Daytrip!! - Stephens County Recreation Area / Broken Bridges

On the GA/SC border there is a beautiful piece of nature that we ventured to find when searching for nice, clean places to fish from the bank (we have no boat after all). The old Highway 123 bridge that once existed has now been remade and the original bridge stands in two pieces, with one being on the SC state line and the other on the GA state line.

On the SC state line it's called simply the 123 Bridge area and offers access to the bridge only, which will suit those looking to fish just fine.

On the GA side the bridge can be found in an area called the "Stephens County Recreation Area" and offers a boat ramp, the fishing bridge, various fishing spots from shore, restrooms, picnic areas with tables and grills. This side is very well kept up and is much nicer than the SC side respectively.

To get to either area, simply drive down Hwy 123 until you get to the SC/GA border. There are signs for both areas. Coming from SC the 123 Bridge access will be on the left; if you want to keep going to the Stephens County Recreation area then drive over the new bridge and immediately afterwards you'll see signs for the area on the left. 

Both are lovely for fishing however and the scenery is beautiful from either bridge. We watched a gorgeous sunset from here.

Tip: As part of Lake Hartwell, you can fish on either side with either license. This is one of the only bodies of water where both SC and GA have a reciprocal license agreement. Be aware though of what the creel / size limits are for each state as it may vary.

Also, the town of Toccoa, GA is only about 8 miles down the road from the bridge areas, so if you want to be near town access for food or other needs this fits the bill.

Food Review - Cheeseburger House

Restaurant: The Cheeseburger House

Location: 1622 Augusta St
Greenville, SC 29605
Phone (864) 520-1222

Hours
Monday - Saturday
11am-3pm


My Review:

As I've mentioned before, I'm a true fat girl. I love food.  Not only do I enjoy eating food, but I also just love watching it prepared and seeing what all types of applications you can use with it. Even if I don't particularly like that type of food I find it interesting to watch what people can make with it.


One of my favorite foods has always been a good burger. Growing up my Mom made what we called "Weasie burgers" (due to her nickname being Weasie). They were massive, juicy, beefy meals cooked on a grill with special things mixed in like onions and sauces. Later on as I got older I became the burger maker. Anyway, what's the point of all this you ask? Well, when I moved to Greenville I went on the search for a good burger. Not the fast food junk that is run of the mill.... I mean a REAL GOOD burger. The first I found was at The Trappe Door (That review to come in the future). But after researching online I was tipped off to this quaint little establishment called "Cheeseburger House" right down the road from my house. I've passed this place a zillion times and never noticed it. There's no big blinking signs; no fancy come hither billboards. It's a tiny spot tucked neatly between two other store fronts in a tiny strip mall.

Let me assure you my friends...... this has GOT to be the best kept secret in Greenville!!! It's a Mom & Pop type joint with the family-run feel of an old diner. The numbers of times I've been in there's always the same super-friendly staff working. They're the types who remember you and immediately ask how your Momma is doing. I've tried and swore to myself that the next time I went in I would try something new on the menu, (mainly the steak and cheese is what I'm leaning towards), but every time I step foot in the door I order the burger. I can't help it. It's mouth-watering and an addiction. So how do I order it?? Bacon cheeseburger with extra cheese, add mustard, add pickles. And an order of sweet potato fries, extra crispy. THE FRIES ARE TO DIE FOR!! Seriously. Just thinking about them makes my fat girl heart quiver. So on with the review!

Quality of Product:

• Superb. More than I could have expected. The burgers are a good size and have just enough of that slight 'crusty' layer to give some texture. They aren't dripping grease like most places who cook them this way. Comes loaded with lots of fresh veggies like onions, lettuce and tomato.
  As stated above, the fries are divine. The regular are awesome, but I'm a sweet potato girl myself and getting them cooked extra crispy.... perfection. They are deep fried, but not greasy at all and come in a LARGE quantity. I've ordered them with two people eating off of the one order and there were still plenty to take home. (And these are about the only fries that I can stand to reheat and eat... they don't get soggy like normal fries.) They also don't taste like they've been cooked in old grease and arrive fresh and hot.

Prices:

• The prices are pretty good. For two people eating burgers, with fries and two drinks it was about 16 bucks, which is pretty on par with a good sized burger combo from a fast food joint. But this food is so much more than that. Trust me. For the freshness and quality I would expect to pay more. They even have a quadruple burger that costs under ten bucks.

Service:

• Excellent. Very friendly staff who are always smiling and chatting with the customers. You can tell that this is the kind of place with regular customers, and that tells me that it's worth coming back for. They are only open from 11-3 so they get super busy at lunch. Even with that happening they are always gracious and very timely in getting the orders out.

If you enjoy a good burger then definitely check this place out. They also have a number of specialty burgers and sandwiches that sound wonderful.

Tip: This place is super tiny inside and gets busy quickly during lunch hours. The best times I've found to go is between 1-3pm. Also try to park on the right side of the ABC store instead of directly in front of the Cheeseburger House if you want an easier time getting out of the parking lot. You can also call in an order and pick it up and the food is still delicious when you get home.

As of this date, this rates as my favorite burger joint in the upstate and will remain so unless I find a worthy opponent that can take them down!

Happening Lately...

Well I do apologize for the absence but I was under the weather for a good while. Feeling better now though with some updates to post from the past month. Here we go!