A Look Ahead

Over the last five weeks, I’ve led you to my favorite local treasures here in Athens: Donkey Coffee and Espresso, Athens Book Center, Casa Nueva, Athens Underground and Bagel Street Deli. I must say, I’m glad I had an excuse to visit each of these, and then promote them through my posts.

As a part of this project, we are required to have an interactive map. So for mine, I decided to mark the places I’ve been to in pink, the places I will be visiting shortly in purple and where I live in yellow.

View "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" in a larger map

As you can tell by the map, I haven’t really branched out from on- or near-campus attractions. After this week, I intend to change that. While my next few treasures are still within about a mile (walking distance) from my little corner on East Green, Read Hall, they’re a bit of a trek for me, though I’m sure I can manage.

So, without further ado, I would like to present my final few destinations.

Passion Works Studio 
Passion Works is an art shop and studio located on East State Street. The best and most unique part about this artwork remains that it is a place were creativity is born and collaboration is the key.

Beads & Things 
This shop not only carries beads from around the world, but also bags, sarongs and gemstones. Customers are even allowed to make their beaded art in the store, where they will receive free instruction by employees.

Village Bakery 
The Village Bakery offers a wide selection of baked goods and pastries made from locally grown produce. This café measures its success on its “social, environmental and financial impact in the local and global communities,” according to the menu.

Miller’s Chicken
Though I don’t know much about Miller’s Chicken yet, I’ll be updating you as soon as I do. I do know, however, that its menu items include fried chicken, seafood, fries, sandwiches and salads. I’m definitely anxious to try it.

Who Needs 7-Eleven When You've Got Bagel Heaven?

Whenever I think of where to go for my next post, I automatically think of food first. So, without further ado, I’d like to present Bagel Street Deli, the best fast food shop in Athens.

During class on Wednesday, my stomach was hankering for a tasty, toasted bagel sandwich, or “bagelwich.” I’d been waiting to go to Bagel Street for days but never had the chance.

  Class was over; the time had come.

My friend Jess and I headed from Scripps to Court Street. Bagel Street came into sight and my mouth began to water at the thought. What shall I get this time? I pondered.

Jess and I pulled open the glass door and excitedly walked into the narrow, dimly lit restaurant that smells like toast. The red brick walls are covered in aluminum foil figures and the chalk signatures of loyal customers.

We continued down the thin hallway to the ordering counter. To my left hung two gigantic chalkboards with their signature selections sorted into categories: Breakfast Served Anytime, Originals, Carnivorous Cravers, Poultry Pursuers and Veggie Delights.

Each of these creations is served on your choice of bagel (There are 22 to choose from!).

My typical Bagel Street experience involves me getting a Tom’s Turkey with an Oweo for dessert. Wednesday was my lucky day because Tom’s Turkey was the special of the day for only $3.25.

Once we ordered and received our bagels, we ate at a table created with Naked Juice lids.

I carefully unwrapped the warm aluminum foil, suddenly smelling the aroma that was being concealed by the foil. I took a large bite, getting a taste of everything (sun-dried tomato bagel, American cheese, mayo, tomato, lettuce and turkey). Within 10 minutes, I devoured the entire thing, without one crumb to spare. Jess did the same with her OU Bagel (a wheat bagel with cream cheese and bacon). I think we finished our sandwiches so fast because we knew what was coming for dessert.

The Oweo. A delectable, gooey mess made of two, fist-sized chocolate chip cookies with cream cheese in the middle. The sandwich is then steamed, which brings out the flavors. The two of us split one of these delicious treats, and that too was gone within minutes. 

Although it took us literally fifteen minutes to eat, the uniqueness of the place kept us there chatting for about an hour, which was probably the best hour of my day.