Exploring The Town of Heflin

By: Kelly Caldwell

Heflin is super convenient to Lake Wedowee and one of the cooler features especially for hiking enthusiasts is the Pinhoti Trail. The trail spans 335 miles and is part of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

When I visited Heflin, I met two hikers, Crisco and Sugarwolf. Don't worry, their mamas did not give them these names. In the hiking world, a person is known by their trail name instead of their government one.

So talking to Crisco and Sugarwolf, I discovered one was from North Dakota and the other from Colorado. Crisco had never been to Alabama before, but is an avid hiker.

"Growing up I would listen to 'Red Dirt Road' by Brooks and Dunn and thought they were talking about some magical, mystical place. In North Dakota, we only have black dirt so I had never seen any other kind."

"So when I get to Alabama, red dirt roads are everywhere," Crisco said.

From this point forward, I believe we should all describe Alabama as a magical, mystical place... Don't you?

Heflin offers more than a chance to commune with nature, even though, it is not uncommon to find hikers wondering around town. I met Sugarwolf and Crisco at lunch at Rhythm Cafe.

Rhythm Cafe

If you are truly wanting to spend a day in Heflin, get your day started with a trip to Rhythm Cafe which is owned by my dear friend Shane Smith. The bustling little cafe is located in the WM Grocery Shopping Center and he uses WM grocery brand salad dressing.

Shane had a dream of opening his own cafe and this little gem of a restaurant has exceeded every expectation. It has become a hang out spot for travelers and locals alike and his charm (and love for Dolly Parton) is evident as soon as you walk in the door.

I skipped the coffee on this trip and opted for the Watermelon Lemonade instead. Trust me, it's delightful. I also ordered off the secret menu, by suggestion of one of Shane's regular customers. Basically it is a combination of the Rhythm Pesto and the Chicken Salad Sandwich, but the secret is the everything bagel instead of regular bread and be sure to get it toasted!

The Nifty Nest

If you are interested in "local merch" to celebrate your trip to Heflin, this is your place. Tammy Perry has curated a collection of Heflin merchandise as well as other gifts sure to please.

She also has dedicated space to Pinhoti Trail merchandise such as "Hike Local" t-shirts. The Nifty Nest is a great stop for gifts for the home, baby, and more. On my visit, I picked up gifts for my sister, a houndstooth jacket for myself and a reusable shopping bag to carry it all.

Brown Buns Tanning

Who doesn't love a good glow? Well at Brown Buns Tanning you have a choice with tanning beds or for special occasions, a custom spray tan. They offer special packages to accommodate all tanning enthusiasts as well as lotions to accelerate the process.

Rain Outs

If you love the television show Yellowstone or have been vibing to Beyonce's Cowboy Carter, this store is for you. Fantastic selection of cowboy boots and western wear not to mention the coolest brand hats I have seen. They have the Rain Outs logo laser cut in metal attached to a Richardson hat. I can already see it being a new trend.

This is a store for the whole family but the laid back chill vibe is really catered to the men in your life. If you are lucky and nice, the group at Rain Outs may gift you with a beverage while you shop. (Obviously you must be 21 and older for that).

Almost Italy

Plan your trip to take advantage of Almost Italy's open hours. The restaurant us only open for dinner service Friday and Saturday nights. Service beings at 5 pm and if you like wine... Make a visit to High Country Cellars and grab a bottle or two before dinner. Alcohol is not currently on the menu, but you are more than welcome to bring your own.

Now to the food... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the white chicken lasagna. It is so filling and rich and amazing. When we visited we also indulged in not only their freshly made focaccia which was heavenly, but also the pistachio and honey cheesecake. The combination sounded a little odd but Willard, the owner, suggested it and oh it was a hit... light and delightful.

Wildflowers Floral and Gifts

Leah Harlan creates beautiful floral arrangements and loves when her customers trust the process and give her creative liberties to create magical arrangements for special occasions. Her shop is a tribute to her son who did a great deal of the renovations to get her business open in 2020. During my visit I purchased the sweetest little children's book for a special one year old's recent birthday party.

High Country Cellars

First and foremost, the owners are wonderful friends with Lake Wedowee Winery. The founder of High Country Cellars, Keith Roberts, was a wonderful resource to Scott and Brooke when it came to opening their own winery.

High Country Cellars celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024 and the crew is not slowing down. Skipper Bailey joined Roberts, first as the production manager overseeing production, wholesale and online sales as well as compliance with state and local laws. Bailey continues to handle more of the day to day operations and is in the process of doing more.

A wine tasting at High Country Cellars is a treat, my favorites are the sweet varieties especially Strawberry, Tropical Paradise, and Peach. The Hometown Honey is a delightful twist on mead, another fermented drink made with honey. You must try to Orange Coffee as well as the Margarita wines. The charred varieties are unique as well.

Damn Yankees

The restaurant is conveniently located right off the interstate exit in Heflin. This is a great hangout atmosphere and the food is utterly incredible. I have been dining here for years and I have yet to have something "bad" off the menu. My favorites include the quesadillas and the country fried steak. Yes, Dave has food for every mood at Damn Yankees. The fresh weekly specials are what food dreams are made of. There is no where even close that serves the variety that he does. From oysters to fresh ahi tuna, to kobe beef, to wings and pizza. All things are made in house with the freshest ingredients possible. The country fried steak... it started its restaurant life as a filet and then pounded flat, battered in a custom mix and then fried to perfection. It goes amazingly well with macaroni and cheese.

There are weekly specials and the fresh fish changes daily. If you haven't tried Damn Yankees, you will be amazed to find the food selection.