Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina

I stopped in here for lunch during a Jackie O’s release (I had a late calendar page) and couldn’t make a ton of sense of the food menu. It’s limited and seems to expect everyone to have been here a bunch already, with the front-page seasonal offerings the only things spelled out well. Anyway, I got some overpriced nachos (I get that things are more expensive because it’s employee-owned and there’s no tipping, but a few toppings made the price obscene). One bartender started to help me and never came back, so another finished my order eventually. There are 8 taps, with the focus on Ohio beers. Great Lakes had more than half of them when I was there, and Devil’s Kettle was on one and Jackie O’s on another. The interior has a couple different rooms, and I sat at the main square-shaped bar. It looked like mostly regulars at the time. The focus here seems to be on beverages, not food, although I’ve heard a few locals swear by the food. I don’t know. My first visit wasn’t the greatest.

This is a quaint dining spot in Athens located within easy walking distance of the other downtown/college establishments. The bar is upon entry and to the left while the dining area is to the right. The bar is self-serve, in that you order at the bar and take your drink to your table. There is a smaller food menu here and you pick it up once your number lights up on the board. There is no tipping here as that is already included in the item price. The dining area offers a more extensive menu and table service. This was a good place to enjoy a bite and beverage, though probably not some place you would single out upon visiting town.

This is a co-op which, interestingly, doesn’t accepts tips, service charges are built into the prices. They had a handful of taps, mostly local stuff. The food was creative and interesting.

Came in at 4pm on a Wednesday, drafts were $1 off ($3 each, except for the Weasel Boy PawPaw, which was $4). Impressive bathroom - very clean, everything in good condition, even 4 spare TP rolls sitting out in the open in addition to the two wooden roll-holders. Great afternoon ambiance -- nice and quiet, chill jazz instrumental playing at a reasonable volume, plenty of good secluded seating (I took a table near the bar facing a large street-side window). About 40 different bottles to choose from in the cooler, and 6 rotating Ohio taps. Neither of my beers had any head or lace - maybe it’s the way they pour - but both were filled as close as possible to the very top of the glass, which was awesome. They also emphasize that their samples were free - not stingy at all, here. Got a bowl of vegetarian chili for about $3.50, looks nice, good presentation, great included tortilla chips. Pretty tasty. Cool place, will be back to try new Ohio beers as they become available, and possibly have a meal that is more than a snack.

Went here late in the evening, so no food was being served at the time. You walk in and the bar is immediately to the left, taps are close to the door and are loaded with some local goodies: jackie-o’s, great lakes, thirsty dog to name a few. They have lots of micros to choose from in the fridge directly behind the taps. Ambiance is good, lots of seating available and it seemed to draw a good crowd. There’s a stage for entertainment should that need to occur. Service was great. Almost as soon as I walked up to the bar and had a minute to look over the beer offerings, I had a bartender in front of me to ask what I would like. Quick and attentive service is always a plus in my book. The experience here was pretty good, I’ll have to come back earlier some day to try the food, I hear it’s awesome.

Don’t go for the beer go for the house margaritas the best you will ever have. The food on the other hand is Great well worth the money. get the special what ever it is!

One of the better places to go in Athens if you don’t like the college bar scene. Their margaritas are famous throughout the town and have been dubbed casaritas. Their food is very good but expensive due to the fact that they buy a lot of local foods and try to keep things very eco-friendly. If you’re in town it’s a must for a drink and a bite to eat.

I understand and applaud the whole sustainability and regionality aspect of restaurants but produce some quality food as well. The winter burrito was blah and the side of jasmine rice with chopped parsley was completely out of place with a weird texture as well. The place is split into a bar side and restaurant side. Beer selection was mainly Great Lakes stuff with a couple of locals. Service is spotty at best

Hippy and international hang out. They usually have around half a dozen of Ohio beers on draft. Food is fairly good, but fairly expensive. Food service is usually below average, bar service is usually above average. They usually have a cover charge on weekend nights.