Mama Sid's Pizza, Athens

Training park rangers and managers rarely leads to a gig as a restaurateur. But, according to the Athens Banner-Herald, Jim Waters drew on his experiences heading park concession stands to open Mama Sid's Pizza in 1983 with his wife, Sidney Anne. Now run by their son, Shaun, Mama Sid's still relies on the same pizza recipe. Dough spinners crown pizzas with more than 20 toppings, such as bacon and banana peppers. Along with crafting customizable slices for its pizza buffet, Mama Sid's team creates its own specialties, such as a marinated chicken pie with garlic butter instead of pizza sauce. The BYOB eatery has expanded over the years to include other pizzeria favorites, from ricotta-stuffed calzones to wings by the pound doused in housemade hot sauce.