The Grit

Established in 1986. vegetarian and vegan cuisine; world-wise and down-home recipes; gluten-free friendly options; housemade desserts founded by jennifer hartley, peggy cozart, and melanie reynolds as an art gallery/cafe in (what some might consider) athens golden age, the grit ended up changing between friendly hands a couple times before ending up in those of the couple ted hafer and jessica greene. they moved the grits location from a quirky 2 story between north hull and pulaski st. to the micheal stipe-owned prince ave. spot in 1990, and later expanded to its current size. through all those changes, a connection to athenian music via the owners, employees, and clientele has been a constant anchor. theres even a practice space in the office. ted passed away in 2007, but jessica and the longtime (and not-so-longtime) employees keep what he and the grits founders built alive: a fun, iconic, independent, creative, local restaurant.