After a late start hitting the road to Athens, GA,  I texted our daughter for suggestions for lunch. Of course, she googled it and came up with Champy’s, after learning of my yen for fried chicken.

Champy’s, I might not have stopped normally, but I’m so happy we did. No Regrets! The style(we’ll call it that) of Champy’s is eclectic. No…Kitchy! Like I said, ordinarily I might have passed by, but I’m so glad we didn’t. You will be greeted by the metal art chicken out front and on the roof, license plates, and old signs all over, funky string lights and art, drink cozies serving as window treatments, and blues music to accompany your meal.

The food: Let’s start with the fried green tomatoes; crispy and delicious. The fried chicken: tender, crispy, moist and to die for!  You may have a short wait on the chicken because each plate is made to order, but it’s worth the wait. The potato salad is like my Mom’s, and my own,  homemade, thankfully with no dill. The baked beans had several kinds of beans, also like homemade.

Where does that homemade taste come from? Well, The owners, Seth and Crissy Champion, are using family recipes handed down through their family for over forty years. The “Down in the Delta” chicken recipe is the best example. The servings are generous. The fried green tomato appetizer could be a meal in itself. Eight slices. EIGHT! And folks, they also are known for their hand-rolled hot tamales. The menu includes catfish, fried jalapenos, cold slaw, shrimp, grilled or fried, hush puppies, numerous other sides, and on and on.

It didn’t take us long to fill up and neither did the restaurant. In spite of it’s “ruff” exterior, Champy’s appears to be the place to go for down-home food in Athens Champy’s also has locations in Alabaster, Daphne and Muscle Shoals, ALA, and Chattanooga and Murfreesboro, TN. Not all menu items are available at all locations. For instance, we couldn’t get fried okra in Athens. Bummer!

But: We’ll be back!