Blue Sky Kitchen 990 Broad St., Augusta 706-821-3988

Southern fusion cuisine with great dishes like curry fried chicken, redneck stir-fry and coconut curry chicken soup. Full bar, friendly wait staff, excellent location. Live music on some weekends, nightly specials and check the board for dessert options.

The Cotton Patch 816 Cotton Lane, Augusta 706-724-4511

Nice patio reminiscent of New Orleans, friendly service and good drink specials. If you’re lucky, or not so lucky, while sitting outside you can be entertained (for better or worse) by the karaoke from Mi Rancho.

Road Runner Café 2508 Peach Orchard Rd., Augusta 706-790-8177

A great place to hit up before going to Coyote’s (the road runner is in front of the coyote… get it ?) to grab some food (try one of their burgers). Also open for lunch, but Tuesday and Friday nights are the times to go because that’s when you can catch local favorite Steve Chappell.

Cali’s Grille 4460 Washington Rd., Evans 706-922-7873 Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Cali’s is, you guessed it, a California themed restaurant that serves up a tasty variety of appetizers (try the Surfside Dip), entrees, sandwiches and wraps, and seafood. Their Sandy Sea Shells dessert is divine.

Pickles 407 Furys Ferry Rd., Augusta 706-288-1200

A locally owned casual dining spot that sports an impressively unique menu of appetizers, salads and sandwiches, along with steaks, seafood and vegetarian items. Open for lunch and dinner.

Village Deli 2803 Wrightsboro Rd., Augusta 706-736-3691

Located in Daniel Village, Village Deli is one of Augusta’s favorite family restaurants that also has a cozy bar in the back for the big kids. The pimiento cheese burger with bacon is a classic, and every single variation of their fries is homemade. The hot chips are especially good, as are the sweet potato fries. Watch out if you decide to introduce yourself to owner Lorna Barrett, though; she’ll probably talk you into adopting a pet from a local animal shelter.

TGI Friday’s 2800 Washington Rd., Augusta 706-736-8888

Open every day at 11 a.m., Friday’s never fails to satisfy, especially when diners order something from their Jack Daniel’s Grill menu. Members of the military get 25 percent off on Saturdays.