Come for the food. Stay for the company.
Biscuits you’ll tell your friends about, mouthwatering burgers,
and daily specials that sell out fast.
Southern Food Done Right.
Eat Here First.
You’ll Thank Yourself Later.
Whether you're heading to the boat, the mountains, or just out for a drive, Batesville General is the stop that makes the day better.
Hot biscuits. Hearty plates. No shortcuts. No regrets.
before you jump in the lake...
The Heart Behind Batesville General
Bonnie Edmonds didn’t plan on owning a restaurant in the mountains. She came to Rabun County years ago on business, but the people, the pace, and the beauty of the area pulled her in. She stayed and poured her two "God-given talents", people and food, into what became a beloved local institution.
Bonnie reimagined the original café, creating a fresh, welcoming space where folks gather for scratch-made meals, real conversations, and stories over coffee.
Whether it’s a customer who says the food reminds them of their grandma’s kitchen, or a young staff member finding confidence in the kitchen, Bonnie lights up when she knows she’s made someone’s day.
She’s not always behind the stove, but her spirit is everywhere. From the menu to the people to the atmosphere, Bonnie built a place that reflects what she values most: connection, care, and community.
— Bonnie Edmonds
meet bonnie
"If something I serve reminds you of home, I’ve done my job. This place is about good food and good people, and I wouldn’t want it any other way."
Batesville: A Community Built to Last
Batesville:
A Community Built to Last
Batesville sits at the crossroads of history and hospitality. Once a supply hub during the Georgia Gold Rush, this quiet mountain town has long served as a stopover for pioneers, prospectors, and travelers headed for the Soque River or the hills beyond.
The Batesville General Store itself has stood for generations, originally a mercantile and post office in the 1920s, it became a community anchor where folks came for more than groceries. They came to catch up, to trade stories, and to stay connected.
As Bonnie and her team carry this legacy forward, today’s Batesville General honors the past by doing what it’s always done best: bringing people together with good food, good conversation, and a place that feels like it’s been waiting for you.
Feeding a Crew?
We’ve Got You Covered.
Whether you need boxed lunches for the lake, trays for a family gathering, or a picnic-ready spread, we’ll help you feed your people well.
Beer and wine
Fresh baked goods, cakes, pies, and pastries
Grab-and-go meals
Take-and-Bake Casseroles
Coming Soon:
What People Come Back For
Our menu is made for moments that matter, breakfast with friends, lunch after the lake, or a plate of something that just feels like home.
Flaky, buttery, and stacked your way with ham, sausage, fried chicken, or pork tenderloin.
Biscuits, Baby
Daily meat-and-three options like pot roast, chicken and dumplings, and fried trout. Always comes with Felicia’s cheddar cornbread muffin.
Bless Your Belly Plates
Double patties, fried green tomato, pimento cheese, and comeback sauce. Named by the regulars.
The WOW Burger
Thick-cut brioche, crisped golden and topped with Georgia peaches and a warm bourbon drizzle.
Peach Bourbon French Toast
Creamy and comforting. Southern, the way it’s supposed to be.
Shrimp and Grits
A crunchy, smoky, tangy twist on a classic.
Fried Green Tomato BLT
One highway.
One community.
One chance to join.
Enrollment is open in person until all 197 spots are claimed.
One-time membership: $197
members get:
A custom 197 Club T-shirt with your member number
10% off every visit, for life
Priority seating & waitlist skipping
Your name on our 197 Club plaque
First access to special updates and events
We're launching something special, The 197 Club, a one-time membership for our most loyal customers, named for the road that brings people here again and again. Only 197 people will ever be allowed in. Once it's full, it's full. ONE MEBERSHIP PER NAME
We’re open Wednesday through Monday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays.
What are your hours?
FAQ's
No reservations needed, just come as you are. For groups of 6 or more, feel free to call ahead.
Do you take reservations?
11801 GA-197, Clarkesville, GA 30523
Just 10 minutes from Lake Burton, 20 from Clayton, or downtown Clarkesville.
Where are you located?
Yes! We offer boxed lunches, family trays, take-and-bake meals, and custom orders. Learn More
Do you offer catering?
Our team bakes cakes, pies, and pastries fresh in-house. Ask your server what’s on the board today—it goes fast.
What’s for dessert?
Right Between Breakfast and the Lake
Located just off Highway 197, Batesville General is an easy stop no matter where you're coming from. We're close enough to be convenient, and good enough to be the reason you make the trip.
No reservations. No stress. Just real food, done right.
10 minutes from Lake Burton
20 minutes from Clayton
20 minutes from
Downtown Clarkesville
30 minutes from Lake Rabun
"I opened this place to bring back what I missed—food made from scratch, people who care, and a spot that makes you feel welcome. Whether you’re coming once or coming back every weekend, I’m glad you’re here."
— Bonnie Edmonds
10 minutes from Lake Burton
20 minutes from Clayton
20 minutes from Downtown Clarkesville
30 minutes from Lake Rabun
