New Vegetarian Restaurant Opens in Athens

ATHENS, Ga.-- Steak 'n Shake is not the only new restaurant in town. Broad Street Coffee also opened this November--directly across the street from the new fast-food place.
     The vegetarian/vegan restaurant was opened by Juan and Vanessa Molina who lived in Athens in the 1980s. The menu was developed by Vanessa and the eatery's chef.
     "I'm really really picky," said Vanessa to Athens Patch.
     The restaurant's chef and manager Michelle Berzack said about Vanessa in a November Online Athens article, "To have an owner and boss who lets me buy all the right ingredients that I want is just awesome."
Broad Street Coffee is housed in the former location of Walter's Barbecue, and although the new restaurant's menu is now vegetarian, it will still feature barbecue with its Broad Street Barbecue Sandwich-- made of tofu barbecue, that is.
     Molina, who is a vegan, thinks the classic southern standby is still important, "I'm from the South, from Georgia, so you kind of have to love barbecue," she told Online Athens.
    Barbecue or not, Broad Street Coffee will feature ethically grown, sustainable ingredients.
    "I, personally, am really excited for it. I love eating vegetarian, and think other people in Athens do too," said Sophomore University of Georgia student Danielle Heubel."
     The restaurant is located on the corner of West Hancock Avenue and Broad Street, and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the weekends.

Clarke County Restaurant Receives "Shocking" Health Inspection Report

ATHENS, Ga.--Popular Athens restaurant Transmetropolitan received the lowest health inspection score in Clarke County for 2012.

     The report which was issued by the Northeast Health District released their health inspection scores for the county in October with the pizzeria Transmetropolitan receiving a failing 69. All scores under 70 receive a follow-up visit by inspectors.
     The pizza spot's manager, Max Talkovich, said in a Red and Black interview that the score was the result of, "minor things that all added up."

   Contributing to the restaurant's low score were a string of minor violations including one for failure to keep "insects, rodents, and animals" out of the restaurant and a critical violation for bare hand to food contact that cost the E. Clayton Street location nine points.
   When sophomore University of Georgia student Jessica Goddard first heard about her favorite restaurant's score her reaction was visceral, "No!" she exclaimed mouth wide-open, "It's completely shocking." 

   The downtown Transmetropolitan did receive a follow-up inspection, passing the second time with an 89.

      For a complete listing of this year's restaurant health scores visit http://publichealthathens.com/healthscores/Clarke_county_restaurant_scores.html. 

     

Student-Grown Organic Produce at Tate Plaza

ATHENS, Ga.--The club flyers and pedestrian traffic characteristic of the University of Georgia's Tate Plaza will need to make room for fruits and vegetables this fall.
     Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. students from the Students of Organic Agriculture organization on campus will sell certified organic produce from a stand in Tate Plaza. The group which was founded from students in the Certificate in Organic Farming program thought to use the produce stand to fund the start-up organization.
     The director of the Certificate Program in Organic Agriculture, David Knauft, told the Red and Black about the idea, "The produce is neat because it's from UGA, it's local, its certified organic, students are selling it and they're making it accessible."
     Knauft said that he hopes it will become a "good selling point" for students interested in pursuing a certificate in the discipline. The stand will also have information about the program.
     The crops were produced in the university's horticulture garden, and proponents believe they will raise awareness of sustainable living among students.
     Sophomore UGA student Lauren Palmer agrees, "If this effort can encourage other students to eat healthily and live better, I think it will have been a success," she said with an optimistic smile.
   

Steak and Shake Opens in Athens

ATHENS, GA--Steak 'n Shake opened in Athens Thursday to excited crowds--and even a police barricade.
     The Indianapolis-based fast-food chain opened its first Athens location at 9:30 a.m. with a University of Georgia Redcoat Band appearance and a line of customers--a line which required a police barricade for the afternoon rush for Frisco melts and shakes.
     Sophomore UGA student Emma Price said in reference to the drive-thru traffic, "This is all crazy. I never thought the lines would be so long." Other students recalled waiting over 45 minutes to receive their orders, but agreed it was worth it.
     In an Online Athens interview, franchise owner Wayne Robinson said, "I've always had a fondness for Athens, so I'm just glad to be back." Robinson who is from Rome, Ga. attended UGA as a student, and opened his first Steak 'n Shake franchise two years ago in his hometown.
     "Franchises give you so much support instead of going off on your own," Robinson told Online Athens.
     "People are just so excited for it, and I can't wait to eat there too," Price concluded.


  

Southern Living's "Georgia's Best Burgers" List Ranks Athens Restaurants Among Top Patties

ATHENS, Ga.--Two Athens restaurants were named to Southern Living's 2012 "Georgia's Best Burgers" list for their creative--and even vegetarian--meat and bun creations.
     Prince Avenue vegetarian spot The Grit and Washington Street-based Clocked! Diner were listed among eight others for their variations on the American classic.
     The magazine praised The Grit for its Burger of the Day ($7) which it says, "rotates among patties of black beans, white beans, or (the best) red beans tinged with creole seasoning," while giving Clocked! honors for its "meaty-two fisters of locally raised beef."
     Southern Living said Clocked!'s downtown home evokes, "small-town bygone diners" with its decor, yet the magazine celebrated a nontraditional option--calling the seared tuna dappled with a honey-wasabi sauce "best."
     Menu information about The Grit and Clocked! can be found at thegrit.com and clockeddiner.com. 

Hunger Bowl Expected to Raise 50,000 Pounds of Holiday Meals

ATHENS, Ga.--Over 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food items are expected to be raised for local families in need this November.

      The contest which is sponsored by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was kicked off on Nov. 2, ending with a weigh-in reception from 2-4 p.m. at the food bank's Newton Bridge Road facility. Winners of the donation drive will receive prizes, and refreshments will be served. 

     "Food drives are an easy way for people to become involved in the work that we do," said Tina Laseter the food bank's Hunger Bowl Coordinator in an October Online Athens article. "Everyone is eager to donate, especially around Thanksgiving," Laseter later added in the article. 

     The food drive's projected 50,000 pounds of food will provide roughly 41,000 Thanksgiving meals. The competition is based on what the food bank calls "friendly competition," and is based on a per-person average.

     Laseter told Online Athens, "If each person brings in just 10 cans we will exceed our goal." 

     Volunteers will be on hand at the Nov. 16 weigh-in to help unload donations. More information about the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the 2012 Hunger Bowl can be found at www.foodbanknega.org. 

A "Fresh" Take on Groceries

ATHENS, Ga.-- Specialty foods store, the Fresh Market, opened its doors in Athens Wednesday. Filled with neatly displayed produce stands, uniformed staff, and early morning shoppers, the Beechwood location offers an array of produce, baked goods, meats, deli salads, and in-house sushi bar.
      The store opened to mixed crowd of Athenians and area college students interested in sampling the store's variety of foods offered around its perimeter. The first 1,000 visitors received a complimentary tote bag filled with samples of gourmet coffee and jelly beans, and had the chance to enter into a $100 gift card give away. Yet while these handouts were welcomed by all, the store is more renowned for its large base of local vendors.
     "We have 50 to 100 locals vendors," said the new store's bulk manager.
     The Fresh Market prides itself on being more akin to a European-style marketplace with its emphasis on fresh ingredients and service-oriented staff.
      With such a "fresh" outlook on the traditional grocery format, the new location impressed customers at its opening to the point of speechlessness, "Wow!" exclaimed 19-year-old University of Georgia student Mason Burril.
      The Fresh Market is now open in the Beechwood shopping place in the old Borders location.