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Fenders Diner is an Iconic Retro Diner in Historic Cornelia Georgia

Fenders Diner

Fenders Alley - Outdoor FUN!

Unmatched Service with Retro Style

Fenders Diner is an Iconic Retro Diner in Historic Cornelia Georgia

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

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 modern take on classic diner favorites that are chef inspired.  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 inside the diner surrounded by a retro atmosphere, or outside in North Georgia’s premiere outdoor entertainment venue, 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.

 

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

State-wide Awards

Opening hours

FOR LARGE PARTY RESERVATION, LEAVE MESSAGE @ (706) 776-2181
Tue-Thu
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday
11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday
11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Popular Breakfast (served all day)

  • Fenders Breakfast
    2 scrambled eggs served with southern buttermilk biscuit, grit cake, and bacon or sausage.$10.00
  • Breakfast at Mom's
    Southern buttermilk biscuit topped with sausage gravy, home fries, and two scrambled eggs$11.00
  • French Toast
    Decadent orange zest French toast with honey-cinnamon butter, bacon or sausage$11.00

Popular Lunch & Dinner Entrees

  • Fenders Muffaletta
    Salami, ham, olive spread and provolone cheese served on our house made focaccia with garden on the side$12.00
  • Filet Beef Tips
    Tender beef tips served over seasoned hashbrowns smothered with brown gravy and topped with swiss cheese and green onion$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

  • Tuesday
    Tenders Rolled in Favorite Sauce and Served with Fries ($6.95)
  • Wednesday
    Fried Shrimp Basket or Fried Shrimp Scampi ($6.95)
  • Thursday
    Chicken Parmesan ($6.95)
  • Sunday
    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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    Meet the Chef

    Chef Jason Vullo oversees Fenders creative menu. He came to us from Rathbun’s Steakhouse, but many locals know him from his time at Chives in Clarkesville.  When he’s not leading the team at Community Brew & Tap, he’s guiding efforts to create fantastic food at Fenders Diner & Fenders Alley (all in the Cornelia Entertainment District).  He loves creating fantastic food as much as we love eating it.  Most nights you can find him checking on tables to make sure guests are LOVING their meals as well.

    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

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    Fenders Diner

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    Located in Historic Cornelia Georgia Entertainment District

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