The 2019-2020 Flagpole Guide to Athens

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service. Hours: Lunch, Sat–Sun. Dinner, seven days. The Look: Counter inside Showtime Bowl; some tables, nearby arcade. Menu: Better versions of bar food/bowling alley standards: burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, wings, intensely loaded fries/tots/nachos, a burrito, garlic knots, pizza and a $6 kids menu. Drinks: Buckets of beers, some nice deep-cut craft choices. Wine, too.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, take-out, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Counter-service poke. Menu: There are lots of places to get poke, but this is one of the best, despite its unassuming atmosphere. Punch cards for repeat diners, vegetarian options, a bajillion fresh topping options, plus hibachi, fried rice, noodles and basic soups and salads.

File Under: Sandwiches, Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, seven days. The Look: Locally owned bagel bakery with space to eat-in. Menu: Big, good bagels boiled and baked in-house in a wide variety of flavors. Top with hummus, butter (whipped, honey, peanut) or housemade cream cheese in flavors savory and sweet. Breakfast and lunch sandwiches on bagels: smoked pork, Reuben or housemade egg salad.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Classy but not fancy pizza place with small but pleasant outdoor seating at picnic tables. Menu: Excellent, large, floppy slices or whole pies, topped with quality stuff, including great anchovies; good salads; nice subs on Luna bread; cannoli. Vegan-friendly. Gluten-free options. Drinks: Local and mainstream draft beer, wine, half-pours for half-price and Sunday discounts.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer (Clayton St.), catering, outside seating, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Locally owned burrito chain. Menu: Health-oriented Mexican-ish fare, with seven options that have less than 7 grams of fat each. Customizable burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, nachos and salads, lots of veggies; vegetarian and vegan options.

File Under: Ice Cream and Smoothies, Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Drive-thru, Wi-Fi, counter service. Hours: Vary by location.

File Under: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Delivery. Features: Catering, counter service. Hours: 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Mon–Sat. The Look: Cute and decorative, like the fancy cookies and cakes it offers. Menu: Custom-order desserts, or pick up something from the display case (cake, iced cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cake pops and more). Box lunches with a sandwich, cheese straws and a cupcake are available without pre-ordering.

File Under: Ice Cream and Smoothies. Features: Outside seating, counter service. Hours: 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun–Thu. 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Fri–Sat.

File Under: Bakeries, Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Sat. Weekend brunch. The Look: Charming restaurant with an amazing dog-friendly patio and sidewalk chalk for kids. Big booths and art inside. Menu: Breakfast and lunch, plus breads, pastries, cakes, special orders and more from the bakery. Really good French toast and burgers, plus quiche, some bigger plates (fish and chips, veggie sauté), fries with blue cheese and garlic aioli and lots of healthy stuff. Drinks: Small but nice selection of beer; wine by the glass or bottle.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Take out, counter service. Hours: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Mon–Sat. The Look: Old-timey, with lots of taxidermied animal heads and novelty signs. Menu: Perfect steamed hot dogs in a toasted bun. Get the slaw. Also offers classic sandwiches like grilled cheese, corned beef and chicken salad.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Counter service, take out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Unfancy restaurant attached to a convenience store in Nicholson. Menu: There are tacos and grilled meats and standards, but the real attraction here is the birria, a meaty stew highlighting goat or lamb, darkly spicy with ancho chiles. Goat and lamb cooked similarly can also make for good taco fillings or sope toppings. Salsas in the cooler.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Little red stand that serves wings and chicken fingers to go. Walk up, call ahead or order online. Menu: Boneless or traditional wings, available with 13 sauces (lemon pepper, honey mustard, sweet and sour) and in bulk. Also: burgers, corn dogs, meaty salads, onion rings, fries and fried apple pies on the side. Other locations are in Statham, Lexington, Commerce, Elberton, Hartwell and Royston.

