Restaurants of all sizes in Athens and surrounding areas were showcased in a week full of locally-made, delicious food.
The week was hosted by the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Gordon Food Service. Proceeds from Restaurant Week went toward the Athens County Food Bank.
One restaurant featured in Athens Restaurant Week was Brenen’s Coffee Cafe, 38 S. Court St.
Brenen’s offers more than just coffee. It is both a cafe and restaurant. Customers purchase delicious smoothies, coffee, pastries, granola, soup and sandwiches in the establishment.
Brenen’s featured menu item for Athens Restaurant Week was its smothered chicken panini chicken. The panini includes portobellos, green peppers, onions, provolone and red pepper mayo on wheat bread.
“I think we have the best sandwiches in town,” Lindsey Houck, a junior studying early childhood education and a barista at Brenen’s, said. “I think (our soups are) what makes us unique.”
Houck recommends ordering from the sandwich menu, which includes a wide variety of sandwich options.
“I love our number two turkey BLT and our number eight,” Houck said.
Another popular uptown restaurant featured in Restaurant Week was O’Betty’s Red Hot, 15 W. State St.
O’Betty’s is a one-of-a-kind hot dog joint with its red and yellow color scheme and campy-Burlesque-type decor. It is a restaurant to see in Athens.
Alex Greenawalt, who uses they/them pronouns and is a server at O’Betty’s, has worked at the establishment for almost two years. Their love for the food has not diminished since starting, they said.
“My favorite traditional menu item is the Tempest,” Greenawalt said.
The Tempest is a traditional hot dog, featuring Hot Hot “Casa Nueva” Habanero Salsa; chopped jalapenos; shredded, aged sharp cheddar cheese; and sour cream.
O’Betty’s also offers vegetarian tofu-dog options customers can order by saying “shy” with their order.
“As for shy dogs, the Lily is another favorite,” Greenawalt said.
The Lily features vegetarian baked beans and coleslaw.
Brenen’s and O’Betty’s are just two of the 13 restaurants highlighted by Restaurant Week. Other restaurants included were Kiser’s Barbeque, Lui Lui Restuarant, West End Cider House, Athens Bread Company and more.
A detailed list of restaurants and their Restaurant Week dishes can be found here and on the Athens Restaurant Week Facebook page.
