Lumberton General Store — Restaurant in Liberty Township

UPDATE: Food borne illness isn't a joke. Restaurants need to learn this. Do it right, or don't open. Don't cut corners. I arrived before lunch was to be served. I was given the option to order breakfast or wait and order lunch. I planned for lunch, so I waited.

The lot is gravel, the restaurant does have a ramp to the door, plenty of people inside to help with the door if needed. Restrooms have wider doors, ladies room has a changing table. None of the doors were electric. Quite a few local businesses have their goods for sale as well.

The restaurant itself was cold inside, patrons had their coats on, and employees were dressed in layers as well. I took off my coat, and put it back on. For the price they charge, they can afford to add more heat.

It would have been somewhat enjoyable to be a lot warmer. I sat in the sun, with my coat on, and was still cold.

The female employee up front never once washed her hands between handling money, handling food, and playing around on her cell phone. She was the only one who didn't ask me how things were. Not very kind at all, more phone focused than people focused.

The kitchen staff were super friendly, as was the gentleman up front.

The smash burger had a good flavor. The bun didn't hold up at all. Flavors of the cheese and bacon were good, but just not a substantial bun to hold in all the juices. Close to $18 for a double bacon cheeseburger with fries and a Coke is horrible.

The food was hot when served, but being that it's chilly inside, the food cooled off fast.

I wouldn't return. Sitting in restaurant trying to get warm enough to eat and paying the money they charge...

I love country diners like Lumberton General Store. Often found at wide spots in the road, I'm talking about places like Lumpkin's in Scottsville, VA; catfish at Charlie's in Ellisville, MS; the café at the crossroads in Jal, New Mexico where the country fried steak draped over the edge of the plate; Cal-Mex at Sand Creek & Old Hwy 4 in Brentwood, CA; and many more.

Sure, you can go to some fancy French restaurant in the big city and be wowed; but you’re also likely to spend 4 bills or more.

Nothing beats a place like Lumberton General Store for a rib-sticking, soulful experience where, while sipping on a cup of strong black coffee, you run into people you went to church with that morning… People who’ll ask you how work went the night before, wondering how busy you’d been. You’ll sit elbow to elbow with a farmer in bibbed overalls, folks in their Sunday-best and workers on lunch break.

The food is locally sourced and pretty darn good too. I had the country fried steak; hand-breaded with white gravy. One of the cooks brought out a sample of their pork sausage gravy, made with locally milled corn flour. I am definitely going to have to go back to work my way through the menu, especially to try that “horseshoe” dish I saw someone enjoying...

Let me start with this: eat local, support local. Everything is sourced from nearby farms. Not only supporting the community but bringing business to the area. Now on to the food! We went on Sunday. Sunday brunch menu. We ordered a kids grilled cheese with fries, side of bacon. The fried chicken sandwich with fries. The country breakfast and a small order of the biscuits and gravy.

Everything was fresh. Cooked to order and perfect. But the biscuits and gravy. Oh yes hands down the best I’ve had.

The staff: when I say everything was made with love. I mean it. You can feel the love and passion for serving in the air. Smiles. Even stopped to tell us about their biscuits and gravy: I don’t wanna ruin it. The simple version: local flour from a farm down the road. You get more than what you pay for. You’re supporting local farms, a small business, with amazing service and excellent food! Definitely worth a drive out in the country to enjoy. They also have specialty coffee. I tried the honey lavender latte iced. It was divine. Not overly sugared. You could taste...