Keepsakes of Toxaway

Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: August 2023

Left to Right: Owner John Nichols and Chef Josh Payne

Grand Olde Station, sitting just 15 feet from the shores of historic Lake Toxaway at 502 Blue Ridge Road, is the place to go for fabulous food, fun, and history.

Occupying Lake Toxaway’s former train depot, this restored historical gem is as naturally inviting as the lake itself. People are drawn like moths to a flame, and they’re never disappointed with the food, service or experience. It’s the kind of place you find yourself lingering a bit longer over your meal, not wanting the fun to end.

Inside this carefully restored restaurant, owner John Nichols has transformed the interior into a museum of sorts showcasing keepsakes from the historic Toxaway Inn, the grand old dame that served as a summer resort for America’s elite from 1903 until 1916.

Alongside those historic artifacts you’ll find plenty of other relics from bygone eras as the walls are adorned with antique pictures, surveys and maps, as well as lake related artifacts such as historic boat motors and water skis. Majestic taxidermy animals native to the area oversee the dining room.

The summer months are perfect for outdoor dining, enjoying the lake view and breeze while relaxing with friends and family. History is captured here too as a historic train caboose sits alongside a restored 1941 fire truck and wooden Chris Craft boats, reminding us of an earlier era and the need to settle in, take a deep breath, relish our surroundings, and really enjoy the delicious food and drink to come.

Friendly service is the hallmark here and from the welcoming hello, attentive service, and menu recommendations to the last goodbye you’ll enjoy a taste of what makes this place so special-the sense of community that runs deep. You’re family here and like any good family gathering you’ll find yourself visiting again and again.

Never one to rest on their laurels and always looking for new ways to capture a sense of community, they also offer a lot of activities for their customers to enjoy – sip and paint events, weekend outdoor movies on a big screen, and “Sunday Night Stories,” a new series of dinner and historical entertainment events co-sponsored with the Historic Toxaway Foundation. The Historic Toxaway Foundation preserves our past, prepares for the future, and promotes our community.

Which brings us to the food, good Southern deliciously prepared foods, often sourced locally and paying homage to the best of the mountains – mountain trout, barbecue, fried green tomatoes, delicious sides, and extensive casual menu offerings such as burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and soups. All that and homemade desserts, an extensive wine list, craft beers, and top shelf liquors and you’ve found your neighborhood gathering place.