One of the most fun things to do in Eastman is to broodingly stare at the town square like you’re a local philosopher. But if you’d rather savor a meal than contemplate the quiet rhythms of small-town Georgia, you need some guidance, because there just aren’t that many standout spots. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you. Here are the best restaurants open right now.
The Frozen Bean
$ | (478) 559-1129 | WEBSITE
When you stop by The Frozen Bean, you can hope for a spot by the window, but there’s no guarantee of morning light during your visit. At least there are cozy seats and avocado toast with grape tomatoes, smashed avocado, balsamic drizzle, and feta cheese crumble at The Frozen Bean.
Sharks Fish & Chicken Chicago Style
$ | (478) 559-3171 | WEBSITE
When it opened its doors in Eastman, Sharks already had a reputation for serving the best fried chicken in the area (granted, that’s a claim that would start a lot of debates). Now it also offers a generous menu and great seafood. Order the catfish nuggets and one of their perfectly seasoned shrimp baskets, sit in the cozy dining area, and know that there are few people in town enjoying a better comfort food experience than you at that precise moment in time.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
$ | (478) 374-2713 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving something more casual than the usual sit-down spots, head to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill on the east side. You won’t get white-tablecloth service like at fancier restaurants, but you get the same satisfying meals, the same made-to-order freshness, and unlike those places, you can even grab a quick bite here late at night when the excellent evening shift is running things.
Village Pizza
$ | (478) 374-3312 | WEBSITE
If a bustling atmosphere, extensive menu options, and a trendy salad bar are not items you require in a pizza joint, then Village Pizza should suit you just fine. While the single-waitress service might not garner the most enthusiastic endorsement from us, at least there are delicious New York style pizzas here, which are really all you need on a casual evening anyway.
Burger King
$ | (478) 374-5213 | WEBSITE
You might be tempted to let your kids run wild in the giant playground at this Burger King in Eastman. That’s chaotic, exhausting, and messy, so you probably shouldn’t encourage it, but nevertheless, that’s how family-friendly this place feels. The menu features a couple of Burger King staples like the Whopper Jr duos for $5 and breakfast options, but is mostly focused on some decent takeout meals to go along with the clean, friendly environment.
Captain D’s
$ | (478) 374-4001 | WEBSITE
Does the drive-thru count as ‘fine dining’? A food critic might find it hard to award Michelin stars from there, and all of their tasting menus would draw a line of cars, but since those sound like great plot twists for a fast-casual film, we’ll let it slide. Plus, you can almost taste the freshness in the spicy fish sandwich at Captain D’s, so really, you could also say you spent your afternoon enjoying seafood ‘with care.’
Rolling In Dough Eastman Ga
$ | (478) 559-1238 | WEBSITE
Much like a doughnut lover who craves something beyond the ordinary, you’ll be equally delighted at Rolling In Dough. Their breakfast menu has biscuits on the griddle, eggs cooked to order, and even more options like the standout Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit, all of which taste like Grandma’s. There are also freshly made doughnuts that aren’t overly sweet or greasy and amazing service from the friendly staff, which means worrying about calories wasn’t that important after all.
Huddle House
$ | (478) 374-5088 | WEBSITE
The food and service at the Huddle House in Eastman are just OK. But the hometown hospitality, the welcoming atmosphere, and the family-friendly vibe are more than worth eating some just OK food. If the town of Eastman needed a place to feel appreciated, it would come here to this clean spot with friendly waitstaff, generous fries, and lots of people enjoying the MVP meal.
Jack’s
$ | (912) 428-7473 | WEBSITE
From the outside, Jack’s in Eastman just looks like your typical fast-food burger joint. But if you’ve eaten there, you know it’s a much better option, and if you’ve tried their shakes, you know it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours enjoying some fantastic, thick shakes and eating great burgers. The Big Jack Double and Number 5 meal are highlights, consistently hot, fresh, and delicious when everything’s right.
The staff is friendly and professional, and management aims to provide excellent service. However, recent visits have shown inconsistencies—sometimes the buns are hard, items are missing, or service feels off. Still, at around $8-12 for a combo, it’s a satisfying dining experience when it hits the mark, especially with that espresso shake.
Shug’s BBQ & Catering
$ | (478) 374-2388 | WEBSITE
For most of the week, Shug’s BBQ & Catering is the type of bustling local spot where you might see someone grabbing a pulled pork sandwich while waiting in the drive-thru line. On weekends, it’s the type of place where you might see someone grabbing a pulled pork sandwich while waiting in the drive-thru line surrounded by the smoky aroma of ribs, the chatter of satisfied customers, and the hum of activity. Man, barbecue’s the freaking best.
I Heart Tacos
$ | (478) 559-3200 | WEBSITE
So, you really want to go to Eastman for some Mexican food. We swear we’ve heard that one before, somewhere. If you’re looking for a spot with exceptional tortilla chips as well, then I Heart Tacos is your only choice. Let’s start with the good news – this place has been making improvements to both the outside and inside, creating a more inviting space with more seating, which helps reduce wait times during busy periods. The bad news?
It’s a busy restaurant in middle Georgia, so you might have to wait a bit during peak hours. But hey, look, there’s some guacamole on the table!
Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings
$ | (478) 374-3888 | WEBSITE
There’s chicken fingers at Zaxby’s, just like the fast food we used to crave. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the friendly chatter of satisfied customers, though if someone starts raising their voice, you may want to hold off on ordering extra sauce. There’s consistently good food, but just like other quick-service spots, the service here can be hit or miss.
El Rancho Mexican Restaurant
$ | (478) 374-4420 | WEBSITE
The fajitas at El Rancho, just like the atmosphere, are above average. But really the best part about El Rancho is the fresh tortilla chips and mild salsa that you can enjoy as a starter, which does have the best flavor of the meal. So grab a cold beer at El Rancho, then dig into the grilled chicken with queso and bell peppers for a main course. Rinse and repeat until the sopapillas arrive, or at least until the friendly staff catches on.
