Face to Face: Athens location

[Brian Pitts]

It looks like these are the requirements that, as a group, we have have 
for a meeting place in Athens.

  * It has convenient, free parking on April 12 at 2PM.
  * It will not be full on April 12 at 2PM.
  * It can comfortably seat large groups.
  * It is unique to the Athens area.
  * It is family-friendly.
  * It serves beer.

Like Mark, I really think anywhere will fit the first two. Here are 
descriptions of the restaurants I noticed being proposed; the 
descriptions are taken from from http://flagpole.com/Guide/

Transmetropolitan
     * 145 E. Clayton St.
       Athens, GA 30601
Hand-tossed pizzas can be seen flying high in the open kitchen of this 
happening pizza joint. Fresh, made-to-order calzones set these guys 
apart from the pack, as does the one-and-only Johnny Hector’s BBQ 
Chicken Pizza on a thick Sicilian crust. Panini and build-your-own 
pasta, salad or veggie bowls ensure that there is something for 
everyone. The upstairs bar has several beers on tap, including Terrapin 
and Sweetwater. After some wine and mixed drinks, the Sunday 
hair-of-the-dog special, a design-your-own Bloody Mary bar, is a 
welcomed treat. Lunch & Dinner, 7 days. Full Bar. Take-Out. Checks/CC.

The Grit
     * 199 Prince Ave.
       Athens, GA 30601
The menu at this legendary local vegetarian eatery is divided partly by 
ethnicity with Indian, Italian, Mexican and Middle Eastern make up the 
bulk of the menu. Sandwiches like the Chik’n Parmesan (French bread, 
chicken-style patty, homemade marinara, cheese) and the Tofu Reuben are 
lunch-time favorites, but the long-time star is the esoteric “Golden 
Bowl” (browned tofu, with soy sauce and nutritional yeast over rice). 
The humble description does no justice to the actual taste. Brunch is 
especially fun with pancakes, biscuits and omelets. House-made desserts 
like the Blonde Brownie, cakes and exotic pies can also be purchased 
whole to enjoy at home. Belhaven Scottish Ale and Staropramen are just a 
little glimpse into the extensive beer selection, and fine wines are 
available for pairing.

Mellow Mushroom
     * 320 E. Clayton St.
       Athens, GA 30601
The franchise that began in Athens, and has since expanded to 45 
locations around the South, features pizza (35 toppings available), 
calzones, salads and hoagies. Try a BBQ Chicken or the Magical Mystery 
Tour pizza (spinach, portobello and button mushrooms, mozzarella, feta 
and jalapeños, with or without chicken and sausage), or sample the 
"monumental" hoagies, like the steak and cheese, chicken, avocado and 
even tempeh and tofu. Start things off with tasty pretzels or hummus.

Barberitos Southwestern Grille & Cantina
     * 259 E. Clayton St.
       Athens, GA 30601
     * 706-549-9008
     * 1860 Barnett Shoals Rd.
       Athens, GA
     * 706-549-9954
     * 1739 S. Lumpkin St.
       Athens, GA
     * 706-548-1866
     * 1880 Epps Bridge Pkwy
       Athens, GA
With 20+ locations across the Southeast, Barberitos, which started out 
in Athens, is taking a big bite out of the specialty burrito market. The 
uncomplicated menu is anchored by cleverly titled burritos (Skinny, 
Fatty and Heavy D), so big you’ll have to two-fist `em. Wrapped in 
spinach, chipotle or plain tortillas, everything is made from scratch, 
including the variety of salsas and flash-fried chips. The tofu is 
passionately touted by hardcore veg-heads. Fridays are jerk fish taco 
day. Try the deconstructed fajitas and for the health conscious, seven 
meals have under seven grams of fat.

Panera Bread
     * 3151 Atlanta Hwy.
       Athens, GA
Just as the sun rises each morning, so do the loaves of warm bread at 
Panera. The Pepperblue Steak with Gorgonzola red pepper sauce on toasted 
ciabatta is a testament to how delicious a sandwich really can be. The 
Mediterranean Veggie is a port in the storm for longing vegetarians. Hot 
paninis and Crispanis (artisanal flat-bread pizzas) are really nice, but 
the real show-stoppers are the warm soup-filled sourdough bread bowls. 
For dessert or breakfast, be sure to try a fresh-baked pastry with a cup 
of coffee.