A La Cart

By Lauren McGrath

Its 3 a.m., the bars are closing. You’re a little intoxicated and extremely hungry. You had Jimmy John’s last weekend, Big Mama’s last night, and Wendy’s for dinner. What else is there to eat? Well, walk down to “Buggy Row” on Union Street. If you’ve never been there, now is the time to try Athens’ myriad selection.

Burrito Buggy

“Our food is fresh, tasty, and appeals to everyone,” General Manager of Burrito Buggy Joyce Cunningham said. Joyce, 41, has been with the company since 1986, although she left for eleven years to start her own enterprises. While being with the company, she has been night manager and now general manager. Joyce has seen everything a person caddy-corner to Court Street can. And though she thinks the quality of students has improved drastically since 1984, when the buggy was first established, it’s still common to see students throwing up on the sidewalk and stammering over to order afterwards.

Most Memorable Moment: Six weeks ago, minutes after saying “I do” a couple came to the buggy. Complete with a photographer, tuxedo, and wedding dress with a full train, the couple wanted to get wedding photos eating what else, but Burrito Buggy. Another memorable moment was when Joyce threw food at an overly aggressive drunken customer. “I hit him in his cashmere jacket. I don’t even know if he knew it happened.”

Most Popular Item: Beef Supreme (in fact, a guy came up and ordered one during my interview)
Burrito Buggy also offers “one of the best vegetarian menus for such a small buggy.”

Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. and Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Ali-Baba’s

“There are little gyro fiends out there,” said Ali-Baba’s employee Andy Parsons. Andy has been working at Gyro for only four weeks [will be about eight weeks by the release date] and also works at a local liquor store. In between slicing veggies and making sandwiches, Andy listens to his own playlists and makes small talk with the customers. “Girls always try to get free food,” Andy said. One of his duties includes making sure no one steals the pop outside the buggy. Ali-Baba’s had to move the chip hanger to inside the buggy as a means of preventing theft.

Most Memorable Moment: Three weeks into working for Ali-Baba’s, Andy was closing down the buggy at 3 a.m. A girl walked by and wanted to order something but she couldn’t find any money in her purse. After a few minutes, she scrambled to find two dollars and inquired what she could get with the money. Andy informed the girl she could get a mini gyro as he cleaned the buggy. A few minutes later, he looked over and saw the girl passed out, sleeping on the counter.

Most Popular Item: Regular Lamb or Beef Gyro
Ali Baba’s also offers baklava (a honey, nut-filled pastry), hummus, White Castle, and vegetarian options.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 a.m.
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