The Vegan Gravy Train

The Grit in Athens, GA has remained a major favorite for locals and visitors alike over decades and as a teen from ATL, I fell in deep amour with their strong savory plates and selection of pies. Whenever we travelled to the Southern college town just an hour or so east from Atlanta, we had to stop in for a meal. Located in an old brick building owned by Michael Stipe, The Grit introduced me to my absolutely favorite vegetarian comfort meal, the Golden Bowl: warming, filling and perfect for colder nights. Crispy tofu and broccoli, seasoned to the nines over rice, the Golden Bowl was distinctively its own with a lather of tasty nutritional yeast gravy a-top. Grit’s Golden Bowl is not just delicious but in perfect link with a fondness for Athens, GA in general. The documentary Athens, GA: Inside/Out is an incredible glimpse at the past music scene of this college town, especially for those interested in seeing The B-52’s in their earlier days. In my older age, I have embraced more R.E.M., appreciating the earnest countryside drive + ache the gay Athens-ian angel Stipe made in the ’80s and ’90s. It also features interviews with the great folk artist, Howard Finster (ant art piece featured above).