Tasty Tuesday: Harpin’s in Payne City

We’re all familiar with Payne City, right? That stubborn little borough which refuses to join forces with Macon-Bibb, but what you may not be aware of is there are some rather tasty places to visit in Payne City.

One of my favorites is Harpin’s- I’ve been going there for years but this lunch spot was recently nominated for The 11th Hour Award’s “Best Under the Radar”. Owner Paul Harpin and I kind of laughed about that today, because he has been in business with this restaurant for 9 years. But of course, as he told me, for the 11th Hour readers, he has been under the radar.

So let me tell you, if you have not been you are surely missing out. Harpin’s is kind of like a comfort food place for me, it’s where I can go to indulge with either my girlfriends or even my mother and grandmother. And they do caterings, too!

What you may not expect is to get a bit of Southern Rock history while you are here. I love to see the shock on peoples faces when I tell them Paul used to be Mick Jagger’s personal chef and that he was recruited to come here by Frank Fenter of Capricorn Records. Paul worked at Leo’s (now Downtown Grill) and even witnessed Cher’s proposal from one of those Allman Brothers (you’ve heard of them- right?).

Today when I went in for lunch, despite the fact that it was nearly 80 degrees out I had to get the crab and corn crowder. I get it pretty much every time regardless of the weather because it’s JUST that damn good.

Many times I will opt for a sandwich, they’re all good, but today I went for the Three Cheese quiche. Again, this is my version of comfort food so calories be damned! And it comes with a lovely side salad of cucumbers, tomato, and pasta.

But- you cannot leave out dessert. The lemon cake is to die for but today I decided to go ahead and overindulge and get the double chocolate cake.

I can never leave here eating my whole meal (unless I really want to hurt) and always end up with food to go. The prices are more than reasonable for the food, and the music history, that you get.

So the next time you are trying to decide where to go for lunch- check out Harpin’s. Turn at the light by Bella’s Classy Rags and the U Park Em U Sell Em on Vineville. It’ll be the first parking lot on the left. But be sure to get there before or after the lunch rush- this is a place that seasoned Maconites have known about for quite a while!

Love to all y’all,

Molly