The Yesterday Cafe, Greensboro, Georgia

“The preparation of good food is merely another expression of art, one of the joys of civilized living...”

Dione Lucas

The Yesterday Cafe

Downtown Historic Greensboro, Georgia

Our adventure today took us to the charming town of Greensboro, Georgia. If you haven’t been there it is a town that you need to visit. This town takes me back to when I was a child and in my own hometown where everyone knew each other and if they didn’t know you, they sure would get to know you. Everyone we met was super friendly and welcoming. I felt like we just entered Mayberry.

When you go to Greensboro, there is a great restaurant to eat called The Yesterday Cafe. This is a fabulous restaurant right in historic downtown Greensboro. Every time we come to this lovely town, we stop here for a meal now that we were lucky enough to find this gem. The outside of the restaurant is set up beautifully with a couple tables with red umbrellas set up and a couple of benches up against the restaurant to sit. During the warmer months, there are an abundance of beautiful plants set outside. The restaurant beckons all to come in and sit a spell.

Oh my.   Look at those luscious desserts. 

When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the display of homemade cakes and pies (yummy) and the old timey cash register. It reminded me of what my mother used to say which was, “Start with the dessert and then work your way through the rest of your meal.” All the desserts looked amazing. Looking around the restaurant, there are antique and historic pictures of Greensboro and Green County that line the walls. The hardwood floors are beautiful adding to the historic charm of the building. There are plenty of tables and booths set up to sit while enjoying a delicious meal.

Natalie, the friendly bartender

A hostess walked up and warmly greeted us as we came in. She guided us back to a comfortable booth adorned by an antique style overhead light. Right after we sat down, our waitress Emma came up and gave us menus and took our drink order. She was lovely and very helpful. The menu was impressive and included blue plate specials that all sounded wonderful. They also serve steaks, salads, burgers, wraps, sandwiches and more. It was tough choosing what to order since there were so many good choices. On top of that, there is a full bar in the back of the restaurant to serve up anything you want to drink.

As we sat sipping on our drinks, we noticed the big band music being played in the background. Joe was thrilled since he was an Army Bandsman when he was in the service and this was his kind of music. The other thing we fell in love with were the guest books that were placed on each table. The comments people wrote of their experience at the restaurant was priceless. What a novel and great idea.

I ordered the Ollies Chicken from the Blue Plate Specials and Joe ordered the special for the day, the salmon patty dinner. When our food was ready, a lovely lady came out and delivered our food. She was super friendly and we chatted it up and found out she was the owner, Teri Bragg. She was lovely inside and out. She explained she had been in the business for over 15 years and that she opened this restaurant in 1995.

The portions were large and the food was fantastic. They served the best cornbread I’ve ever eaten. My chicken was moist, tender, and covered with cheddar and bacon. Who could ask for more? Joe said his salmon patties were amazing as well and full of flavor. Both meals were delicious.

\Funny ad in ladies bathroom

Across from our booth was a nice man and his wife from Lexington, South Carolina. Like us, they had traveled a good distance to come to Greensboro and have a great meal at this restaurant. He wanted to know how the cornbread tasted and when I said excellent, he ordered an extra helping. He said they had driven over 100 miles to come here just so he could order their fried green tomato sandwich, stating it was the best he has ever ate.

Emma came by to see if we wanted any dessert and I wish I could have said yes, but we were filled to the brim. The last time we were here, we did order the world famous Buttermilk Pie and it was heavenly. Southern Living magazine named Teri’s pie the Best in South. I guess that is why Carrie Underwood ordered 300 Buttermilk Pies for her wedding which happened in a location nearby.

Heather and Teri Bragg

After we ate, I requested Emma to ask Teri to come back to see us so I could get a picture of her. When Joe went to take the picture, Teri insisted I be in the photo so there you have it. Joe took a few pictures and the one we love the most is when Joe got her laughing. She and her husband ran a restaurant in Rutledge, Georgia which was in a renovated 1893 drug store before coming to Greensboro. Later Teri decided to open another restaurant here. I’m sure glad she did.

Looking up to venue upstairs.

When Teri Bragg moved here, they purchased the historic Bickers and Goodwin Building right on Main Street in this quaint downtown for their restaurants new location. When she bought it, the building was in rough shape after a tornado came through and lifted the roof right off the building which resulted in massive water damage to the property. After only six months of intense work and renovation, the restaurant was up and running. What a great job with renovating this restaurant. She told me they have a venue above the restaurant that can be rented for up to 80 people. There is an area in the restaurant where you can look up to the venue above.

Bar in the back of the restaurant. 

Original panel from torn down post off in Lithonia, Georgia.

The bar in the back is made of gorgeous wood and has seating all around it. On the very back wall there are panels from an old historic post office that was in Lithonia, Georgia. Teri explained the old post office was torn down back the 1950's and a gentleman from there saw they were trashing the panels and saved them.  He stored them for 45 years and then gave them her her for this restaurant.  What a wonderful addition. There are also antiques throughout the restaurant adding to the southern charm. They are open Monday - Saturday from 11 am to  2:30 pm for lunch and Thursday – Saturday from  5 pm to 8:30 pm for dinner. They are located at 114 N. Main Street, Greensboro, Georgia. The phone is 706-453-0800 and you can check them out at: www.theyesterdaycafe.com.

I would highly recommend this restaurant. Stop by and sit a spell. Say hi to Teri if you see her. She is a gem. We will be back.

Take time to enjoy life and great food. See you there. Bye for now.