FARM BURGER (100 Prince Ave., 706-850-3184): This franchise will get some credit score for originating in Athens, despite the fact that this new location is its thirteenth and the primary in its hometown. Jason Mann, Farm Burger’s co-founder, was additionally a accomplice within the departed and dearly missed Athens restaurant Farm 255, which targeted on farm-to-table delicacies in a critical manner, not as a buzzword. He then moved on to Farm Burger—opening its first location in Atlanta and increasing from there, trying to deliver an identical spirit of domestically pushed delicacies to a burger chain. It’s been wildly fashionable in lots of cities: Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, NC, and so forth.
The Athens location feels extra Atlanta than Athens, occupying a snazzy new house on the nook of the 100 Prince improvement. There’s presently an opulent quantity of free parking behind the constructing, and the huge areas made of gorgeous concrete have the vibe of a giant metropolis, not a school city that generally prides itself on rattiness. Inside, issues run easily. If you happen to order your meals on-line (which you are able to do simply), it’ll be prepared if you anticipate. There’s a separate, well-marked line for decide up. In step with a watch towards sustainability, it’s important to ask for packets of condiments or utensils somewhat than the restaurant throwing them in willy-nilly.
The burgers are available beef (grass-fed, no antibiotics), rooster (no antibiotics or hormones), pork (pasture-raised) and two vegan choices: Past (plant-based however resembling meat) and home (quinoa, black-eyed peas, kale, roasted mushrooms, candy potatoes and spices; a mushier factor however one which tastes extra like greens). Most people go for the meat, however I discovered it unsatisfying, undersalted to the purpose of disappointment, and on the similar time drippy with toppings. You could possibly say that I opted for too many issues on prime of the patty, and that could be true. But it surely additionally wanted that assist, unable to face by itself. You may want a fork, although, or a lobster bib. Higher, maybe due to decrease expectations, was the rooster burger, which comes with smoked gouda, kale slaw, crispy onions and sherry-date barbecue sauce. I additionally most well-liked the home vegan burger with arugula, tomato chow chow and vegan mayo, which is properly balanced if, once more, a bit goopy. Principally, in case you go for issues on the more healthy facet of the spectrum, you might be happier than in case you go in in search of decadence. The Superfood Salad (lacinato kale, crispy chickpeas, butternut squash, sunflower seeds, dietary yeast, grainy mustard French dressing) beats the pants off the fries. The Farm Salad (greens, beets, garlic broccoli, sliced radishes, native feta, farm goddess dressing) is healthier by far than the onion rings, that are crisp however flavorless.
Is it native? Form of. Farm Burger has a great quantity of outside seating and many gluten-free choices in addition to a youngsters menu. It’s open day-after-day for lunch and dinner.
CAVA (145 Alps Rd., 706-715-5481): Against this, Cava isn’t native in any respect. It’s a fast-casual chain out of Rockville, MD, that goes together with the present concept that something you serve in a bowl is wholesome. It’s, basically, a much less virtuous model of Maepole, with loads much less native taste. I’ve heard that ordering forward and selecting up within the drive-through presents some points, however going inside and getting meals from the cafeteria-style line is speedy. Choose rice, black lentils, Rightrice (produced from lentils and chickpeas) and/or greens, then add numerous proteins, tiny ice cream scoops of stuff like hummus or baba ghanouj, veggie toppings and a sauce. If you happen to favor, you possibly can wrap all of it in a pita that may leak throughout your lap as you eat it. It could possibly be a slurry, however the flavors are fairly good, and the flexibleness is sweet. Need two or extra issues as a base? That’s cool. Need lamb meatballs (top-of-the-line choices) AND falafel? Certain. It gained’t even value you further. Just a few issues, like avocado, luxuriously scooped out proper in entrance of you, result in a surcharge. The outcome is a reasonably enjoyable ambiance that’s additionally filled with selection—an uncommon mixture. Don’t wish to make a bunch of choices? When you decide a recommended bowl or pita, the employees will simply ask you if you would like every thing after which assemble it with out asking you any extra questions.
So far as Mediterranean goes, there’s no query that you are able to do higher at Mediterranean Grill for just about something, however Cava actually isn’t a nasty possibility. The parts are sizable. The pita chips are pleasantly oily. The dips and sauces pack in numerous taste. There are many vegan decisions. The drinks are fairly respectable. It’s an improve from Zoës on the entire. Cava is open from 10:45 a.m.–10 p.m. each day and has a sunny patio for out of doors consuming.
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