For GHSA basketball fans coming to Macon, bring an empty stomach
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 15 minutes of the Macon Coliseum, in downtown Macon and around Mercer, 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 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. And there is plenty around Exit 169 and 172, within 15 minutes of the Coliseum.
The offering here is of food and beverage opportunities, but there’s plenty of things to see, even if just driving around: Mercer’s campus, the huge Atrium Health Amphitheatre, Rose Hill Cemetery, the nation’s biggest indoor pickleball complex (next to Amphiteatre at old mall on Eisenhower/Mercer).
Take a look at the maps, from Bing and Google, and prepare to expand a belt loop. This is updated, albeit only within the last week, so a few are undoubtedly no longer with us. But there are still dozens upon dozens of options. And this year, links to most of the offerings.
Downtown
American Feel & Wings, 45 Spring
Philly cheese steaks, wings, fish, chicken, shrimp, gyros
Baldinos, Cherry and Second
Big, tasty subs (ohhh, the Italian Battalion), salads
Bear's Den, 1191 Oglethorpe
Legendary southern home cookin
Biddy's, 946 First
Wings, tenders, salads, sandwiches, more
Braddock’s Cask & Table, 347 Cotton Ave.
Authentic flavors and traditional dishes
The Brick 1305 Hardeman Ave.
Starters/apps, wings, salads, pasta, pizza, calzones, sandwiches
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
Churchill’s on Cherry, 557 Cherry
Cigar lounge with versatile apps, entrees from salmon and chicken Marcella to filet Oscar and crab cakes, plus full brunch
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, quality bourbon selection.
El Sombrero, 610 North (across river and I-16)
Mexican, outdoor seating
Fall Line Brewing Co.
Craft beer, but plenty of good food choices
Fatty’s Pizza, 587 Cherry
Famous Mike's, 524 Poplar
More than burgers and sandwiches, like home cooking, hot dogs, biscuits
Grow fresh local food, 1019 Riverside
Fresh food made with local incredients, from blueberry goat bites to jerk shrimp o-boy to bowls and vegan, 11a-3
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 Bar, 401 Cotton
Atop Hotel Forty Five, with a view
J&J Fish & Chicken, 66 Spring St. (also on Pio Nono)
Filling combos or entrees with chicken, fish, shrip, plus gizzards and nuggets, wings,
Just Tap'd, 488 First
All sorts of local and state beers in a brewpub, with pizza, snacks, sharables
Kinjo Kitchen & Cocktails, 497 Second
Asian-inspired comfort food with Southern touch, as well as pork belly bites and veggie eggrolls. Atop a speakeasy
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
More than just flavored ice and ice cream
Ocmulgee Brewpub, 484 Second
Voted best burger in Macon in 2023, 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, 580 Cherry Street.
Cajun/Louisiana, live music, patio
Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen, 450 Third
Brewpub and versatile menu, two stories with games on bottom floor
Quill, 350 Second
In The Woodward Hotel, with lounge, rooftop patio, literature-inspired drinks
Reckon Coffee and Wine, 401 Cotton, in Hotel 45
Inside Hotel 45 across from the City Auditorium
Rookery, 543 Cherry St.
Great burgers, shakes, varied menu, live music on weekends, non-smoking, outdoor seating.
Satterfield's Barbque, 120 New St.
Lunch, open till 3, superb BBQ
Sweet Eleanor’s Divine Desserts
Truth in advertising with a broad variety of sweet-tooth fixes
Sid's Sandwich Shop, 15010 Forsyth
All your soup and sandwich favorites and trip back in time.
Third & Cherry
Steak and seafood, from porkbelly and shrimp Edison to scallops in Prosciutto and Caribbean shrimp Mofongo
Three Countries, 195 Spring
Mexican, American, and Cuban food
Tokyo Alley, 574 Mulberry St Lane
Japanese and Thai in a cozy spot
Tzango, 336 Second
Family-friendly place with Mexican/Latin American dishes
Vibez, 401 Cherry Street
Owned by Wilkinson County's NFL standout Bud Dupree, bar/lounge, diverse food menu
Yollah, 894 College St.
