6725 GA-17, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523 (We also consider this a Sautee Nacoochee and Helen dining and drinking option too as it is not far from Sautee Nacoochee Center and Folk Art Museum and not far from the main strip in Helen)
We usually make a point of having a drink at the Dugout before or after we attend an event at the Sautee Nacoochee Center and Folk Art Museum, and recently decided to stay for Sunday brunch after reading the Sunday specials that day. The Dugout has a number of TVs and fine sports memorabilia decorating the walls, so while it is a sports bar, it is also a dining establishment for a meal with your family, a date, or by yourself at the bar. We also really liked the variety of artwork on the outside windows, that reminded us of a kind of “sports inspired street art” that was whimsical and cool, and this original artwork sent the message that this was going to be a fun place to watch sports and hang out!”
We learned that the Sunday specials, as well as all the lunch and dinner choices, are handmade to order, with a lot of pride from the kitchen, and the Sunday specials do change each Sunday (all the more reason to return). Please note many restaurants in North Georgia close early on Sundays, so Dugout is a great choice for a late brunch or early support on a Sunday (when most every other restaurant is closed.) We had a charming, attentive, professional bartender (gentleman named Asa), and we could see that all the tables were being attended to professionally and efficiently by the staff we observed on the floor. So with the great first impression of the staff and service, we were excited for our meal.
The dry rub wings were fresh and definitely straight out of the fryer, not spicy, but a good rub and I wager their sauces would complement them well, but I just prefer a hint of blue cheese if I even dip my dry rub wings at all. The Reuben sandwich was outstanding. The pulled pork was special and true pulled pork crafted in the kitchen, the ratio of pulled pork to the other ingredients was just right and nicely layered, and the bread was not too thick! So often a Reuben is overpowered by two large slice of buttered bread, but this was just the right type of panini style bread that was flavorful but there to keep the sandwich together and add some crunch. This was also the first Reuben I had ever seen served with an “au jus.” This delightful “au jus” was almost acidic so added a tang to the sandwich bite, and we dipped the sandwich in the “au jus” every other bite! We also had the Sunday special Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and collards, and i requested the gravy on the side. The bartender Asa suggested white grave for the steak, and brown gravy for the potatoes and that was the right call! What a pro! The greens and the potatoes were very good, and the chicken fried steak was top notch.
The Dugout has a fine menu for lunch and dinner, all kinds of burgers and sandwiches and a special crab legs night on Thursday and Prime Rib on Fridays. #NorthGeorgiaCulture will be back, and when you go to Dugout, please tell them you read this review on NorthGeorgiaCulture.com.
