Tarrer Inn, Colquitt, Georgia *****

If Edna Earl is anywhere NEAR South Georgia, she tries to stop in for a meal at Tarrer Inn. Located in a very nicely restored inn on the Courthouse Square in the little bitty town of Colquitt, Georgia, Tarrer Inn is no diner. Rather, it's a very nicely appointed "Sunday Dinner" sort of place, with white tablecloths and nice serving pieces. Now, don't get the wrong idea; Tarrer is not all frou-frou and pretentious, but it is nice and comfortable and reminds Edna Earl of family sit-down Sunday dinners from way back when she growing up. The food is served buffet style, but it's not one of those "all you can eat food trough" set-ups which Edna Earl despises. The food is served from chafing dishes -- they even have this giant seashell thing from which you can dip ice cream. Waiters bring your iced tea and keep your tea glass filled. The food is delicious, too, and very traditional -- fried chicken, baked chicken, baked ham, roast beef, all the traditional Southern vegetables you can think of, cornbread, biscuits, several salads, homemade pies, ice cream ... really a LARGE selection of very carefully prepared food. At about ten dollars a person last time Edna Earl visited, the cost is a little more than other "meat and threes," but EE would never put Tarrer Inn in the same classification as a "meat and three." It's much nicer.

Edna Earl likes the scene at Tarrer, too. It's not at all stuffy. There are all sorts of local folks in there talking, greeting each other, and sharing news. Let's put it this way: Tarrer Inn is a place your grandmother would love -- and you will, too.

Tarrer sets the standard that Edna Earl wishes a lot of other Southern restaurants would strive for.

One heads-up: Tarrer is open some weekdays, but they have a bit of a weird schedule. Twice Edna Earl has driven quite a distance to get there and found Tarrer closed -- so check the schedule before you go drivin' all the way to Colquitt.

Another heads-up: If you're in the mood for an adult beverage, you're outta luck. Tarrer Inn is not a drinking establishment. Listen to ol' Edna Earl -- It's your fantasy sweet Southern Grandma's dining room table -- on a Sunday back in time.