The Railroad Cafe

Three years, that's how long I've been driving past the giant billboards for Lane Southern Orchards…read moreon I-75 telling myself "one day we should stop there." Well, this past Saturday my husband and I finally did. The entire property felt like a scene straight out of a Southern postcard. Families were out picking strawberries in the patch, people were relaxing in rocking chairs on the porch with ice cream cones, the café was buzzing, and the roadside market was full of shoppers loading up on goodies. The place was busy but somehow still relaxing. We started in the roadside market where I immediately grabbed one of the little carts because self-control clearly wasn't part of the plan. I stocked up on fresh produce, preserves, ciders, wines, and somehow convinced myself I "needed" adorable wooden earrings from a local artisan. We sampled a few local wines and naturally left with several bottles. The market also has gifts, souvenirs, and and entire section dedicated to dogs/ furry pets. After shopping we headed next door to the café for dessert. They offer cobblers, cakes, pies, homemade ice cream, and enough sweet treats to make you abandon every diet plan you've ever created. My husband is a peach cobbler enthusiast, so ordering their famous peach cobbler was mandatory. According to him, it absolutely lived up to the hype. I went with the peach pound cake and it was moist, buttery, and delicious. Their breakfast and lunch menu also looked really good. If I were road-tripping through the area, this would absolutely be a stop for a meal. It's also definitely going on my list of places to take guests when they come visit Middle Georgia. What really tied everything together was the staff. Everyone we encountered was warm, welcoming, and full of genuine Southern hospitality. Needless to say, we won't wait another three years before stopping again.

If you're in the area or passing through on the interstate, this should be a stop for you. They…read morehave a great selection of canned goods and pecan treats. The prices are reasonable. Earlier in the year a friend stopped in and bought a bushel of fresh peaches for me, which I canned. You can't beat Georgia peaches! The store is large, clean, and fully stocked shelves. Very helpful and friendly employees. There's also a restaurant, which was very busy at lunchtime on Sunday.

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Miss Jackee's Hot Wings

4.6(18 reviews)

0.7 mi

This place is a convenient little find! They have great food and service! I will l stop by again!read more

Ordered 15 wings…read more The positive, the sauces for the wings were tasty. The negative, 15 tiny wings, including 3 wing tips. The biggest wing was not even as big around as my pinky finger Doesn't matter how good they are, when they are the size of pigeon wings, it is not a good experience. Will never spend another dime here

Honey Teriyaki, Honey Garlic; Honey BBQ

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Oil Lamp Restaurant

4.3(140 reviews)

10.8 mi

SO GOOD! The description "old cafeteria style", while technically true, you never had food this…read moregood in any cafeteria! Driving North from Florida, we wanted dinner and preferred not fast food, but good food served efficiently. Well we hit that out of the park by ending up at The Oil Lamp. My friend had the chicken & mashed potatoes (these are the real deal!!). I had the beef tips on gravy over mashed potatoes. We shared sides of braised cabbage that had a fair amount of garlic - I will be thinking about it, yes thinking about cabbage - first time for everything. We also shared creamed corn and this is NOT from a can. The corn was so sweet and there was a crunch to it, which only fresh corn can give. Everything looked delicious. I eyed those desserts, but I'd finished my plate and just no more room. I live like 4 hours away, but I'm hoping to time my return trip to return to this gem. This isn't fancy, it's good food that has been cooked by chefs that know how to cook old school. Last note - generous portions.

Prior to going, I'm not sure why I thought of this place as a "greasy spoon"...it was more of a…read morecafeteria. Much more updated and cleaner than anticipated. Upon entry, you go to the right to get in line and order. There is a sign with daily specials (you can also check out their Facebook page!). Up first are the trays and silverware and then the salad bar. After that are some entrees and sides they dish out for you. We ordered the rib-eye meal which comes with a side and bread but you can add whatever you want! I think it was $29, which at first seemed a little expensive, but my brother and friends assured me was definitely worth it! We also grabbed a drink and some dessert. All of the employees were very kind and welcoming. We went right at 5 on a Thursday evening so there was plenty of seating. The tables were big and there was room for all 10 of us (that's why we went early!) The food...was amazing! The steak was PERFECT. I asked for it medium and it was medium. So tender and flavorful! My brother wasn't lying when he said it was worth it. I also had the loaded mashed potatoes - excellent, biscuit-yummy, and the chocolate peanut butter pie- OH MY! I will definitely be returning to this establishment. We really enjoyed it.

