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Serving Cornelia since 1996. 631 Irvin Street, Downtown Cornelia.

A Modern Take on the Classic Diner.

Good Food. Good Friends. Good Music.

Breakfast Friday & Saturday from 8AM.

Serving Cornelia since 1996. 631 Irvin Street, Downtown Cornelia.

A Modern Take on the Classic Diner

For over 150 years, Diners have been an American icon, and a place where anyone from the mayor to a street sweeper sit side by side and feel at home. With staff that treats you like family, and an environment that’s often noisy and full of laughter, it’s no wonder diners are popular with people of all age groups and backgrounds. The classic diner experience is all about becoming good friends with your waitress, and enjoying comfort food, in a place where stories are told and memories made.

 

Fenders embraces the best of diner hospitality, but reimagines the typical diner experience with creative alternatives to classic diner food, fun cocktails, and live music in a new outdoor venue that is unmatched in North Georgia.

 

Our DREAM is to create a space where people can be known, meet others, and create unforgettable memories. Every member of our team wants to become great friends, provide great food, and host great music. Those are all the ingredients needed for a GREAT life in the best place on this planet to live… in the beautiful North Georgia mountains.

The History

The building that is now home to Fenders Diner has been feeding the community of Cornelia for well over 100 years.  If these walls could talk, the stories they would tell.  The 100+ year old brick building started life as Burrell’s Market some time between the late 1900’s to early 1920’s, and it was owned by Winfred Wallace Burrell. As the story goes, he opened the store when his family moved down from Burton – before the lake was filled – between 1913 and 1920.  According to his grandson, the old Burrell family farm is now under water.

The market’s shelves were packed with every kind of food staple a small town north Georgia cook would need for an authentic southern meal.  Just a stone’s throw from the bustling railroad station, the market was likely first stop for many arriving in Cornelia.  The store was closed in the early 1950’s, that signaled the end of one chapter, but it was just the beginning of the story.

In the mid 1990’s, Russ & Judie Vinson were on a trip up north and they purchased an old diner with intentions to relocate it to North Georgia.  Their goal was to create a space that took you back to a simpler time, and provided a unique experience for all of North Georgia.  Fenders Diner was born in 1996, and it has been serving comfort food in Cornelia for almost 25 years.

Bradley & Sherry Cook took over from the Vinson’s and continued in their footsteps.  They successfully operated Fenders for many years.  During that time they expanded the hours, the menu, and the business as they added a catering operation and event facility.

Today

Jay Reeder bought Fenders in 2020 and brought it back — same retro soul, new kitchen. Chef-crafted dishes built on real ingredients. Handmade cathead biscuits made from scratch every morning. Springer Mountain Farms chicken in every chicken dish — Georgia-raised, clean, and noticeably different. Boozy milkshakes. The Big Dipper. The High Rise. Bourbon Peach Cobbler.

Breakfast launched Friday and Saturday starting at 8AM — and Sunday at noon. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. The Mister Monte. The Cathead Biscuit plate. Come hungry.

The mission is the same one this building has had for a hundred years: feed Cornelia well. Good food. Good friends. Good music. We’ve been making all three since 1996 — and we’re just getting started.

Awards & Accolades:

 

– In 2021, The Northeast Georgian Readers Choice Awards voted Fenders Diner the Best Dinner & Best Caterer in Habersham.

 

– In 2021, The Georgia Downtown Association recognized the public/private partnership that developed Fenders Alley with a statewide “Best Placemaking” award.

 

– In 2022, Georgia Trend Magazine and the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau recognized Fenders & Cornelia with a statewide “TravelBlazer” award for partnering to create one of the TOP new hospitality destinations in the state of Georgia.

 

– In 2022, Georgia Business Journal awarded Fenders Diner as Best Diner in Georgia.

