White Tiger Athens

This restaurant was featured in Eater Atlanta Athens Top Ten Edition as well coming in 3rd for Trip Advisor's Athens BBQ Restaurants. My guest was a bit leery on the name choice as it doesn't conjour up pittmaster BBQ. But while he doesn't feel strongly about Google Reviews, he did have more faith in Trip Advisor. And I pointed out this restaurant made both lists. As we wanted to dine out for Sunday Dinner another factor was serving Sunday evening until 8PM. We had the only appetizer - Housemade Pimento Cheese with Wheat Crackers. We also shared both BBQ Plates - Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken which are accompanied by a soft, warm Roll, Mac and Cheese, and Coleslaw. The Macaroni is soft and well cooked with a good balance of cheese. Coleslaw is fresh cabbage with light dressing. BBQ was moist. While other reviews mention BBQ Sauce Overload to the point of getting messy, we had light sauce on both plates. We also shared the fresh Banana Pudding. Sadly the bathroom is accessed via the back of the building walking on several uneven surfaces which is not wheelchair accessible. (Surface starts off cement, uneven brick, leaves/grass, and uneven concrete. But if you have light mobility issues the bathroom itself has handicap railings. Plenty of parking on street or across the street in the neighboring church parking lot with permission. The ambiance is eclectic and cozy.

Absolutely loved this quirky little place. We are road tripping through the state and found this place on google maps. We were looking for somewhere with good meat and vegetarian options and this place has lots of great options. Plus, we could sit outside with the dog. We all really enjoyed the food. My family loved the Mac and cheese and pimento cheese and crackers. The tofu salad was great. Also ordered was the BBQ pork sandwich, smoked chicken sandwich, portobello burger and the bacon cheeseburger. All really good eats! The service was awesome. So friendly and accommodating. Totally recommend this place and it is a shame we probably won’t be back. Go!

My new favorite BBQ joint. We were slow to stumble upon it - perhaps because it is a bit off the beaten path - but I am glad we chanced upon it today. Excellent pulled pork and sides... also noticed a number of inviting vegetarian options on the menu. Lots of outdoor seating under the trees for when the weather is nice. We will visit often.

Food, service, and atmosphere was awesome. Went with some girl friends an hour before they closed and they welcomed us with a smile and even let us try some fantastic chocolate and banana pudding on the house. Got the BBQ plate and ate the entire thing.

Very nice place if you want to experience a throwback in time along with historical value. A perfect example of Athens 90 to 100 years ago. The food was very good as well.

Every time I hit up @whitetigerathens in Athens, I ask myself "why am I not here every week!?" 😭 Every menu item here is amazing but my favorite is their sandwiches... neat and delicious without going over board on anything. Theirs staff is always friendly and prices are fair. Inside is spacious but I've managed to make it here every time when they aren't crowded so I can't speak to how crowded they get and how parking is impacted (street parking). All I know is you need to try their sandwiches if you're anywhere near the north side of Athens, it's worth it!! #Rolieats #rolireviews #goodeats #goodfood #Athens #whitetigergourmet #bbq #sandwiches #delicious #gobackformore

Very cute atmosphere, especially outside seating. The BBQ pulled pork sandwich was very good but a little disappointed by the Mac and cheese. A good place to meet friends or family in Athens for lunch.

Maybe came at an off time/day but was not impressed. Max and cheese had very little flavor and very dry. Burger also lacked flavor and was only saved by ketchup. The pulled pork sandwich was good, but definitely lacked smoky flavor, but sauce and cheese was good. Didn’t have too high of hopes for the Side salad to start with, but wanted some vegetables, so decided to get it too…would not recommend. Had to ask separately for dressing and what we received seemed like plain oil, no vinegar in the vinaigrette…. Probably won’t come back even though it was highly recommended by friends and other reviews.

I think. I went here. Not sure. But it was Tiger. Good. Fisher. Price. Lucid. Libby. Tesla. Peace? Piece? Price?

Was randomly craving BBQ and wanted to try something different than where I usually go to so I decided to stop by this place. It's an easy miss if you haven't been here before. I couldn't find any specific lot designated to the spot so I opted to park on the street. The inside has a very quirky decor. It resembles something you would see in a 70s movie which I thought was kinda cute. The music playing definitely emphasized the vibes. You order at the register and they bring your food to you :) Now my review is a little bit biased cause I'm a fan of sweet bbq vs vinegar based and this place was definitely more vinegar based. But, that aside it was pretty decent food. I saw some comments saying the portion size wasn't a lot for the price. I personally think it's a good size for a decent lunch. I really enjoyed the Mac and cheese which was the main thing I was skeptical about. Now, I think I could've done without the slaw. It wasn't your typical slaw that normally comes with sauce/dressing mixed in. It kinda just felt like random lettuce tossed on the plate. Wasn't a fan of that. Overall, decent casual dining in Athens. Nothing to rave about but I'm glad I got to try a new place and support and Athens business.

