The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/8/08 Section: UGA 101

Media Credit: JAKE CLARK An employee places tomato slices on a sandwich at Transmetropolitan - Transmet, as it is referred to by many locals - which serves pizza, sandwiches and pasta. [Click to enlarge]

The way to discover a city's heart is through one's stomach.

So rather than let your hectic first days of college consume you, take a break and consume a bit of the local fare.

Whether it's a sit-down or on-the-go affair, these culinary classics cater to the needs of a college student on a $3-$7 budget:



Weaver D's: Outside, it's a bright little lime green building sitting perkily on East Broad Street. But behind the peculiar façade is the kind of soul food that will have you gorging as your health-conscious conscience lapses into a taste coma. Established by local personality Dexter Weaver, the site is somewhat of a cultural icon, especially after the restaurant's catchphrase "Automatic for the People" was adopted by R.E.M. for its 1992 album.



Five Star Day Cafe: While we're on the subject of soul, another establishment known for its delectable soul food is Five Star Day Cafe. With a location in downtown and on Barnett Shoals Road, this quaint cafe serves up "gourmet" soul food such as cornbread (with real corn in it!), black-eyed peas, and fried chicken like nobody's business.

"We're pretty trendy, we try and play music that is current," said James Hammock, floor manager, "but we're also good, down home cooking. It's like having your mom here."



Transmetropolitan: Located on Clayton Street, this modern Italian restaurant specializes in large slice pizzas and provides the most bang for your buck. A few dollars for a generously topped Sicilian slice can constitute a hearty lunch. For about $7, Transmet can whip up a mean green Chicken Caesar Salad. With high ceilings decorated with random antique signs and a chic street-side dining area, one can't help but feel like a trendy college student while eating here.



The Grill: Established in 1981 and open 24-hours, the Grill is an institution for the hungry masses that need midnight sustenance after a night on the town. Located on College Avenue, this diner also easily accessible by bus or on foot for lunch in between classes.

"People come in for our hand-cut fries dipped in feta," said owner Jeff Weinberg, "We have an enormous amount of repeat customers who often say everything is great as usual."



The Grit: From the dyed-in-the-wool vegetarians to the occasional tofu taster, the Grit's menu offers delicious dishes that make going vegetarian seem almost easy. Divided into Mexican, Indian, Italian, and Middle Eastern sections, everything from cheesy spinach quesadillas to vegetable samosas can be found under this Prince Avenue roof.

"The kind of things we serve, they're not something you'll get anywhere else," said chef manager Andrew Steck. "We're kind of a local landmark and a lot of musicians come in."

Add on a side of their signature sweet potato fries and you will wonder why you ever ate meat in the first place.

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