The Pines of Alleghany

We love to go here when in Sparta! Great service and great food. Love the bbq ribs!

I come here when I want predictably good home style food. I can’t speak for the meats but they have a well stocked salad bar, great sides, and legit cornbread. Nothing fancy with parsley garnishes or swirly sauces just good food your mom would make on a regular Tuesday night. Sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for.

Went here a couple days ago on a recommendation from a friend who recently bought house in the surrounding area. I got a burger, wife got a hamburger steak and we were not disappointed. Typical country style dining and very friendly wait staff. Only reason for not the 5^th star was we were not told the desserts and could hear when some locals were waited on got the full rundown on desserts, no big deal, but we might have tried that chocolate peanut butter pie, but we also wanted to get back on the parkway on such a nice day. Definitely worth the stop if you going through here.

Are you people crazy? The Pines of Alleghany is dry. No beer. No wine. Plastic plates for the salad bar. Mediocre food. Pie served cold (not even room temperature). Bright lights everywhere. Major cleaning required. If you had not eaten in 3 days, I am sure you would be grateful for The Pines. But for a traveller who desires a good meal at the end of a long journey, this is not the place.

We had an excellent experience here Saturday evening! We had just finished watching the sun set at the top of Stone Mountain summit and were starving by 9pm. We searched Unilocal to find little between the park and the B & B we were staying and so we searched Sparta and found this restaurant that thankfully was still open.
We saw their sign indicating «home cooking» and home cooking is what we got. I expected mediocre diner food the way that it looked when we walked in — super bright fluorescent lights, a little outdated décor, but the booth cushion was very comfortable. Our waitress was fantastic — we asked for her fave dish and she recommended the all-​you-​can-​eat flounder and shrimp entrée that came with two sides and choice of bread (hushpuppies, rolls, or texas toast) for $ 13.99. I’m not one for all-​you-​can-​eat options nor fried seafood but after a strenuous hike, I was starving and it sounded great. Both of us got her recommendation (not normal — we usually choose different options and kind of go at it family style) and we got fried okra, cole slaw, mashed potatoes and green beans as sides and hush puppies and rolls.
The thing I noticed first is the amount of food that came out — it was a pile on the plate and I knew I wouldn’t need to get a second plate. The fish and the popcorn shrimp were NOT greasy or super oily. The batter was light and crispy — exactly how I like it. The fish tasted fresh and the sides were clearly home made. THe hush puppies were good though we barely touched them and the rolls seemed like they were out of a package. But overall, the food was actually fantastic!
It was my bf’s birthday and so the waitress gave him a coconut pie on the house — he devoured it despite his grumblings of being super full. Overall, the experience was exactly what we were hoping for — local joint, good home cooked food, and good service and affordable ($ 30 tab for two ppl). Enjoy!
Tip — no alcohol served here

Late on a Saturday, night and the staff was top notch in spite of the time. Grilled country pork chops were excellent with «I know my Momma made this cabbage and BIG sweet potato!» My bride loved the stuffed baby flounder, with home made Cole slaw and fried squash. To full to try the meringue pies. Best part – less than $ 30.00!

If you want a real southern breakfast served by real southern women, this is it. Breakfast specials are under $ 4 or $ 5, but you have to ask for them because they aren’t on the menu. I have visited the Pines many times over the past few years and never had bad service or bad food. I’ve only reviewed breakfast, but I’ve seen some of their lunch stuff and it looks GOOD! Don’t be surprised to get a «yall ain’t from around here are yah»? If you aren’t a regular. Doesn’t get much better than that.

The staff was really friendly and the place was full of locals. The stuffed flounder was delicious! The stuffing was very flavorful. It did take 25min but it was worth it. The baby back ribs were tender and fell off the bone. The sauce was sweet and really good.

After we cut down our tree, we decided to check out the local food scene. Unfortunately on. Sunday afternoon, there was little choice. So Unilocal search found this little joint a few minutes from the farm. Sweet people and great service. Food was pretty good. Inside was dated. Prices were ok. Overall a 3 star place. If you have to, so it.

Found The Pines of Alleghany through a Unilocal search during a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Kitchy atmosphere, sweet and attentive staff, basic but super-​budget-​friendly menu, and clean bathrooms. Stopped for an early lunch at 11am and learned that their popular lunch buffet for just $ 6.99 was about to be presented: all you can eat fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, baked apples, cabbage, and salisbury steak, plus your choice of hush puppies or corn bread.. We figured heck — how could we turn down that many possibilities for just $ 6.99? (Oh, and we added the salad bar for just a $ 1.00 more). Honestly, I expected to pay the $ 6.99 for the entertainment value of the buffet, not the quality of food, but was surprised and delighted by how absolutely tasty everything was. We had to physically restrain ourselves from going back to the buffet more than three times for fear we’d lapse into a blissful food coma and not be able to complete the drive. The Pines of Alleghany — we are still thinking about your fried chicken. Mmmm…

We were in Sparta on Sunday and were looking for a restaurant for lunch. The Pines of Sparta was the only choice other than Hardees that we found to be open. Maybe there was a Mexican one too. The parking lot had a number of cars, so we decided to stop. The Pines has evidently been here for quite a while with litte «deep cleaning,» updates, or renovations. We were greeted pleasantly and seated in a comfortable booth. The Pines seems to be the restaurant of choice for after church dining, and there were many senior citizens and families enjoying their meals. Hubby had Calabash style shrimp, and I had hamburger steak w/​mushroom gravy. There were many sides offered and a fresh-​looking salad bar too. We enjoyed our meal.

Stopped here for Sunday breakfast and was wowed by the ubber friendly staff at this restaurant that clearly has no competition… it’s in the middle of nowhere! we had a party of 9 and got seated in a private room in the back. The menu is standard southern with grits, biscuits and gravy galore. Biscuits are to die for. High points are crazy nice staff, super fast service, and reasonable prices. The place could use a solid cleaning but it’s absolutely worth the stop.

I think it’s called The Pines of Sparta now, with 577 N Main street as their address… Great place to catch a full breakfast. The buffet has everything and their biscuits are delicious! It’s not a super healthy joint, but it is something to fill your tummy. The ham was quite salty, but balanced out the biscuit. The omelet had some Kraft-​like cheese drizzled on it, but the contents were good and filling. The coffee was fairly watery, but that seemed like mountain standard. The waitress was friendly and timely. It was a fairly busy joint in the quiet town of Sparta. Good stop off when the lodge is closed in Doughton Park

Friendly service and good food at a reasonable price. If this is what you’re looking for The Pines fits the bill.
It’s not the fanciest place in town but I’ve never left hungry. Try the homemade Chicken Tenders or the Chuck Wagon Sandwich. Also their Fried Okra is a winner too.