Restaurant Review - Rooster's Cafe in Dahlonega

I have decided that to help justify our seemingly insatiable appetite for eating out, I would throw out reviews of restaurants where we go. I plan to do this in a kid-centric way, hopefully steering parents in the right direction when eating out with kiddos in tow. This review won't include pics, but I plan on the future ones having appropriate photos.

Roosters Cafe
(706) 867-024489
Long Branch Rd
Dahlonega, GA 30533

We've been meaning to eat here for awhile. We don't get to that end of 400 often, so we decided to drop in when we hit up the Home Depot the other day. This was last Sunday night, early into the dinner hours. Our kids, Selah (2) and Phillip (3) were in decent moods. Selah had had a brief nap just prior to eating. Phillip was a napless wonder.

There were a fair number of people eating, but we didn't have to wait and were seated right away. There isn't a lot of waiting room available, so that might be something to keep in mind during peak hours.

We asked for and got a booth. My guys refuse to sit in high chairs at this point, so the easiest way to eat with them is to put them in on the inside of a booth and pin them in with our bodies.

I asked about kids drinks. They are the same price as an adult drink. I declined and said they could sip out of ours. The waiter slipped us a Sprite for Phillip. Selah is perfectly happy drinking out of whatever drink is closest to her.

Phillip is post-tonsillectomy and still eating weird stuff. He was mad they didn't have pizza. Jim promised him they would. But he was happy to order garlic bread and ranch dressing. I asked the waiter to put his order in and to bring it ASAP. He did so, which forestalled a no-pizza meltdown. We did experience a brief embarrassing moment when I was explaining the menu to Phillip - he yelled at the top of his lungs, "PIZZA!!!" A testament to the kid-friendly nature of the restaurant, hardly anyone blinked. Those who did notice didn't miss a beat going back to their food, conversation, or NASCAR viewing.

Selah ordered a cheeseburger at the same time Jim ordered his burger and I ordered a salad. The food came out in a decent amount of time. Phillip shared a piece of bread with Sis and that kept her happy til her food came.

I'd give her burger 3 out of 5 stars in kid world. Selah is not picky and ate her burger heartily. But I know if it had been me as a kid eating that burger I would have turned my nose up at the overly grilled outside. I would have called it "burnt" as a kid. The fries were great to me and Jim, but Selah wouldn't touch them. They were fresh cut "homemade" looking and heavily seasoned. They did not resemble McD's fries at all. I think restaurants that serve tasty homemade fries on grownup plates should keep a food service bag of plain white potatoes sticks to fry for the little guys - and hold off the seasoning too. My kids are not big fry eaters, so I am always appreciative for an alternative side like applesauce or oranges.

Jim enjoyed his burger and fries. I had a chicken finger salad, and it was decent. I was disappointed in what I got for my eight and a quarter bucks though. Three strips, iceberg lettuce and two tomato quarters. Even McD's five dollar chicken bacon ranch salad has several kinds of lettuce and veggies!

So there you have it. I'd give it 4 out 5 stars. For what it might lack in inspired cuisine, the loudish environment and accommodating staff make this a good place to take your little guys for a night out.