By Jessica Wurst
Trying to ball out on a budget? Here’s our top five cheap eats in Athens.
- Barberitos
- Downing Barber founded the first Barberitos in 2000 right here in the Classic City. His first profitable experience happened right after the University of Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers, and fans celebrated in this southwestern grill and cantina. This restaurant is truly a success story that Athens should be proud of, as he currently has 52 restaurants all around the East Coast. Barber prides himself in his fresh, local produce and community environment that each Barberitos provides. Whether you’re on Clayton, Lumpkin, Barnett Shoals, Milledge, or Epps Bridge, each Barberitos is guaranteed to provide delicious food and excellent service. Personally, I enjoy Barberitos more than Willy’s or Moes. You can disagree, but there’s a reason why they’ve been named the “Best Burrito in Athens” for 16 consecutive years from the Readers Choice Awards.
- Gyro Wrap
- If you’re looking for good food with a story, Gyro Wrap is the place for you. Established in 1979, this hole-in-the-wall was the first restaurant in Athens to have a sidewalk cafe, with many others soon to follow. Regardless of its crumbling interior, Gyro Wrap has the best gyros that I’ve eaten in my entire life, and with its diverse menu, you can’t go wrong. From any style chicken (teriyaki, BBQ, Cajun) to fresh vegetarian options, the cooks behind the 40-year-old counter have mastered every item on the menu. Taking your first bite into their classic Gyro Wrap with lettuce, feta sauce, hand carved roast beef and lamb, all hugged by a toasted pita will make you audibly groan with satisfaction. Pro tip: ask for the special seasoning for the curly fries to get the most out of your experience.
- Tlaloc
- This is the most delicious, authentic mexican food I have ever eaten, and I have yet to find an Athens local that disagrees with me. Even if you can’t pronounce the name, or the items on the menu, all that matters is that you head to N. Chase Street right now to try the mouthwatering pupusas. To get the most bang for your buck, head to the “combinaciones” section of the menu. Here, you will receive a diverse, bountiful amount of food for only $8.50. My favorite menu item is combinacione numero ocho, which comes with one huarache, one tamal, and one taco. Even though this dish is incredible on it’s own, it’s best when paired with their staple margarita and topped off with the chocoflan.
- Mother Pho
- Whether you’re looking for a banh mi sandwich, bubble tea, or pho, Mother Pho is the best Vietnamese cuisine Athens has to offer. Located on E. Broad St. just across the street from the UGA arch, Mother Pho offers a wide variety of options for whatever kind of pho you’re craving. They even have an entire section dedicated to vegetarian dishes which includes tofu, vegetables, and curry. My go-to entree is the Tofu Noodle Soup and Veggies, but for all you meatheads out there they offer dishes with chicken, fish, shrimp, pork, and beef. If you find yourself downtown craving some good Vietnamese food on a sunny day, this family-owned, quaint restaurant is the perfect spot for you to enjoy some authentic pho on their nice courtyard.
- Amici
- I saved this one for last because this is a little nicer, and a little more expensive, than the other options. Amici is the place to go when you want to eat somewhere special for your friends birthday, but you don’t want to spend half your paycheck at Last Resort or The Pine. Even though a specialty calzone is $12, which is more than it’s competitors such as Eddie’s Calzones and D.P. Dough, the quality is worth it. Plus the portions are enormous. However, if you’re feeling a little healthier than a giant pocket of meat and cheese, fear not! Amici has a variety of fresh options. Pictured below is a slice of the Athenian which has a mountain of chicken, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and pesto all sitting on perfectly toasted bread. If you opt for the combo you will also receive a small salad with your pizza slice for less than $10.
- I saved this one for last because this is a little nicer, and a little more expensive, than the other options. Amici is the place to go when you want to eat somewhere special for your friends birthday, but you don’t want to spend half your paycheck at Last Resort or The Pine. Even though a specialty calzone is $12, which is more than it’s competitors such as Eddie’s Calzones and D.P. Dough, the quality is worth it. Plus the portions are enormous. However, if you’re feeling a little healthier than a giant pocket of meat and cheese, fear not! Amici has a variety of fresh options. Pictured below is a slice of the Athenian which has a mountain of chicken, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and pesto all sitting on perfectly toasted bread. If you opt for the combo you will also receive a small salad with your pizza slice for less than $10.
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