Downtown Buford, via Wikipedia.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 1, 2024 | For sheer mass, downtown Buford has a high concentration of quality restaurants. It didn’t just happen. Several factors combined to create today’s modern dining scene.
In the 1970s, Georgia Highway 20 became four lanes with a shopping center opening. Old-time stores in Buford deteriorated. By the early 1980s Buford had many vacant storefronts. One guy said: “It was dead at night on Main Street.” Then artist communities were attracted by low rents for these ancient, high ceiling stores, many with basements and second floors. Soon the thriving art community attracted people needing places to eat. Add the growing Lake Lanier community of homes and visitors. Particularly those weekend visitors found the short drive to high-quality Main Street restaurants and the dining scene began to thrive.
Now in 2024, several of these restaurants have had a long tenure, terrific chefs, and the reputation developed as a place to visit. Parking at night is sometimes crowded, so the city built a parking garage behind the stores. And the city made sure the Main Street sidewalks were perfectly smooth with brick pavings.
Here’s the list of East Main Street restaurants by numerical addresses:
- 9: Sperata, American-European of high quality.
- 15: Tani Thai, traditional Thai.
- 37: 37-Main restaurant, American grill and music venue.
- 38: Italian Pie, Italian fare.
- 55: Aqua Terra, elegant fine dining.
- 60: Main Street Deli, fine deli not open at night.
- 101: Bare Bones Steakhouse, opens at 4 p.m except on Monday.
- 107: Off the Rails Mexican Cantina, Mexican fare.
Other downtown restaurants:
- 306 West Main: Rico’s World Kitchen, regional and world cuisine.
- 554 East Main: Tannery Row Ale House, barbecue and Southern fare.
All of Gwinnett sprouts eating establishments these days, but Buford restaurants can hold their own with any area. They are part of what makes living in Gwinnett great.
Two national figures whom I thought well of died recently.
Bob Edwards, the host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition for nearly 25 years, died at age 79 in Arlington, Va. The Louisville, Ky. native had a distinct and rich baritone voice for radio plus a smooth delivery. He joined NPR in 1974, and was the first Morning Edition voice in 1979.
We particularly enjoyed his Friday morning at 7:35 five minute radio visits with Red Barber, the old-time radio baseball broadcaster, who was retired in Tallahassee, Fla. Their subject matter varied from not only baseball, but retirement, Florida weather, camellias, etc. When Barber died in 1992, Edwards wrote a book Friday mornings with Red, where even I am mentioned.
I met the genial and legendary basketball coach, Lefty Driesell. He was the first coach to win more than 100 games at four schools, Davidson, Maryland, James Madison, and Georgia State. He was the first to take four different teams to the NCAA tournament. When he coached Georgia State, the team went from a doormat to upsetting Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He was not only a superb coach, but he was theatrical on the sidelines, pushing his team, taunting officials, usually winning, and always funny. He was a joy to watch. Over his career, he won 786 games.
But he was also downright affable and solid as a person. When at Georgia State, he would take the time to come to Gwinnett County and talk to groups. And you were sure to walk away being entertained beautifully.
Robert (Bob) Edwards (1947-2024), and Charles “Lefty” Driesell, (1931-2024): may you rest in peace.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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