When I made this photograph in 2012, the Beards Creek neighborhood was well on its way to becoming a center of the hard-working Hispanic community of Tattnall County. Though located in northern Long County, unincorporated Beards Creek is home to many of the people who make Tattnall County’s Vidalia Onion business possible. La Cueva de Aguila, the Cave of the Eagle or Eagle’s Cave, is no longer in business, but there are other restaurants and churches in the area catering to the growing Hispanic population.
When the Silver Skillet opened in 1956, 14th Street wasn’t dominated by the skyscrapers that define it today. In those days, it was quite typical of restaurants in the area. Today, in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, it stands out. And it’s not just the Mid-Century diner architecture that gets noticed. The breakfast they serve is among the most famous in Atlanta and people navigate white-knuckle traffic on the nearby downtown connector just to come here.
Sara and Tommy Haygood opened The Silver Skillet in 1956, in an existing commercial building. Jimmy Collins, who helped design the original Dwarf Houses that became Chik-fil-A, helped transform the diner into its present appearance for the Haygoods. The interior is largely unchanged today. In May, 1967 George & Louise Decker purchased it and ran it until his death in 1988. His daughter Teresa Breckenridge, has kept it running ever since.
As seen above, the red-eye gravy and country ham are a big draw. If you don’t know red-eye gravy, you probably won’t understand, but myriad fans of this Southern staple seek it out at the Southern Skillet. Red-eye gravy is usually made by mixing the drippings of fried country ham with coffee. The Silver Skillet makes theirs by marinating the ham with soy sauce, brown sugar, paprika and Coca-Cola.
The classic diner ambience of the Silver Skillet has been quite popular with Hollywood producers, as well. Remember the Titans, Anchorman 2, and Ozark, are just a few of the movies and television programs that have used the restaurant as a set location. Travis Tritt shot his video for “Here’s a Quarter, Call Someone Who Cares” here, and TLC used the Silver Skillet for their video “Destiny”. Visit the Silver Skillet’s website for a complete list. And if you find yourself in the area, stop by for breakfast.
The Colonnade is Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant, after Atkins Park. The Mid-Century landmark is a reliable favorite for comfort food and classic cocktails, beloved by locals and tourists alike. Not many other places can claim customers who have been coming in for over 70 years and employees who have stuck with it for over 50 years.
Established in 1927 by Frank Tarleton at the corner of Lindbergh Drive and Piedmont Road, The Colonnade moved to its present location at 1879 Cheshire Bridge Road NE in 1962. Longtime owners Jodi and David Stallings decided it was time to retire last year and sold the business to Lewis Jeffries and Paul Donahue, who plan on keeping things true to the formula that has made it such a success, retaining popular menu items and bringing back old favorites.
Fried chicken is the star attraction, but a wide variety of meat-and-three favorites is on the menu, including pot roast, served with mashed potatoes, carrots and English peas. Tomato aspic (not pictured) is also a classic menu item that’s quite popular.
The wedge salad is served with pickled beets, tomatoes, onion, bacon, and blue cheese.
The yeast rolls get their own plates…
The Colonnade is always busy but it’s worth the wait. And they don’t take reservations.
The bar serves classic cocktails, wine, and beer, and if everyone doesn’t know your name right away, they’ll remember you.
James Horton and Jamie Holland bid farewell to the Mayflower Restaurant, 12 November 2023. Photo courtesy James Horton.
When James Horton and Jamie Holland visited the Mayflower Restaurant on 12 November 2023, it would be their last visit, as this Athens landmark, the oldest restaurant in town in its original location, closed on that day. James wrote: “[We were] trying very hard to produce a smile on such a sad occasion as the last time this will ever be. Many other people were taking their last photographs that day, as well, and there was much talk inside the restaurant about memories of past times there. Rick and Lisa put out an empty notebook for customers to write their memories and thank-yous and to provide a way for customers to express their sadness about the loss. Special places like this disappearing leave a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved and appreciated them so much.“
A typical scene at the Mayflower
The Mayflower Restaurant opened in 1941, “across from the arch”, and survived for 81 years. The Vaughn family purchased the business in 1963 and Rick and Lisa Vaughn operated the place for over 30 years after Rick’s parents turned over the business to him. Rick did the cooking and Lisa managed the dining room.
The Mayflower’s breakfast menu
The Mayflower breakfast was an Athens tradition for many and the restaurant attracted people from all walks of life, students to lawyers and bankers. Tourists were always as welcome as regulars and Lisa Vaughn made sure no one felt like a stranger.
