

Sign up for the AJC Food and Dining Newsletter We’ve seen whole families grow up here, and that’s a beautiful thing.” It’s a very special place, and the community knows that, too. “A lot of people who have worked at the Grit say this is the best job they’ve ever had,” Totty said. We serve vegetarian food in a way that appeals to ALL kinds of eaters. She also is opening Poquitos taqueria next door to the Grit in the coming weeks. If youve never visited The Grit, you should know that weve been an old favorite in Athens, GA for more than two decades. Greene now is focusing on sister restaurant Ted’s Most Best pizzeria. A lot of our customer base isn’t even vegetarian, and they’re always surprised by how good the food is.” The success of the restaurant speaks for itself. “We’ve never been overtly political about it. “Our goal has always been to serve really good food, almost comfort food,” Totty said. The menu since has expanded to include vegan and gluten-free items. Jessica Greene bought the business a few years later and moved it to its current location at 199 Prince Ave.įor years, the Grit was the only vegetarian restaurant in Athens, but also was known for its weekend brunch and baked goods. The Grit, a longtime favorite of Athens’ arts and music communities, opened 36 years ago as a coffeehouse. The restaurant has been an Athens staple for 30 years and sits near Normaltown, a part of the classic city's old red-light district, located at 199 Prince Avenue. “Our first priority was to tell our employees and give them as much notice as possible.” “It was a financial decision, and we realized we weren’t going to make it to the end of the year,” Totty said. Explore Metro Atlanta restaurant closings The Grit stayed open throughout the pandemic, but a slower-than-normal summer, followed by an equally sluggish fall, hastened the decision to close. General Manager Jay Totty, who has worked on and off at the restaurant for more than 20 years, said the economic effects of the pandemic took a toll on the restaurant, especially during the past year. We hope that you will join us during the next few weeks to say a fond farewell.
