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About

Fenders Diner has been a north Georgia classic for decades. Restored and relaunched in 2020 to reimagine the classic diner, join us to experience premiere comfort food and unsurpassed hospitality – all wrapped up in our retro style.

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

After closing in 2020, Jay & Melissa Reeder completely restored this classic diner, reimagining the diner experience, while keeping the iconic retro style. The *New* Fenders features a menu with a fun fresh take on classic diner favorites by an experienced chef. Today, we’re proud to carry on the tradition of those who came before us with a focus on serving exceptional comfort food (with fresh ingredients cooked to order) and unmatched hospitality. We love this tradition and the rich history of Cornelia, and want to create a place where our community can enjoy great food and drinks while celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or just life in the North Georgia mountains.

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.

State-wide Awards

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

11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Popular Breakfast (served all day)

Fenders Breakfast
2 scrambled eggs served with southern buttermilk biscuit, grit cake, and bacon or sausage.$9.50
Breakfast at Mom's
Southern buttermilk biscuit topped with sausage gravy, home fries, and two scrambled eggs$10.50
French Toast
Decadent orange zest French toast with honey-cinnamon butter, bacon or sausage$11.50

Popular Lunch & Dinner Entrees

The Brunch Burger
Two patties topped with bacon, egg, and cheese, with maple mayo on a funnel cake bun. Served with fries.$14.00
Steak and Loaded Potato
Pepper and garlic rub 8 oz steak topped with chimichurri served with beer batter fried loaded baked potato$19.00
Chicken Quesadilla
Large chicken, bacon, ranch quesadilla served with pico de gallo$13.00
Shrimp & Grits
Fried grit cakes with shrimp, cream sauce, spinach, onion, red pepper, and bacon$15.00

DAILY BRUNCH & SPECIALS

Tues-Friday before 4pm

Senior Early Bird Special - Dine-In Only - with ID showing 60 or over, receive 30% off ANY Entree

Tuesday

1/2 OFF Tender Meal ($6.00) - Tap That Tuesdays with $2.00 domestic draft beer

Wednesday

Endless Spaghetti Meal ($8.95) - Whiskey Wednesdays with 1/2 off whiskey cocktails

Thursday

Chicken Parmesan ($6.95)

Saturday & Sunday

Saturday & Sunday Brunch with Chef Specials, All You Can Eat Biscuit/Pancake Bar, Eggs Benedict, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, and others served in addition to the standard menu (ALL DAY)

Sunday

10% off with church bulletin

View full menu

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Gallery

If a picture says a thousand words, then you can imagine how long it would take to describe all our mouthwatering selections.

Meet the Chef

Chef Doug McAlexander oversees Fenders creative menu. Long before becoming a chef, his competitiveness and passion for excellence led him to play basketball at the University of Georgia. After college, he attended and graduated Le Cordon Blue, and has decades of experience as corporate chef for organizations like the Atlanta Falcons. While heading up the culinary program at the Falcons training camp, his efforts were recognized by Sports Illustrated magazine as producing the best food nationwide for any NFL team. We’re excited that he’s now heading up efforts to create fantastic food at Fenders Diner & Fenders Alley, in coordination with Chef Jason Vullo at Community Brew & Tap. When he’s not cooking, you can find him checking on tables to make sure guests are loving their meals.

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

USE CONTACT FORM BELOW FOR LARGE PARTY RESERVATIONS

631 Irvin Street, Cornelia GA 30531

(706) 776-2181

Fenders Diner

Fenders Alley - Outdoor FUN!

Unmatched Service with Retro Style