Vanished

Chow Goldstein’s — 233 East Clayton Street

Opened in 1983 by Athens restaurant mogul and controversial figure Bob Russo, Chow Goldstein’s was a unique restaurant which sold both deli foods and Asian cuisines such as stir-fry. Since its creation, it was seen as a bold entrepreneurial adventure, but Russo was confident it would see success similar to his two previous restaurants Russo’s Gyro (now Gyro Wrap) and The Grill. Overwhelming success for Chow Goldstein’s was never seen, and it closed in 1988 and later reopened as Rocky’s Pizzeria (which will be discussed later on this tour). While mainstream success was seen at its time of operation, the restaurant remains a sort of “cult-classic” for anyone who spent the 1980s in the Classic City!

T.K. Harty’s Saloon — 135 Hoyt Street

Recognized as one of the most popular bars in Athens throughout the 1970s, T.K. Harty’s Saloon opened in 1972 and transformed the Athens bar-scene as we know it. Located in The Station, a cluster of businesses in the old Southern Railway depot near the present day Athens Community Council on Aging, T.K. Harty’s became an immediate success story because of its cheap beer prices, diverse food options, and the outside deck seating area which was the first of its kind in Athens. But this success story takes a much darker turn in 1977 when T.K. Harty’s owner Theodore K. Harty was murdered by a hit-man in his Athens home. The hit-man was hired by John Mooney, owner of Somebody’s Pizza which was T.K. 's rival restaurant in The Station, after years of heated competition between the two restaurants. For example, Somebody’s would serve cheaper beer than Harty’s which stole some of their clientele, so when Harty decided to buy the entire depot and force Mooney out, Mooney acted vengefully and selfishly against his rival. Following Harty’s murder, the saloon gradually began to lose customers and closed its doors for the last time in August 1990s. A fire would burn down much of the depot in 1995.

O’Malley’s — 279 Williams Street

Opening in 1978, O’Malley’s remains one of the most remembered and missed bars in the Athens-area. Residing in the old Athens Manufacturing Company’s factory which was built in 1833, O’Malley’s provided guests with spectacular views of the Oconee River along with views of the old turbines from its past life as a mill. Along with their bar, O’Malley’s served food, and the “tavern” also doubled as a health club! O’Malley’s was much more than your typical college bar as it was viewed as more of a hangout spot than an establishment. At the bar’s height, it offered a game room, live music, and a pizza restaurant, and it was typical to see the bar full of students having a great time dancing and singing with their peers. O’Malley’s closed in early 1997 and was replaced by a DialAmerica Center. The building was purchased by UGA in 2008 and now serves as the UGA School of Social Work.

Charlie Williams Pinecrest Lodge — Pinecrest Lodge Road

Opening in 1929 along a dirt path off of Whitehall Road, Charlie Williams Pinecrest Lodge became a prominent event venue and later restaurant which retained its rustic feel despite the growing and modernizing city around it. Serving Southeastern classics such as fried catfish, oysters, hushpuppies and BBQ in a buffet-style, Charlie Williams Pinecrest Lodge was an important meeting place for University of Georgia officials, students, and residents alike. The lodge was originally an event space until 1975 when the space opened to the public and became an immediate hit. The restaurant’s property featured a lake, multiple buildings, and a water wheel which used to be a part of an old textile mill. Since the Pinecrest Lodge’s closure in 2004, the historic home and the property around it has been largely abandoned and is in a state of active decay. The Charlie Williams Pinecrest Lodge was recognized on Historic Athens’ 2023 Places in Peril List, and there has been increased attention on the status of this iconic Athens restaurant.

Rocky’s Pizzeria — 233 East Clayton Street

Following the closure of Chow Goldstein’s in 1988, Bob Russo maintained the building on East Clayton Street and re-imagined it into a completely different establishment, one that he claimed represented his cultural heritage much better. Rocky’s Pizzeria served authentic Sicilian-style pizza and other Italian classics, and it quickly became a central restaurant in the downtown scene in the 1990s. As expressed in the Rocky’s Pizzeria menu pictured below, Russo clearly seemed passionate about his newest restaurant endeavour which might explain why it found more success than its former inhabitant. Russo’s rather argumentative and abstract personality can easily be seen when he describes the ingredients used in typical pizza restaurants, and this gives us a glimpse into the personality of this rather complex restaurant mogel. In 2004, Rocky’s closed and Amici, a rather successful Athens-area pizza chain, opened in its place. Amici, which is now closed, paid homage to Rocky’s in its dining room by featuring the toy train which circled the ceiling of the old restaurant in their new pizza venture which pleased the many people who reminisced on this lost-Athens gem.

Steverino’s Pizza & Sub Shop — 1583 South Lumpkin Street

Recognized as the first of the notorious pizza restaurant competitors in Five Points, Steverino’s Pizza & Sub Shop opened in 1974 with almost immediate success. They offered a large selection of common Italian dishes along with their own personal flare. While they served mostly pizza, they were most well known for their steak and cheese sub which was revered as a fan favorite. Steverino’s closed and relocated to Duluth, Georgia 2008, but sadly this new location is also closed today.

Mean Bean — 184 College Avenue

Hitting the Athens scene originally in a little kiosk outside Bizarro Wuxtry in 1986, the Mean Bean was one of the first of the many make-your-own Tex-Mex/burrito restaurants in Athens which would take over the American diet throughout the 1990s. In 1988, the Mean Bean relocated to a permanent location in College Square which made the restaurant a core memory for the many different types of people who called Athens home throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Owned and operated by two best friends Susan Brown and Connie Wilson, the pair were inspired by both of their time spent in New Mexico before moving to Athens. They both loved the idea of mobile Tex-Mex restaurants and wanted to try it out in their new home which led to the creation of the Mean Bean. The Mean Bean served reasonably priced Mexican favorites with a variety of delicious side options, and its closure in 2009 certainly led to much heartbreak among their loyal fanbase, but their legacy remains in the multitude of Tex-Mex restaurants which capitalize on the idea of convenient cuisine which attracted the pair to the restaurant industry initially.

