This homey barbecue joint in the Boulevard district feels like going to a friend’s place for a cookout— right down to the side yard full of picnic tables and the frolicking dogs and children of fellow diners. The 'que is a perfect mix of crispy-soft bun and pulled pork with its blackened end bits, and the veggie sides like grilled collards are no slouch, either. [Photo]

Pulaski Heights, run by former 5&10 chef/partner Chuck Ramsey, eschews Southern barbecue’s big-n-sloppy tradition in favor of more neatly presented creations. But don’t let that fool you— the fantastic ribs, redneck reuben (bacon, collards, pimento cheese, and ranch), and array of zippy sides require wet-naps aplenty, just as God intended. [Photo]

From the silly name to the admonitions from the ever-present owners to clean your plate and the occasional inexplicably long wait times, this place is an oddball gem. Notably fresh ingredients and rich, flavorful stocks make Just Pho worth repeated visits. [Photo]

Chef Jason Zygmont recently took the reins at Hugh Acheson’s flagship restaurant, and his thoughtful ambition is readily apparent. Combining Acheson’s commitment to simple, local food with haute technique picked up at Noma and Per Se, Zygmont is producing plates unlike any other chef in town.

The newest addition to Hugh Acheson’s coterie of chefs is Whitney Otawka, formerly of Farm 255, now putting her rustic, comfort food spin on traditional Mexican dishes. The menu features a variety of ceviches, tacos (fried oyster, braised lamb neck), and a welcome emphasis on vegetables.

One of Southern Living’s “Best Bars in the South,” Normal Bar was a trailblazer of the burgeoning Prince Avenue bar scene. Essentially the Cheers of Athens, it’s the sort of place you know you can always run into a friend for an after-work beer around the outdoor fire pit or on their sunny patio in summer.

An offshoot of the long-standing Luna Baking Co., Ideal Bagel is the South’s answer to a Yankee deli. Try the pecan-smoked salmon or Georgia trout bagel for breakfast or one of their perfectly proportioned deli sandwiches for lunch. Wash it down with a cup of Counter Culture coffee and take some Luna bread for the road.

Kelly’s Jamaican jerk chicken and pork are not for the faint of heart, but if you can stand the heat, it’ll make you a devotee. The portions are enormous, everything is positively packed with flavor and the enamel-stripping sweet tea helps cool you down. [Photo: This Mama Cooks]

A great family spot where you’re wont to find dads munching biscuits alongside daughters out to breakfast in a favorite princess dress, just because, Ike & Jane specializes in donuts both classic and unexpected. Try the Elvis with peanut butter, banana, and bacon, or go for one of their simple sandwiches.

Both downtown mainstays with devoted clienteles, Manhattan Cafe and The World Famous’s status as neighbors has merged them into one entity in the minds of many locals. Bouncing between Manhattan’s bizarro dive vibe and World Famous’s hip cocktails and killer late-night bar food, you get the best of both sides of Athens. [Photo]

Clocked, with its lighthearted devotion to decadent milkshakes and classic monster movies, is a favorite of college kids and townies alike. The diner specializes in burgers, which you can get adorned with grilled veggies or crowned with onion rings, and offer abundant baskets of sides like tater tots and sweet potato fries. [Photo]

A meal at Cali-n-Tito’s feels like a party. There’s always boisterous Spanish-language music being piped from speakers onto their roomy patio, where you can dine at a picnic table next to a cage full of parrots or — why not? — in a boat. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu, but why folks order anything other than the excellent Cuban sandwich is a mystery. [Photo]

If you yearn to breakfast truly continental style— with a croissant and a modestly portioned cappuccino— Independent is a godsend. To start your day there, surrounded by the bounty of their fresh, fragrant, delicious breads, is to set yourself up for success.

Of the handful of Thai restaurants in Athens, Siri Thai is easily the favorite. The menu is what you’d typically expect— curries, various fried apps and flavorful soups— but the real standout is the crispy duck, available with a variety of different sauces and perfectly cooked every time. [Photo]