By Lee Bowden

Chain restaurants mean absolutely nothing to me. I know the food is typically fine, the service is good and the prices are fair for what you get, but I’ve simply been spoiled by the many local restaurants in Gwinnett County who follow a more seasonal structure in their menu-crafting. I mean no judgment towards all my Longhorn lovers out there, but I’m a fan of change and seasonality in food is something that can transform someone’s entire dining experience from tasty to transcendent. One such restaurant at the top of my dining list every fall and winter is the Local Station in Braselton. 

Visit the heart of Downtown Braselton and see for yourself just how unique the flavors are at this converted 1950s service station. Local Station boasts a chef-driven menu focused on American flavors, with plenty of patio seating, a well-stocked bar and daily seasonal food and drink specials. It was a lovely day outside when my partner and I rolled into town, so we decided to take up a shady corner on the patio under their iconic lime green umbrellas and order a feast fit for a king (or two very hungry people who skipped breakfast). 

I urge anyone who comes to Local Station to order their Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer. Tender tuna served alongside a spicy, yet refreshing, wasabi guacamole and a light spring salad tossed in a spicy sweet chili sauce—what’s not to love and gobble up in under two minutes? Then make sure you get your hands on one of their Charcuterie Boards; this is the best way to really ring in the season, what with a rotating selection of assorted seasonal ingredients, both domestic and imported, all curated into a smorgasbord of scrumptious snacks!

Local Station offers a fantastic lunch, but an even more mouthwatering dinner awaits if you plan on sticking around. From their Chicken Caprese to the notorious Braselton Shrimp & Grits, Surf n’ Turf dinners, Artichoke Chicken and the always-flavorful Catch of the Day, you won’t be without options. Not to mention the many unique daily food specials that you can secure (for me, that was their recent Pork Schnitzel, with decadent lemon beurre blanc, green beans and crispy sweet potato—in a word? (YUM). Pair any of these entrees with one of their seasonal winter cocktails; I dare you! You won’t regret a thing; every morsel, every last sip is crafted with infinite care and a deep understanding of the seasonality of their ingredients. 

Come to Local Station and taste for yourself. You’ll find that the proof is in the locally-sourced-and-made pudding!