Some of the best lunches in Georgia hide in plain sight, tucked just off a busy mountain highway where most drivers never think to slow down. This one starts with a paper bag, a pencil, and a short list of meats and cheeses you check off yourself.
A few minutes later, a freshly sliced sandwich lands in your hands, ready for a covered picnic table outside. Along the way, there are shelves of house-baked sourdough, old-time candy, jams, spices, and more surprises than a quick stop has any right to hold.
Keep reading to learn how this humble little store works, what to grab, and when to go before the doors close for the day.
A Mountain Highway Stop Worth the Turn
Right beside Highway 515, between Blue Ridge and Ellijay, sits a modest market called Taste of Amish. The full address is 1412 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, placing it just south of downtown Blue Ridge in the mountains of north Georgia.
On paper, it is listed as a grocery store. In practice, it works as a deli, bakery, candy shop, and pantry all under one roof.
Plenty of travelers have driven past it for years before finally pulling in. That quiet, hidden-off-the-highway quality is part of its charm, since the building does not shout for attention.
Inside, shelves hold Amish-style goods, deli cases, baked items, and old-fashioned treats. Outside, covered tables wait for anyone who wants to eat lunch in the open air.
It is the kind of spot that rewards curiosity. A single turn off the road can easily become a new tradition for every mountain trip.
Two Decades of Loyal Regulars
Twenty years is a long time for any small shop to keep people coming back. Some loyal customers have been stopping here for that long, and they still call it a favorite.
The business is run by a husband and wife team, and that personal touch shows up in how people describe the place. Words like welcoming, sweet, and friendly come up again and again.
The store has also moved over the years. Its current home beside 515 is considered much nicer and homier than the previous location, while the same warm folks kept running the show.
Neighboring businesses even speak well of it, calling it a blessing to have nearby. That kind of goodwill does not happen by accident.
Some regulars admit they stop by simply because of the way they are treated. For a roadside market, a reputation built on kindness might be the most valuable item on the shelves.
The Paper Bag Sandwich System
Forget the long menu board. Ordering a sandwich here starts with grabbing a paper lunch bag and a pencil.
Printed on the bag is a list of options. Customers mark the meat, cheese, bread, and fixings they want, then hand it over at the deli counter.
In a couple of minutes, the finished sandwich comes back, sliced to order. The process is simple, quick, and a little bit fun, especially for first-timers who like checking boxes.
The deli selection is described as fair and focused, with high quality meats and cheeses and straightforward choices for toppings. Nobody needs a flowchart to build lunch.
One popular pick is the hot buttered beef, which has been praised on white bread that comes out perfectly toasted. The meat and cheese are sliced with care, which keeps each bite balanced.
It is a system that proves good lunches do not need to be complicated.
Sourdough Baked Right on Site
Bread lovers, take note. The sourdough at this little market is made in-house, and it has earned plenty of fans.
That detail matters more than it might seem. A sandwich is only as good as what holds it together, and house-baked bread gives lunch here a clear advantage over the average roadside stop.
Beyond sourdough, the store also offers fresh white bread described as super soft. Shelves carry a selection of Amish breads, so there is usually more than one loaf to consider.
Many shoppers grab a loaf to take back to their cabin or home kitchen. It pairs naturally with the deli meats and cheeses sold by the pound.
Fresh bread is also one of the things people mention most when they talk about this place. For a store that does not call itself a bakery, it bakes like one.
Arriving earlier in the day is a smart move for the best selection.
Meats and Cheeses by the Slice
Lunch is only half the story at the deli counter. Many shoppers leave with a bundle of sliced meats and cheeses to enjoy later.
The cheese selection gets special attention, with some calling it awesome. Green onion cheese is one variety that comes up by name among fans.
Prices on these deli cuts are considered very reasonable. That makes it easy to stock up for a few days of cabin breakfasts or picnic spreads.
The quality is what keeps people returning. The meats and cheeses are described as high quality, and they are sliced fresh at the counter.
A popular routine goes like this: order a sandwich, eat it outside, then head back in for take-home cuts. It turns a quick lunch into a grocery run.
Families renting cabins in the mountains often find this especially handy. One stop covers today’s meal and tomorrow’s sandwiches too.
Covered Tables Under the Georgia Sky
Here is the fine print that surprises some first-timers. There is no indoor dining room at this store.
Instead, covered tables sit outside for anyone who wants to eat on the spot. The owners have explained that they are not a restaurant and added the outdoor seating as a courtesy.
That setup works nicely on a pleasant mountain day. A shaded table gives lunch a relaxed, picnic-style feel without any fuss.
The atmosphere is laid back enough that some guests have even played checkers while others shopped. Nobody seems to be in a hurry here.
