Visiting the Original Chick-fil-A Dwarf House Grill - 2023/11/13

Continuing our Thanksgiving Road Trip to Colorado, our next stop after leaving the World of Coca-Cola was another native Georgia business that is near and dear to us. From Hapeville Georgia, it's the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House. One of my first jobs was working for Chick-fil-A when I was in High School, along with both my brother and Sister-in-Law. 

And this isn't just any random Chick-fil-A either. This is the original! (or at least where the original used to be) 

Located just off the I-75, next to a set of railroad tracks, is the location of S. Truett Cathy's original restaurant. Opened in 1946 and originally called the Dwarf Grill because it was a small location with just 4 booths and 10 stools at the counter. 

The four of us arrived to a very crowded parking lot, which wasn't a surprise considering it was 12:30pm, prime lunchtime dining hours. 

The front patio area where you can see the stone-block chimney is in the location of the original building, which stood from 1946-1967. 

As we walked up, the kids quickly found a small play area which looks like the red roof of a previous restaurant. Turns out, it's based on the 1967 remodel, and the red roof that covered that building. 

But today, we are at the latest remodel, completed in 2022, and paying tribute to the two buildings which proceeded it. 

Once you enter, you see Zelma's Pie Shop immediately to the left, serving a variety of ice box pies.

There are two different choices you face when you come inside for food though. To the right is a standard Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant with chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, lemonade, and everything you expect to see at Chick-fil-A. There's about 3000 of these types of restaurants in the world. 

On the left however is something a bit more unique. The Chick-fil-A Dwarf House is full-service diner style restaurant with an expanded menu. There are only 5 Dwarf Houses and they're all in Georgia! Of course that's the place we're going to visit! 

Because it's a sit-down location, we had to wait for a booth to open up. Because it's so busy, we'll have to wait 10-15 minutes for something to be free. 

Looking a little at the merchandise we could buy. Shirts, keychains, mugs, and books. Nothing that really caught our eye. Let's go explore a little bit! 

At the entrance is a helpful map, showing the locations of different points of interest at this site. 

Out front is a bronze statue of Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, sitting on a bench and drinking what is surely an ice cold lemonade. 

The brick for this entrance was salvaged from the 1967 remodel. 

And the little red door of the dwarf house is an actual entrance. 

With glass salvaged from the original Dwarf Grill. 

Coming out the door. 

At the front patio area, where a carved brick wall shows what each of the different buildings from 1946, 1957 (when a chimney and porch was added), and 1967 when it was remodeled. 

Some beautiful outdoor seating for when the weather is pleasant. 

While there's not really a playground to speak of, like you might find at a typical Chick-fil-A, there's a few things to play on. 

These oversize lemon wedges, waffle fries, and pickles provide an area for climbing. 

Just about time for us to be seated. These red lanterns in the lobby are also recovered from the old restaurant. 

While we wait, we watch the dwarves shuffle from their house to their mine, then returning with full bags of treasure. 

Our time has arrived! We were led into diner, where the original 14 stools from the 1967 Dwarf House were still right by the counter, waiting for patrons to fill them. 

We have a booth not far away. 

Looking at the original 1967 menu board. Did you know that even though the Dwarf Grill opened in 1946, the sandwich which would make it famous was not invented until 1964? I love that menu shows when each of the different items was introduced. 

Look at the different options. The All-Day breakfast menu including Chicken and Waffles (one of my favorites).

And the different side dishes that are available. 

So what makes the Dwarf House menu special? There's a lot more stuff on it that you can't find at a regular Chick-fil-A! Battered Pickle appetizers? Sides that include Fried Okra, Sweet Potato Soufflé, and more? 

And then there's the dessert menu with ice box pies and fried pies! Or the all-day breakfast! I'm tempted to try them all!

Before we were seated, the hostess let the kids know about a scavenger hunt they have going on at the restaurant. 

Hidden around the restaurant are 15 little statues of dwarves. Find them all and you can win a treat! The kids love scavenger hunts and treats! They took off with a phone so they could document which ones they found. 

Here's a few of them. 

Letting them run around outside to find a few more. They're definitely getting bigger, and getting a bit more independence. 

Checking with a couple Chick-fil-A team members to figure out which ones they are missing and getting some hints. 

Our meal has arrived!

Each entree comes with 2 sides, so we opted to try many of the things we couldn't get anywhere else. 

Theresa chose the Chick-fil-A Omelet with Chick-fil-A chicken and cheddar cheese, along with a side of breakfast potatoes and raisin toast ($11.15). She had asked for plain toast, but the raisin toast came out with the meal. She hadn't had raisin toast in years, but tried it an enjoyed it. 

She said the omelet itself was "obscene" and no way this was 380 calories. Lots of egg and filled with cheese and chicken, it was thicker and greasier than she would have liked. 

Alli decided to go with a Chick-fil-A original chicken sandwich ($12.65). The entree comes with 2 sides, we we picked the fried okra and waffle fries. I thought the $12.65 was a little pricy especially considering this didn't include a drink.  

Ian has opted for the Spicy Chick-fil-A sandwich, with the Sweet Potato Soufflé and waffle fries. 

I had multiple options that I was considering, but there's something I wanted to have from Chick-fil-A since I found out it existed. You know how their slogan is "Eat Mor Chikin" and their advertisements prominently feature cows? Only at the Dwarf House can you get a Chick-fil-A Hamburger. That's what I'm going to have. 

Ian called it "The Chicken's Revenge". 

Touted as the Giant Burger ($16.55) this was one of the original menu items from 1946. 

For sides, I picked the 2 corn bread muffins and Crispy Sprouts. I have to say though, those corn bread muffins look pretty pathetic compared to other sides like waffle fries or sweet potatoes. 

The Giant Burger consists of 2 hamburger patties along with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and a pickle. 

For $16.55 (again, no drink) in my mind, I was thinking it would be a little more giant. 

But, I did finally get my wish of eating a hamburger at Chick-fil-A. 

How was it? Honestly what I would expect from a diner. The bun was buttered and rich. It was cheesy and greasy. Everything you'd want from a roadside hamburger. 

The kids both liked their sandwiches. Not straying from their normal Chick-fil-A orders, I'm not surprised. 

Now, let's talk about the side dishes! 

The Crispy Sprouts are, of course, brussel sprouts. Halved, soaked in oil and roasted. 

Are they tasty? Yes, but considering they are dripping oil, it's no surprise. I tried a bite and thought they were good. 

Fried Okra? Don't mind if I do. Anything that is battered and fried, even if it's a vegetable, should still be pretty tasty. These were!

The biggest disappointment were the corn bread muffins. Alli had requested them and after taking a bite, she was done. Dry. Overcooked. We left these on our plate, barely touched, when we left. 

The real star for me though, was the Sweet Potato Soufflé! It had a really good flavor and was super light. The sweet potato had hardly any texture. Like a pudding or a mousse. I thought it was delicious. 

And having filled ourselves this morning on different sodas from the World of Coca-Cola, and stuffing ourselves on so many different foods here at the Dwarf House, I'm sad to say that none of us could find room for dessert. Those fried pies will have to wait for another day. 

But, the kids made sure to get their scavenger hunt treat. It's a cup of Icedream for each of them! 

This Chick-fil-A Dwarf House stop has been on our list of sites to visit for a really long time! I'm glad we got to check it out! Time to continue our road trip! 

Things have taken a little longer than we had hoped this morning. We're meeting up with family in 4:30 hours! Unfortunately we're 5:30 hours away! Let's hope we can make good time!