Categories
Favorites

Favorite Restaurants 2016


New (opened between Feb. ’15–Jan. ’16)

Winner: Saucehouse Barbeque

830 W. Broad St. · 706-363-3351

Kapow! Christopher W. Belk and Charlie Nix opened Saucehouse in August of 2015 and a few months later are our Favorite New Restaurant.

Runner Up: Mannaweenta

1055 Gaines School Rd. · 706-850-8422

Favorites-Saucehouse.jpg

Photo Credit: zoom-works.com

Saucehouse Barbeque – Voted Favorite New Restaurant


Italian

Winner: DePalma’s Italian Cafe

401 E. Broad St. · 706-354-6966
1965 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-369-0085
2080 Timothy Rd. · 706-552-1237

Holy pasta and bread sticks! DePalma’s is a six-time Winner for Favorite Italian Restaurant!

Runner Up: La Dolce Vita

323 E. Broad St. · 706-353-3911


American

Winner: Clocked!

259 W. Washington St. · 706-548-9175

Fourth year in a row for Favorite American Hero… we mean Restaurant.

Runner Up: Brett’s Casual American Restaurant

3190 Atlanta Hwy. · 706-850-1395


Asian

Winner (tie): Siri Thai

367 Prince Ave. · 706-548-7667
1040 Gaines School Rd. · 706-850-3500

Winner (tie): Thai Spoon

149 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-548-9222

Thai in a tie! These two have battled back and forth for the title of Favorite Asian Restaurant. Seems fitting to reward both.

Runner Up: Just Pho…and more

1063 Baxter St. · 706-850-1420


Sushi

Winner: Shokitini

251 W. Clayton St. · 706-353-7933

Raw power! Shokitini rolled up their fifth win.

Runner Up: Utage Athens Sushi Bar

440 E. Clayton St. · 706-227-9339


Mexican/Latin American

Winner: Cali-N-Tito’s

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979
1254 Cedar Shoals Dr. · 706-355-7087

Cali-N-Tito’s swooped in and grabbed this award last year, daring anyone to take it back.

Runner Up: Tlaloc El Mexicano Restaurant

1225 N. Chase St. · 706-613-9301


BBQ

Winner: Pulaski Heights BBQ

675 Pulaski St. Suite 100 · 706-583-9600

Holy smoked butts! Chef Chuck Ramsey is commanding this category for a third year.

Runner Up: White Tiger Gourmet

217 Hiawassee Ave. · 706-353-6847


Bakery

Winner: Independent Baking Co.

1625 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-3550

Crunch! No one can resist the power of a fresh baked loaf. Second year winning proves that to be true.

Runner Up: Ike and Jane

1307 Prince Ave. · 706-850-1580


Downhome/Southern

Winner: The Place

229 Broad St. · 706-850-2988

The newest kids on the block win Favorite Downhome/Southern. Bam!

Runner Up: Mama’s Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249


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
425 Barber St. · 706-227-2161
297 E. Broad St. · 706-613-7449
1880 Epps Bridge Pkwy. · 706-345-8900

Saving Athens’ tired masses with jolts of java justifies Jittery Joe’s sixth year win.

Runner Up: Hendershot’s Coffee Bar

237 Prince Ave. · 706-353-3050


Local Pizza

Winner: Automatic Pizza

1397 Prince Ave. · 706-850-2037

Power pizza pies prove popular for these jovial dough boys, enjoying their first win.

Runner Up: Ted’s Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523


Local Burger

Winner: Clocked!

259 W. Washington St. · 706-548-9175

Burgers + Clocked! = Shazam! x 6.

Runner Up: Grindhouse Killer Burgers

1553 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-612-9327


Fries

Winner: Trappeze Pub

269 W. Washington St. · 706-543-8997

Few are strong enough to resist the power of Trappeze’s fries and secret dipping sauces. The title is theirs for a second year.

Runner Up: The Grill

171 College Ave. · 706-543-4770


Burrito

Winner: Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina

259 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-9008
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-9954
1880 Epps Bridge Pkwy. · 706-354-0300
1739 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-548-1866

Barberitos builds bountiful burritos and remains an Athens Favorite for a fifth year.

Runner Up: Cali-N-Tito’s

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979
1254 Cedar Shoals Dr. · 706-355-7087


Taco

Winner: Taqueria del Sol

334 Prince Ave. · 706-353-3890

Holy guacamole! Taqueria del Sol wins Favorite Taco for a fourth year.

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

Steak, a vegan’s Kryptonite, is what makes Porterhouse a six-time winner.

Runner Up: The Branded Butcher

225 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-5152


Seafood

Winner: Seabear Oyster Bar

297 Prince Ave., Suite 10 · 706-850-4367

Great crispy crustaceans! Seabear is Athens’ Favorite Seafood Restaurant for a second year.

Runner Up: Marker 7 Coastal Grill

1195 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-850-3451

Favorites-Seabear.jpg

Photo Credit: zoom-works.com

Seabear Oyster Bar – Voted Favorite Seafood Restaurant and Runner Up Favorite Happy Hour


Wings

Winner: Amici

233 E. Clayton St. · 706-353-0000

Kapow! Amici’s wings will blow your mind. This is their fourth win as Athens Favorite Wings.