The stainless steel workspace at the Mayflower
James and Jamie owned and operated the Wiregrass Restaurant in Quitman for 13 years, so James was amazed by the workspace in the Mayflower. He noted that the stainless steel food preparation counter equipped with refrigeration, a flat grill, fry station, sandwich board, coffee station, cold drink station, and soda fountain with ice cream freezer was a rare set up to still be in existence and fully functional in 2023.
Mayflower customers pose in front of the Athens landmark on its last day in business
A Chipotle restaurant now occupies the location. I’m sure Rick and Lisa wish them well, but it’s a bit sad to see a place like the Mayflower fade into history.
Rick and Lisa Vaughn, owners of the Mayflower Restaurant. That’s Tammy, who bussed tables and did light serving and drink refills, in the background.
Memory: On one visit to the Mayflower, James Horton saw a lady come out from the back kitchen with flour all over her apron and he knew she was the biscuit lady – he stood up from his table and announced “Hey everybody, it’s the biscuit lady” and the whole restaurant cheered and clapped for her – she loved it. That lady could make some big, fluffy, hot, steamy biscuits that couldn’t be found anywhere else – this is the real Georgia way.
Though it isn’t a new story, I’m so grateful to James for sharing these photos and memories. I, too, was a big fan of the Mayflower and am sad to see it gone.
According to “The Soul of Georgia”, an fascinating digital exhibit curated by Evan Leavitt for Georgia College Special Collections, Lillie Adam Bell opened this location as a juke joint known as the Diner’s Club in 1955.Since her death in 1971, the club has been owned by Clifford Holsey. The original structure has been expanded by additions throughout the years, but retains its roots. The business is now known as Soulmaster’s BBQ Lounge, but locals still refer to it as “The Diner”.
These storefronts were already in ruins when I photographed them in 2013. One of the last businesses located here was Robinson’s Fried Chicken, as the sign indicated. W. F. Maxwell recently wrote that at this location: “…was once a Sinclair gas station, a bus stop for Greyhound, a small restaurant and purveyor of ice cream, candies, etc. It was owned by my maternal Grandaddy, J. L. Griffin whose wife, Mattie, was the restaurateur...” He went on to say that they were torn down some time after 2016.
Note: This replaces and updates a post originally published on 16 August 2013.
Fewer than 500 people live in the little town of Pineview, on the Wilcox-Pulaski County line, so there aren’t many places to eat. When I made this photograph a few years ago, the trailer beside this store was the only place selling food, and was going by the name “Smoke House Grill”. The store was the M & M Convenient Store, and appears to have been a service station and garage before that. I think they built a Dollar General across the road after they tore down the most important landmark building in town, the old Clements Drugstore.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2025! It’s been another great year traveling around Georgia, looking for the obscure, as well as the well-known places and people that make our state so interesting. As always, I’m grateful to you all for coming along with me. From murder and mayhem (always popular for some reason) to soul food and some preservation success stories, I think I covered a lot this year.
I’m featuring this location primarily for its quirky modernist architecture and sign, and also, since it’s been open for nearly 60 years, it’s a true landmark.
Charlie and Vera King moved from Macon to Albany in 1968 and opened this Maryland Fried Chicken franchise on North Slappey Boulevard. According to the Albany Herald, Charlie had spent 20 years as an accountant for Sears and was ready to make a change. The owners’ grandsons now run the business, so it’s been in the same family throughout its history.
Maryland Fried Chicken was a chain of fried chicken restaurants founded by Al Constantine in Orlando in 1961. It had no association with Maryland other than the fact that a large number of Marylanders had recently moved to Orlando to work at the Glenn L. Martin Company aircraft plant and Constantine felt it would be good for business at his eponymous restaurant. The chain eventually had locations in 20 states and the Bahamas but went bankrupt in the late 1970s. Many of the franchise locations were successful and kept the name, as was the case in Albany, and a few are still open throughout the Southeast.
Jimmie Baltas (1889-1972) was a Greek immigrant who came to Albany by way of Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1947, he opened Jimmie’s Hot Dog right in the heart of the Harlem neighborhood. The sign proclaims it “The King of the Hot Dog” and it’s one of the oldest restaurants in town. According to the Albany Herald, Jimmie Baltas eventually sold the business to Phillip Poulos, who later sold it to one of his relatives, Sam Poulos. Sam had a falling out with his brother-in-law and business partner, which led to the brother-in-law opening a rival business, Hot Dog King. The Mathes family bought Jimmie’s from Sam Poulos in 1992 and continues to operate it today. It’s not a sit-down restaurant but is known for its quick service.
