Underground — Restaurant in Dahlonega

Located just behind the square, Underground is a cool looking spot with a great ambiance both inside and outside. The prices and portions just left us underwhelmed.

Drinks: We started at the bar and, unfortunately, they were out of Bloody Mary mix and also out of the one local beer on tap that I wanted, NOFO Snow Ghost. The ladies in our group went with some different cocktails and the presentation was impressive - though at $17 for a skinny spicy margarita, the prices were steep. Beer prices were reasonable though and our bartender Katie was very friendly.

Service: Despite arriving after the lunch rush when the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, we waited longer than expected to be seated, apparently to allow the kitchen to catch up, even though there were plenty of open tables. The service was okay once we got seated.

Food: The menu offers an interesting and different selection than you’ll find anywhere, but the pricing feels excessive—not just for Dahlonega, but even compared to Atlanta or Alpharetta. Portion sizes were disappointingly small. For example, the 5 Cheese Brisket Onion Rings that I ordered came out as five stuffed onion rings for $18. While the flavor was decent, the value just wasn’t there. That was basically the theme for all the food that we ordered. In fact, we ended up stopping somewhere else and grabbing pizza on the way to the distillery because some in our group were still hungry.

Additional Bar: There is a back bar behind the outdoor seating area with a solid bourbon selection. I would definitely hang out there if it was just us guys.

Overall: Underground has a great aesthetic and potential. With a more reasonable price-to-portion ratio and less expensive cocktails, this could be a fantastic spot...

We were in town with our children ages 14 to 25. We wanted a fun atmosphere with some different food choices. We settled here, started off great with the young man who seated us, he was the best thing at this restaurant. Moved quickly to a waitress who was not interested in waitressing. My sister's have always been a part of the restaurant industry so I ALWAYS give the wait staff the benefit of the doubt. However with missed orders, lack of tending to us, taking forever for a box for our food to go and we still didn't even have all of our food. We had all been so kind and never said an ill word. When I asked for the check she still had food on the ticket we never received. I asked her to please remove the food, she did, of course it took a bit. Then she didn't know how to use the credit card tablet (we wanted to use our cash but was told it was a cashless establishment, we should have left then). I ended up figuring out how to use the tablet and got out quickly. I have never not wanted to tip the wait staff, I did but really should not have. The food was blah, and the staff was so so. We watched a cook smoke a cigarette 3 times within 15 mins, walk back in without washing hands, no hair net (very long hair). This place could be a goldmine, instead they allow employees to run it into the ground. Sad, disappointing place. Once was too many, don't waste your time or money at this establishment. We travel ALOT and this has probably been top 5 of...

Starting off, we went three days after their grand opening. We started off with the lamb shawarma, korean pork buns, and the Chicharones and guacamole. We waited an hour for our appetizers alone.

I wish the lamb shawarma was more savory as it is super sweet. The pork buns were super tasty and my favorite out of all the appetizers. The Chicharones and guac, though, were the worst. The meat was super unseasoned, but the guac was to die for. I hope they make an option for guac and chips as it was really good.

Coming down to the entrees, we waited another 25 minutes. I had the filet mingeon, and my friends had the steak frities and braised short ribs. For the price, I would suggest the steak frities to be smothered instead of deconstructed. The filet was really good but for 6oz the price is a little steep, at least offer another side along with the mashed potatoes to make the price worth it but the steak was perfectly cooked.

The entrees overall were delicious, but both the short rib and the hanger meat are similar in texture, leaving only the illusion of choice in your sides.

A more traditional "choose your meat, choose your side" would be better here, and with a sirloin option, or make the short rib bone in.

The atmosphere is super cool. The place is clean. The server was attentive.

Hopefully, the kitchen times will improve with longevity, and tweaks to the menu should ensure that this place swims instead of sinking in...