Swamp Guinea Restaurant

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  This place has had a bit of a rough reputation.  My husband and I started going there after they opened "The Swamp" side of the restaurant which has a bar, regular non cafeteria style tables, and much nicer lighting.  We have been pleasantly pleased with the food we've ordered. We have mostly stayed away from the fried foods, except for the fried shrimp and the onion rings, both of which I really enjoy! They have a fabulous cheese burger, and the Philly cheesesteak is the best you'll get outside of going to Philadelphia. I've enjoyed the broiled flounder and the tilapia.
  We've always had good service, maybe not as fast as some would want, but ALWAYS extremely nice!

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  Posted on 09.01.13 Virginia A.

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  Now a sports bar with a Band on weekends but have been told the food got better.

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  Posted on 06.21.13 L W.

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  This is the type of place you go to for a very specific meal:  fried food platters, and lots of it!  The deviled crab and the shrimp are very good.  The scallops and flounder tasted fishy which is disappointing when practically the only thing on the menu is seafood.  The tea needs work -- it really is a travesty to serve tea in a Southern restaurant that isn't real tea.  It tasted like an instant tea rather than fresh brewed, and that's just wrong.  The slaw, hush puppies, salad, and baked potato were all very good. The wait staff is friendly with just the right amount of attention.  Great views of Lake Hartwell from many tables in the restaurant.  This isn't fine dining.  It's a large dining hall that harkens memories of the summer camp mess halls of my youth.  It isn't a bad restaurant, and I would return if someone wanted to head there, but they could make some simple changes that would make it a treasure.  There's something special about the location and the team who works there, and the shrimp and deviled crab are enough to harken me back for more.

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  Posted on 07.21.12 Hungry H.

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  We had the family style, all you can eat, everything fried menu.  The fried chicken was excellent, as were the hush puppies.  The tilapia could have been cut a bit thicker, but rally no complaints here as well.  Fast, friendly service and a very reasonable price make this restaurant highly recommended!

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  Posted on 06.30.11 Mike S.

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  Very pedestrian Southern food. If your prime consideration is whether you get enough to eat, this is the place for you. Otherwise take a pass.
  
  I sampled the Brunswick stew, the fried perch filet, the country ham, the shrimp as well as the ever present cole slaw, hush puppies and, of course, fries.  There was nothing memorable. Nothing that I could say "You've got to try this."

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  Posted on 05.03.11 William B.

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  I have spent many summers and family vacations in Hartwell, GA. We always enjoyed a good meal at the Swamp Guinea. I was watching "Diners, drive-in's, and dives" and I thought to myself, here is a place that should get a look. Great southern fried fish. Can't go wrong here. Enjoy.

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  Posted on 06.18.10 Chris B.

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  Don't be fooled by what you see - this place is a diamond in the rough. It looks like a fishing shack on the shore of Lake Hartwell, and it kind of is. In fact, if you're on the lake you can anchor right to their dock and walk inside. With drop ceilings and tile floors - it seems like it's a multi-roomed cafeteria; but don't shy away! Locals know how valuable this place is and that should tell you more than any review. Lines form out into the parking lot.
  Arrive early and hungry for dinner. The menu boasts an array of seafood, including scallops, shrimp, crab legs, their specialty fried catfish (also their fried chicken is AMAZING). And many of these items are also on their "All You Can Eat" menu. Meals come with homemade french fries, and a shared (unlimited) bowl of cole slaw for the table. I'd like to point out that this is THE ONLY cole slaw that my husband will eat!
  
  I was slightly uneasy when I first visited - being from the city I felt out-numbered by locals, but the friendly servers who are over-loaded with Southern hospitality make you feel right at home.

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  Posted on 05.03.09 Nikkie F.

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