Just outside the shadow of Georgia’s famous quartz monzonite dome, the historic village of Stone Mountain is beloved for its quaint Southern charm, antique shops, and proximity to the state’s most visited park. Recently, however, the local culinary scene has taken an unexpected and delightful turn. Blending traditional Deep South hospitality with the slow-paced, scratch-made craftsmanship of the North, The Hickory Hearth Amish Kitchen has opened its doors, offering a profoundly comforting dining experience to DeKalb County.
A Backstory Brought South
The journey of The Hickory Hearth began hundreds of miles north in Holmes County, Ohio—the heart of the world’s largest Amish settlement. For decades, the Hostetler family farmed the rolling hills and operated a small, highly sought-after roadside bakery. But the harsh Ohio winters eventually took their toll. Seeking a warmer climate and a longer growing season, patriarch Jacob Hostetler and his family made the rare decision to relocate southward.
Drawn by the natural beauty of Stone Mountain and the welcoming local community, the Hostetlers purchased a sprawling, vacant property just outside the main village. Over a busy year, the family and their extended community worked to transform a dilapidated 1940s barn into a stunning dining hall. They milled their own timber to build the heavy oak tables, installed soft gas lighting, and constructed a massive open-hearth kitchen. Today, The Hickory Hearth stands as a testament to hard work and the universal language of good, honest food.
Cultivating Comfort and Craft
Stepping into The Hickory Hearth is a welcome respite from the fast-paced modern world. The dining room is free of television screens and pop music, replaced instead by the gentle clatter of heavy ceramic plates and the irresistible aromas of roasted meats, cinnamon, and fresh-baked yeast dough…