Top Five Athens Restaurants
By Carter Chapman
Courtesy unsplash.com
One of the first things you hear when you move into your freshman dorm is some variation of, “You HAVE to try (insert local restaurant).” Everyone in Athens has an opinion on the best place to eat, whether it is a family-owned brunch spot or a late-night pizza and wing joint. While there are many great options for any foodie, we wanted to highlight some great restaurants that can fulfill different appetites in the Classic City.
- Mama’s Boy – Best Breakfast/Brunch
Athens has a multitude of great brunch places. Mama Jewel’s and Big City Bread were certainly contenders, but when it comes to the best place to grab breakfast with your friends or brunch with the family, you can’t beat Mama’s Boy. This Athens staple has breakfast favorites like fluffy homemade biscuits and lunch options such as pimento cheese burgers. With locations downtown and on Macon Highway, make a point to stop by before your time in Athens is up.
- Raising Cane’s – Best Game Day
This fried chicken chain has only one location in all of Georgia, and it just so happens to be in Athens. Cane’s serves crispy hand-breaded tenders, crinkle fries, toast and cane’s sauce. The menu is simple enough, but each item is prepared so well that there is really nothing to complain about. Stop by this Baxter Street location on game day for a quick bite before heading to Sanford to cheer on the dawgs.
- Snelling Dining Hall – Best On-Campus
You cannot beat the convenience of eating on campus, and there is no better dining hall than Snelling Dining Commons. This classic dining hall creates a welcoming environment through friendly employees and cozy tables. Food options include pizza, a full-service grill, sandwich bar and late-night breakfast. Snelling is open 24 hours during the week, so stop by anytime. Do not forget to get a hug from every student’s favorite Snelling employee, the warm and welcoming Miss Sandra!
- South Kitchen and Bar – Best Upscale
It’s always nice to splurge a little every now and then. A great place to do that is South, which specializes in southern cuisine such as fried chicken, barbeque, mac n’ cheese and duck fat tater-tots. The location is great, and the restaurant is built in a historic hotel. Prices are not extravagant, so plan a night out and treat yourself to some refined southern cuisine.
- Clocked – Best Downtown
Clocked could have won in a best burgers category, as well. This old-fashioned American diner makes a variety of burgers, from the classic Cowboy Burger with bacon and barbeque sauce to the Peanut Butter Burger with melted peanut butter drizzled on top. To accompany your delicious burger, Clocked has onion rings, fries and hand-spun milkshakes in every flavor from chocolate to peanut butter and jelly. Make a trip to this downtown hotspot to get your night started.
