The Boll Weevil Cafe Information

The Boll Weevil Cafe and Sweetery, just steps away from Augusta's scenic Riverwalk, has a long, rich history dating back to the mid-1800s. The Boll Weevil's main building was originally constructed in the 1840s for use as a cotton warehouse. The area that now serves as our main parking lot was once a central courtyard for the open-air warehouse. Lore has it that during bountiful seasons, it was possible to walk Cotton Row from Fifth to Thirteenth Street entirely atop stacked bales. In 1919, Fredrick Harrison (the grandfather of the Boll Weevil's owner, George) bought the property and opened Reliable Transfer Co., which delivered freight from the neighboring C&CW railroad to downtown merchants. The restaurant's small, front dining room was Reliable Transfer's main office, and the little arched opening in the room housed a pot-bellied stove. The 1930s saw a fire destroy part of the building (see the charred beams toward the rear of the main room) and a tornado rip the 9th Street facade off the building. Mr. Harrison died in 1939 and the building went on to house a bus company, a furniture warehouse, an electric-motor repair shop and even a junkyard. In 1991, we opened our restaurant and named it for the cotton-eatin' insect that so dramatically affected the economy of the South. Our goal is to have a casual atmosphere free of smoke, processed food and bad attitudes. The Boll Weevil has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a small, hole-in-the-wall establishment with a plywood bar, tap beer and a single delicacy: free popcorn. The Boll Weevil is constantly evolving thanks to the continued input of our guests. We continually strive to bring you the very best food and the highest-quality service in a comfortable, welcoming environment.