Crums on Central Po’ Boy
1855 Central Avenue
Augusta, GA 30904
(706) 729-6969
Crums on Central, named after chef Andrew Crumrine, is a life-ring in a sea of Southern chain restaurants. Why is it that so often when you ask somebody where to find great grub in a new town, all they come up with are the typical chains? Down South, that usually means Waffle House, Bo Jangles, or Cracker Barrel. Try as you might, it’s rare that you can pry out of a local anything as genuine, pertinent, and terrific as Crums.
This little café is situated just outside historic downtown Augusta. You would almost have to know it’s there to find it. Just a few years old, Crums features a luxurious outdoor patio, where you can relax, take in the Southern charm, and eat some really great food.
All the dishes are plated beautifully, with lots of color and shape minus the side of pretentiousness. It all just looks really, really appetizing. While there is a full dinner menu featuring brilliant entrées such as smoke-scented salmon or shrimp and grits, try Crums on the weekend for the brunch menu served from 11:00 am.
Before you order, take some time to just sit on the patio and watch the dishes go by. Everything will be inspirational. Order a beer from the vast selection, and try some boiled peanuts, maybe some of the best in the South ($4.95). Or try the ever popular bruschetta, slices of grilled baguette piled high with roasted garlic, tomato and fresh basil. Most diners take to the deviled eggs ($5.00/six), and Mimosas flow abundantly.
Crums on Central
Brunch entrees are all $8.50, and each is a valid choice. The bacon cheddar burger is piled high with loads of carmelized red onions, arugula and tomatoes. Throw in an order of Crummy fries ($6.00), crispy fries topped with a generous portion of bacon, Parmesan, feta, and pesto aioli, and you’ll be doing just fine.
Or try the pulled pork sandwich—a soft bun literally stuffed with succulent smoked Boston butt, homemade sauce served on the side. And the po’ boys, a choice of fried catfish or shrimp, are magnificent. Long hoagie rolls are stuffed with either spiced and crunchy crusted catfish or mounds of fresh shrimp, then layered with jalapeno slaw, remoulade sauce, and bunches of halved grape tomatoes. Yummy stuff.
Everything at Crums is a treat—simple food done very well and in an eye-popping fashion. When you can’t take another bite, roll north a few streets to Walton Way, and work your way west. The magnificent architecture sprawls out in a beautiful park-like setting. There are some amazing, column-fronted homes that will take you back to what the South of must have been like at the turn of the century. If you were clever, you brought along a Crums crab cake or two for sustenance!
Just Good Eats © 2011
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