When in Athens...

There are certain things that make everyone's college experience unique - certain traditions or memories we create that we look fondly on for the rest of our lives. For some, it might involve being part of a club or organization. For others, it could be a sporting event - in the SEC, it's called "football season." It may be a coffee shop or quiet spot on campus that becomes your own personal space. Or, it might be a greasy spoon/dive/loud and obnoxious/hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Little Italy became one of those traditions for me.

Located in downtown Athens and right across the street from the University of Georgia campus, Little Italy is a popular spot for UGA students. With cheap food, ridiculous hours of operation, and quick service, you could always find a steady flow of people waiting for this greasy Italian fare. On a Saturday evening after a football game or during any other crowded night downtown, you could expect to find a line out the door and no one seemed to mind - I know I never did.

During my freshman year, Little Italy became a weekend tradition. It was a five minute walk from my dorm and a great option for some cheap food. Sometimes we'd go on a Friday night, other weekends it would be a Saturday night, and some weekends we'd go two nights in a row - Little Italy was almost always incorporated into the weekend festivities. My friend, Jonathan, was a big part of this tradition. Occasionally, a few others or a group of people would join us, but Jonathan and I were faithful to our Little Italy commitment no matter what. Eating there on the weekend was part of our experience of being students at UGA.

Photo courtesy of Little Italy

The food made it an easy tradition to keep. The slices of pizza were enormous - and only cost around $2.50 per slice! It was the classic New York-style thin crust and one slice was bigger than most textbooks. They actually couldn't even fit a slice on one plate, so two plates were used for support. Of course, we'd each order two slices. Full of toppings sprinkled over the top and served at the counter by an angry staff who would cuss you out if you didn't come pick up for your food...this is a truly unique Athens experience. However, we didn't stick to pizza alone. The calzones were excellent and I think I might have liked the meatball sandwich more than anything else on the menu. It was a piping hot sandwich stuffed with meatballs and covered with melted mozzarella cheese - and again, it needed two plates because it was so enormous. This should be incorporated into any recruiting trip for a high schooler who is considering attending UGA. And as a poor college freshman, I don't think I ever spent more than $6 for a meal.

I loved my time at UGA. I love my wife, who I met at UGA. I loved getting to experience SEC football in Sanford Stadium. I loved being able to receive a great education from a highly regarded university. And I loved that I was able to create so many unique memories during my time in Athens. I will always look back on eating at Little Italy as one of those unique memories.

The Best Resort in Athens

Athens is full of great places to eat. There are the traditional southern style restaurants that offer the typical meat and three with a side of southern hospitality. There are the quirky taquerias and mexican restaurants scattered all over town. There are the earthy and artsy vegetarian restaurants full of personality and unique dishes. And there are the cheap dives for struggling college students that need something good to eat while being able to pay with pocket change. Considering all the different kinds of restaurants, a place has to really be special to be considered the most popular restaurant in town. Welcome to Last Resort Grill.

Last Resort is located in downtown Athens at the corner of Clayton St. and Wray St., and the spot has become a landmark for area foodies. It's almost impossible to dine at Last Resort without having to wait for a table. I've been on a Saturday night and waited over an hour, and recently went on a Monday night and had to wait 20 minutes. There is even a small wait if you go during lunch. Unless you're there when they open, waiting is inevitable. Whenever the restaurant is open, people flock to get in.

This place is perfect for Athens. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively, but also rustic and elegant. The ambient noise can be a bit loud and the place gets warm because of an open kitchen, but the environment can still feel intimate. The tables are filled with all different types of people - college students bringing their parents for dinner, families with young kids, and older couples back in town to visit their old college town. It's the sort of place that can accommodate a large group having a celebration while also hosting a couple looking for a romantic evening.

Salmon & Grits

I'm three paragraphs into this review and haven't even mentioned THE FOOD! The food at Last Resort is outstanding. The menu is refreshingly creative without delving into the realm of bizarre and showy. The ingredients are simple, but they offer a twist that reflects a unique dining experience. Last Resort uses many local vendors and farmers to supply their ingredients, enabling them to highlight the best local food Athens has to offer. Personally, I would recommend the Adobo Salmon, Praline, or Rockville pasta. That being said, I doubt you could go wrong with anything on the menu. And don't forget to leave room for dessert. Last Resort serves cakes from the legendary Cecilia Villaveces (I actually think they're overrated except for the German Chocolate) and cheesecakes from Blackbird Bakery.

For most restaurants like this, it's tough to have a meal without paying $25-$30 per person. Last Resort goes against the grain and serves great food at a reasonable price. Most dishes range from $12-$17 and are served with bread and a side salad (the homemade dressings are amazing). Not to mention, Last Resort might be the best lunch value in town with many of the dishes being in the $5-$8 price range.

I could go on and on about Last Resort. It constantly receives great reviews from food critics and has been talked about as one the best restaurants in the south. I don't doubt it. Ironically, Last Resort doesn't need any good publicity or promotion. The quality speaks for itself.