Weaver D’s, Athens, Georgia
The band R.E.M. once found inspiration at Weaver D’s, winner of the Jame’s Beard Comfort Food Award. Dexter Weaver’s motto “Automatic to the People” became their source for a mainstream album title after the band had dined in this treasured establishment.
Once again I’m finding that the most loved cafes and restaurants are those who operate behind the soul level of their existence. If you’re not impressed then you won’t be missed. But the door is always wide open.
Weaver sways behind the counter with eyes and mouth relaxed and open as he drawls a food order or question around the corner into the kitchen. When the front door opens, however, he turns to watch as if this was the first day of business. Then he starts; “Ahh got chickkkkin, tallllapliaaaahhhh, caffffffffisshhhhhhhhhh….” he drones and I’m not sure what’s going on because when he stops listing food I suddenly feel small and out of place.
I took the catfish and they added potato salad and a green leafy side and cornbread and sweet tea. The food was good- maybe not great but not forgettable either. It’s more the experience and this experience is worth coming to have.
I wasn’t the only one here to see the man behind Weaver D’s and I waited twenty minutes for a previous interviewer to finish their chat with Dexter. Words fail to further explain this place so we took a couple pictures instead.