Gumby’s Pizza — 263 West Clayton Street

Beginning as a franchise in Gainesville, Florida, Gumby’s Pizza opened its doors in Athens in the late 1980s and provided the college town with a new eatery experience, one which provided only take-out food. Along with their hours which extended far into dusk, Gumby’s was one of the most frequently utilized restaurants by UGA students, and it was reported to The Red & Black that the restaurant did its best sales between midnight and 3:30am! The restaurant closed in 2010 following a few rough years caused by the recession, but many still remember their tasty menu items such as the “pokey stick” and also reminisce on their convenient hours and unique business model.

Sons of Italy — 1573 South Lumpkin Street

Opening in the 1970s in Five Points, Sons of Italy was a hit for students and families alike with their reasonably priced and delicious Italian options. Known for their many pizza options and large sandwich and salad menu, anyone could find something they liked! Sons of Italy operated in Five Points until 2007 when it moved to a new location off of Macon Highway, and students who ate at the Five Points location recalled how it was a “go-to” late-night stop throughout the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Sons of Italy was known for their jukebox, classic video games, and the fan favorite “Jimbo” sandwich! Sons of Italy closed its doors for the last time in the early 2010s.

Harry Bisset’s New Orleans Cafe & Oyster Bar — 279 East Broad Street

Originally located in the center of Downtown Athens, Harry Bissett’s was recognized as one of the best and most immersive restaurants in the entire Athens scene. Opened by George Davis in the late 1980s along with another missed restaurant, Gus Garcia’s, Harry Bissett’s was the place for students to take their dates, visiting families of students to enjoy, and one of the best places for a Mardi Gras celebration. Serving oysters, crab cakes, jambalaya, po boys, and much more, many Athenians still crave these delicious options to this day! Harry Bissett’s closed in 2010 but the chef’s legacy continues at George’s Lowcountry Table, a restaurant open today in Athens which was started by a chef who used to work at Harry Bissett’s.

Allen’s Hamburgers — 1294 Prince Avenue

Well known as the best place to get a hamburger in the Classic City for almost 50 years, Allen’s Hamburgers opened in Normaltown in 1955 and immediately found success among the Navy Supply School cadets and UGA students alike. Along with serving classic diner food and cold beer, Allen’s served as a music venue for some of Athens’ most recognizable bands, and the Normaltown Flyers played there regularly for approximately 30 years! Allen’s closed its Normaltown location in 2004, but they reopened a new location on Hawthorne Avenue in 2008. Sadly, Allen’s closed unexpectedly in 2011. 

East West Bistro — 351 East Broad Street

Opening in the late 1990s in downtown Athens, East West Bistro served world cuisine and featured a casual dining space downstairs and a formal dining space upstairs. The bistro was originally run for 16 years by Renee Middleton, but after a few tough years competing with chain-food restaurants, Middleton sold the restaurant in 2013 to Joe Yan. Yan would abandon East West Bistro, taking valuables such as coolers and computers with him, in November of 2015. This would be the shocking end to East West Bistro, but previous customers continue to remember the diverse and delicious menu items which were offered for almost 20 years by this local bistro.

Transmetropolitan — 145 East Clayton Street

Known by many as simply “Transmet,” Transmetropolitian served delicious pizza slices in downtown Athens for over a decade. Opening in the early 2000s, Transmetropolitan provided the downtown scene with an “upscale” pizza option, and their large bar and additional upstairs setting made it a go-to for students and visitors alike. Recognized by ZAGAT as one of the classic restaurants of Athens, the Transmet carried a great reputation up until its closure in 2018 following the owners’ move to Atlanta to attempt a new restaurant venture.

The Varsity — 1000 West Broad Street

The Varsity originally resided Downtown, and reportedly opened in 1932, but this second and most recognizable location reportedly opened circa 1964. The Varsity was known for selling classic diner food, and the restaurant sadly closed in 2021 which was met with sadness among the Athens and visiting communities. In November 2024, construction crews knocked down the historic building to make room for a new housing construction, but one can still visit the original 1928 Varsity location in Atlanta!

The Grit — 199 Prince Avenue

Opening in 1986 and later moving to its iconic Prince Avenue location in 1990, The Grit was a world-recognized vegetarian and vegan restaurant which brought a quirky and unique vibe to this college town. The Grit drew in all different types of people and formed a new community, and the space was known for being an accepting place where many artists and musicians spent their time. Located in a historic building reportedly owned by Michael Stipe, The Grit’s walls were lined with artwork completed by employees or other local artists, and its “earthy” and “hippie” feel was one of the first examples of the emergence of local restaurants which utilized this aesthetic feel. Following struggles stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, The Grit closed its doors for the last time in 2022, but the restaurant’s legacy has remained as one of the most transformative restaurants in Athens.

The Mayflower Restaurant — 171 East Broad Street

Known for their “great country cooking,” The Mayflower Restaurant opened on February 12, 1948 and held the title of the oldest still-operating restaurant until November 2023 when they closed their doors for the final time. They served both breakfast and lunch for traditional lunch counter prices. As of 2024, a Chipotle is under construction in the old Mayflower Restaurant.