International, Cuban offerings, to get started
Your Pie, 536 Poplar (also North/Exit 172)
Pizza, sandwiches, calzones
Z Beans Downtown, 311 Cotton
Unique story behind the coffee shop
East Macon/Gray Highway
Chen’s Wok, 1080 Gray
Full Chinese
El Sombrero Mexican, 610 North Ave.
Full Mexican menu
Fincher's BBQ, Gray Highway, acroos river/I-16
Well-known BBQ, main location is in South Macon on Houston Ave. (till 3) and Houston Road (till 9)
Hotlanta Wings, 650 Shurling
Ole Times Country Buffett, 1343 Gray
Sakura Japanese, 846 Shurling
Local notables (multiple locations)
Finchers BBQ
Hometown family BBQ, raved-about burgers
Nu-Way Weiners
Legendary Macon eatery with serious breakfast options
Mercer Village
Francar's Wings
Mercer Village Pizza Pizza
ZBeans coffee
Margarita's Mexican Grill
Also locations on Bass Road, Warner Robins, Bonaire.
Mercer/Mercer U. Drive
Amici's Macon, across from Five Star Stadium
Pizza, wings, sports, beverages, and more, rooftop deck
Georgia Potato Factory, across from Five Star Stadium
Insomnia Cookies
Unique bakery that’s open late and delivers
The Library Taphouse, across from Five Star Stadium
Good bar food, plenty of craft beer
Osaka Hibachi and Sushi, across from Five Star Stadium
Midtown/Ingleside
Back Burner, 2242 Ingleside Ave.
Upscale fine dining, notable menu
Ingleside Village Pizza, 2395 Inglside
A longtime Macon favorite
Joe D’s, 2329 Ingleside
Soup, sandwiches, brisket, chicken/tuna salad
Tropical Flava, 2396 Ingleside
Caribbean fare
Village Coffee, 2391 Ingleside
Variety of coffee and tea
Midtown/Vineville
American Faves & Mo, 2983 Vineville
Wings, gyros, teriyaki, seafood
Layers, 3001 Vineville
Local bakery
Jim Shaw's, 3040 Vineville
Perhaps Macon’s favorite seafood place
Milltown Market and Dawson's Kitchen, 3360 Brookdale
Home-made baked, veggies, meat and 2/3.
North Macon/Tom Hill Sr. Blvd/Arkwright/Exit 169
Chico n Changs, Riverside Parkway
Korean bowls, taco, burritos, noodles
Coldstone Creamery, Tom Hill Sr. Blvd., Kroger center
Fatty's Pizza, 120 Tom Hill
Fried Green Tomatoes, Riverside Parkway
The Juicy Krab, Tom Hill/Kroger center
Seafood
Fresh Air Bar-B-Que, 3076 Northside
You know the name
Guitarras Mexican Grill, behind IHOP on Tom Hill
Huge menu, with specials
Macon Wings, 4010 Northside
Popular wings and more
Mikata Japanese Steakhouse, 2972 Riverside Dr.
Steakhouse, sushi
Panera Bread, 181 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.
Papouli's, Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.
Good Greek eat-in, takeout, grocer
Shoki, 3850 Riverside
Good Japanese
Shogun, 900 Northwood Plaza (Off Riverside near Pierce)
Steve's Steak & Seafood, 3955 Arkright
Neighborhood lunch and dinner, broad menu
Wagers
Neighborhood bar, open till 2, broad menu, late-night appetizers, TVs, music
Chains
North/Exit 169
Buffalo Wild Wings
Carrabbas
Cook Out
Cracker Barrel
Dunkin Donuts
Five Guys Burgers
IHOP
Outback
Panera Bread
Starbucks
Subway
North/Riverside/Exit 171
Barberitos
Pig on a Pie Pizza
Teriyaki House
North Macon/Bass Road/Exit 172
Chicken Salad Chick, 1676 Bass
Christian's Fine Cuisine, 1693 Bass
Fine seafood dining
J Christophers, 220 Starcadia Circle
Well-known breakfast and lunch
Margarita's Mexican, 5451 Bowman
Medi’s Mediterranean Fusion
Mellow Mushroom, 5425 Bowman
Mirko's Pasta, 1693 Bass Rd
3.5 stars of 4.
Natalia's, Bass Road
attached to homewood suites, high-end italian and desserts
Red Owl Coffee, 5586 Thomaston Rd.
