Culinary Month begins this weekend in Athens: what to know

If you are a “foodie” in North Alabama, you are going to love what’s happening in August in Athens. Beginning this weekend, Culinary Month showcases the diverse dining scene that has become a cornerstone of downtown Athens’ revitalization.

Here’s what to know:

All about Culinary Month in Athens

Culinary Month highlights Athens Main Street’s successful focus on restaurant development, which was designated as the organization’s top priority in 2019.

This strategic initiative has resulted in several new restaurants opening downtown over the last couple of years.

The following downtown establishments are participating in this year’s Culinary Month celebration with a special featured dish:

• Athens Alehouse & Cellar: “Ledgehammer” double smashburger on branded bioche
• Coffee Off The Square: acai bowl with fresh fruit, dark chocolate, coconut flakes + almonds
• Driftwood Dragonfly: blueberry or orange scone paired with choice of tea or mocktail
• Fins Grill: red snapper + oysters on the half shell
• Irons & Ales:: chicken bacon ranch flatbread
• Li’l Mazzaras: grilled chorizo stuffed pork chop
• Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana: street tacos with a soft drink or tea with a chocolate chimichanga  
• Old Black Bear Brewing: mahi mahi with the watermelon salad over rice. Southern style chicken scampi over parmesan grits; fried catfish filet served over dirty rice, with a Cajun crawfish cream sauce + fresh parsley; agave-based cocktail with passionfruit and mint.
• Ro’s Grille: Cajun seasoned grilled shrimp atop panko fried grit cakes smothered in Cajun cream sauce. 
• Salty Cod: Chef Kristen’s Fresh Seafood of The Moment Feature + Chef Barry’s Corkshire Butcher Company Dry Aged Burger Feature 
• Sweetest Things Tea Room: chicken + dressing, gourmet mushroom + onion gravy burger
• The Southern Table: blackened catfish, garlic cheddar grits, charred green beans, lemon beurre blanc, peppadews with charred lemon + scallions
• UG White/Hi-Plane Coffee: hot or cold medium latte with a slice of homemade coffee cake for $6
• Village Pizza: “Fire & Ice” wings
• Wildwood Deli: for lunch service, the Southern Burger; for Friday supper the hand-cut filet mignon + hand-cut ribeye. The deli will also serve a weekly lunch specialty sandwich. 

“Since making restaurants a top priority in 2019, we’ve seen remarkable growth in our dining scene. This month gives us the opportunity to showcase the talented chefs and restaurateurs who have chosen to invest in downtown Athens and create these wonderful gathering places for our community.”

Tere Richardson, Athens Main Street Executive Director

Check the event website for more information.

Want more content like this? Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.