On a chilly or rainy day, it may be better to take the sandwich to go. The food travels well, and many people eat it back at their cabin or along a scenic drive.
Knowing this in advance keeps expectations right. Think of it as a market with a patio, and the experience fits perfectly.
Old-Time Candy and Childhood Classics
Candy is the single most talked-about thing at this store, even ahead of the sandwiches. That says a lot about the sweet aisle.
Shelves hold a wide range of vintage and old-fashioned candies. Many of them are the kind of childhood favorites that are hard to find in regular supermarkets.
Salt water taffy and homemade taffy are part of the lineup as well. Tastes vary, of course, but it is a fun thing to try at least once.
Kids enjoy browsing, and adults tend to enjoy it even more. Spotting a long-lost favorite wrapper is half the entertainment.
The store also sells old-fashioned toys, which fit right in with the nostalgic candy theme. Together, they give the place its general store feel.
A small bag of treats makes an easy souvenir from a Blue Ridge trip. Just be warned that small bags have a way of growing larger at the register.
Jams, Jellies, and a Jar of Bacon Jam
Pantry shelves are where the take-home shopping really begins. Jams and jellies are among the most popular items in the store.
Bacon jam is one standout that staff have been known to recommend. It is the sort of unusual find that makes a pantry feel special.
Syrup, salad dressings, sauces, and pickles also line the shelves. Some jars sell out, and more than one shopper has happily claimed the last one.
These goods make thoughtful gifts, especially for anyone who loves to cook or bake. A jar or two tucked into a suitcase can bring a bit of the mountains home.
Many foods here are advertised as free of chemicals people would rather avoid. Small batch quality is part of the appeal.
A careful browse pays off, since new items often hide between familiar favorites. Leaving with only one jar is rare.
Spices, Soup Mixes, and Baking Supplies
Home cooks tend to linger longest in one particular corner. The spice selection here has been called fantastic.
Shelves carry fresh dried spices, soup mixes, and ingredients for baking. It is a great place to shop for a baker back home.
Popcorn lovers get their own treat, with assorted kernels and popping oils available. Oatmeal is another favorite, praised as filling and pure.
Chips and other snacks round things out for road trips. Specialty sodas also get plenty of attention, with a wide variety on hand.
Beyond food, the store stocks Amish soap and other household items. That mix of supplies and snacks gives it a true general store identity.
Prices across these goods are described as moderate and fair. For many shoppers, that makes stocking up an easy decision.
It is proof that a quick sandwich stop can quietly turn into a full shopping trip.
Friendly Faces and Free Samples
Friendly staff get mentioned more than almost anything else here. That consistency is hard to fake.
The folks at the counter are described as lovely, sweet, and happy to make recommendations. A quick question about a product can lead to a great new favorite.
Free samples are another bonus that shoppers enjoy. Trying before buying makes choosing between jams or cheeses much easier.
The store itself is kept very clean, which adds to the comfortable feel. It is well stocked without feeling cluttered.
A quick note for expectations: the store sells Amish-style goods, but that does not mean Amish staff will be working. The focus is on the products.
The overall mood is relaxed, simple, and genuine. People describe it as quaint and outside the box in a good way.
Good service may not come in a jar, but here it certainly feels homemade.
Hours, Parking, and Timing Tips
Timing is everything with this stop. The store opens Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It is closed on Sunday and Monday, so weekend travelers should plan for Saturday. Late afternoon arrivals will find the doors already shut.
Lunchtime is the natural sweet spot, though earlier visits may offer the best bread and baked goods. Popular items can run out.
Plenty of free parking is available. The driveway does have potholes, and the owners have explained that the landlord handles the lot, so drive in slowly.
The store sits right on Highway 515, making it easy to reach from Blue Ridge or Ellijay. It works well as a stop on the way to a cabin.
Prices are considered reasonable across the board. Bring a cooler if you plan to buy deli cuts for later.
A little planning keeps this visit smooth from start to finish.
A Humble Stop With Staying Power
Some roadside stops fade from memory by the next exit. This one tends to become a habit.
Taste of Amish is not trying to be a restaurant or a tourist attraction. It simply offers freshly sliced sandwiches, house-baked sourdough, and shelves full of honest goods.
That simplicity is exactly why it works. The paper bag ordering, the covered tables, and the old-time candy all add up to something memorable.
It suits cabin renters stocking up, families hunting for treats, and road trippers who want a quick, satisfying lunch. Bakers and home cooks will find plenty to take home too.
Anyone craving a fancy sit-down meal should look elsewhere. Anyone who enjoys small shops with big personality will feel right at home.
The next drive along Highway 515 deserves a pause here. Grab a pencil, check a few boxes, and let lunch take care of itself.
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