COLORBEARER OF ATHENS, GEORGIA LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987
February 27, 2013

Favorite Restaurants 2013

Photo Credit: Porter McLeod

Italian

WINNER: DePalma's Italian Café

401 E. Broad St. · 706-354-6966

1965 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-369-0085

2080 Timothy Rd. · 706-552-1237

The perennial favorite. Three locations, each comfortably inviting with casual elegance and attention to the food. The food is Italian, but it's also whatever you want–from a salad through pizza to pasta in all its guises.

Runner Up: La Dolce Vita

323 E. Broad St. · 706-353-3911

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DePalma's Italian Cafe - Winner: Favorite Italian Restaurant.


American

WINNER: Clocked!

259 W. Washington St. · 706-548-9175

You can't get any more American than Clocked, with its burgers and fries, onion rings and tater tots. Always an Athens favorite.

RUNNER UP: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810


Asian

WINNER: Siri Thai Cuisine

367 Prince Ave. · 706-548-7667

1040 Gaines School Rd. · 706-850-3500

In its elegant space in The Bottleworks (and now a second location on the Eastside, on Gaines School Road), Siri Thai lovingly presents the classics of its cuisine for dining that is casual yet upscale–and delicious.

RUNNER UP: Thai Spoon

149 N. Lumpkin St. · 
706-548-9222


Sushi

WINNER: Shokitini

251 W. Clayton St. · 706-353-7933

Sushi done right, and lots of other Japanese cuisine, too, from seaweed salads to Udon noodles to steaks. But the sushi: Ah, the essence of the East.

RUNNER UP: Utage Athens Sushi Bar

440 E. Clayton St. · 706-227-9339


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Sr. Sol - Winner: Favorite Mexican / South American Restaurant, Runner Up: Favorite Margarita.

Mexican/Latin American

WINNER: Sr. Sol

175 Tallassee Rd. · 706-546-1570

2455 W. Broad St. · 706-850-7112

Authentic Mexican food in large quantities at good prices, washed down by expert drinks. That spells "favorite," all right.

RUNNER UP: Taqueria La Parrilla

2439 Jefferson Rd. · 706-549-4977

1431 Capital Ave., Watkinsville · 706-310-9991

855 Gaines School Rd. · 706-548-5040


BBQ

WINNER: Butt Hutt Bar-B-Q

480 Macon Hwy. · 706-850-8511

Take good ‘cue and a full bar, add lots of TVs and Georgia Bulldog fanaticism, and you've got the recipe for success in Athens, GA, you hear?

RUNNER UP: Pulaski Heights BBQ

675 Pulaski St., Ste. 100 · 706-583-9600


Bakery

WINNER: Ike and Jane

1307 Prince Ave. · 706-850-1580

Work backward: Go in for the doughnuts; stay for the soup and sandwiches, and find out why this is one of those places that give Normaltown its ambiance.

RUNNER UP: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029


Downhome/Southern

WINNER: Weaver D's Fine Foods

1016 E. Broad St. · 706-353-7797

The basics: fried chicken, pork chops, catfish, broccoli casserole, squash casserole, green beans, turnip greens, fried okra (gasp), corn muffins, caramel cake, cobbler, sweet tea. Automatic! (Hang in there, Dexter!)

RUNNER UP: Five Star Day Cafe

229 E. Broad St.· 706-543-8552


Local Coffee House

WINNER: Jittery Joe's Coffee

1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-354-8000

1480 Baxter St. · 706-548-1099

1230 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-208-1979

780 E. Broad St. · 706-227-2161

297 E. Broad St. · 706-613-7449

2950 Atlanta Hwy. · 706-542-8990

From the downtown upstart that brought the coffeehouse to Athens, Jittery Joe's is all over the area, reminding us why local matters.

RUNNER UP: Two Story Coffeehouse

1680 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-5422

1911 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-850-6701


Local Pizza

WINNER: Transmetropolitan

145 E. Clayton St. · 706-613-8773

1550 Oglethorpe Ave. · 706-549-5112

Both locations look like the kind of place where you can get a good pizza, and seeing is believing, along with tasting. A good calzone and lasagna, too.

