Introduction

Hello,

I wanted to make a post detailing my experience eating in Athens. If anyone has any questions, please post them in the comments.

I went to UGA from 2016-2022. During this time, I was able to eat at a lot of places that I wanted to review and comment on. Know that this is all my personal opinion and experiences may vary.

Athens Wok 7/10

My experience at Athens Wok was decent. My ex loved this place. I frequently went here during my time at UGA. Customer service is hit or miss. Some of my friends said that the service is terrible, but in my opinion, there were no drastically bad experiences. When I went here I typically got either the Sesame Chicken, or the Orange Chicken. The lunch special will save you money as well.

The Globe 8/10

The Globe was open during some period of my time at UGA. While it was open, I was able to eat some burgers about 2-3 times my whole time at UGA. Hear that it will reopen eventually, but those may just be rumors. I will say that the service was pretty good and the food was solid. Does not get a higher score because first, they weren't open when I graduated, and second, there was no real wow factor that pushes it to a 9-10.

Eddies Calzone/DP Dough 6/10

If calzones are your thing, I could see this being a go to spot. Decent food and lots of options. I did hear that Eddie's stole recipes from DP Dough, but that also may just be hearsay. Food takes a bit long to make, but what can you expect, it's made fresh. Would like to note that it is kind of expensive for a calzone. I usually got the Hawaiian or Buffalo Chicken.

Taste of India 9/10

Honestly, I was surprised that I was able to find an authentic Indian restaurant in Athens. This is not downtown, but is close to the Choo Choo / Aldi. This place is amazing. Highly recommend the butter chicken or the tikka masala. Also garlic naan all the way. Could be a 10/10, but the price of the food is a little steep. Good date idea.

DePalmas (Timothy Road and Downtown) 7/10

I have a biased since I worked here for a brief period of time. I took a date to the downtown DePalmas and it went really well. I'll speak about Timothy Road though. The food is good for Italian food and the service is good as well. More of a classy place if you want to take a date. 1 person is typically a $25 check for one plate Tip. Recommend the Pasta DePalma with Sausage and the breadsticks with meatball, sausage, or pepperoni.

Taqueria Tsunami 5/10

In my opinion, this is the definition of mid. I find the food to be very "Chillis-esk". I mean it's a cool concept and maybe good for a more casual date. Food is a decent and when I went I typically got either tacos or steak quesadillas. The tots with their sauce or queso is pretty good.

Ahi Hibachi and Poke 8/10

This place is very good. I've seen many people get a Poke Bowl, but never tried it myself. The hibachi chicken was usually my go-to. Good service and good food. Highly recommend stopping for lunch or late night dinners.

The National 6/10

I took a date here whimsically after Cine rejected my date and I because she did not have her vaccination card (Not sure if they still have this in place). The food is considered fine dining and I will say that the food is good; however, there are many limited options. This is kind of expected for fine dining. Very expensive. Think my check for the two of us was at about $250 including tip.

South Kitchen and Bar 7/10

This is a good date spot for either brunch, lunch, or dinner. Very relaxed environment and the food is good here is well. Will say that it is usually very busy. The atmosphere is good here as well. I would say that it is a little pricey, but the food quality and variety is solid.

Mama's Boy 8/10

Very good spot for a breakfast or brunch experience. Very laid back staff and their food is very good. I find that I usually got takeout here because wait times were very long. Expect it to be busy. I usually got the salmon benedict.

Heirloom 7/10

Very good lunch or dinner spot. Took a date here and we had a great time sitting outside. The hours here are very weird, so I would either call or check google for their availability.

Jinya 6/10

Honestly, I may be spoiled by Umaido over here in Suwanee. Took a few dates here. This place has decent ramen. Usually got the Tonkatsu Red spice level 2/5 and the Crispy Rice (3 crispy rice slice with spicy tuna on top). Good spot for something that is a little different. It is a chain.

J Christophers 6/10

Decent spot for a breakfast or brunch date. Took a first date here and we experienced a very happy atmosphere. I will say the the price of the food is a little high for breakfast food, but I guess you're paying for the experience. Usually got the eggs benedict.

Blind Pig Tavern 7/10

I honestly have only gotten the fries here. That's it. the fries were 9/10, but the place overall has a very grimy feel. Decent service from what I remember and a very rowdy atmosphere.

The World Famous 9/10

The food is here is really good. Seriously. I can speak to the place's bar aspect, but this post is more related to food. Service is great and the food is amazing. I usually either got pretzels, wings, or a few other things I cannot remember. Oh yeah the Bahn Mi, seriously try it, it's fantastic.

Mother Pho 7/10

I have eaten a lot of Vietnamese food in my life since I am half Vietnamese. This place has good service and a quality atmosphere as far as Viet restaurants are concerned. If you go you have to get the Pho Thai, but I usually got that or the steak and rice. I would say if you've never had Viet food before or love pho, give this place a shot. I think if you sit inside you have to wear a mask, could have changed though.

Tlaloc 8/10

Very good spot for authentic Mexican food. The staff usually spoke Spanish, so sometimes it was difficult to communicate, but that did not diminish from the experience. Great service. Great food. Great small atmosphere. Took a date here and we drank lots of inexpensive, but quality margs. Highly recommend checking this place out. Usually got Al Pastor tacos.

Utage 6/10

Took a date here when we wanted to have inexpensive sushi. The lunch special is great for inexpensive, but quality sushi. I would not place it that high though, because generally the atmosphere is pretty dead, and the food itself is serviceable.

Little Italy 6/10

The food here is your classic late night after downtown pit stop. The pizza quality is decent, but do not expect some over the top amazing pizza. Nice staff and generally a quick production and output of the food considering how busy it is late at night. Lunch special is also pretty good here.

Choo choo 5/10

Let's be honest. The only time you really want to eat here is because its like 1am on a weekday and its very inexpensive food and you want some Asian take out. The food quality is good for being very cheap to buy. Service is ok, never really eat inside. Usually got some chicken or steak and fried rice and mixed in the yellow and spicy teriyaki sauce.

Dawg Gone Good BBQ 8/10

I think this spot is a little hidden so not many people know about it. Was my go-to spot for BBQ. Very good food. Little small on space, I generally ate outside. Good service in my experience.

Sr Sol 1 and 2 7/10

Good food. Never ate inside as I think one of them is connected to a gas station, but the food is some good Mexican food. I got take out most of the time so cannot speak to the service.

Athens Bagel Co 7/10

This place is closed now. Not sure if it will reopen. Very good atmosphere, service, and breakfast/bagel food. I would usually go do a crossword with some coffee while chilling before I went to class. Sad that it closed during my later years for my undergraduate.

Munch Hut 5/10

I only really went here on late nights when my ex wanted something to eat that was in downtown. The food is decent and inexpensive. Expect the time you are waiting for your food to be very long. The guy I always saw working the orders/cashier was very nice and friendly. Service was very good. One of the reasons I gave it a 5 instead of like a 3 or 4.

Honorable Mentions

Insomnia Cookie 8/10

Very good cookie spot for late night or just mid-day cookies. A little expensive, but it is a good spot for a quirky treat with a date after dinner.

Closing

I ate a lot of food in Athens, but there are many places that I did not mention or go to because I usually like a few or some spots and just stick to those pretty consistently. I may have just forgot some places that I went to. I did not mention a lot of chains because those have a pretty standard experience wherever you go. I will be returning for a second undergraduate in the Fall of 2023 so I'm excited to try some more places! Happy to answer any questions in the comments.