The Freight House – An historic restaurant in Hartselle, Alabama
Over the weekend, my family visited a local restaurant – the Freight House – that we have been hearing about since planting roots here in Hartselle, Alabama. Every time this restaurant was brought up, it went something like this.
“Have you been to the Freight House yet?”
No, not yet.
“Oh you HAVE to go there! It is amazing!”
That’s what we keep hearing.
“It is our favorite restaurant around!”
The Freight House is located one block from Main Street and nestled right along the train tracks. You see the building this restaurant is in, was actually the old depot for the train station.
You can still see where the doors would open up for freight to be taken from the loading docks and onto the train or vice versa.
As a history buff, I love when old, historic buildings are give new lives and “next chapter” chances rather than being torn down and something new and modern being built. The history of the building gives charm and atmosphere, no matter what the new purpose is.
And most assuredly, a building that has been around for over a century would have stories to tell if its walls could speak.
All of that said, history and charm aren’t enough if the restaurant inside doesn’t live up to expectations. I am very happy to say, that the Freight House did.
You know you are in a southern restaurant when the sweet tea comes in quart sized mason jars. No need to ask for a refill every 5 minutes.
Mr. Smith ordered an appetizer – fried mushrooms. With each one he put in his mouth, grunts of pleasure and a “man that’s good!” would be heard from his direction.
I ordered their fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken, and Jack got the Depot Burger which was clearly handmade and not a frozen patty. Everything was absolutely delicious, but there was something of note that I needed to share with you. In addition to my pasta dish, I ordered a side of sweet potato fries. I love sweet potato fries. But our waitress, April, brought a little something extra with them. A little dish of caramel sauce to dip them in.
Oh. My. Word.
That took those fries to a whole new orbit. When you visit the Freight House, order the sweet potato fries, and ask for some of their caramel sauce. You must.
After we had ordered our food, I had taken the opportunity to walk around the restaurant and take photos of the beautiful environment we were enjoying.
From the roaring fireplace to the depot clock, the Freight House is elegantly and historically decorated without being overdone and cluttered.
As I walked around, something else had caught my eye. The dessert case.
There was carrot cake, buttermilk pie, chocolate peanut butter fudge cake and a couple others, but what caught my eye was the Italian cream cake.
Oh my. That was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.
And finally, if while you are there visiting the Freight House, you begin to hear a rumbling – look to the windows. A train is coming down the still active tracks.
The Freight House
200 Railroad Street
Hartselle, Alabama
256.773.4600
In what direction is this from Huntsville,Al or Fayetteville ,Tn?????????
Hartselle is southeast of Huntsville, just south of Decatur along I-65.
So glad you had a great experience, with the restaurant anyway ;) I have been there a handful of times and enjoyed each meal and service.