Review: Georgia Boy Cafe in Hagerstown, MD

Meal: Weekday Lunch
Atmosphere: Casual
Service: Slow But Friendly
Prices: Reasonable
Food: Very Good

Georgia Boy Cafe at Park Circle is located at 325 Virginia Avenue in Hagerstown, MD. Local residents will recognize the establishment as the former The Grille at Park Circle. The atmosphere is casual inside, with a bar and dining tables to the right of the entrance, and another dining room on the left. The interior is dimly lit and feels a bit dingy. Overall, the décor could use an update.

Dining Companion (DC) and I decided to try a weekday lunch at Georgia Boy Cafe. We stood at the front entrance for a while before we were greeted by the staff. Our server—who also served as host—was pleasant and polite, but not overly engaging. The restaurant was empty when were entered, but by the time we left three additional tables of customers had entered the dining room. In addition, Georgia Boy Cafe seems to do brisk take-out business.

The menu at Georgia Boy Cafe includes many typically “southern” dishes, such as fried chicken, fried catfish, collard greens, and black-eyed peas. Standard fare like burgers, salads, and crab cakes are also offered. DC ordered the BBQ Ribs entree ($15.95), which included corn bread and two sides. In this case, DC asked for corn and the macaroni and cheese. I ordered the club sandwich ($5.95).

The service, though polite, was extremely slow. DC and I waited almost an hour before our food was finally delivered to the table.

DC pronounced the ribs “very good,” and definitely worth the price. They were tender, juicy and flavorful. The rib sauce was the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The macaroni and cheese also got high praise from DC. We both thought the corn bread was a bit crumbly but very tasty.

My club sandwich was loaded with meat. It was an extremely large portion of food and was more than I could eat. The meat was tasty, the bacon was crisp, and the veggies seemed fresh. Overall, this was one of the better club sandwiches I've eaten in the Hagerstown area.

The restroom in Georgia Boy Cafe could use a little updating, and it appeared that the soap dispenser was leaking onto the counter. However, everything was fully stocked and reasonably clean.

My verdict: If you're looking for traditional southern homestyle food, Georgia Boy Cafe is your best choice in Hagerstown. However, allow plenty of time for your meal, because the service can be slow.

Tastefully Yours,

Ms. Dish