. The peach cobbler is so good, they say they don't have vanilla ice cream but they do, ask until you get! The fried chicken and baked chicken is delicious. I had never eaten fried green tomatoes before I visited here but these things are sooo good. So if you have visitors or if you want to eat at a real southern restaurant please stop here trust me it will be worth the drive. Just be prepared to wait if you don't have reservations and be sure you check and make sure you're not coming on seafood night if that's not what you want.
(5)Camille R.
Take yourself back to your grandmother's table... well, it may be a lot fancier than your grandmother's TABLE, but think about her FOOD... fried chicken, butter beans, mashed potatoes, coconut cake, lemon meringue pie... bit.ly/tI49rM
(5)Sharmaine I.
Alright. So I absolutely LOVE this place. If you ever come to the Atlanta area to visit or if you already live here and you haven't ventured out to the Blue Willow Inn, it's a MUST. It's definitely located out in the boondocks but it's well worth the drive down I-20. The food is painfully good and you want to prepare yourself physically and mentally before going here. Now normally I' extremely hesitant about buffets but one look at all that delicious soul food, any reservations that you once had flies out the window. So check it out yall. That's some good down home cooking!
(5)Jodi G.
OMG this was worth the 40 min drive from our house!! This is by far the best southern down home cooking we have ever had outside of someone's home. The yams were perfection. The fried chicken taste like my mamas, and the peach cobbler and Biscuits were made by someone's grandmother with love:) reasonably priced for $25 to get all you can eat of this delicious food was a steal. Friday night is seafood night as well . We will be back soon with friends. Simply delicious!!!
(5)Hanna A.
The food is disgusting!!!! the restaurant is not clean, it's very hot in there, and the waiters look sweaty and nasty, not worth $23.99. Fyi... I never seen food so nasty looking in my life.
(1)E B.
This use to be the place to go. Now I think it's gone down hill since the owner passed away. I've heard they got bought out now. Use to be a nice family owned restaurant.
(3)