File Under: Downhome. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. Breakfast, Sat. The Look: Counter with a few booths inside a neighborhood convenience store. Known as the Jesus Biscuit to some. Menu: Fat biscuits with sausage, ham, eggs, tenderloin, cheese, gravy and more. Grits, eggs or hashbrowns on the side. Perfect hangover cure. Rotating lunch items include corn dogs, chicken fingers, pork chops and fish on Fridays.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Tiny, cute eatery hidden below street level downtown. Menu: Bubble tea, as you'd expect, but also gyoza, some hearty noodle soups, tasty Taiwanese-style snacks and rice bowls. Prepackaged snacks by the register. Fast and inexpensive.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: No-frills restaurant with booth seating in a shopping center. Menu: Order pizzas as big as 24 inches in diameter online, with up to 20 toppings, as well as wings (15 sauces), hot and cold subs, calzones, fried apps, pasta, salads, breadsticks and dessert.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Full bar, live music, catering, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Bar-like barbecue joint. Menu: Consistently good pulled pork and ribs, even without sauce. Sides are reliably tasty, too: potato salad with bacon, chicken mull, corn nuggets, fried okra, meat skins. Kids menu. Drinks: Beer, liquor, margaritas and Bloody Marys.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars, Sandwiches. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast to 8 p.m., seven days. The Look: High ceilings, cool kids area, indoor porch swing and trains out the window. Menu: Eats are on the lighter side: pastries and soft pretzels by The Comerian, hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, cheese plates, snoballs and snacks by the scoop. Coffee and tea, plus interesting sodas. Drinks: Draft and bottled/canned craft beers, wine, craft cocktails made with beer and wine, aperitifs, boozy snoballs.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Features: Outside seating, beer and wine, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue-Sun. The Look: A kid's paradise, with coin-operated children's rides, old video games, an airplane hanging from the ceiling, tricycles, a full-size fountain and much more. Menu: Similar menu to the original on Lumpkin, with tweaked Peruvian specialties. La Michoacana… es Natural operates a booth with ice cream, paletas and street snacks inside the restaurant.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American, Vegetarian Friendly, Cash and Checks Only. Features: BYOB, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Magical wonderland that continually changes. Most seating is outside, but a lot of it is covered. Menu: Latin American food with a Peruvian influence and big portions: plantains (sweet and savory), steak and fries, tacu tacu (rice and beans topped with eggs), fish burrito, great empanadas and more. Lots of veggie choices. Show up early if the weather's nice; the lines can get long. Small fee to BYOB; ATM in the gas station next door.

File Under: American. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. Lunch, Sun. The Look: Regional chain with an Epps Bridge outpost. Menu: Barbecue, hot dogs, sandwiches and more American faves.

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, catering, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Quick service is key at this small Chinese restaurant that focuses on to-go food. Menu: Lo mein, pancit, teriyaki, egg foo young, sweet and sour, moo shu and meat entrees, plus chef's special Cantonese dishes.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Features: Counter service, take-out. The Look: Limited seating and no frills, mostly to-go orders. Menu: Americanized quick-service Chinese dishes, including chop suey, lo mein, mai fun, moo shu and egg fu yung, make up the primary order of business here.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Counter service, take-out, catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Asian, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and sake, delivery, trivia, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Counter service, big booths. Menu: Generous servings of Korean and Japanese noodle and rice entrees with chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp or tofu. More traditional dishes include bibimbap, bulgogi and tonkatsu. Korean tacos come stuffed with jae yuk (marinated pork), kimchi or calamari. Popular with the late-night crowd.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Buffet, catering, counter service, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Vegan. Features: Counter service, catering, Wi-Fi. Hours: Seven days.

File Under: American. Features: Counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. The Look: Cafeteria inside the UGA Hotel. Validated parking for up to one hour is available at the South Campus Parking Deck. Menu: Breakfast in the a.m., made-to-order deli sandwiches in the p.m. Southern standards from a steam table and a soup and salad bar on weekdays. Coffee, muffins and bagels are available around the corner at Georgia Java. Under renovation in summer 2019 but still open.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Delivery, take-out, catering, counter service, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Late night, Fri–Sat. The Look: Super-friendly; not fancy. Picnic tables out front, but some seating inside. A popular choice when downtown late. Menu: Ribs, barbecue chicken, pulled pork sandwiches and sausage dogs, plus sides like baked-potato salad, spinach supreme, yams, coleslaw, baked beans and mac and cheese.

File Under: Mexican and Latin American. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. Weekend brunch. The Look: Comfy restaurant in a historic house. Very family-friendly, with a well-stocked playroom. Menu: Hot breakfast and lunch to order until 2 p.m. Open later on weekdays for pick-up of pre-made items. Lots of veggie stuff, some vegan. Brunch on the weekends. To-go meals in the fridge and the freezer include breakfast stratas, casseroles, desserts and more. Holiday special orders. Walkers, bikers and bus riders get a 5 percent discount.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Restaurant inside the grocery store. Great deals for kids meals. Menu: Much better than the average grocery store restaurant. Lots of variety, all with a natural emphasis: salads with organic ingredients, sushi, fresh-made sandwiches and a hot bar, plus smoothies, juice, coffee, soups and baked goods.