Options

Pie for everyone!!!

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Outside

Yoder's Deitch Haus

4.1(100 reviews)

18.7 mi

This is a busy spot! The line moves fast and you order cafeteria style with options for salads,…read moredesserts, meats & sides. There is also a bakery on site. We had fried chicken, turnip greens, limas and rice with gravy and meatloaf with Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and two slices of pie. We bought baked goods for a treat later! All that food for forty dollars-no wonder folks drive from all over for lunch!

I had high hopes in trying this restaurant, as I heard it was worth the drive from Atlanta for some…read morefantastic fried chicken. Although fairly tasty, I would not go so far as to say it was any of the best I have ever had. The side dishes seemed a bit institutional and not home-made. I don't think I would go out of my way to go back.

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The 57 Diner

4.1(22 reviews)

21.9 mi

Accidentally Found This Place while on I-75. We ordered a Pattymelt, and Flounder Combo. Both were…read moreExcellent. Waitress was Friendly, and Service was Great. Loved the Old Decor. Will be Back every time I'm in The Area. Who Expected Fresh Flounder in the Middle of Georgia!

Phenomenal burger at this small town diner, and at prices not seen for years. An excellent place…read moreto stop for lunch

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Black Barley Kitchen & Taphouse

4.0(187 reviews)

11.1 mi

My Bride and I both ordered burgers and were not disappointed; they were cooked to order and were…read moredelicious. The service was excellent and the restaurant has a good vibe to it. There are 100 beer taps with a huge variety, one of which was a really tasty IPA. We were taken care of by the two Taylor's, one male, one female, but both were great with which to deal with. Strongly recommend this restaurant.

McKenzie was our server, she was great and put up with all of my friends crazy comments…read more Street corn queso 8/10 "Warm white queso loaded with roasted corn medley, jalapeños, and finished with a drizzle of lime sour cream." - Queso was good. Definitely thought it was going to have a lot more corn though. And there was also black beans in it. What would make it a 10: more corn, no beans. Santa Fe eggrolls 8/10 "Three crispy egg rolls stuffed with seasoned chicken, sweet corn, melted cheeses, and peppers. Served with our smoky chipotle ranch for dipping." - Good flavor. One of the egg rolls was completely empty. Also nowhere in this description does it say black beans but there was black beans in them- won't order again because of this. What would make it a 10: no beans, and make sure they all have something inside. Grown-Up Dilla 7/10 "A golden grilled flour tortilla stuffed with a blend of jack and cheddar cheeses, fire-roasted jalapeños, roasted corn medley, and tender grilled chicken. Served with your choice of dipping sauce." - got the jalapeños on the side. Lots of cheese. Little chicken. Definitely could have been grilled a little crispier. And again- black beans- gross!! Dipping sauce we chose was the Chipotle ranch- yum, and a none-to-mild spice level! What would make it a 10: more chicken, no beans. Super upset that everything I ordered had black beans in it and NOWHERE in the menu descriptions said that there was black beans in ANYTHING. Had they included it on the menu and I had known each of these dishes had beans- I would have never ordered any of this food and would have picked other menu items without beans in them.

Loaded blackberry bbq waffle fries

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Big dill burger and fried Brussels

Captain D's

3.3(7 reviews)

0.4 mi

This location really values customers. The ladies who work out front are super friendly and…read morewelcoming and today was no different. The orders were prompt and accurate. And, the food was great! Everything was hot, well seasoned and tasty. I had the lemon pepper white fish and my Mom had fish fried country style. It's a fast food chain in a small town but I really enjoy coming here.