Runner Up: Blind Pig Tavern

312 E. Washington St. · 706-548-3442
2440 W. Broad St. · 706-208-7979
2301 College Station Rd. · 706-850-4919


Vegetarian Options

Winner: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

Kaboom! Strength in veggies. It’s no surprise that The Grit has dominated this category for six years.

Runner Up: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450


Sandwich

Winner: Marti’s at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541

Marvelous Marti’s at Midday’s scrumptious sandwiches were voted an Athens Favorite for a second year.

Runner Up: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029


Dessert

Winner: The Last Resort

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

Holy turtle cheesecakes! These guys have been designated the Favorite for delicious desserts for six years.

Runner Up: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592


Frozen Treat

Winner: Menchie’s

196 Alps Rd. · 706-208-7223
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-850-8336

More tasty than a scoop of vanilla. Able to heap all toppings in a single cup. Menchie’s is Athens’ Favorite frozen sweet tooth saver for a fifth year!

Runner Up: Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop

105 College Ave. · 706-208-0031


Buffet

Winner: Taste of India

131 E. Broad St. · 706-559-0000

Having a never-ending supply of hot food is far superior to having X-ray vision or invisibility! Six time Winner of Favorite Buffet.

Runner Up: Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet

2020 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-546-8777


Breakfast

Winner: Mama’s Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

Even superheroes need a good breakfast… sometimes at noon. Six-time Winner of Favorite Breakfast.

Runner Up: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029


Lunch

Winner: Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

227 Prince Ave. · 706-247-7619

Taziki’s zapped the competition this year with their first award for Favorite Lunch!

Runner Up: Marti’s at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541


Brunch

Winner: Mama’s Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

Punching out hunger for a fourth year, Favorite Brunch goes to Mama’s Boy again.

Runner Up: Heirloom Cafe and Fresh Market

815 N. Chase St. · 706-354-7901


Late Night

Winner: The Grill

171 College Ave. · 706-543-4770

“You wouldn’t like me when I’m hangry!” The Grill feeds the citizens of Athens 24/7, earning a sixth year as the Favorite Late Night Restaurant.

Runner Up: The World Famous

351 N. Hull St. · 706-543-4002


Date Night

Winner: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

Couples can’t resist the power of Chef Peter Dale’s ingredients. The National sweeps this category for a sixth year.

Runner Up: The 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

Holy nickels and dimes! T-Stand leaves change in your pocket and puts food in your belly. This is their sixth year winning Favorite Meal for a Deal.

Runner Up: Little Italy

125 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-613-7100


Special Occasion

Winner: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

Marvel-ous meals and super-ior staffing are the perfect recipe for a special occasion. The National is the Favorite Special Occasion Restaurant for a second year.

Runner Up: Five & Ten

1073 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-546-7300


Kid-Friendly Local Restaurant

Winner: Ted’s Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

Championing children’s rights to eat pizza, get dirty and use their outside voices, Ted’s is a kids’ and parents’ Favorite for a fifth year.

Runner Up: Cali-N-Tito’s

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979
1254 Cedar Shoals Dr. · 706-355-7087


Outdoor Dining

Winner: Ted’s Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s super patio, where you can see actual birds and planes. Ted’s recently added a warmer winter section to its patio so you can enjoy outdoor dining all year round. This is their fourth award.

Runner Up: Cali-N-Tito’s

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979
1254 Cedar Shoals Dr. · 706-355-7087


Take Out

Winner: Choo Choo Japanese Korean Grill Express

1055 Gaines School Rd. · 706-543-8888

Faster than a speeding delivery driver… Choo Choo will have your food packaged and ready to take home. Voted Favorite Take Out Restaurant for a fifth time.

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

Need hors d’oeuvres for 200? This is a job for Super Mimi! She has the power to create incredible cuisine from scratch armed with only a whisk and a wooden spoon. Home.made is Athens’ Favorite Catering for a fourth year.

Runner Up: Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

227 Prince Ave. · 706-247-7619


Chef

Winner: Peter Dale at The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

“A strange visitor from another planet who came to Athens with culinary powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal chefs.” Mild-mannered Peter Dale is chosen as Athens’ Favorite Chef for a fourth time.

Runner Up: Hugh Acheson at 5 & 10

1073 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-546-7300


Restaurant for Adventurous Eaters

Winner: The Branded Butcher

225 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-5152

Holy pigs’ ears and chicken hearts! This place will have you rethinking your definition of delicacies. A four-year Winner in this category.

Runner Up: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450


Restaurant That’s Worth a Short Drive (20 miles or less)

Winner: Chops and Hops

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

Cruise your Batmobile a few miles over to Watkinsville to discover Chops and Hops, a five-time Winner.

Runner Up: Little City Diner

135 Cherokee Rd. · 706-742-7590


Uniquely Athens Restaurant

Winner: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

Shazam! The source of all their power is in the Golden Bowl. The Favorite Uniquely Athens Restaurant for a sixth year can only be The Grit.

Runner Up: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

RELATED ARTICLES BY AUTHOR