Long Shots Pub and Tap at Royal Lakes: Casual Dining with Gourmet Style

Dining Room Hours: Serving from 6PM to 10PM Wednesday through Saturday.
Long Shots Pub Hours: 7AM till 10PM Wednesday-Saturday and 7AM to 8PM Sunday through Tuesday.
Our Menus: Long Shots Pub  Main Dining Menu  Banquet Menu  Royal Wine List

Although it’s part of Royal Lakes Country Club, you don’t have to be a member to enjoy a meal at Long Shots Pub and Tap. Our restaurant offers seating in the main dining room, a lodge-style open room with vaulted ceilings, and in the bar at casual high-top round tables. From hamburgers to special creations by Chef Terrell Johnson, the menu offerings are varied to suit many different tastes.

“We like to think of our atmosphere as casual dining and featuring gourmet food,” says Steve Guthrie, general manager of Long Shots Pub and Tap. “Our new menu is available in a variety of settings, from the pub to the dining room and even at the pool. We’ve even added hand-tossed pizzas for take-out.”

Friendly customer service is the word at Long Shots. The atmosphere is comfortable enough to come in off the links for a quick meal, yet amply upscale to provide the perfect environment for celebrating special occasions. Chef Terrell Johnson, a graduate of the Delgado Culinary School of Arts, came to Long Shots Pub and Tap several months ago. He specializes in Cajun and Creole style food, yet the menu is diverse and taste-tempting.

His specialty appetizer is Louisiana Fried Green Tomatoes layered with Herbed Cream Cheese and topped with Cajun Crawfish in Creole Sauce. He has also created a Chilled Shrimp Margarita with Tequila Lime Sauce. The restaurant’s signature Caesar Salad served in a toasted Parmesan Cheese Bowl is very popular, as is the Chilled Center-Cut Iceberg Lettuce Wedge served with Warm Chopped Bacon and Chives, Tomatoes and Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing with Blue Cheese Crumbles.

Entrée choices include the 10-ounce Royal Filet of Beef, Delmonico and Rib-Eye Steaks in 18- and 22-ounce portions and a trademark Porterhouse Pork Chop served with Pineapple and Rosemary Brown Butter Sauce. For seafood, Johnson recommends the Grilled Cedar-Plank Salmon with Pineapple Relish. Entrees come with a choice of side items – baked sweet potatoes, sliced Beefsteak tomatoes, steamed broccoli, vegetable medley, glazed baby carrots, French fries and garlic-sautéed spinach. Sautéed Cremini Mushrooms – Baby Portobellos – round out the selection. There’s a wine list to complement meals.

He prepares special menu items each evening as well. “If you come here one night and have enjoyed a special that’s not listed, we can still prepare it for you,” Johnson says. “We most likely will have the ingredients on hand, so don’t be afraid to ask.” A variety of desserts are offered as well, but perhaps the three most popular are Bananas Foster, White Chocolate Praline Bread Pudding with Warm Bourbon Sauce and the Royal Brownie Sundae, a double-chocolate brownie served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Chef Johnson started his career in the restaurant business is his native New Orleans when he was age 15. His first job as a prep cook at Felix’s led to other work, learning the business from the inside out. He moved up the ladder, garnering tidbits and special trademark taste combinations along the way.

“I found that I really loved the sauces and sauté line,” he says. “I knew I had a love for cooking fine foods.”

He worked in New Orleans for a number of years, at Felix’s and Mr. B’s Bistro in the French Quarter. He was also on the staff at Emeril’s first New Orleans’ restaurant. He’s also has culinary experience on cruise lines and in resorts. Johnson came to Georgia 12 years ago. Most recently, he was executive chef at Polo Golf and Country Club in Forsyth County.

His favorite meal, true to his roots, is Red Beans and Rice. He frequently includes his special version on the Family Night Buffet at Long Shots. The buffet service offers two entrees, plus vegetables and a salad bar. 

“Family night is comfort food, real Southern cooking,” says Guthrie. “It’s a great time to come and enjoy our food and the atmosphere here.”

Guests can order off the menu as well on Thursday nights. A lavish Sunday Brunch buffet has become extremely popular. It includes made-to-order omelets and a carving station. “Chef creates different featured items every week,” Guthrie says. Long Shots’ newest addition is hand-tossed pizza. It’s offered for dine-in, carry out or poolside dining. A 12-inch cheese pizza costs $8 and a 17-inch large cheese pizza is $13. The restaurant offers a variety of toppings for custom orders, plus some tasty regular combinations.

“The most popular is the Albatross, grilled chicken with red onions, roasted red peppers and barbeque sauce,” Guthrie says. “If people want to order take-out, allow about 15 or 20 minutes.”

Long Shots Pub and Tap is open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. The main dining room offers service from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The Thursday is Family Night, with a buffet that’s $10.95 adults, $5.95 for children ages 9 to 12 and free for children age 8 and under. A lavish brunch buffet is served from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. 
Located inside Royal Lakes community off Ga. 53, Royal Lakes Country Club is semi-private; membership is open to residents and the public. Reservations are not necessary, but Guthrie suggests making them for special occasions by calling 770-535-0088.

 Article by By P. Anne Fulgham