Way out on a country road near McRae-Helena, there is a supper club that people happily drive an hour to reach. Cedar Lane Supper Club is known for a salad bar so big it gets talked about more than anything else on the menu.
The catfish has fans too, and so does the pond out back full of hungry fish. Here is what I learned about planning a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night supper at this South Georgia favorite.
A Steakhouse Hiding on Grahamville Road
Picture a long stretch of quiet South Georgia road, then a parking lot suddenly packed with cars. That is usually your first sign you have found Cedar Lane Supper Club at 150 Grahamville Rd in McRae-Helena.
On paper, it is listed as a steak house. In practice, it is a full steak and seafood supper spot with a reputation that stretches well past Telfair County.
Visitors keep describing it as tucked into the middle of nowhere, and they mean that as a compliment.
The place holds a 4.4-star rating across more than 800 reviews, which is a lot of opinions for a restaurant out in the woods. One diner admitted being shocked to find something so unique in the countryside around McRae.
Another said it is not that far out of town, yet still feels like a world away from home.
I love spots like this because they reward people willing to take the back roads. You will not stumble onto it on a highway exit.
You have to mean to go, and that makes the first plate feel earned.
Taxidermy, Veteran Tributes, and Hunting Cabin Charm
Walk inside and your eyes need a minute to catch up. The walls are crowded with mounted animals, rustic touches, and an eclectic mix of things that feel collected over years rather than bought from a catalog.
One guest compared the feel to a hunter’s cabin, only much bigger. Others call it rustically decorated and very large, with a dining room that holds a serious crowd.
Several regulars note the place has expanded over time while keeping its old character.
Here is a fun bit I picked up from reviews: much of the taxidermy and the veteran decor was donated to the restaurant. That gives the room a community scrapbook quality, with pieces that came from locals rather than a designer.
Fair warning, the decor is not for everyone. A couple of reviewers mention Confederate flags and political items on display, and at least one visitor said that kept them from returning.
Knowing that ahead of time lets you decide for yourself whether the setting suits your group.
The Salad Bar Everyone Talks About
Over 230 reviews bring up the salad bar, and that number alone tells the story. People do not just mention it, they rave about it like it is the main event.
Diners describe a dizzying spread with just about anything you could imagine putting on a plate. Think pasta salads, chicken salad, pea salad, potato salad, and coleslaw alongside the usual fresh greens and toppings.
One visitor claimed it had the best blue cheese of their life, which is quite a statement.
A group that drove an hour to test the hype said the salad bar alone was worth the trip. Another guest who rarely goes back for seconds admitted they could have made a whole meal from it.
Someone else simply called it the most amazing salad bar their eyes had ever seen.
My advice matches the title of this piece. Order your entree, then head straight to the bar while the kitchen works.
Pace yourself, though, because the main course is still coming.
Fried Catfish, Fillet or Whole
Once the salad plate is cleared, the catfish deserves your attention. It is the second most mentioned dish here, and fans speak about it with real affection.
One couple who ordered the three-piece catfish said they were not disappointed in the size, flavor, or freshness. They usually bring a couple of pieces home to enjoy the next day.
Another diner said the fried whole cats were prepared well even when other seafood on the table fell short.
The whole catfish seems to be the insider pick. A guest who got the fillet on a seafood platter said it came out well-fried and wished they had ordered the whole fish instead.
A wife on a day trip loved her whole catfish too.
Not every review agrees, as one visitor years ago felt theirs tasted muddy. Still, most of the chatter leans warm.
If you only order one thing beyond the salad bar, catfish is the move most regulars would point you toward.
Ribeyes, Prime Rib, Delmonico, and Even Bison
It is a steak house, after all, so the beef deserves a look. A party that made a long drive said their ribeyes were thick, juicy, and cooked just right.
Prime rib also gets solid praise, with returning guests calling it extremely good. The Delmonico steak pops up in conversations as well.
And here is a surprise for a country supper club: one fan was thrilled to find bison on the menu.
Now for the honest part. A few diners felt their steak or fillet came out overcooked and tough.
One longtime visitor offered a smart tip, suggesting you order your steak a little less done than you normally would since the kitchen tends to run a touch over.
I would follow that advice. Ask for medium rare if you like medium, and you will likely land right where you want.
Pair it with the salad bar and you have a proper country steak supper.
Seafood Platters and Fried Oysters
Seafood this far inland in South Georgia is always a bit of a gamble, and diners here have mixed feelings. Even so, the seafood platter has its loyal fans.
One birthday guest said the big surprise of the night was the fried oysters. Good oysters are hard to find in this part of the state, and these were tasty.
Another wife was happy with most of her platter, and a visitor who drove an hour said the fish was just right.
The flip side shows up in recent reviews. Some guests found the crab cakes fishy or marginal and thought the grouper, salmon, and grilled shrimp lacked quality.
A grilled salmon fillet still earned praise from one day-tripper, so results seem to vary.
