Backwoods Steakhouse

We had heard a rumor that there was a great steakhouse out in the country not far from our house. Saturday afternoon, we put the address for it in our new GPS and went for a drive. Sure enough, Backwoods Steakhouse is only about two or three miles from us.

We decided to go there for dinner that night. When we arrived at 5:00 p.m, there were already lots of cars in the parking lot, but we were seated right away. Tiffany, our waitress, told us that the owners, Eddie Williams and his wife, built the building themselves 9 years ago. They cut the timber, cut in their uncle’s sawmill, planed it, and then put it together. Amazing, especially when you look at this building and see how beautiful it is.

We placed our orders, then helped ourselves to the salad bar. Tiffany brought out some home made yeast rolls that smelled divine! Yes, I did eat part of one, because I just couldn’t resist the smell, and it was delicious!

The steaks arrived very quickly–I had the 12 ounce ribeye,  and Fabgrandpa had a 16 ounce ribeye. They were both cooked to perfection, and served with a baked potato. I also had some sauteed mushrooms and onions with mine. There were several appetizers available on the menu but we chose not to get one. You could also choose to have green beans instead of a baked potato.

While we were eating, Eddie came over and introduced himself, and talked to us for a few minutes. He is very personable and friendly, as is the whole staff at Backwoods Steakhouse.

Eddie, the owner of Backwoods Steakhouse

We spent a lot of time just looking around at the building. It is definitely an interesting place.

This turkey was perched up there above the cashier stand.

If you decide to go, it would be best to use a GPS to find this place. It is way out in the woods, off the beaten track.

The orange marker shows where it is located

Backwoods Steakhouse is located at 2386 Steadman Road, Tallapoosa, Georgia. They are only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m to 11 p.m. Call them at 770) 574-7050 if you need directions. Oh, and they don’t take debit or credit cards–checks or cash only.

Sunday afternoon we were suffering from cabin fever–it had been raining for several days and we just hibernated in the house. We were ready to get out and do a little bit of exploring, and wound up in downtown Buchanan, Georgia. Buchanan is not a very big place–the water tower proclaims “Population 1034″

WE wound up at Los Cowboys Mexican Restaurant around lunch time. It’s right on the square, across the street from Piggly Wiggly on one side, and the library on the other side. The place was packed with people!

Carnitas plate

Los Cowboys has your typical Mexican menu, with appetizers, salads, seafood, combination plates, and Los Cowboys Especialdades. I ordered one of my favorites: Carnitas. Carnitas for those who don’t know, is boston butt pork roast, cooked either by roasting, or by deep frying, depending on the restaurant and the cook. It came with refried beans, rice, guacamole salad and tortillas. There was so much food served that I wasn’t able to eat it all, but I sure wished that I could because it was delicious. They know how to prepare carnitas at this place.

Burrito Mexicano

Fabgrandpa had the Burrito Mexicano–a flour tortilla stuffed with pork, cooked tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers, and topped with cheese , lettuce and tomatoes. He thoroughly enjoyed his meal, too.

Los Cowboys is located at 115 Van Wert Street, Buchanan, Georgia. Their phone number is 770-646-6853, and they do have a take out menu. Oh, and say hi to Alex if you go, and tell him I sent ya!

Alex, the owner and manager of Los Cowboys in Buchanan

Hillcrest Farms Store in Tallapoosa

One of the first things Fabgrandpa and I do when we arrive in a new area is search the internet for places that sell fresh, locally grown foods.  I noticed Hillcrest Farms Store in Tallapoosa a couple of weeks ago when we were on our way to the house, but we didn’t have time to stop in until today. The store, located at 2160 US Hwy 78 in Tallapoosa, Georgia, has been open for only two and a half months, but the farm has been in business for more than three years.

Gayle, the owner of Hillcrest Farms Store

Gayle Smith, the owner and manager of the store, was happy to talk to me about all the products available in the store. They sell beef, pork, chicken, and goat meat raised on their farm in Buchanan, Georgia. As a family-owned and operated farm specializing in grass-fed, antibiotic-free livestock and exceptional meats, Hillcrest Farms caters to a rapidly growing segment of consumers that recognize the tremendous value that high quality, grass-fed meats present, especially when you consider family health, overall nutrition and taste preferences.

New York strip steaks from Hillcrest Farms

The store sells meats that are supplied bytheir farm or other local farmers,  locally made goats milk cheeses produced in Carrollton, jams,jellies, and cow’s milk cheeses from Roopville, pickles, honey from Newnan, and fresh local eggs. There was also some hand made soap available for sale.

Blackberry Jam

We bought two New York strip steaks, a whole chicken, some honey, blackberry jam, and some goat cheese. The cheese was much like a spreadable cream cheese with blueberries and peaches in it. It was delicious on gluten free raisin toast!

Goat cheese with blueberries.

Fabgrandpa shopping at Hillcrest Farms Store

To find out more about Hillcrest Farms Store, you can check out their website here, or give Gayle a call at 770-574-7400. I definitely recommend shopping there if you are in Tallapoosa. If you are in the Altanta area it is well worth the drive.

The library

Yesterday we had to go to Buchanan, our new home town, to find the water department. While we were there, we found the library too.  The old courthouse is now the home of the public library. They had a really good selection of books  and movies. They are also a part of the Georgia PINES Library System, which is great, because if you have a PINES card, you can check out books at any participating library, and return them to any participating library.

“PINES creates a statewide “borderless library” that provides equal access to information for all Georgians. Georgians with a PINES library card have access to materials beyond what is available on their local shelves and enjoy the benefits of a shared collection of 9.6 million books and other materials that can be delivered to their home library free of charge.”

Fabgrandpa and I have had Georgia PINES library cards for many years, and have used them all over the state. I love that if the branch we are near doesn’t have a book they can get it from any of the 275 libraries in the system. What a treasure!

I can’t wait to be able to go back, and check out the library calendar to see what programs are available there.  I know I saw a meeting room, so there are possibilities there. We didn’t have much time yesterday, but I did manage to check out a book or two, including one with crochet patterns and a vegetable cookbook.