Blog Topic: Food Roundup

Grub Notes: J.R. Crickets Is Open, Koyla Is Closed, and More Restaurant News

By Hillary Brown | November 27, 2017 11:17am

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

RIP, Koyla: We Barely Knew Ya.

The Athens location of Atlanta's J.R. Crickets is open on Hawthorne Avenue, in what has been a Dickey's, Big Daddy Mike's and Allen's (post-Normaltown). The place focuses on wings but also does burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, ribs and more, plus it has a full bar.

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Grub Notes: Now Open: Mama's Boy No. 2, The Office Sports Bar, Fully Loaded Pizza

By Hillary Brown | October 16, 2017 1:47pm

Photo Credit: Mama's Boy/Facebook

As of 7 a.m. this morning, the second location of Mama's Boy (aka Mama's Boy at the Falls) is open for business, at 8851 Macon Hwy., near the intersection with White Oak. The hope, of course, is that having two locations will relieve the brunch wait, and now you can decide if you want your sales tax dollars to go to Clarke or Oconee.

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Grub Notes: Tamales for Mexico and Lots More Local Food Events

By Hillary Brown | September 29, 2017 10:33am

Photo Credit: FiveRings/Wikimedia Commons

Mmmm… chili.

The last blog post of food events in Athens wasn't enough for you? You want more? OK. Here goes:

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Grub Notes: Akademia Brewing Co. Has an Opening Date Set, and More Food Events

By Hillary Brown | September 25, 2017 3:27pm

Photo Credit: Akademia Brewing Co./Facebook

Akademia Brewing Co. has been hard at work for a while on its beers (which it was making at Southern Brewing Co.) and its building, the former Musician's Warehouse by what is now the Atlanta Highway Goodwill. (Technically, the address is 150 Crane Dr.) The original projected date for opening was "late summer," and these days, mid-October totally counts.

Although Josh Aaron of the Savory Spoon is no longer on board (he's cooking at Chops & Hops, in Watkinsville), Akademia will still have a restaurant as well as its beer. Opening day is Monday, Oct. 16, and more updates should be posted on the Facebook event.

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Grub Notes: Which Restaurants Are Open in Athens?

By Blake Aued | September 12, 2017 4:31pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Don't worry, you can get your donut fix.

Athens is shook from Tropical Storm Irma, but a few brave (or lucky, if they have electricity) restaurants are soldiering on.

Like many of us, Flagpole food critic Hillary Brown is having trouble with teh internetz, but she was able to pass along an (incomplete) list of food establishments that are open and closed today, should your lack of power and/or tiredness from yard work prevent you from cooking.

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Grub Notes: Five & Ten, The National, home.made Offer Game Day Eats

By Hillary Brown | September 1, 2017 3:40pm

Photo Credit: via Five & Ten/Facebook

If you are not interested in consuming a heretical Alabama barbecue sandwich in Sanford Stadium on Saturday, there are some other options around town.

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Grub Notes: Little Italy's Turning 20, and Other Food Events

By Hillary Brown | August 10, 2017 2:48pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Little Italy

Little Italy, in downtown Athens, seems like an ageless wonder, but tomorrow brings its 20th anniversary, with a big ol' celebration from 11 a.m. all the way until 3 a.m. That party includes: prices from 20 years ago ($1 slices, $5 subs, $1 drinks, including beer), a Pepsi sampling (calling attention to the restaurant's only real flaw) and giveaways (T-shirts, Braves tickets, gift certificates, etc.).

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Grub Notes: The Brixx Space Has a New Tenant, and More Chains Cometh

By Hillary Brown | June 28, 2017 4:08pm

Photo Credit: Photo via Facebook

The Office Sports Bar and Grill

Have you been walking past the West Washington parking deck/mixed-use building and thinking about the sad, empty space that used to house Brixx? I have. But if everything works out with the lease, it won't be empty for long. The Office Sports Bar and Grill, which operates one other location, in Columbus, is looking to move in. Co-owner Darren Phillips confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.

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Grub Notes: Pop-Ups, Phickles Cocktails, Cooking Camp and More June Food Events

By Hillary Brown | June 9, 2017 4:53pm

Photo Credit: Craft Public House/Facebook

The Old Pal will host a pop-up by the Plate Sale (Shyretha and Mike Sheats, of Staplehouse, in Atlanta) on Monday, June 12 from 6–8 p.m., with special cocktails and a la carte food at the bar until it runs out.

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Grub Notes: Athens Is Getting a Filipino Food Truck

By Hillary Brown | April 13, 2017 4:00pm

Praise the Lord, Athenians (and engaged couple) Rachel Barnes and Alfredo Lapuz Jr. are just a few steps away from launching their food truck, Manila Express, which should start serving at various locations very soon. You might have seen the truck, with its temporary sign, parked next to Holy Crepe at Boulevard and Park.

Barnes says Manila Express gets its name from Lapuz's dad's band, and will likely set up shop on East Clayton next to Atomic or on Hancock at Creature Comforts, as well as elsewhere. She points out that Filipino street food goes well with brews, and describes the truck's offerings as "pulutan-esque items," which translates as "to pair with beer."

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