The Grit

3 Best Day Trips from Atlanta

"Housed in a weathered brick building on the outskirts of downtown, The Grit feels lived-in and comfortable. It’s been an Athens institution since the 1990s, when non-vegetarians were a little wary of an all-vegetarian restaurant. It still sports the faded brick, turquoise trim, and a chalkboard of rotating specials, but it’s won a voracious following of carnivores as well as non-meat eaters. With seating in two indoor rooms and a few outdoor tables, there’s almost always a wait, whether you come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but it's worth it. The black bean chili makes appearances in several dishes, including an overstuffed burrito and the loaded nachos with melted cheese and homemade salsa. The tofu Reuben is so well seasoned you might forget it doesn’t actually contain pastrami." - Jennifer Bradley Franklin