I ordered from this restaurant for dinner and I wanted the 15 piece butterfly shrimp, and the 6…read morepiece hush puppies, with the 6$ macaroni and cheese, I was shorted 7 shrimp, and I got a small Mac and cheese for 6$, even the hush puppies were ice cold, my mother ordered the fried white fish meal with coleslaw, and baked potatoes everything on the shrimp was cold, and inedible the Mac and cheese was was too small for a 12$ , my mothers fish was cold and rubbery, the sour cream she wanted for her baked potato was not there, we asked for napkins and utensils AND WE DID NOT GET THEM! the only thing that was done right was the baked potato! Atleast that was hot, if this happens again, I will not be eating at Cap'n Ds again , , Zwe spent 58,00 FOR THINGS THAT WE DID NOT Get, this restaurant is hopeless, and should have new management, they do not answer the phone for any reason, that is completely unprofessional , this location needs serious help, just called to complain to the management, and the so called manager lied and denied any recognition of our order

Mother's Breakfast & BBQ

4.4(8 reviews)

22.6 mi

Went for Soulful Sunday when they feature a soul food menu. I wasn't able to find an actual website…read morefor them but their daily menus are posted on their Facebook page. I went inside so that I could actually check out the spot , seems to be a pretty nice. The line to place your order is so the left when you walk in. There were a few people dining in but I couldn't really tell if they had table service or if you still had to go through the line. They also have a drive thru option. The food was standard. The dressing was a bit dry. They offered a choice of gravy that likely would have helped but I don't like gravy on my dressing. The cabbage were a bit overcooked but all was still edible. My mother had turnips on her plate, she advised they were tough also I sampled her yams and they were really good. 7.5 out of 10, would try again.

They good but sometimes they be closed for a week or two weeks and you don't know what the hell…read morehappened. Don't put the noise up then gonna be open. They get their funds right you gotta save that money.

Food bar

Chicken and Waffle

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Food bar

The Perfect Pear

4.6(46 reviews)

11.0 mi

I suppose eventually we will try something that doesn't have The Perfect Pear's world famous…read morepimento cheese on it, but for now, we choose this excellent sub-set of the menu! It is simply the best ever. Even ordered it for parties at home (oops, I hope that wasn't a secret, Megan). So, if this is your first visit, be sure to try the pimento cheese and anything else on the menu. You will not be disappointed. And the Krispy Kreme cobbler is as decadent as it sounds. After a scrumptious meal, why not take in Perry and all the quaint little stores while you are there.

The food was amazing! The ciobatta bread was especially fesh and fluffy and overall an amazing…read moremeal! The service was fantastic, all of the staff members were very attentive and kind. The atmosphere was perfectly quaint, perfectly firting the vibe of this small town. It was an overall amazing experience and would defin recommend to anyone traveling through.

Inside

Pickled Georgia Peaches and Burrata

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Chicken Salad Croissant

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Pam B.

9 years ago

Fort Valley has a culinary secret and it's called The Railroad Café! The cuisine quality is what you would expect in an upscale dining establishment in parts much farther north or even international of central Georgia. However, in the Railroad Café you get excellent comfort and gourmet American food served with southern hospitality at affordable prices in a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere. For breakfast I love the fluffy pancakes, perfectly cooked bacon and eggs and extraordinary grits. For lunch I have the Tilapia Wrap which has a sauce that is smooth but lightly spicy. My husband loves the Shrimp'n'Grits. Now you know, Lane's and Tapatio are not the only worthy attractions in the Valley. The Railroad Café is a whistle stop you ought to make for great food and charm that doesn't break the bank. And when you do stop, don't forget to mention that you're a first time visitor to get your special "Welcome Aboard" tut. OK, now I've let the secret out! read more

Elode J.

9 months ago

The customer service there is great. The good is delicious. It's always clean when you go.

The Railroad Cafe - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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