Fred’s Famous Peanuts

We stopped here after a day at Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park.
There was a very friendly old timer working that we all liked-​very personable.
Lots of samples.
Everything we bought was very good. Peach cider, boiled peanuts, peanut brittle…

I found this spot on Unilocal!We spot the place on the way back from Ruby Falls, the staff was really friendly and gave us free sample of everything. I of course for the Cajun boil peanut and the peach cider. A sweet spot to go to if your ever in Helen.

We encountered Fred’s nephew who now runs the business. Talk about personable and amiable! He offered a sample of a wide range of products (cajun boiled peanuts, regular boiled peanuts, pecan brittle, peanut brittle, some cider that I can’t remember). I walked out with pecan and peanut brittle, a bag of cajun boiled peanuts (this is a bit salty), and a bottle of the habanero hot sauce. Noms. I have yet to bust open the hot sauce, but if it’s any indication of how the products are made (the brittle, the peanuts) I expect I am in for a pleasant (and tasty) kick :)

I’ve been coming here since birth basically LOL. We stopped by here last weekend like we always do when we go to Helen. Their boiled peanuts are delish, especially the Cajun ones. I always get their peach cider too, its sooo yummy. The lady working that day was super nice too. You must stop by if you are ever in Helen. Prices can’t be beat either!

Friendly, fun and good peanuts. Try the pralines and fried peanuts. The peach cider slushie is also tasty.

We go there when we go to the North Georgia mountains every 2 years. Love their boiled peanuts!

Great little road side stand to hit up on the way to Unicoi for a picnic. The Cajun nuts were not really that spicy though. The did offer free sample so you don’t have to waste money. I would have liked to seen less merchandise and more fresh fruit. It was stawberry season, so strawberries and jams and jellies would have been nice. The regular nuts were good and affordable. We took some as a snack to the picnic area before Anna Ruby falls. Good energy for hiking.

Super friendly folks run this little stand. Had great fun talking with them. Outstanding boiled peanuts!

When you buy food out of a ramshackle hut off the side of the road you’re going to get one of two things. Either fantastic, authentic food, or hepatitis A. Thankfully, Fred’s has the former. (They could have the latter, but since I didn’t lick anything, I couldn’t tell you for sure)
To me, this is the only thing worth going to Helen for. The honey and pork rinds (not a singular product, but rather, two separate ones. Although now that I think about it…) are worth the drive alone. Peanuts are peanuts, and I can’t really tell the difference, but fried pork skin is a delicate art, and Fred’s has some of the best around. Check them out next time you’re being dragged to see Cabbage Patch Kids being born, or whatever there is to do up there besides drink.
tl;dr — Pork rinds and honey… mmmmmmmm…

Great boiled peanuts. Great pecan/​peanut brittle. Great Pork Rinds. And this man has shot a bear and dragged it out of the woods with his bare hands when they forgot their cart… I don’t need to say any more than that.

Lat week I was in Helen, I had to make a stop at Fred’s Famous peanut, it’s great that I can sample most of there products before making the decision, fried boiled or roasted peanuts, I prefer the fried, but bought roasted for my boss, and plain pork skins for my self, and a cup of frozen muscadine cider, oooooh brain Freeeeeeze… but it’s quite refreshing!

Surprisingly good. Fun /​friendly staff.
I liked the Cajun style boiled peanuts!

You’ve just gotta’ go by Fred’s if you’re in Helen. In a town that is crazy artificial, Fred’s place is authentic. It’s a small roadside stand where Fred — who’s a talkative, entertaining character — sells a variety of peanuts, ciders, cowboy hats, frozen lemonade, honey and what have you, all at lower prices than you’ll find at nearby souvenir stands and stores. There are salted peanuts, boiled peanuts, cajun nuts, etc., and you can sample them. In fact, you can sample them until you get filled up while you are busy talking to Fred. It’s a fun place to take a break, and those nuts are tasty. His store is located just off Highway 75 north of Helen where you turn to the right to go to Unicoi State Park. We’re still smiling about our visit.

Their boiled peanuts are the best! The guy there is always so very nice offering samples. It just would not feel right for me to go to Helen and not stop by.