Owner of the Grit in Athens dies

Ted Hafer, owner of Athens' wildly popular vegetarian restaurant the Grit, was found dead on the side of the road in downtown Athens this morning. Here’s the report from the Athens Banner-Herald:

Athens-Clarke police have identified the man who plunged from the top of the College Avenue Parking Deck as 42-year-old Ted Hafer.

Hafer's body was discovered on a sidewalk on East Washington Street at about 10:40 this morning. Hafer was the owner of The Grit restaurant on Prince Avenue.

Police have ruled out foul play in the fall, though police would not say this afternoon whether authorities believe Hafer's death was an accident or suicide.

Read the entire story here. (Please try to ignore the horribly insensitive headline “Man who plunged from parking deck identified as Grit owner.”)

The Grit has been an Athens staple for more than 20 years, famous for its “Golden Bowl,” a heaping bowl of tofu and veggies over brown rice smothered in gravy, and for its rock 'n' roll clientèle. Hafer co-authored the restaurant’s cookbook, The Grit Cookbook (Hill Street Press, 2001), with wife Jessica Greene, and it includes recipes for such delights as black-bean chili, Grit yeast gravy and Grit-style tofu. This is a sad, sad day for Athens vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike, as Hafer’s restaurant is loved by both. We’re sure he will be missed.