Athens’ hidden foodie havens await!
Ditch the mainstream and dive into flavor-packed hideouts in Athens where amazing BBQ sandwiches knock socks off and decadent chocolate pancakes will send you to next universe – these spots serve big tastes in cozy, no-frills vibes. Let’s check them out!
White Tiger Gourmet
Athens, Georgia’s White Tiger Gourmet turns a century-old grocery store into a BBQ haven where smoked meats meet vegetarian creativity 🍖🌱.
Voted among America’s best BYO spots by Travel + Leisure, this quirky joint slings pecan-wood-smoked classics alongside tofu tacos and pimento cheese-stuffed wonders.
With picnic tables out front, a jungle-themed bathroom, and a vibe that screams “come as you are,” it’s where locals and travelers collide over plates of comfort food magic.
Food Highlights
- Barbarella: Smoked pork piled high with red and white BBQ sauces, melted mozzarella, and a toasted ciabatta roll—a saucy, cheesy masterpiece that’ll have you licking your fingers.
- Happy Top Burger: A half-pound beef patty smothered in grilled onions, American cheese, and mayo—simple, greasy, and deeply satisfying 🍔.
- Tofu Q Sandwich: Grilled tofu drenched in BBQ sauce, nutritional yeast, and coleslaw (vegan-friendly!), proving plant-based eats can steal the show.
- Banana Pudding: Creamy, nostalgic, and just sweet enough to make you forget you’re in a former mill-town grocery store 🍌.
- Krispy Kreme Burger (daily special): A sweet-and-savory gut-buster featuring a glazed doughnut bun—because why not?
Atmosphere
Step into a 1905 brick building where mismatched picnic tables, local art, and a bathroom straight out of Jumanji set the scene 🎨🐯.
Order at the counter, grab a seat outdoors, and watch as BBQ plates and tofu sandwiches zip by.
It’s loud, laid-back, and unapologetically Athens—a place where college students, families, and BBQ purists happily collide.
Bottom Line
Visit for the smoked pork plates, stay for the offbeat charm and inclusive menu that caters to carnivores and veggie-lovers alike.
Don’t miss the jungle bathroom selfie.
Address: 214 Hiawassee Ave, Athens, GA 30601
📞 (706) 353-6847
🕔 Open Tue-Sun, 11 AM–8 PM (closed Mon)
Related: 3 AMAZING Pizza Restaurants to Try in Georgia
Mama’s Boy
Athens, Georgia’s Mama’s Boy isn’t just a breakfast spot—it’s a certified obsession.
Voted “Best Breakfast” five years running by locals, this Southern diner turns butter, grits, and sugar into magic.
Crowds line up daily for fluffy biscuits, outrageous pancakes, and a vibe that feels like a hug from your sassiest aunt. 🍳✨
Food Highlights
- Chocolate Cake for Breakfast: A layer cake smothered in ganache and whipped cream, because why shouldn’t dessert come first? This rebel dish defies rules and diets with equal flair. 🍰
- Georgia Peach French Toast: Thick, custardy toast piled high with peach compote and candied pecans. It’s like eating sunshine—if sunshine were deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar. 🍑
- Salmon Cakes Benedict: Poached eggs and hollandaise crown house-made salmon patties, served with a buttery biscuit. Brunch has never been this fancy (or this Southern).
- Pulled Pork Breakfast Tacos: Slow-cooked pork, eggs, and salsa spill out of warm tortillas. Messy? Absolutely. Worth the napkin avalanche? Obviously. 🌮🔥
- Pimento Cheese Burger: A juicy patty slathered in smoky pimento cheese, because burgers deserve a little Southern sass. 🍔
- Biscuits with Raspberry Jam: Flaky, buttery towers drizzled with tart Amish raspberry jam. Pro tip: Buy a jar to go—you’ll crave it by tomorrow.
Atmosphere
Walk into Mama’s Boy and you’re greeted by the hum of laughter, clinking Ball jars, and the smell of bacon dancing in the air. 🎶
The walls echo with college-town energy—students cramming over coffee, families debating pancake flavors, and retirees side-eyeing the chocolate cake crowd.
It’s loud, lively, and unapologetically real. No frills, no pretension, just biscuit-fueled joy. 🎉
Bottom Line
Go for the food that’ll make you text your friends “OMG,” stay for the chaos that feels like home.
Mama’s Boy doesn’t just serve breakfast—it serves stories.
Address: 197 Oak Street, Athens, GA 30601
📞 (706) 548-6249
🕔 Open daily, 7:00 AM–2:30 PM (Closed July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas)