Nacoochee Village Tavern & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Georgia

If you have a dog, they have a porch. If you have an unexpected grandkid who only eats french fries, then you get to leave because they don't have french fries and you can't bring some in from McD.

We have been coming here once a month or so for a couple of years. Our average bill is at least $65 for a salad, a coke, a margarita, and a small pizza plus a 20% tip. Today we unexpectedly had the grandkid with us. We brought McD fries because that is just about all he will eat, and were told he could eat a "sandwich" or we could leave. Their restaurant; their rules. (But we were sitting on a porch at 8PM with two dogs next to us at 52 degrees and 4 empty tables.)

Let's look at the numbers to see how this decision shakes out. If we did not have the grandkid, their revenue would have been $65 + $13 tip for a total of $78. Had we stayed with the grandkid, we would have ordered at least a drink for him for a total revenue of $68 + $13.60 tip for a total of $81.60. I guess they thought they were going to sell me at $14 grilled cheese sandwich to get me to stay. So they wanted $82 for the three of us plus $16.40 tip for a total of $98.40. (Now that I type this is seems crazy to pay this much for a small pizza, a salad, and a sandwich! Like many places these days, the margarita is probably the same price as an entree.) As it was, we left, and drove through Arby's for $15 and drank some great bourbon with my meal. They lost $81.60 tonight and we saved $66.60. I did not eat bread, so I saved about 1 billion carbs. We won't be going back, so the estimated total revenue loss for the remainder of 2024 will be around $468. We both get to make our point. We will go to The Copper Pot when we want pizza. Works for me because $78 pizza is not at the top of my list.

But since I'm not going back, I should to warn you that the salad is the best part of the meal. The pizza is good, but The Copper Pot in Clarkesville is much better and only about 20 minutes away. The dining room is always freezing in the Winter and the Summer, so bring a coat if you come. Tonight, the porch was much warmer than the dining room due to propane heaters. The parking is difficult. There are a few spots up front, and a few more in the back. I those are full, then you have quite a walk from the back 40 parking.

The service is usually pretty average for a sit-down restaurant but glacial for a pizza joint. Since the new owners took over, the service has suffered further. One guy we really liked who was a hustler, just disappeared after the sale. Unless you sit at the bar, you need to order everything you want before your server goes "on break," or it might be a long wait. The place is not large, but we have gotten "lost" there on more than one occasion and I don't see how that is possible.

They have a full bar with several beers. Their collection of tequilas is pretty good and they often have Buffalo Trace products for the bourbon lovers out there. I'm sure their beers are all IPAs because it has been years since I've seen a draft beer that was not an IPA! It's not this place but every place.

There is always a last time going to a place, but normally you don't know when that time is. Today is different because I know. I'm sure they made the right decision...

I drive an EV and have a subscription for the Tesla network of chargers. After a long day of traveling to North Georgia landmarks, we found ourselves in Helen where I’d planned to recharge, before walking the little mountain town. I saw on the map before navigating to the charging location that there were two restaurants in on the block. The grill was closed, which I hope to try next time; they only open after 4:30. I will not be returning to the Pizzeria and Tavern. Our experience started with soda orders unfulfilled. A soda was brought to our table where the server asked us to taste it to make sure it was okay, it was good, the server then told my partner to pick something else to drink, my partner picked another soda. The soda should have been caramel colored, like a cola, it resembled a mildly dark beer, upon tasting it we found that it was like a la croix version of pibb. The server had my partner pick another non soda beverage. We then ordered a “Happy Hippie” this was the only thing good about our visit. “Good,” it was six wheat crackers, three scoops of hummus, four pieces of “fresh bread” and a pile of cold mushrooms. After seeing other reviews I am lead to believe that a lot of sides and apps just use cold product from the pizza make line, like a “tomato bisque” which was clearly just pizza sauce and our cold mushrooms on our “Happy Hippie.” Lastly, we ordered our pizza. Something a little Neapolitan (we were expecting) a large (a mistake), with anchovies, basil and feta. When our pizza was brought out was when we were told that the restaurant was actually out of Basil, I should have sent the pie back, but before this experience I would normally let the food service run me over with “the unexpected” I now know better; my partner and I let it slide thinking “basil can’t make or break this pizza” and also thinking “I don’t wanna be here long, the charger can charge me for idol time.” Actually the worst pizza of my life. I ate it knowing that after the two slices were consumed it was a bit late to ask to exchange it, also the things noted previous sentence. The anchovies were the lowest of quality. Great value anchovies, anything they touched turned into salt. The cheese, greasy salt. The feta, salt. The sauce, greasy salt. And the crust, soggy, wet salt. I bit my tongue through being asked if the food was good, consistently just saying “yeah” or putting my thumb up. This experience taught me that if allowed the food industry can run you over with it’s demeanor that it’s trying it’s best when in reality it’s not. So much was wrong about this place that some of the bad things strike as an afterthought when simply trying to review service and quality of food. Really hope that the next time I need to use this charger that I arrive after 4:30. Even though drinks were removed from the total, still spent $51. Seriously do...

I want to say straight away that the location has a really cool vibe and a superb drink list along with a well-stocked bar.

We stopped in here some years ago and had a really good pizza along with the above plusses and really enjoyed ourselves. Enough to consider coming back multiple times over the years. It's a great spot to stop in after goofing off in Helen or if you don't feel like cooking while staying at one of the multitude of nearby camping or lodging spots.

We stopped in today after doing a bit of touring and (of course) a walk through Helen's shops. Right after sitting down we are chatting with one of the other guests and having a good time. Service was quick with a menu and drinks on the table in seconds....just about there is where the "good" aspect ends.

Once again will disclaim that the prices are good, selection is good. What came to the table in the form of pizza was absolutely underwhelming and not even mediocre. At first appearance my carnivore pizza has about as much meat over the whole thing as I would have expected on one piece. It was well cheesed, and the sauce is good. My wife had a gluten free pie and it was also underwhelming to say the least. There was a SERIOUS lack of topping on each one. Where they both seemed 'ok' while eating there while fresh and hot...just a two hour ride home deemed them basically inedible. Worst pizza leftovers I have ever had without question.

The waitress was semi attentive and acted a bit perturbed when we expected a plate and/or silverware to eat our food from. Apparently, just eat it from the pan or something. IDK if it's the 'new cool' to be distracted and aloof about actually serving your table. The only question in which there seemed any interest in at all was whether I wanted another drink. I suppose if I had one or two more the experience might have seemed better.

This place has been awesome every other vist. I hope that today was a fluke, but would relay to management that the pizza needs some toppings. The oven shouldn't leave soot on the crust and therefore the fingers of the person enjoying them...and a PLATE is pretty STANDARD when eating somewhere (even aside from silverware of which I served myself).

I am not the customer keeping your doors open given that I might stop in once or twice a year, but if the experience I had today was the norm I would suggest anyone working there and also the owner to consider what is next. Three stars only due to past experience. Today...