Coffee and more
Surcheros Fresh Mex, 1676 Bass
Mexican staples
Toasted, 5437 Bowman Road, Publix center
New provider of a versatile menu
Tenmii Japanese Eatery, 1625 Bass
Fast Japanese casual
Your Pie Pizza, 1625 Bass
Northwest/Midtown/Forsyth Rd.
Acres & Oak, 4420 Forsyth Rd.
Bakery, sweets, farm to table
Brasserie Circa, 4420 Forsyth Rd.
French and European menu, sandwiches, seafood
Casserole Shop, 4420 Forsyth
Desserts, bakery
FOJ, 4123 Forysth Rd.
Unique menu with several must-try items
Grey Goose, 4525 Forsyth
Neighborhood bar, good food, good 'goose' burgers, latest Burger Week winner
Hello There, Cupcake, 4524 Forsyth
Bakery, deserts
Jeneane’s at Pinebrook, 4436 Forysth
Southern meat-and-two/three
Marie’s Lounge, 4581 Forsyth Rd.
Mirimar Raw Bar & Tapas, 442- Forsyth Rd.
Tapas, seafood, Cajun, cocktails, fine dining
South
Felicia's Cake Factory, 5759 Houston Road
Cheesecakes, cupcakes, petit fours
K’s Fish & More, Hartley Bridge
Wings, pork, rice, more
La Mexicana, Houston Rd.
Mi Margarita’s Bar & Grill, Hartley Bridge Rd.
Texas Border Grill, 5797 Houston Rd.
Local steakhouse, outdoor seating
Tucker’s BBQ, 4591 Broadway
West/Northwest/475-Zebulon
Cathedral Coffee, 5915 Zebulon Rd.
Fish n Pig, 6420 Moseley Dixon, Lake Tobesofkee
Seafood, bbq, music, relaxation on scenic lake setting
J&F Caribbean Delight, 1686 N. Atwood Dr.(Off Mercer University)
Macon Pizza Company, Kroger center
Sakura Poke and Hibachi, 5585 Thomaston Rd.
Taki Japanese Steakhouse, 6255 Zebulon
Very popular steakhouse, sushi, fusion, hibachi
Chains (excluding fast food)
Downtown/east Macon
Ole Times Country Buffet
Zaxby’s
North/Exit 169
Buffalo Wild Wings
Carrabbas
Cook Out
Cracker Barrel
Dunkin Donuts
Five Guys Burgers
IHOP
Outback
Panera Bread
Starbucks
Subway
North/Exit 171
Bonefish
Chili's
Firehouse Subs
Jersey Mike's
Olive Garden
Texas Roadhouse
La Parilla Mexican
Mandarin Express
Texas Roadhouse
Wild Wing Café
North/Exit 172
Chicken Salad Chick
Shane's Rib Shack, 1625 Bass
Taco Mac, 5433 Bowman, Publix Center
7 Brew Coffee
Zaxby’s
Northwest/475/Zebulon
Applebee’s
Buffalo's Café
Fazoli’s
Fajitas Mexican Grill
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Hong Kong Chinese
Hype Wing
Johnny's New York Style Pizza
Marco’s Pizza, (also Riverside Drive/Midtown)
Margarita's Mexican Grill
McAlister’s Deli
Rock n Roll Sushi
Sonny’s BBQ
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
South
Zaxyby’s
West/475-Eisenhower/Mercer
Cracker Barrel
McAlester’s Deli
New China Buffett
Zaxby’s
Take a look
Reboot Retrocade & Bar, 566 Cherry St.
Childhood games, video and otherwise, and adult hydration
Longleaf Distillery, 664 Second St.
Local high-end distillery, includes snacks
Entertainment/Music
Billy's, Northside and Forest Hill
Neighborhood bar, pool, music, games, music, food, open till 2
BJs, Cherry and MLK
Pool hall, bar
Hummingbird, 430 Cherry St
broad beverage menu, live music hall, downtown neighborhood bar
JBA, 425 Cherry St.
3 bars in one
Rose Room, 378 Second St.
Upscale lounge.
The Society Garden, 2389 Ingleside Ave.
Music venue, beer garden and wine bar in great outdoor atmosphere