File Under: Italian and Pizza. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days.

File Under: American, Bakeries. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. Saturday brunch. The Look: Cute, cozy, family-run eatery inside Hawthorne Drugs, with lots of children's books to read. Menu: Breakfast has plates, biscuits, omelets, pancakes and baked goods. Brunch adds quiche, Benedict and more. Lunch is mostly classic sandwiches (chicken salad, pimento cheese, egg salad) but also a good Cuban and a pimento-cheese BLT with pepper jelly.

File Under: Something Different. Features: Breakfast, lunch, vegetarian friendly, outside seating, take-out, counter service. Hours: 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Tue–Fri. 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat–Sun. The Look: Food truck turned restaurant echoes its beginnings with wooden notes and a large, sunny patio. Menu: Breakfast served all day, with big biscuit sandwiches made with good ingredients and sourced locally, including the jam. Veggie choices, but meaty stuff, too. Baked goods in a case at the counter. Egg plates, bagels, housemade granola with yogurt, fancy sodas, good coffee. Salads and sandwiches at lunch.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Take-out, counter service. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Sat. The Look: Big cafe attached to a fancy, farm-fresh, independent grocery store. Menu: Surrounding farms mean good ingredients. Breakfast brings fancy biscuits, stuffed French toast, eggs, bacon and more. Lunch has hearty salads, burgers, a grilled cheese sandwich that includes apples and bacon and local veggies. High Road ice cream and lots of baked goods for dessert.

File Under: Something Different. Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tue-Sat. The Look: Elegant and clean, with plenty of turquoise. Menu: Small-batch kombucha made with high-quality local ingredients, available by the growler (half or full) or cup. Specific offerings change regularly. Find these folks at Athens Farmers Market, too.

File Under: Downhome, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Buffet, catering. Hours: Lunch, Tue–Fri and Sun. The Look: Homey eatery with a self-service buffet and a great mural by Broderick Flanigan outside. Menu: Meat-and-three staples that rotate daily, like pork chops, fried chicken livers, catfish, mac and cheese and tons of good vegetables. All-you-can-eat buffet lets you stuff yourself silly.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Buffet (Hull Road), catering, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days (Atlanta Hwy.). Lunch and dinner, Wed–Sat (Hull Road). The Look: Wood paneling, shack-like exterior. Menu: The Hull location does an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch Wednesday through Friday, with ribs, shrimp or catfish. Otherwise, it's chopped pork and chicken, Brunswick stew, baked beans, chicken tenders and banana pudding. Family and tailgating specials for take-out.

File Under: Mexican, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Late night, Fri and Sat.

File Under: Burgers, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Full bar, counter service, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Two-floor small chain out of Atlanta. Menu: Petite burgers made with beef, turkey or beans and quinoa, plus plant-based Impossible Burger. Build your own or select a combo from the menu. Handspun milkshakes, crinkle-cut fries, fried pimento cheese nuggets, salads, chili. Drinks: Domestic and craft beers, wine, shots, cocktails and boozy milkshakes.

File Under: Burgers, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, take-out, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Slick, independently owned burger place that gets orders out fast. Menu: Burgers (both meat and veggie), salads and hot sandwiches (pork chop, Philly, fried chicken) come with great sides ("street corn," asparagus, brussels sprouts, fabulous onion rings). Clever toppings and smart choice of ingredients, like pickled shallots. Good shakes. Drinks: Full bar with plenty of options.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, outside seating, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Casual, longtime local haunt. Tables in one room, a few outside and some seats at the counter. Order at the counter for take-out, or grab a seat, and the staff will come to you. Menu: Pita and tortilla wraps, falafel, salads and Phillies.

File Under: Something Different. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon-Sat. Features: Counter service, take-out. The Look: Cheese shop and neighborhood market in Normaltown with some seating for eat-in. Menu: Cut-to-order cheese counter and high-quality pantry staples. Sandwiches, soups, salads and more from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Ready-to-eat foods all day long. Grilled cheese (of course), good sides, loads of vegetarian and vegan choices, fun ingredients like nduja and zhoug. Check the specials.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, live music, art, Wi-Fi, outside seating. Hours: Open seven days. The Look: Spacious coffee house/restaurant/bar/music club in the Bottleworks with a regular open mic night. Menu: Coffee drinks, nitro coffee, teas and juices all day pair with muffins, cookies and savory scones. Scratch-made sandwiches, yogurt parfaits. Drinks: Draft and bottled/canned craft beers, wine, craft cocktails and mocktails (some with coffee).