State-wide Awards

The Kitchen

The Cathead Biscuit

Made from scratch. Every morning. Every breakfast sandwich at Fenders is built on one — the Hog & Hen, the Early Bird, the Rise and Swine. It’s the base of everything we do at breakfast, and the reason people come back for it. You can also order two as a side, any time of day.

Springer Mountain Chicken

Every chicken dish at Fenders — the Tender Bender, the Club Bird, the Southern Fried Chicken — is made with Springer Mountain Farms chicken. Georgia-raised, clean, and humanely treated. Not a commodity product. You taste the difference. That’s why we chose it and that’s why we’ve never changed it.

Opening hours

FOR LARGE PARTY RESERVATION, LEAVE MESSAGE @ (706) 776-2181
Tue-Thu
11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Popular Breakfast

Friday & Saturday 8AM | Sunday 12PM
  • Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
    Tall stack dusted in cinnamon with cream cheese icing — choice of bacon or sausage$13.00
  • Mister Monte
    Apple ham and swiss in brioche french toast, powdered sugar, berry compote$14.00
  • Brunch Burger
    Two smashed patties, smoked bacon, sunny side up egg, maple mayo on honeybuns$16.00
  • Cathead Biscuit Plate
    Made-from-scratch cathead biscuit, scrambled eggs, fried grit cake, bacon or sausage, fruit$11.00

Burgers & Favorites

  • The High Rise
    Four smashed patties, melty cheese, crisp bacon, LTO, house sauce, pickle$22.00
  • Smash Burger
    Two smashed patties, cheese, LTO, pickle, house sauce$14.00
  • Tender Bender
    Five massive Springer Mountain Farms tenders, redskin mashed potatoes, brown gravy — 11 flavor options$14.00
  • Southern Fried Chicken
    Springer Mountain Farms chicken, bourbon glaze, mashed potatoes, gravy, fried brussels sprouts$15.00
  • Fenders Melt
    Two smashed patties, caramelized onions, Swiss, American, honey mustard on sourdough$14.00
  • Chili Cheeseburger
    Two patties, pepper jack, house black bean and beef chili, queso$16.00

Desserts & Drinks

  • Bourbon Peach Cobbler
    House-made crust, caramel drizzle, vanilla ice cream — Georgia soul in a bowl$8.00
  • S'mores Brownie Tower
    Graham cracker crust, chocolate brownie, marshmallow top, chocolate, caramel, ice cream$12.00
  • Biscuit Beignets
    House biscuit dough, cinnamon sugar, maple honey drizzle$10.00
  • Boozy Milkshakes
    White Russian, Strawberry Heaven, Chocolate Martini, Tiramisu, Salted Caramel$12.00
  • Hard Soda Floats
    Blood orange or cream soda float — the adult version of a classic$11.00

This Week’s Specials

Tuesday
Tender Bender $8
5 Springer Mountain tenders + mashed potatoes. Plus $0.50 wings and $2 domestic drafts all day.
Wednesday
Pimento Cheeseburger $10
Two smashed patties, house-made honey jalapeno pimento cheese, bacon, fries. $2 off all canned beers.
Thursday
Country Fried Steak $10
Golden fried, white gravy, mashed potatoes. $2 off all bottled beers.
Friday
Famous Meatloaf $12
Any side, all day. On sourdough if you want it that way.

Testimonial”

Food is amazing and service is phenomenal! We had the Meatloaf Quesadilla, Deep Fried Deviled Eggs, and Andes Candies Ice Cream Sundae!

Tammy Cowart Patrick

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Fenders Diner tonight! The service was fantastic and the owners really care about their customers. Our food was delicious. We will definitely be back!!!!

Stacie Price Drake

Food is awesome and serice was absolutely wonderful. There were about 15 people in our party and everyone enjoyed. We will definitely be going back.

Maria Becker

Let us host your next celebration

CLICK HERE FOR CATERING OR LARGE PARTY RESERVATIONS

631 Irvin Street, Cornelia GA 30531

(706) 776-2181

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