Southern Oaks Retirement Inn

Pros

• Circa 1918 @ Southern Oaks is a restaurant with delicious food, beautiful decor and Rachel is an outstanding server.
• Their frog legs are fantastic!
• The owner was especially attentive.

Cons

• The rooms are old and dirty.
• The noisy air conditioning makes it impossible to sleep at night.
• The place is nasty with lots of mold and roaches.
• The new owners aren't very nice to people of color.
• Some tenants seem to be bigots and act like security guards.
• There are racist warnings telling Black patrons to stay away and that people will assume they sell drugs, including taking pictures of license plates without reason.

Review

The area around Southern Oaks presents a curious mix of culinary charm and lodging concerns, all bundled into a single narrative that threads through several reviews. At the heart of this mix is Circa 1918, a restaurant celebrated by many for its delicious food, beautiful decor, and standout service. Patrons repeatedly call out the warm hospitality, with Rachel singled out as an outstanding server who helps elevate the dining experience. Visitors traveling from other states, including Texas, show particular enthusiasm for the place, noting that frog legs are a standout dish and that the overall menu delivers thoughtful Southern flavors in a setting described as refined and appealing. The front-of-house experience is frequently highlighted as a strength, with diners appreciating attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere that makes meals feel special rather than routine.

The praise for Circa 1918 doesn't stop with individual dishes or servers. Several reviewers recount gatherings that felt well-hosted and convivial. One party, which included a sister, stopped by for a supper meal and left with positive memories of their menu selections and hospitality. They describe an owner who was notably attentive, engaging in conversation about the establishment's plans, and they express anticipation for future dinners with their women's group. Across multiple anecdotes, the restaurant earns its reputation as a place where traditional Southern cooking is served in an upscale environment, with guests noting that the overall dining experience is more than just about food - it's about thoughtful presentation, atmosphere, and a sense of care that extends from the kitchen to the table.

Yet the same property is not without its doubters, and some reviews pivot away from dining to address lodging-related impressions that color the overall impression of the area. One reviewer bluntly states that the rooms are old and dirty, with a noisy air conditioning system that makes sleep elusive at night. The comment is stark, underscoring a perception that, while Circa 1918 may shine in its restaurant operations, the accommodations linked to the same property fail to meet the same standard. The reviewer's sentiment hints at a broader tension: a facility that has transformed over time - explicitly noted as "Not a hotel. Now a special event restaurant" - and where the guest experience can diverge sharply depending on whether one is there for a meal or for lodging or events.

Layered into the lodging critiques are more troubling allegations of discrimination and deteriorating conditions. One extremely negative review explicitly warns that "If your black stay away," alleging that a Chinese couple associated with the place might misuse guests' information and, in a separate complaint, that the property "smells like mold" and hosts bed bugs described as "the size of baby ticks." This account also paints a picture of a hostile environment, with the implication that racism and unsafe conditions coexist with the place's operational framework. It's a jarring counterpoint to the otherwise glowing descriptions of food and service, and it introduces a serious caveat about the overall experience that potential visitors may need to weigh carefully.

Additional negative observations accumulate around cleanliness and resident attitudes. The phrase "The place is nasty" recurs, with explicit mentions of mold and roaches as part of the complaint, and a claim that the new owners are not particularly kind to people of color. The reviews describe tenants who appear to take on roles akin to security guards, which adds to a sense of unease about the living environment and the social dynamics within the property. Taken together, these comments sketch a portrait of a facility where the same building hosts a celebrated restaurant while also housing residents in conditions that some find unacceptable, and where concerns about management and community dynamics color the overall impression.

Interspersed with the strong criticisms are notes of personal preference and occasional neutral or even positive impressions about the exterior or ambiance. Some reviewers simply say they left without a negative comment, or they remark on pleasant views and a pleasant outside appearance, suggesting that the property's curb appeal or setting still holds appeal even when interior experiences diverge. A few passersby mention having a family member who rents an apartment and describe nice interiors inside, which adds an element of inconsistency to the overall narrative: what's imagined as a cohesive property experience can feel very different from unit to unit, room to room, or moment to moment.