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Full bar, live music, counter service, trivia. Hours: Dinner and late night, Mon–Sun. Lunch, Mon–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Family-friendly neighborhood bar with eats. TVs for sporting events. Menu: Good hot dogs and veggie dogs with an array of toppings, fried cheese galore, tons of veggie and vegan choices that work for meat-eaters. Broiled grapefruit with gin, Cointreau and Lillet for brunch, plus biscuits and gravy. Drinks: Full bar with 15 draft beers, plus a well-curated selection of bottles and cans. Half pours, whiskeys and classic cocktails. Check the site to see what's on deck.

File Under: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, seven days. The Look: Homage to a classic deli. Menu: Breakfast and lunch, with nice, small bagels, excellent house-smoked fish and sandwiches (either on bagels or on Luna bread). Sandwiches involve meats sliced in front of you (capicola, roast beef, etc.) but also hummus, roasted veggies, sauerkraut and scrambled eggs. Kids meals.

File Under: Bakeries. Hours: Tue–Sun. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi. The Look: Small shop with most of its space devoted to baking. A few seats at a counter, and some on the covered patio next door. Menu: It doesn't really matter what you order here, as everything is perfect: very serious bread (down to the rolls) made with house-milled wheat, plus croissants and other feather-light viennoiserie, Counter Culture coffee and a limited selection of cookies. Products available at a few other places around town.

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Ideal for meals to go. Menu: Steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu and "Ultimate Vegetarian" prepared hibachi style or with teriyaki sauce. Entrees come with fried rice, vegetables and two sauces. 

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, delivery, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Fast sushi in a casual environment. Menu: No bells and whistles, but good sushi at a reasonable price. Choose among nigiri, maki and specialty rolls, then accessorize with katsu, edamame, seaweed salad, etc. Teriyaki and tempura, too.

File Under: American, Mexican. Features: Outside seating, counter service, cash only. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Sat–Sun. The Look: Georgia's biggest flea market has several large buildings with regular eateries and a ton of tables outside selling fresh, well-priced produce. Menu: Biscuits and burgers at the Flea Bite Cafe, barbecue, boiled peanuts, pizza and the wonderful Taqueria Mi Tierra, serving up excellent and authentic Mexican food, including fantastic pollo a la brasa. Food truck nights. La Michoacana… es Natural has an ice cream truck there on occasion.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Catering, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Atlanta-based sports bar chain with a welcoming vibe. Menu: Wings, burgers, Phillies and wraps. Drinks: Full bar with lots of specials.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Delivery, catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon-Fri. The Look: Classic soda fountain in an independent drugstore hidden away. Menu: Bagels for breakfast. Lunch expands to sandwiches (pimento cheese, chicken salad, grilled cheese, Southwestern chicken wrap, spinach salad with egg, bacon and poppyseed dressing). Also chili dogs, slaw dogs, good soups, PB&J, fro-yo and milkshakes.

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Drive-thru (Baxter), delivery, catering, counter service, outside seating (Baxter). Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Late night (Baxter).

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun (Five Points), Mon–Sat (Epps Bridge). The Look: Two locations of a longtime Athens restaurant. Lumpkin Street has a covered patio. Menu: Walk down the counter and select from Jamaican standards and veggies: jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, barbecue ribs, salmon, spicy cabbage, spicy squash, rice and peas, fried plantains, mac and cheese. Patties, too, plus super-sweet tea and cornbread. 

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out. Hours: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Mon–Fri. 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. Menu: Fresh breads (loaf-style, baguettes, bagels), muffins, scones (sweet and savory), cinnamon rolls and sweets from cheesecake to bar desserts, cupcakes, layer cakes and cookies, everything cutely packaged. The deli case holds pimento cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad and hummus. Specialty cakes and pies orderable in advance. Holiday menus.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, art. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. The Look: Friendly small-town café. Menu: Homemade soups, salads and deli sandwiches. Chicken salad, egg salad, ham salad and pimento cheese homemade daily (available by the scoop or the pound). Nice selection of veggie options. Fresh-squeezed apple and carrot juice, plus Jittery Joe's coffee.

File Under: Ice Cream and Smoothies, Mexican. Features: Outside seating. Hours: 12–9 p.m., seven days. The Look: Bright pink and green environs in front of the Ingles. Second location inside Eastside Cali N Tito's. Truck at J&J sometimes, plus local events. Board games. Menu: Independently owned Mexican ice cream shop that makes flavors fresh in-store daily (try the tequila ice cream), as well as gorgeous paletas full of fruit, rollitos (rolled ice cream), smoothies, aguas frescas and a variety of Mexican street-food snacks, like Dorilocos and loaded potato chips. Tostadas de ceviche on Fridays.

