If you’ve ever walked down Clayton Street in downtown Athens, Georgia, you’ve seen the line. It snakes past the big windows, usually filled with a mix of hungry UGA students, parents in town for a game, and locals who have been eating there since the nineties. People wait. They wait a long time. In a town where restaurants open and close with the seasons, Last Resort Grill has managed to remain the definitive cornerstone of the local food scene.
It’s an interesting spot. Honestly, the name itself is a bit of a local joke because it was originally a legendary music club in the 1960s. Back then, it was a dark, grit-covered venue where you might catch Jimmy Buffett or Steve Martin before they were household names. When it transitioned into a restaurant in 1992, the owners kept the name and the soul, but traded the rowdy music for some of the best Southwest-inspired Southern food in the Southeast.
What to Actually Order at Last Resort Grill
Let's cut to the chase. You aren't going there for the history alone; you're going for the food. Most people get overwhelmed by the menu because it covers a lot of ground. If it’s your first time, you basically have to look at the Praline Chicken. It’s the dish that put them on the map. Imagine a chicken breast encrusted with pecans, sautéed, and then smothered in a honey-mustard cream sauce. It sounds heavy. It is. But it’s also one of those meals that explains exactly why this place has a cult following.
But here’s the thing: the locals often pivot toward the salmon or the pasta. Their Salmon Fettuccine uses fresh, hand-cut fish, and the cream sauce has just enough kick to keep it from feeling like standard bistro fare. If you’re there for lunch, the West Coast Grilled Cheese is a sleeper hit. It’s got sprouts, tomato, and avocado on multigrain bread. It feels healthy-ish until you realize you’ve eaten an entire plate of seasoned fries alongside it.
Don't Skip the Cake (Seriously)
You literally cannot talk about Last Resort Grill without talking about the cake case. As soon as you walk in, there’s a glass display filled with massive, towering slices of cake. These aren't made in-house—they come from Cecilia’s Cakes. Cecilia Villaveces is a local legend in her own right. Her cakes are moist, structurally defiant, and usually covered in thick, decadent frosting.
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The Red Velvet is the traditional choice, but if the Caramel Cake is in the case, grab it. The frosting is that old-fashioned, cooked caramel kind that almost snaps when you bite into it. Most tables share one slice between three or four people. Attempting a whole slice by yourself is a bold move that usually ends in a sugar-induced coma before you even make it back to your car.
The Vibe and the "Athens Factor"
Athens is a weird, wonderful place. It’s a college town, sure, but it’s also a deeply artistic community with a lot of pride. Last Resort Grill captures that balance perfectly. The walls are covered in local art—specifically the work of Howard Finster and other regional folk artists. It feels upscale but not stuffy. You’ll see a guy in a tuxedo next to a kid in a tattered R.E.M. shirt.
The service is fast. It has to be. They turn tables over with surgical precision because the demand is constant. Despite the rush, the servers usually have that classic Athens "cool" vibe—knowledgeable about the wine list but happy to crack a joke.
When to Go to Avoid the Crowds
Timing is everything. If you show up at 7:00 PM on a Friday night when there’s a home game at Sanford Stadium, you’re looking at a two-hour wait. Minimum. They don’t take reservations for small groups. It’s a first-come, first-served situation that favors the patient.
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- Pro Tip: Go for a late lunch around 2:30 PM. The transition between lunch and dinner is the sweet spot.
- Sunday Brunch: This is a whole different animal. The Fried Green Tomato Benedict is worth the struggle, but you should aim to get there 15 minutes before they open.
- Weekday Dinner: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are your best bet for walking in and getting a table in under 20 minutes.
The Impact on Downtown Athens
Last Resort Grill didn't just survive; it anchored the revitalization of Clayton Street. Back in the early 90s, downtown wasn't the polished destination it is now. By providing a high-quality, consistent dining experience, they paved the way for other icons like Five & Ten or The National. It proved that Athens had a palate for more than just cheap pizza and beer.
There’s a common misconception that "tourist spots" aren't for locals. While Last Resort certainly gets the out-of-town crowd, it remains a "special occasion" spot for people who live in the Five Points or Normaltown neighborhoods. It’s where you go for graduation, for an anniversary, or just because you had a really long week and need a piece of cake the size of your head.
Navigating the Menu Transitions
One thing that trips people up is the menu change. They have a distinct lunch menu and a dinner menu. Lunch is more sandwich and salad heavy, while dinner leans into the "grill" aspect with heavier entrees. If you have your heart set on the Tuna Melt, don't show up at 6:00 PM.
Also, pay attention to the specials. The kitchen staff is given a fair amount of creative freedom with the daily additions. Often, the best thing you can eat on any given night isn't even printed on the permanent menu. Ask about the fresh catch or the seasonal vegetable risotto. They take their sourcing seriously, hitting up local producers like Phickles or various Athens-area farms when the season allows.
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Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the Classic City, put Last Resort on your list, but do it smartly.
- Check the UGA Calendar: If it’s graduation weekend or a big SEC matchup, maybe look elsewhere unless you have all day to wait.
- Park at the Deck: Street parking on Clayton is a nightmare. Use the Washington Street deck and walk the block. It saves you twenty minutes of circling.
- Order the Fried Green Tomatoes: They are iconic for a reason. They use a light breading that doesn't overwhelm the acidity of the tomato, topped with a dollop of goat cheese and some balsamic reduction.
- Get the Cake to Go: Honestly? Eating a heavy meal and then trying to shove cake down in a crowded dining room can be a lot. Get the cake boxed up. Take it home. Eat it at midnight while watching a movie. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Explore the Art: Take a second to look at the murals and the pieces on the walls. It’s a curated look at the history of the Athens art scene.
The reality is that Last Resort Grill isn't just a restaurant; it’s a living piece of Georgia history. It’s survived economic shifts, a global pandemic, and the ever-changing tastes of twenty-somethings. It stays relevant because the food is consistently good and the atmosphere feels like home, even if you’re just visiting for the weekend. Whether you're there for the picon-crusted trout or just a glass of wine and some people-watching, it remains the quintessential Athens experience.
For the best experience, aim for a mid-week visit and keep an open mind about the daily specials. Don't let the line intimidate you—it moves faster than you think, and the first bite of that praline sauce makes the wait feel like a distant memory.