There is also a practical side to the conversation about housing, with potential renters asking practical questions such as whether pets are allowed, and others reporting on the reality of living there. One person writes, "Just wondering if they are pet friendly? Thinking about applying for one of the apartments just checking before I apply?" Another voice shares a more satisfied account: "I live here... can't beat the monthly rent and my room was remodeled before moving in. I love it here! Must be a place lots of people want to live because Wayne and Judy always have waiting list to live here!" These snippets reveal a tension between the positive, budget-conscious appeal of the apartments and concerns about discrimination, maintenance, and the overall living environment raised in other reviews.

Overall, the collection of reviews paints a varied landscape. Circa 1918 at Southern Oaks emerges in many accounts as a dining destination with excellent food, a refined ambiance, and standout service, capable of delivering memorable meals and congenial experiences. However, the lodging side of the same property - or at least the surrounding environment - casts a much more mixed or negative light, with issues ranging from aging facilities and noise to mold, roaches, and even accusations of racial prejudice and unkind treatment toward people of color. This juxtaposition creates a nuanced portrait: a place where a beautifully executed meal and attentive service can be found, yet where the accompanying lodging or residential experience may fail to live up to the same standards, and where serious concerns about safety, cleanliness, and inclusivity loom large for some patrons. Potential guests or residents would do well to consider both the culinary strengths and the serious reservations voiced by others as they form their own impression of Circa 1918 and the Southern Oaks setting.

This part of Lavonia, Georgia is a vibrant community with a variety of amenities to offer. Residents have easy access to places of worship such as God's Way Outreach Center and Fairview Baptist Church, as well as restaurants like Bella Bella Mozzarella and La Cabana Mexican Restaurant. Medical care is readily available at facilities such as Child & Adolescent Medical Providers and Northeast Ga Heart Center, while pharmacies like Riggins Pharmacy provide convenient access to medications. Nearby hospitals include Ty Cobb Healthcare Systems and St Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital. For recreational activities, residents can enjoy parks like Tugaloo State Park and Royston Wellness And Community Park. Transportation options are also plentiful with multiple U-Haul Neighborhood Dealers in the vicinity. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient setting for senior living.

Places of Worship

• God's Way Outreach Center (0.1 miles)
• Ignited Church (0.2 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.2 miles)
• Fairview Baptist Church (0.3 miles)
• Step of Faith Outreach (0.4 miles)
• Church Of God (0.7 miles)
• Lavonia Cong of Jehovah's Witn (1.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Phil Your Belly (0.2 miles)
• Bella Bella Mozzarella (0.2 miles)
• Waffle House (0.7 miles)
• La Cabana Mexican Restaurant (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (0.9 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1 miles)

Cafes

• Gloria's Daily Grind (0.2 miles)
• Centerfield Coffee Shop (10.5 miles)
• The Old Corner Hardware Store (10.6 miles)

Physicians

• Child & Adolescent Medical Providers (0.4 miles)
• Lavonia Clinic Medical Associates (0.7 miles)
• Family First Healthcare of Northeast Georgia (1 miles)
• Northeast Ga Heart Center (1.3 miles)
• Gastroenterology Associates of Gainesville, PC (1.4 miles)
• Oconee Heart and Vascular Center (1.4 miles)
• Royston Medical Associates PC (10.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Riggins Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Sullivan's Drug Store (8.7 miles)
• Mays Clinic Pharmacy (8.8 miles)
• Market Place (9 miles)
• Marketplace Pharmacy (9 miles)
• Medicap Pharmacy (10.5 miles)
• Royston Drug Store (10.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Ty Cobb Healthcare Systems (0.8 miles)
• St Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital (1.3 miles)
• Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center (1.4 miles)
• Cobb Memorial Hospital (10.7 miles)

Parks

• Tugaloo State Park (2.8 miles)
• Tugaloo State Park (4.6 miles)
• Royston Wellness And Community Park (5.9 miles)
• Sid & Augusta White Memorial Park (8.7 miles)
• Rocky Ford Park (9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.6 miles)
• Franklin Airport (6.9 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (7.1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (9.1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (9.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (9.6 miles)