File Under: Bakeries. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Wed–Mon. The Look: Select your own pastries with tongs or browse the refrigerated cases in this cute bakery in a small strip mall. Menu: Cake by the slice, cookies, Mexican sweet breads, doughnuts, whole cakes, coffee and surprisingly excellent bagels. Sno-cones sometimes. All exceedingly reasonably priced.

File Under: Mexican and South American. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Counter in a lively Mexican grocery store with a few booths. Menu: Tacos, tortas, burritos and a few other things, all made with meat available at the butcher's counter next door. The "American taco" comes with lettuce and cheese and is actually quite tasty. Homemade tortillas. Horchata and aguas frescas with tamarind, pineapple and hibiscus to drink. Browse the wide selection of goods while you wait.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches. Features: Take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Big downtown convenience store with a sandwich counter that also sells beer-pong accessories, cat food and the like. Menu: Big deli sandwiches made with fresh-sliced Boar's Head meats and cheeses, in a hurry. Plenty of choice for beverages. Free high fives if you leave a tip.

File Under: Chicken. Features: Take-out, drive-thru. Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Mon–Sat. The Look: Grab-and-go chicken spot located inside the old Church's Chicken. Menu: Wings and tenders, either plain or sauced, plus fried fish, hot sandwiches, salads, desserts and fried pickles.

File Under: Ice Cream and Smoothies. Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon–Thu. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri-Sat. 12–7 p.m., Sun. The Look: Popular kid-owned ice cream truck with a new brick-and-mortar space in the Ansonborough development. Menu: Ice cream sandwiches, hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream, novelty ice cream, Italian ices, rolled ice cream, milkshakes, vintage candy. You can also buy owner Beau Shell's children's book.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, take-out, counter service. Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat. The Look: Cute space under 1000 Faces downtown. Menu: Hot and cold lunch six days a week, plus catering. Eat in the friendly dining room after choosing from pimento-less cheese, shrimp salad, chicken salad and a number of veggie-based dishes that change out daily: collard rolls, quiche, grain salads and more. Cookies, fancy chocolates, candy and gift items available, too. Biscuits on weekends.

File Under: American. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon-Fri. Brunch, Sat–Sun. Features: Counter service, take-out, outside seating, vegetarian friendly. The Look: Pretty, sunny little restaurant in the middle of Winterville. Menu: Great food in a quiet environment. Southern breakfast and brunch include country ham biscuits, hotcakes, Red Mule grits and sawmill gravy. Lunch brings a burger, barbecue pork sandwich, fried egg sandwich and salads. Good pie and coffee. Tempeh and soysage coexist with country ham and smoked bacon.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, Mon–Sat. The Look: Fast, traditional New York-style pizzeria. Menu: Pizza by the big, floppy slice or by the pie. Massive subs, antipasti, salads, stromboli and calzones. Everything, including pitchers of beer, is priced for the penny-pincher.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Peter Dale's sweet reno on Boulevard has a bright veggie mural, great views and captain's hats for kids. Menu: Pick a base (brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, salad greens), then a protein (hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, black-eyed-pea tempeh), two veggie sides and a housemade sauce. Menu changes seasonally. Condor Chocolates and La Michoacana paletas for dessert. Kidsmeals. Gluten-free choices. Everything is recyclable or compostable. Drinks: Wine and beer, Aperol spritzes.

File Under: Asian. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Quick and casual counter service is the focus. Menu: Chow mein, stir fry, fried rice, lo mein, egg foo yung, Mongolian chicken, Szechuan beef and Hunan shrimp, all ready for take-out or eat-in. Menu has a Weight Watchers section.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Catering, counter service, take-out, outdoor seating. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Tue–Fri. Weekend brunch. The Look: Big space with homey touches, like a giant bookshelf filled with cookbooks. Menu: Breakfast all day, with staples like chicken and waffles. Try the Ooey Gooey, a biscuit with fried chicken breast topped with Brie cheese and jalapeño peach jelly. Lunch includes burgers and more.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sat. Dinner only, Mon. The Look: Wonderfully hospitable, leisurely Ethiopian spot in a nondescript shopping center. Menu: Lots of beef dishes, but also tons of vegetarian and vegan options, all served with chewy, pancake-like injera bread. You'll be surprised how many ways lentils, tomatoes and onions can come together to make something delicious. Ethiopian tea and coffee, plus cookies.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Fri. The Look: Sunny rooms in a pretty white house in Normaltown. Menu: Southern-style lunch and take-home entrees and casseroles are what Marti's is known for, although it also does breakfast weekdays with homemade muffins and more. Highlights include tarragon chicken salad, pimento cheese, egg salad, chicken gumbo and mint sweet tea, all of which can be bought in bulk.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, catering, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Small chain from Decatur cooks Mediterranean standards in an open kitchen. Menu: Grilled meats and veggies (lamb, chicken, kufta, gyros) and tons of vegetarian choices, like falafel, salads, dolmas, hummus and tabbouleh, all of which can be mixed and matched into good combos. Kids meals and business lunch specials. Baklava and other desserts.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Bakeries. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery. Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon–Thu. 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri–Sat.

