Molly Butler Restaurant

“Molly and her family moved into the Lee Valley of Greer, as we know it today, in the late 1880s,” wrote Butler’s granddaughter, Wink Crigler. “Her father built the first valley sawmill near the historic site of Butler’s Lodge and there milled lumber for Molly’s home, which later became the kitchen and dining room of the lodge. … During those early years, ‘Aunt Molly’ and ‘Uncle John’ served many guests and friends who came to Greer to enjoy the restful beauty of the valley and her beautiful cooking of homegrown foods at no charge.” 

Eventually, Molly’s daughter persuaded her mother to charge a quarter for meals and lodging. Although the prices are much different today, the restaurant serves guests the same home cooking and hospitality that Molly was known for. 

“We have one sign that says: ‘Enter as strangers; leave as friends,’ ” says Sandy Kerszykowski, who owns and manages the restaurant with Irene Tilford. “There’s another one that says: ‘Good food, good friends, good times.’ ” 

Often, those good times are had over a Wink Burger, sourced from the nearby X Diamond Ranch and served with mash­ed potatoes and Mormon gravy, cottage fries, rice pilaf, a baked potato or the vegetable of the day; Molly’s Special Steak; or Molly’s Famous Prime Rib — available in three different portions, it’s served Thursdays through Sundays. 

There are fish dishes, too, along with Georgia fried chicken and a selection of pastas. Smaller appetites might enjoy a cup of Molly’s Hot Dang Chili, loaded for just a few dollars more. 

“For some 64 years, Molly treated casual passersby to the beauties and dynamics of mountain living,” Crigler wrote. “She shared her knowledge and love of the land, Mother Nature, wildlife and livestock. … As Molly in her later years was asked about retiring, she replied, ‘I’ll just stay here. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’ ”

For Kerszykowski and Tilford, the mission remains the same. 

“The history that surrounds Molly’s is very important,” Kerszykowski says. “And we love having Wink as an active regular at Molly’s — she’s more than that, really. We want you to know that no matter who you are or how big your party is, we want you to feel welcome and important at Molly Butler.”