The Clayton Cafe — Restaurant in Clayton

OMG! I do love shrimp and grits and have tried that dish at many places across America but I have to hand it to Bonnie Edmonds, the MasterChef at the renowned Clayton Cafe in Clayton Georgia!

First, the shrimp are huge which I just love but it is really the fusion of the andouille sausage, creamy Creole sauce, the cheesy grits, and a giant shrimp together in a unexpectedly large plate that just makes this unbelievable meal. The sauce is just amazing. The price is $21 but in this economy and given the quality of the shrimp it is worth it.

Since moving to this amazing town over a dozen years ago I have seen this little hole in the wall restaurant evolve and reinvent itself several times and Bonnie has finally transformed this landmark diner into the restaurant that I always think she wanted to have and her staff is incredibly loyal and they work so very hard.

Honestly, the ever-increasing flow of visitors into our community are confronted with so many wonderful choices. We are truly blessed to have a wonderful eclectic collection of fabulous locally owned high quality diners, and even some five star restaurants. In a era when so many small downtowns are dying, Clayton Georgia is booming! There is not a single storefront that is not occupied and parking is definitely a challenge but even that has been addressed with ample free parking just off of downtown.

The Clayton Cafe did have a website and it appears to be down 😞 but the ever-evolving and changing Clayton Cafe has a right side to the building that is also in the middle of a great transformation and it's going to be a steak place with a whole new menu and open up in the evenings adding yet one more insanely wonderful option to the bountiful number of choices that both visitors and the locals can choose from.

We've got it all from three state parks, the world famous Tallulah Gorge, a trendy beautifully restored Bridge Creek Inn that opened last year just a few hundred feet from the Clayton Cafe, horseback riding, hiking trails, a ton of events including the world famous Foxfire festival but no visit to Rabun County would be complete without at least one meal at the...

What a disaster. Seven years ago, we found this wonderful restaurant and it’s one of our favorites. Each year when we travel north once and sometimes twice. We have to stop And often drive 100 miles out of the way to do so. Not anymore. Before showing up today, we checked online for the menu and noticed they had a breakfast brunch all day but they also serve lunch from 11 to 3. Or so, it says online, but that is not the case. The excellent menu has been replaced. No longer do they serve chicken livers or anything resembling home style Cooking. I’m currently on a strict soft diet and had hoped to eat the baked fish, mashed potatoes and cream corn, which was on the menu. It turns out it’s brunch all day and a very, very limited selection. So my wife orders a breakfast eggs, home fries, crispy bacon (which came out raw), a biscuit and gravy for $16. I ordered a biscuit and gravy and a side of mashed potatoes and lemonade. The biscuits were rockhard non-edible and I don’t know what the tablespoon of stuff on top was, but it was unlike any gravy I have ever experienced. The sign out front advertised chicken chicken gravy maybe that’s what it was, but there was very little of it and not fit to eat. When we ask about the menu, they said it was new and there were new owners. I mentioned I looked yesterday online and they said “oh the online menu hasn’t been updated” I think they should warn people. This is not the Clayton Café that people have loved for years. This is some kind of new hoity-toity fancy place. I kind of wish them well, but we will not be back. I don’t know how much my side of mashed potatoes and biscuit and gravy cost, but the bill was $28 and the wife’s was only $16 and she drank water. So if you were a fan of the old Clayton Café, this is not it. Beware and be warned. It is severely overpriced and not good. We are so disappointed. They should change the name so people will know it’s not the same good food. Why buy a successful diner...

We recently had the pleasure of dining at the Clayton Café, a cornerstone of this small town that has seen some changes recently. Initially, we were a bit apprehensive about these changes, considering the long-standing reputation and sentimental value of this restaurant. However, our worries were completely dispelled after experiencing their delightful offerings.

Our meal began with the crab bisque, a rich and creamy start that set the tone for the rest of our meal. We then enjoyed the chicken biscuit and the steak and eggs, both cooked to perfection and seasoned impeccably. The whipped feta was a surprising and delicious twist, adding a unique flavor to the meal. To complement our food, we had peach/lavender and blueberry/lemongrass bellinis prepared with local shrub mixers from Farm 2 Cocktail , which were refreshingly delightful.

Every dish showcased a commitment to delivering traditional Southern cuisine with a sophisticated twist. The presentation was impeccable, and it was evident that great care was taken in both the preparation and the seasoning of the food.

The service was flawless, adding to the overall exceptional dining experience. Alex, our server was very attentive and sweet. She guided us through the menu and helped us with suggestions. It’s clear that while the previous cafe, under Ms. Bonnie and her crew, served its purpose wonderfully by creating a beloved environment, the new iteration of Clayton Café has embraced change and growth beautifully.

The cafe now offers new options in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, continuing to make everyone feel at home. We're thrilled to have yet another fantastic dining establishment in our beautiful town. Well done, Clayton Cafe! Clearly, we highly...