File Under: Snoballs. Features: Outside seating. Hours: 12–9 p.m., Mon–Sat. 1–9 p.m., Sun. The Look: Pink and blue-bedecked space with giant Connect Four and a few tables outside. Menu: Snoballs in a million and a half flavors, from pink grapefruit to pickle. Add in gummies, cream, Nerds or chocolate syrup. Dollar cups of ice for dogs.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Tue–Sun. The Look: Family-friendly pizza parlor with quick counter service and big TVs, kids area. Same folks as Little Italy, but more creature comforts here. Menu: Standard New York-style staples: huge slices of thin- and thick-crust pizza (or get a whole pie), calzones, giant subs (Italian sausage, Philly cheesesteak, eggplant parmigiana), stromboli, pasta and a salad bar.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch to late night, Mon-Sat.

File Under: Chicken. Features: Counter service, drive-thru. Hours: Lunch and dinner, late night, seven days.

File Under: American, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Counter service, outside seating, live music, catering. Hours: Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat. The Look: Cool bar/restaurant on top of the historic Georgia Theatre. Take the elevator up to see fantastic views. DJs and bands regularly. Menu: Open both during shows and not, the Rooftop makes grass-fed burgers, a veggie banh mi, pork or tofu barbecue and a few other things ready in a jiffy. Drinks: Draft and canned/bottled beer, mixed drinks.

File Under: Bars and Clubs, Something Different. Features: Full bar, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Board-game café with a long, dark space decorated with doors. Kids under 13 play for free. Free bar games. Food: Lots of things you can eat with one hand while you roll dice with the other: panini, cold sandwiches, salads, cheese plates, bowls of salty and sweet snacks. Drinks: Eight beers on draft; rotating wines and spirits, including cocktails. Coffee, tea and smoothies, too.

File Under: BBQ, Bars. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, live music, outside seating, take-out, trivia. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, Wed–Sun. The Look: Big complex with a great patio (with porch swing and cornhole) and a bar that serves a different menu from the restaurant proper. Menu: Chicken, pork, brisket, ribs, tofu, heftily topped baked potatoes. Classic sides. Lots of types of sauce. The bar has snacks like pork nachos and fried mac-and-cheese balls. Drinks: The separate bar is open seven nights a week serving local beers, cocktails and wine with plenty of weekly specials.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Drive-thru, catering, counter service, outside seating, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. 

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly, Bars. Features: Outside seating, full bar, take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Your choice of table or counter service. Big bar upstairs with pinball, Skee-Ball, pool and ping-pong, plus rooms for private parties. Menu: Large New York-style slices, lots of fresh toppings, specialty pies, big calzones, salads and sandwiches on housemade focaccia. Drinks: Domestic and import bottles and cans, tons of craft beer, wine and cocktails.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Take-out, counter service. Hours: Breakfast, Mon–Sat. Sunday lunch. The Look: Space next to a gas station in downtown Watkinsville, with some seating in an adjoining room. Menu: Biscuits, omelets, bowls of breakfast stuff, breakfast burritos, pancakes (with chocolate chips or blueberries), French toast, hash browns, grits and the like, all made fast. Lunch on Sunday comes off a steam table and includes Southern-style meats and veggies. Kids meals.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, outside seating, take-out, catering. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Mon, Wed–Fri. The Look: Sweet hidden gem on Baxter that attracts grown-ups. Menu: Asian-accented quick bistro with an emphasis on fresh flavors and beautiful presentation. Lots of lightly seasoned veggies and seafood. Gluten-free and dairy-free options.

File Under: Mexican. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Features: Counter service, take-out. The Look: Food counter in the back of a small but well-stocked supermarket with a few tables. Menu: Limited but well-executed choices, cooked right in front of you on the flat top. Pollo, lengua, cabeza, al pastor, chorizo, carnitas, barbacoa, asada and tripa prepared as tacos, sopes (some of the best in town), tortas, burritos or quesadillas. Menudo on weekends, a big cooler of horchata. Credit cards accepted, cash preferred.

