the grit (athens, ga)

The Grit is a well-established Athens institution when it comes to vegetarian food - a favorite amongst vegetarians and meat-eaters alike that's been around for more than two decades. I put aside my carnivorous ways for one afternoon to check this place out with a friend.

The first thing I noticed was a real Athenesque vibe. The chalkboard menus, paintings, offsetting decor, T-shirts on the wall - they all give the Grit a homey, comfortable feeling. It was a cold, rainy day when I went so I opted for the Baby Dal which consists of a split pea dal, vegetable samosa, brown rice and a curry dressing. KT got the grilled cheese with both spinach & tomatoes and a side of broccoli.

I enjoyed my dal. It was flavorful, aromatic and spicy without overpowering other flavors. I could've easily finished off an entire bowl - a great soup for a chilly day. The samosa on the other hand (which was rectangular instead of your usual triangular shape) was a disappointment. It was poorly fried, extremely greasy, soggy on the bottom and rather conservative on the filling. The brown rice was...well, brown rice. Nothing more to say. I suggest pairing the rice with the dal. The curry dressing was okay - nothing to rave about. I assume it was meant to be paired with the samosa but no dressing could've saved that poor thing.

(photo taken by KT)

The grilled cheese that KT ordered was good and for the price, the portion was massive. It was buttery, gooey and it had a nice sharp flavor from the cheddar. Accompanying the grilled cheese was a honey mustard dressing which turned out to be a disaster. The dressing congealed within minutes and resembled a layer of fat that forms on top when you cool a greasy liquid overnight. The dressing's not a big deal though as it plays no significant role in the dish - it's unnecessary to enjoy the grilled cheese.

As for the service, it was pretty bad. Our waitress was rather condescending (I know we're in college but give us a little more respect) and it was almost impossible to break a smile on her face. She was short on her words and more interested in clearing our table than accommodating us. It should also be noted that the Grit doesn't split your bill if you sit at the same table. I really don't understand what the big fuss is about. They say it's to provide smooth, quick service but from what I experienced - service was nonexistent. While the Grit's food had its high points, their service left me with more to be desired.

P.S. - $2.95 for 7 florets of broccoli as a side? Come on...