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/[ Foodies Fcweu/etl
Saying Goodbye to Athens, and to Eating Here
Editor's note: Just before moving with her family from Athens to
Indianapolis at summer’s end, food blogger Katy Carter posted the
top 10 edible things she will miss about Athens on her website,
Thought for Food. A shorter version of her post follows.
o
ver the past few years, when we've been traveling
and have been asked where we're from, the answer
Athens, GA, elicits a typical response: Oh, Athens-
great music scene. Or perhaps it's the football team
that people assume we'd be cheering on. While both of those
things are crucial to the identity of this town of 100,000, they
haven't defined the place for us. Too old to appreciate the
late-night shows and too invested in other Southern schools
to care much about UGA sports, our story here will be defined
by what we ate. It's always been hard for me to say goodbye;
so instead, I'll say: Cheers, Athens. We pledge to raise
glasses in your honor for years to come. And as a final
toast here to the city we've called home for seven years,
I give to you my personal Top 10; these are the things I
will miss most: the things I definitely won't find in our
new place.
10) THE FOURCOURSEMEN. I know. We only
went once. But it was just so much fun, knowing that
I lived in a town where something so remarkably cool
existed. Please, someone go, and tell me about it.
9) TERRAPIN BEER. Loyal to the local microbrew,
I am. I was a rabid fan of Highland, too, when we lived
in Asheville (there is still a special place in my beer-
loving heart for their Oatmeal Porter—but only in cold
months). Terrapin has given me both the Rye Pale Ale
and the Big Hoppy Monster. I can only hope Indiana can
hold its own in the microbrewery department.
6) THE GRIT. Oh, Grit. Can't live without you, but man do
you make the relationship hard. Yes, we continue to overlook
your bad service and irritating policies (why, oh why, would
it be so hard to split a check?). All because there's no other
place like you. You've given us a *.ew perspective on tofu, one
we'll take with us for the rest of our lives. A mental image of
your cake display will make my mouth water, and you've given
me recipes for wonderful vegan desserts to feed my dairy-free
three-year-old. You are truly quintessential Athens, and I can't
leave this town without feeling a Grit void. Long live, indeed.
5) EARTH FARE. Granted, Earth Fare isn't exactly a local
dive. It's a regional chain of health-food grocery stores; ours
in Athens just happens to be right down the street. For about
three years now, I've been taking my children grocery shopping
8) CALI-‘N’-TITO’S. When we first moved to Athens,
there was an outdoor restaurant on the west side of
town called Caliente Cab. It was described as "Cuban," but it
was really more generically Central and South American. The
menu was unique, but the reason you went was because it felt
like a nonstop party. Caliente Cab shut down, but the owner
took up restaurant residence at a new place near campus, and
renamed it Cali-'n'-Tito's. In my humble opinion, the food is
better. Most of the seating is still outside, and it still has a
party feel, but a little more family-friendly.
7) JITTERYJOE’S. I know that there are plenty of local cof
fee roasters in these United States, and there's no reason to
think we won't find one in Indy, but we've become big fans of
Joe's, especially since Tim started roasting our coffee. The guys
at the roaster not only sell him green coffee beans, but they
will also talk to him at great lengths about roasting coffee.
They love what they do, and do it well.
There will be several farmers' market options for us once we get to Indiana, but
miss the Athens crew.
every Monday. The great thing about Earth Fare is that it's a
small store, and there's not a lot of employee turnover. So my
kids have made friends. "Mr. Dan" is the guy who runs the bulk
department; "Ms. Emily" used to be in charge of store samples,
and is now a cashier; "Ms. Tammy" runs the vitamin and
health/beauty section; "Ms. Cheryl" slices up our lunchmeat
and cheese. All of these people have entertained and doted
on my children; they have cheered.them when grumpy and
soothed them when injured. I will miss the feeling of having
a neighborhood grocery store, and will miss these four lovely
people in particular.
4) THE ATHENS FARMERS’MARKET. There is some
thing so rewarding about taking food from the hand that grows
it, and it was a lovely Saturday morning event, something I
looked forward to every week. Yes, some of it is more expensive
than shopping at the grocery store, but not everything, and if
you're like me, when you buy something at the farmers' market
you are much more likely to make sure it gets eaten. There
will be several farmers' market options for us once we get to
Indiana, but I will still miss the Athens crew.
3) ATHENS LOCALLY GROWN. We have loved partici
pating in this, and it is such a fantastic setup. Many of the
farmers who sell their wares at the formers' market also sell
through Locally Grown (plus many more who don't set up a
booth on Saturdays). More than the vegetables, though, I have
loved having access to local dairy products, not to mention the
eggs, plants and meat. All you do is order online early in the
week, and pick it up on Thursday: a fantastic way to shop local
in one place (and great for those folks who don't want to hit
the formers' market at 8 a.m. on Saturday in order to
get the best selection).
2) OUR GARDEN. We didn't plant much this spring,
only tomatoes. But we got them in late, so they were
late turning red. We bartered some vegetables from a
former friend for some baby things we wouldn't be tak
ing with us. We ended up with a bagful of plum and
cherry tomatoes, and I was set to make a tomato pie,
even among our boxes and packing tape. But then I •
realized that all the pie plates had been packed, and I
was actually able to conclude that it would be just plain
foolish to dig out a pie plate to make a tomato pie.
They will have tomatoes in Indiana. Won't they?
1) THE NATIONAL & FIVE AND TEN. Big sur
prise, I know. I even tried to come up with something
else to take the "number one" spot, just to avoid being
so darned predictable. But I can't. When I think of
Athens and eating, these are the places I will think of.
Tim and I were able to eat a "farewell dinner" at Five
and Ten. They happened to seat us at the very same
table we sat at six and a half years ago, at our first dinner
there, and the evening was everything we could ask for in a
farewell dinner. Hugh and his team have changed the way we
eat out; they inspired us to stop settling for expensive, yet
average food. Expensive food should be really, really good.
The National: well, that place is a little coming-of-age
story, isn't it? Our farewell at the gorgeous dining room next
to Cin§ was actually a breakfast. The best-kept secret on an
Athens weekday morning is the National. They serve coffee,
juice, pastries and slightly heavier egg dishes, all at the bar.
An unbelievable deal, this food is shamefully inexpensive,
especially considering the quality. Like Five and Ten, it just
feels good to be there; in my fantasy world, I am the girl
behind the bar making people happy with delicious breakfasts.
Katy Carter
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10 FUGPOLE.COM- AUGUST 26,2009