File Under: Mexican and South American, Bakeries. Features: Counter and table service, full bar, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Sweet bakery and restaurant in a Watkinsville strip mall across from Publix, with a nice kids area. Menu: Uruguayan steaks and choripan, chicken milanesa torta, breakfast all day, chivito, churrosco del sur and more, with a much expanded menu at dinner. Great baked goods, especially Latin American sweet breads, and tasty empanadas, both sweet and savory. Some gluten-free items.

File Under: Mexican. Features: Full bar, catering, counter service, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Tue–Sat. The Look: Chef-crafted taqueria in a cool, clean, efficient space. Menu: This location of the Atlanta-based franchise is run by the original owners, with an eye toward consistency and quality. The menu is small, but everything is good, and specials change weekly. Pork, brisket, fried chicken, carnitas, fish and veggie tacos are intensely flavored. Follow the system (order at the counter, then sit down), and everything will run smoothly. Drinks: Great selection of premium tequilas, build-your-own margaritas, bottled beers.

File Under: Mexican. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Taqueria with some seating inside the Petro Express. Menu: Tacos, sopes, gorditas and burros (burritos) with fillings including asada, chicken, al pastor, barbacoa, carnitas, desebrada (shredded beef), tongue, tripe, chorizo and buche (stomach), plus hot wings. Don't skip the hot pickled onions on the condiment bar, and get the veggie-heavy shrimp soup if it's available.

File Under: Mexican. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: A small taqueria housed inside a Mexican grocery store. Menu: Authentically prepared Mexican cuisine, including menudo, carnitas, chorizo tacos, tortas, al pastor and a few freshly made salsas. Great baked goods in the grocery section and paletas in the freezer.

File Under: Something Different, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Two-level corner space in the Bottleworks. Menu: Mediterranean quick-service franchise does healthful grilled food, including gyros, entree-size salads and "feasts" (grilled veggies or protein, salad, side). Soups, baklava, daily specials, family take-home meals, hummus and spicy pimento cheese, too.

File Under: Downhome, Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Counter service, drive-thru, catering, outside seating. Hours: Breakfast and lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Thu–Sat. The Look: Red-and-black football theme. The Menu: Breakfast biscuits with sausage, bacon, bologna, steak, chicken, country ham, tenderloin, smoke-link or salmon. Beef, chicken, salmon and shrimp burgers. Some healthier options, too. Wings available in large quantities geared to tailgating.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, counter service, outside seating, live music, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: One of the best patios around, partially covered, with a big sandbox that attracts lots of kids. Menu: Refined, individually sized thin-crust pizzas make toppings like pineapple seem sophisticated. Sandwiches, calzones, pastas, sliders and a great beet salad. Desserts in the refrigerated case. Drinks: Five taps, $1 PBR at happy hour, good beer in cans and bottles, a few wines by the glass.

File Under: Asian. Features: Take-out, counter service. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Simple, clean space that looks like a franchise but isn't. Menu: Teriyaki bowls come with beef, shrimp or chicken, your choice of veggies and a sauce (spicy Korean, yum yum, wasabi mayo, teriyaki). Fried shrimp, fried fish, wings, chicken tenders and fried rice. Kids menu.

File Under: Asian. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Features: Counter service, take-out. The Look: Quick-service hibachi and sushi by the Space Kroger. Menu: A decent selection of sushi rolls, including specialty ones, plus wings, bento box specials at lunch and dinner, hibachi, soup, edamame, some fried apps and poke bowls with baby octopus as well as tuna and salmon.

File Under: American. Features: Counter service. Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days. The Look: A few tables inside an upscale convenience store, not to be confused with the toy and craft store on Broad. Menu: Sandwiches made with meats sliced to order (Cuban, Cajun Philly, etc.), soup, wings, empanadas, chicken tenders, potato salad, pasta salad and suchlike. Coffee, tea and a wide selection of other beverages.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Drive-thru, catering, counter service, outside seating, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. Late night, Fri and Sat. The Look: "What'll ya have?" greets you at the door of this retro fast-food eatery, still going strong after 80 years. Menu: Hot dogs (with slaw, chili or pimento cheese), burgers, BLTs, grilled cheese, chicken sandwiches, french fries and onion rings. Wash it down with the famous frosted orange. Fried apple or peach pies, ice cream and brownies for dessert.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Hours: Mid-morning to mid-afternoon, Mon–Sat. The Look: Sweet space in the Chase Park warehouses packed with art, books and more. Menu: Coffee from Jittery Joe's, tea, pastries from Independent Baking Co. and others, plus packaged snacks (yogurt, cheese sticks, pretzels, etc.) and some ready-made sandwiches.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries, Bars, Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Full bar, outside seating, counter service, art, Wi-Fi. Hours: Open seven days. The Look: Large bar, tons of wooden booths. A good place for meetings or late-night hanging out. Menu: From locally roasted coffees, pastries, bagels, breakfast burritos and drunken waffles (Guinness and chocolate chips) to sandwiches, quesadillas and nice small burgers. Drinks: Six beers on draft and over 70 in bottles, including many microbrews.

