WE DiG: BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE GAME IN GWINNETT

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If you’re southern, then you love September for two great reasons: the heat is (potentially) on the way out, and football season is HERE! To kick off the most wonderful time of the year, here are five fantastic places to catch the game and have a delicious meal, all within Gwinnett County. Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

1. TACO MAC

3443 LAWRENCEVILLE-SUWANEE ROAD SUWANEE

Featuring over 35 HDTVs, infamous buffalo wings and “Craft on Draft” with over 100 taps of craft and local brews, Taco Mac is one of the southeast’s premier spots to catch basically every game on TV at the exact same time. Extend your education while watching college football by joining their Brewniversity program, and earn a totally bogus degree for trying every one of Taco Mac’s delicious, rare, and unique beers from all over the world.

TRY: Grilled shrimp and mango tacos with the Jekyll Pineapple Habanero beer

2. LANIER ISLANDS

7000 LANIER ISLANDS PARKWAY BUFORD

Lanier Islands offers the best of both worlds with their unique experience. Enjoy the breeze that comes with prime beach seating while watching your favorite college and NFL teams tee it up on a five-story, high definition screen. You won’t go hungry or thirsty, thanks to the bars, concessions and restaurants along the boardwalk, and – perhaps best of all – the kids won’t bother you on fourth-and-goal, thanks to inflatables, beach volleyball, cornhole and more.

TRY: Loaded Tijuana Fries from Boardwalk Cantina

3. MCCRAY’S TAVERN

100 NORTH PERRY STREET LAWRENCEVILLE

There are many reasons to frequent McCray’s Tavern on the Lawrenceville Square (the rooftop bar during events and concerts being a large one), but the biggest and best reason to visit on Sundays: the Bloody Mary Bar. Start your football viewing day off right – heck, continue it through the afternoon, the bar is open til 3:00 p.m. Top it off with an all-new brunch menu, and you have the makings of a fine Sunday Funday.

TRY: Four is More Grilled Cheese Sandwich paired with Tavern Chili

4. MARLOW’S TAVERN

1950 SATELLITE BOULEVARD DULUTH

I’m reluctant to label Marlow’s Tavern fare “bar food,” because it is just so much more. Juicy burgers grilled to perfection, the black and Bleu salad, their infamous fish tacos – you could close your eyes and point to the menu, and be just fine. It’s my personal opinion that football should always be viewed outdoors if possible – especially during glorious southern autumn days – so get there early and snag a spot on the covered patio.

TRY: Anything off the Start menu, but especially: Gorgonzola cheese covered kettle chips, asparagus fries, fried okra.

5. OLD TOWNE TAVERN & GRILLE

835 LAWRENCEVILLE-SUWANEE ROAD LAWRENCEVILLE

A little more upscale than your typical sports bar, there’s something about Old Towne that reminds us a little of Cheers: friendly and welcoming, but doubtful that everyone knows your name (if they do, you may have a problem). Most importantly, you can’t look anywhere without a flatscreen tuned to ESPN, Fox Sports, The SEC Network, or The Ocho in your sightline. Bonus points for having one of the few great patios in Gwinnett.

TRY: Drunken Fish and Chips

6. THREE DOLLAR CAFÉ

6050 PEACHTREE PARKWAY PEACHTREE CORNERS

An Atlanta establishment for over 30 years, the locally owned and operated restaurant franchised in Peachtree Corners a few years ago. They claim to have ‘Atlanta’s Most Famous Wings’ – who are we to argue? With its completely homemade menu, great atmosphere, full bar, and 13 big screens, TDC is definitely geared toward the sports fan.

TRY: The wings. We like Mango Habanero, but the tried-and-true Lemon Pepper are pretty fantastic.