By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Whatever direction you’re coming in from for the GHSA state basketball championships in Macon, you’ll be near some quality grub.

And more than just the chains. Much more.

There are plenty of local/regional restaurants as well as chains off of Exit 172 and 169 on I-75 in North Macon, as well as Exit 3 and 5 and 9 on I-475. All the food groups.

But within 10 minutes of the Macon Coliseum, the choices are more loaded than a fat baked tater.

Barbque, seafood, southern/soul, meat-n-twos/threes, classic and unique burgers, high-end, Korean, desserts/coffee, pizza, Italian, subs, bagels, tacos, sushi/Hibachi, noodles, biscuits, sandwiches, coffee, brew pubs, Cajun, Mexican, Southwestern American, wings.

And there’s an arcade and comic book store downtown, too.

Within about a 5-minute drive of the Coliseum are about 40 or so non-chain, non-fast food grub offerings, from upper level and dressy to burgers to coffee, and covering many ethnicities.

Here’s a fairly complete list of downtown possibilities, as well as near Mercer, and a Google map showing a partial collection:

Baldinos, Cherry and Second
          Big, tasty subs, salads
Bearfoot, corner Cherry and MLK
          young sports bar, Mercer oriented, across from Ga. Sports Hall of Fame
BJs, Cherry and MLK
          Pool hall, bar
Biddy's, 946 First
          Wings, tenders, salads, sandwiches, more
The Brick 1305 Hardeman Ave.

Cashman's Pub, 370 Cherry
          Across from the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Cox Cafe, 694 Lower Poplar
          quality meat and 2/3, south of downtown, breakfast and dinner
Da Smoothie Plug, 1087 MLK
          More than smoothies, like sandwiches
Dovetail, Cherry Street
          Southern cuisine with a fancy touch, full bar
Downtown Grill, 562 Mulberry St. Lane
          Superb english-style steakhouse with cigar bar.
El Sombrero, 610 North (across river and I-16)
          Mexican
Famous Mike's, 524 Poplar
          More than burgers and sandwiches, like home cooking, hot dogs, biscuits

Felicia's Cake Factory, 365 Third

Fincher's BBQ, Gray Highway, acroos river/I-16
          well-known BBQ, main location is in South Macon
H&H, 807 Forsyth
          Legendary southern cookin, made famous by Allman Brothers (almost a museum)
Hello Boba, 359 Third
          Boba drinks and tea and food
Hightales Rooftop Barm 401 Cotton
          Atop Hotel Forty Five, with a view
Hummingbird, across from Bearfoot
          broad beverage menu, live music hall, downtown neighborhood bar
Just Tap'd, 488 First
          All sorts of local and state beers in a brewpub, with pizza, snacks, sharables
Kimchi Factory, 440 Walnut
          Korean cuisine
Kinjo Kitchen & Cocktails, 497 Second
          Asian-inspired comfort food with Southern touch, as well as pork belly bites and veggie eggrolls
Kudzu Seafood, 512 Poplar
          Louisiana oriented seafood, second-floor patio
La Bella Morelia, 524 Mulberry
          Broad variety of Mexican offerings
Little India, Cherry Street
          Traditional Indian cuisine
Loom, 401 Cotton
          In Hotel Forty Five, some sharables as well as tenderloin to ribeye to wine and fancy beverages

Macon Bagels, 470 Third
Macon Water Ice, 490 Cherry
Ninja Japanese Sushi and Steakhouse, 575 Mulberry St. Lane

Ocmulgee Brewpub, 484 Second
          Voted best burger in Macon to go with a sandwiches, sides, snacks, and loads of locally brewed beer
Oliver's Corner Bistro, 496 Second
          From fritas to mussels to smoked chicken raviol and honey bourbon salmon, and full lunch menu
Parish, Cherry Street.
          Cajun/Louisiana, live music, patio
Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen, 450 Third
          Brewpub and versatile menu, two stories with games on bottom floor
Pearl Cuisine & Cocktails, 470 First
          European-style bistro, from Tambaqui ribs to duck pot pie,

Philosophie Wine and Charcuterie, 616 Poplar

Quill, 350 Second
          In The Woodward Hotel, with lounge, rooftop patio, literature-inspired drinks
Reboot, Cherry Street
          Bar and video/game arcade
Reckon Coffee and Wine, 401 Cotton
          Inside Hotel 45 across from the City Auditorium
Rookery, 543 Cherry St.
          great burgers, varied menu, live music on weekends, non-smoking. Has a new finedining restaurant upstairs.
Satterfield's Barbque, 120 New St.
          Lunch, open till 3, superb BBQ
Three Countries, 195 Spring
          Mexican, American, and Cuban food
Tokyo Alley, 574 Mulberry St Lane
          Japanese and Thai in a cozy spot
Tzango, 376 Second
          Family-friendly place with Mexican/Latin American dishes
Vibez, 401 Cherry Street
          Owned by Wilkinson County's NFL standout Bud Dupree, bar/lounge, food
Your Pie, 536 Poplar
          Pizza, sandwiches, calzones
Z Beans Downtown, 311 Cotton
          Unique story behind the coffee shop

Near Mercer
Bear's Den, 1191 Ogelthorpe
          legendary southern homecookin
Sid's Sandwich Shop, 15010 Forsyth
Amici's Macon, across from Five Star Stadium
Georgia Potato Factory, across from Five Star Stadium
Growler USA, across from Five Star Stadium
The Library Taphouse, across from Five Star Stadium
Momma Goldberg's Deli, across from Five Star Stadium
Osaka Hibachi and Sushi, across from Five Star Stadium

Mercer Village
Francar's Wings
Jag's Pizza
ZBeans coffee
Margarita's Mexican Grill
Fountain of Juice