My takeaway is simple. Lean toward the fried items, especially oysters and catfish, which earn the steadiest compliments.
Skip the more delicate dishes if you want the safest bet.
Feeding the Carp From the Back Porch
Bring some quarters for the best entertainment in town. Fish food is sold inside, and the pond out back is full of eager takers.
A long porch runs along the back of the dining room, overlooking a large pond. Visitors describe schools of very large carp, catfish, and some big turtles rising to the surface.
One reviewer joked that the carp are each bigger than an armadillo.
Families say it is a perfect way to pass the time while waiting for food. One guest remembers feeding ducks and fish before the steaks arrived.
It also makes for fun photos, especially with kids leaning over the rail.
Honestly, this might be my favorite detail about the whole place. A supper club where dessert is optional but feeding giant fish is practically required feels wonderfully Georgia.
Pond and Lake Views From the Dining Room
Some restaurants hang landscape paintings. Cedar Lane just points you toward the windows.
The building sits on a beautiful large pond, and guests mention both pond and lake views as part of the appeal. One recent diner described the atmosphere as comfortable and refreshing, thanks in large part to that setting.
Arriving near opening at 5 pm gives you softer evening light over the water. It turns an ordinary supper into something that feels a little like a getaway.
Another visitor said the view and the interactions there were a real plus.
If you can, grab a seat with a look outside. Then step out on the deck before or after your meal, as one longtime fan urged, and enjoy the quiet country air.
Live Bands Next Door
Plenty of folks finish supper and discover the night is not over. Live music is a recurring theme, with more than a dozen mentions in reviews.
Diners say there is often family-friendly live music during the meal. One guest also learned there is a neighboring bar building with live bands and pool tables.
Sometimes there is a cover charge for the bands, so bring a little extra cash.
That combination makes it a natural pick for birthdays or a fun weekend outing with friends. Eat, shoot some pool, catch a song or two, and drive home on the back roads.
Check with the restaurant about who is playing before you go. Calling ahead at 229-868-5798 is the easiest way to find out.
Service, Speed, and a Few Quirks
When it works, service here wins people over fast. One unplanned visitor was seated within ten minutes at 5:30 pm and had food on the table ten minutes later.
Many guests describe a sweet, friendly staff and service that moves quickly despite the very large dining room. Another birthday group was seated right away on a Friday and had drinks almost immediately.
Huge drink sizes also earn a happy mention.
Still, some quirks are worth knowing. One couple was surprised to receive their check before the entree arrived, and the cashier told them that is simply how the restaurant has done it for years.
Larger parties have reported an automatic gratuity being added, with tips pooled among staff.
A few diners also felt their server was hard to find on a slower night. Go in expecting a fast-paced, old-school system rather than a lingering fine-dining pace, and you will likely be fine.
Who Will Love It, and Who Might Not
Think of a big Southern family supper with grandparents, cousins, and kids racing to the fish pond. That is the crowd this place seems built for.
Reviewers describe it as family oriented and the perfect spot if you want a classic southern family diner feel. Birthday groups, road trippers, and day-trippers all find something to like.
One guest called it a great destination for a day trip, and another said it is worth the drive if you love good food and small adventures.
On the other hand, picky food critics may leave less impressed. A few people felt the entrees did not match the prices, and one diner said they enjoyed the atmosphere and service more than the food.
Folks sensitive to political decor might also want to skip it.
If generous portions, country charm, and a legendary salad bar sound good, you will probably be happy. Bring a to-go box, since many people end up with tomorrow’s lunch.
Hours, Prices, and Getting There
Plan carefully, because the kitchen keeps a short schedule. Cedar Lane is open only Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 to 9 pm, and closed Sunday through Wednesday.
Prices land on the higher side for a country spot. One diner noted the salad bar alone runs about $18, and you can go back as often as you like.
A couple who shared one entree plus two salad bars paid around $60, while a party of 14 reported a bill near $600 with gratuity added.
Arriving early is a smart move. A regular warned that the dining room fills up quickly, and another said not to let a busy parking lot scare you off.
The address is 150 Grahamville Rd, McRae-Helena, GA 31055. Call 229-868-5798 or visit the restaurant’s website for menu details before setting out on those scenic back roads.
My Take on the Drive Out
So, is it worth the trip? For most people, the answer seems to be a happy yes.
The salad bar alone has turned first-timers into regulars, and the fried catfish gives you a reason to save room. Add a pond full of giant carp, quirky donated decor, and live music nearby, and you get an evening that feels different from any chain restaurant.
It is not flawless. Some entrees miss, prices run high, and the service style can feel rushed to newcomers.
Still, a 4.4-star rating from hundreds of guests says the good nights far outnumber the rough ones.
My plan would be simple: show up close to 5 pm on a Friday, load a plate at the salad bar, order the whole catfish, and save a few quarters for the fish. Then take the long way home.
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