File Under: Downhome. Features: Catering, counter service, outside seating, delivery. Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon–Sat. The Look: Look for the bright-green cinderblock building and the sign that reads "Automatic for the People." Few frills. Be snappy with your order, or you'll hear about it. Menu: Dexter Weaver is still serving up fantastic fried chicken, squash casserole, mac and cheese, collards and the like. The James Beard Foundation named it an "America's Classic." Damn right.

File Under: Something Different, Downhome and BBQ, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, live music, BYOB, delivery, take-out, art, outside seating. Hours: Lunch, Mon–Sat. Dinner, Thu–Sat. Sunday brunch. The Look: Tucked away in a historic grocery with cozy indoor seating and fun picnic tables outside, plus toys for kids. Menu: Carnivores and vegetarians will be equally happy. Good ingredients abound. Perfect burgers, great veggies cooked on the flat-top (don't snooze on the cabbage), smoked pork barbecue and tofu-q; daily specials and seasonal sides. At brunch, try a biscuit sandwich or stack of pancakes covered in pulled pork.

File Under: Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer, catering, counter service, delivery, outside seating. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Sandwiches, Burgers and Chicken. Features: Counter service, delivery. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Located near the high-rise freshman dorms, this is a popular late-night spot for take-out. Menu: Wings and chicken tenders (for an individual or in bulk), wraps (including one with french fries, cool ranch, cheese and bacon), sandwiches and some Asian options (sesame chicken, tonkatsu, teriyaki).

File Under: Asian. Features: Counter service, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Epps Bridge fast-casual Asian. Menu: Made-to-order stir-fry. Pick a protein (steak, chicken, shrimp, pork, tofu), some veggies, a sauce and a base (rice, noodles, salad), then watch the flames leap high as the dudes behind the counter toss it together.

File Under: American, Bars, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Counter service, live music/DJs, art, full bar. Hours: Lunch, dinner and late night, seven days. The Look: Bright and cute, with funky art and fresh flowers. Serious about football, despite being a townie hangout. Menu: Food that goes well with beer, but also good veggie options. Steamed buns, tofu lettuce wraps, tacos, shawarma, chicken-and-waffle sandwich. Drinks: Creative cocktails, well-priced beer (including lots of canned craft brews), wine, housemade nonalcoholic sodas.

File Under: Italian and Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Beer and wine, catering, counter service, trivia, delivery, Wi-Fi. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days. The Look: Locally based franchise does personal-size pizzas baked in a brick oven right in front of you. Menu: Lots of topping, sauce and cheese choices, as well as several doughs. Pick a specialty pie or build your own. Vegan and gluten-free pizzas are available. Panini, bread bowl salads and gelato, too. Beer and wine available. Specials on Pi Day (Mar. 14) every year.

File Under: BBQ. Features: Catering, counter service, checks. Hours: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, Wed–Sat. Lunch, Sun. The Look: Country barbecue joint with awesome signage, un-fancy environs. Menu: Dean's signature pepper-vinegar sauce attracts 'cue hounds from far and wide, and the creamed-corn-based Brunswick stew has also contributed to its reputation as worthy of a drive. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, tots and slaw, too. Brightly colored slices of soda cake by the register.

File Under: Sandwiches, Vegetarian Friendly. Features: Catering, counter service, drive-thru, take-out. Hours: Lunch and dinner, seven days.

File Under: Coffee Houses and Bakeries. Features: Outside seating, Wi-Fi, catering. Hours: Seven days. The Look: Wooden tables, doughnuts made before your eyes behind the counter. Menu: Coffee (including iced coffee made with coffee ice cubes), espresso and the main attraction: doughnuts customizable with toppings from shredded coconut to bacon, pecans, Fruity Pebbles and the traditional sprinkles. Vegan, paleo and gluten-free options. Some ready-to-go sandwiches.