Clocked: Burgers and More

By: Benjamin Bacon

Posted: 9/15/08

If you're in the mood for a delicious burger and have grown tired of the same boring menu of Five Guy's, Hudson Carter's Clocked is just what you need. This retro themed restaurant, located on the west end of downtown Athens on Washington Street, boasts an impressive menu that is reasonably priced, even for your average college student.

With globe lights hanging from the ceiling and vinyl records mounted on the walls, Clocked is bound to impress and hit that cheesy diner cliché factor. The low lighting and draped windows gives the place an intimate feel without smothering its retro feel.

My experience at Clocked was an enjoyable and satisfying one. My family and I ate slightly after 9:30 on a Friday night, so waiting to be seated was no problem. The seating is booth-style with a few tables for four taking up the remaining floor space. Because the layout is a bit cramped, the typical intimate dining experience is not achieved if that's your thing. Still, the young college crowd, staff, and retro atmosphere make up for any dining inconveniences.

Clocked is known for its innovative burgers, melts and tater tots. The burgers are available in six or 12 ounces, while any of the 15 sandwiches can be ordered as a salad. For the adventurous eater, there is the Yac's Peanut Butter and Bacon burger. And for any fan of spice, the Ring of Fire burger is available stacked and smothered with pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, sour cream and homemade chipotle mayonnaise.

While the menu is mainly burgers and melts, it also has an impressive menu of huge salads, a Terrapin Ale vegetarian chili, and tasty deep fryer items. Daily specials and a number of vegetarian options are always available. Clocked has a large drink selection including soft drinks, flavored sodas, vintage sodas and hot drinks. There is also a wine list and eclectic beer options.

Our service at Clocked was astounding. The waiter was personable and very knowledgeable about all the menu items. Our food was brought out promptly and hot off the grill with all the fixings and condiments needed.

My mother and father ordered the cheeseburger, which can be topped with your choice of cheddar, Swiss, Muenster, pepper jack, feta, or bleu cheese, and fries with a creamy feta dipping sauce. For me it was the Friendship Burger, which is a cheeseburger topped with sautéed mushrooms, green bell peppers and onions. The food was flavorful and not at all greasy as you would expect from a place that serves hamburgers. The fries are more home-style and come seasoned with Cajun spice and any of their seven homemade sauces.

One of the most impressive qualities of Clocked is its reasonable pricing that should not damage your college budget. An average combo meal served with fries or coleslaw is $7.75. Tater tots can be added for only 25 cents, while a side salad or cup of chili is only 50 cents! The burgers and melts are also available a la carte for $1.50 less if you are in the mood for a light lunch. The impressive salads and cold cut deli sandwiches range from $4.75 to $8.50.

Clocked is open seven days a week and delivers free to the 40 Watt, Flicker Theater, Manhattan Café, Caledonia Lounge and Max Canada's. Sunday-Thursday hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays it's open till 11 p.m.