RUNNER UP: Ted's Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523


Local Burger

WINNER: Clocked!

259 W. Washington St. · 706-548-9175

We say burger, you say Clocked. Perennially the favorite around here. Tater tots, too. A great example of the power of local thinking.

RUNNER UP: Stuffed Burger

1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-850-8411


Fries

WINNER: The Grill

171 College Ave. · 706-543-4770

Whoa! To be chosen for best fries in this town? Do you know what that means? If you want fries with it, you know where to go. Want a burger with that?

RUNNER UP: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

101 College Ave. · 706-549-2811

1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy. · 706-549-9081


Burrito

WINNER: Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina

259 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-9008

1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-9954

1880 Epps Bridge Rd. · 706-354-0300

1739 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-548-1866

2 S. Main St., Watkinsville · 706-705-1228

It's probably because they let you build your own burrito out of all those fresh ingredients, or because they're all over town, or just damn good. Whatever.

RUNNER UP: Taco Stand

2230 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-5481

247 E. Broad St. · 706-549-1446

670 N. Milledge Ave. · 706-549-2894


Taco

WINNER: Taqueria del Sol

334 Prince Ave. · 706-353-3890

In its former life this place fueled cars; now it powers the crowds who come for the fresh and inventive take on Mexican food.

RUNNER UP: Taco Stand

2230 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-5481

247 E. Broad St. · 706-549-1446

670 N. Milledge Ave. · 706-549-2894


Steak

WINNER: Porterhouse Grill

459 E. Broad St. · 706-369-0990

Sometimes, you just want a steak, and if you want it with a white-tablecloth ambiance, you know where to go, even if you want something else, which they've also got.

RUNNER UP: Longhorn Steakhouse

2170 W. Broad St. · 706-548-0054


Seafood

WINNER: Square One Fish Co.

414 Thomas St. · 706-353-8862

The owners may be local, but they know all the best places on the coast to grab their catch. They've spared you the trip, so you can buy shrimp instead of gasoline.

RUNNER UP: Red Lobster

1956 W. Broad St. · 706-549-5376


Wings

WINNER: Amici

233 E. Clayton St. · 706-353-0000

"Italian cafe wins Best Wings." That says it all, doesn't it? They have got to be good, and of course the wings are a specialty at a restaurant known for its fresh food.

RUNNER UP: Locos Grill and Pub

581 Harris St. · 706-548-7803

1985 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-208-0911

2020 Timothy Rd. · 706-549-7700

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Amici - Winner: Favorite Wings.


Vegetarian Options

WINNER: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

The Grit has taught us to enjoy the vegetarian option so much that we don't even think of it as vegetarian, just good home cooking served by friendly townies.

RUNNER UP: Broad Street Coffee

1660 W. Broad St · 706-548-2266


Sandwich

WINNER: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029

The sandwich as art form, as meal-in-itself, as anything made more delicious on just-baked bread. Big City has all the ingredients.

RUNNER UP: Marti's at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541


Dessert

WINNER: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

You can go either of two ways here when you want a special occasion. Enjoy the "nouvelle Southern cuisine served in a warm, casual atmosphere" and then grab the cake, or come in just for dessert. Either way…

RUNNER UP: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592


Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt

WINNER: Menchie's

196 Alps Rd · 706-208-7223

1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-850-8336

An infinite number of toppings from fruit to nuts to chocolate welcome you to the United Flavors of Yumm, where "any mix is possible, and all mixes are created equal." Yumm, indeed.

RUNNER UP: Yoforia

1210 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-548-4020

142 W. Clayton St. · 706-548-4388


Buffet

WINNER: Taste of India

131 E. Broad St. · 706-559-0000

Ah, the Taste of India Buffet! Oh my! It is fast: no waiting. It is plentiful: eat all you want. It is an infinite variety, and it's all delicious, even if you have to read the label to know what it is.

