1 /5 Keith Regentine: When Mike sold Buff’s to the owners of The Brick, or the original founders of Buffingtons, how long did they own it for again, I dreaded the day I’d have to rewrite my review of the first bar and grill I called home after moving to Milledgeville. Deep down, I hoped that not much would change, but my gut wrenched knowing that it would.
The first time I came here, I was greeted by Callie’s southern charm and the friendliness of her regulars. The fried mushrooms had a crisp bite yet somehow melted in your mouth. There were enough burger options to try a new one every day for weeks, or swap in a thick, crispy chicken breast. Even the quesadillas, nachos, and loaded potato wedges were standouts. The menu was expansive and a true reflection of Milledgeville’s southern character.
Gone are the days of being able to eat here a few nights a week. Gone are the days of dropping in for a quick appetizer, unless you like pickles (literally the only thing left on the appetizer menu). Gone are the days of coming in to watch the game at the bar with good company (yes, they even took the TVs down at the bar).
When the new owners took over, they said one of their goals was to: "Bring the food & drink menu back to its original roots.”
If the original roots were boring and spiritless, then I guess they nailed it. Your only choices now are well-done smash burgers (no pink to be found) or chicken that reminds me of lightly breaded Perdue strips, a shame to call it fried chicken (see the skimpy serving on my “William Nelson” sandwich photo).
And while Buff’s didn’t always have a defined cocktail menu before, alcoholic milkshakes were definitely not what it was missing, especially when the bartenders were already great at recommending or crafting something to match your craving.
They ended their takeover announcement with: "We’ll be back soon. Can’t wait to welcome y’all home to Buffington’s.”
I’m sad to say that after going a few times in the past couple of weeks, for now, I don’t know if I can call this home anymore. I get sad every time I leave here, remembering the food I used to get versus what’s put in front of me now. It’s just a shell of its former glory.
Whether their goal is to make it trendy with the current smash burger fad, fill the place with college kids like their other bar, or run it into the ground to justify a full rebrand, I couldn’t tell you. Hopefully it will always remain the home of live music in Milledgeville, as it was this weekend, and thankfully they kept the bartenders from the previous era, but that’s about all it has going for it right now.
Their new focus is apparently on “speed and freshness.” But Buff’s already offered quality food, speed and freshness were never the issue. This isn’t (or wasn’t supposed to be) a fast-food burger chain or the next Shake Shack. The food certainly doesn’t taste better or fresher; in fact, I’d rather wait three to five times longer for a real burger than get a plank of one in three to five minutes.
For a place to go back to a menu that might’ve been offered over 20 years ago when they last owned it doesn’t feel like a step forward toward something better, just backward. Welcome back another basket and fries restaurant to Milledgeville!