RUNNER UP: Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet

2020 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-546-8777


Breakfast

WINNER: Mama's Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

Come prepared to wait on weekends. Come prepared to eat well anytime: all the basics from eggs to biscuits to tofu. Lots of people become regulars, like the codgers on the porch.

RUNNER UP: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029


Lunch

WINNER: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

You met her at the 40 Watt, and she agreed to lunch, and you are going to impress her and enjoy yourself at the same time.

RUNNER UP: Marti's at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541


Brunch

WINNER: Mama's Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

They hang around outside, patiently waiting for a seat, because what they get when their name comes up is worth every bit of the waiting.

RUNNER UP: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810


Late Night

WINNER: The Grill

171 College Ave. · 706-543-4770

If The Grill did not exist, it would have to be invented. Fortunately, it does exist, and it immensely improves your existence when hunger comes in the night.

RUNNER UP: Little Italy

125 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-613-7100


Date Night

WINNER: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

If you are sure about him, you take him to The National, where he's sure to be sure about you, surely.

RUNNER UP: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810


Meal for a Deal

WINNER: Taco Stand

2230 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-5481

247 E. Broad St. · 706-549-1446

670 N. Milledge Ave. · 706-549-2894

The Taco Stand is in a category all its own; maybe it should be called "Local Addiction." So, it's a good thing that wherever you are, you're not far away from one.

RUNNER UP: Little Italy

125 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-613-7100


Special Occasion

WINNER: Five & Ten

1653 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-546-7300

Oh yes: Five & Ten is the place to go for a special occasion, and it's the place to go if you want to make an occasion special.

RUNNER UP: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450


Kid-Friendly Local Restaurant

WINNER: Ted's Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

Winner hands down–in the sand. See, they built this elegant bocce court, and then they saw immediately who was going to get the biggest kick out of it, so they've got this long, fun sandbox.

RUNNER UP: Cali N Tito's

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979


Outdoor Dining

WINNER: Ted's Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

So, there are all these tables outside with umbrellas, and the patio is right in the middle of the music scene and the food and wine and beer are good, and you can play in the long sandbox.

RUNNER UP: Cali N Tito's

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979


Take Out

WINNER: Choo Choo Japanese Korean Grill Express

1055 Gaines School Rd. · 706-543-8888

Always fast, always fresh, always friendly: Choo Choo has all the elements you want when you're taking out.

RUNNER UP: Siri Thai Cuisine

367 Prince Ave. · 706-548-7667

1040 Gaines School Rd. · 706-850-3500


Catering

WINNER: Home.made Catering

1072 Baxter St. · 706-206-9216

New, local, homemade, tasty, portable–what's not to like? Just one more example of how local entrepreneurs keep on replicating what we all like so much about Athens.

RUNNER UP: Marti's at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541


Chef

WINNER: Peter Dale at The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

The unassuming chef, who shuns the limelight and stays focused on the food and the service and the wine list. The peanut gallery noticed, anyway.

RUNNER UP: Hugh Acheson at Five & Ten

1653 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-546-7300


Restaurant for Adventurous Eaters

WINNER: The Branded Butcher

225 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-5152

Even if you haven't been there yet, you've heard the word of mouth, and now it's a roar: a flair for food, tasty, well presented and surprising.

RUNNER UP: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450


Restaurant That's Worth a Short Drive

WINNER: Chops and Hops

2 South Main St., Watkinsville · 706-310-1101

Well named, Chops and Hops has the cuts and the brews worth driving for, and it's also just a friendly, comfortable place where you can dine with friends or have your rehearsal party upstairs.

RUNNER UP: Girasoles

24 Greensboro Hwy., Watkinsville · 706-310-0410


Uniquely Athens Restaurant

WINNER: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

If you know The Grit, you know why it is uniquely Athens. If you don't know, you've got a lot to look forward to. The Grit is the hometown restaurant for a lot of Athenians and a magnet for travelers.

RUNNER UP: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

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