It's a small local restaurant that's kind of tucked away. The service was quick and friendly, but since it was rainy that day the inside was very dark. The lack of lighting did make it a little harder and it was also very cold inside the building. The happy top burger was delicious, the lightly toasted bun added a nice texture to the overall burger. The mix of greens and the sautéed onions added a nice flavor. The burger wasn't too greasy and fairly filling. I would skip on the smoked chicken plate, it was overall bland and the sauce didn't add much to the experience. The mac and cheese didn't have much flavor and the coleslaw tasted a little sour. The portion was also smaller considering the price of $15. I would definitely come back for the burgers, but that's about it.

Great tasting sandwiches and friendly staff. Convenient and prompt service four our group

Every time I hit up @whitetigerathens in Athens, I ask myself "why am I not here every week!?" Every menu item here is amazing but my favorite is their sandwiches... neat and delicious without going over board on anything. Theirs staff is always friendly and prices are fair. Inside is spacious but I've managed to make it here every time when they aren't crowded so I can't speak to how crowded they get and how parking is impacted (street parking). All I know is you need to try their sandwiches if you're anywhere near the north side of Athens, it's worth it!! #Rolieats #rolireviews #goodeats #goodfood #Athens #whitetigergourmet #bbq #sandwiches #delicious #gobackformore

The service was great but the food was just ok. I ordered the BBQ plate. The BBQ was alright, the cole slaw didn't have much flavor, and the macaroni and cheese was sub par. I really wanted to like it but was very disappointed.

We stopped by here one Saturday afternoon for an early dinner and it was an instant favorite for my whole family. It's quiet and vibey and the food was spot on AND it would be hard to find a friendlier staff anywhere. Definitely going back.

This was my first visit, even though I've been in Athens 30 years. Great service. Go inside, tell them what you want, give them a name and they bring it to you. The food is good! I had the Happy Top burger. Best burger i have had in a while. Two companions had the pulled pork plate (comes with mac n cheese and slaw) --they said the bbq and mac n cheese were very good. Another companion had the 'chicken sandwich' and he said it was very tasty and "original." They have three or four tables inside and about a dozen tables outside. I will definitely be going back.

The pimento cheeseburger is a Georgian creation, at least that's the local lore. And I believe it. I was first tested to the burger at Diane and Ernie Geyer's Lucky's in Roswell. Anyway, back to White Tiger. I would not be surprised to learn that the Pimento cheeseburger originated in this humble little establishment. The burger-to-bun ratio is good, the burger was juicy, and the pimento cheese just slightly spicy. I hadn't had breakfast that day and this made a perfect thing to have first thing. It's just excellent. Eventually I'll get around to trying other things in the menu in future trips to Athens...or maybe not. The White Tiger doesn't look like much from the outside, but then what legit college town restaurant does? Cool kitschy decor, and as far as I could see, no restroom, so go before you arrive. Who cares. What a great little spot.

Good, not exceptional. The service is great and the staff are friendly. The barbecue pork was good, but no better than many other barbecue joints. The mac and cheese was ok, but not memorable. The coleslaw was sad - essentially just coarsely chopped cabbage with some mayo mixed in. The barbecue sauce has too much vinegar, in my humble opinion, even for those of us who prefer vinegar-based sauces. I may try this place again in the future, but for now, nothing about the food brings "gourmet" to mind.

A lunch staple on every visit to Athens - never disappointed. The Alice, Happy Top, Bacon Cheddar burgers and pulled pork are fantastic. White Tiger sauce on any of the sandwiches is great. Don't forget the pimento cheese and crackers!

Was searching for a place on the way home back to Augusta, that was on the way, but not the box chains. I was very happy they offered vegetarian. The guy behind the counter was very thoughtful, when I described what I could & could not eat. Would go back again!

Rad place, rad aesthetic, and yummy food. Very fun vibe. Hipster-topia Food was great. My mom got the ciabatta and it was so good- getting that next time. I got the salmon salad, it was delish.

White tiger is always a great option! Love that they have some unique bbq options with all the tastiness of a good ole bbq spot. They have a super cute location by normaltown on boulevard. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. They usually have some daily specials which are always tasty. My go to is the pulled chicken plate! The chicken is so tasty! We also got the chocolate Oreo pudding last time we went and it was too good! They have tasty sandwiches as well! I haven't been for brunch, but everything I've heard has only been good reviews!

Awful, bad service, bad food, worst I've had in a long time. Don't waste time and money

Great little place! In such a nice and non-crazy area of Athens too which is very nice. They offer a lot of classics but with a twist on them. The pimento cheese and smoked chicken was delish, the little side salad was great too. Their bbq sauce is so tangy and unique and it's such a cute spot. They offer a to go service too and the staff is always so nice! Must try and a perfect lunch and family friendly spot!

White Tiger is the best kept secret.. incredible quality burgers, super awesome hole in the wall vibe.. and awesome staff! We love the off the beaten path spot, that never disappoints!

Really great spot with the nicest cashier. Interior was inviting and warm but trendy too. Food was delectable and came with great portions. Will be back, 10/10.

The happy top burger, add bacon. *chef's kiss* Great outdoor area with plenty of seating. They have live music here too!

Food was good. Small portions. Sandwich was $8. To me, over priced for the portion size. Chicken plate had okay flavor. Wouldn't go back again though.

Tell me of another spot where you can have gourmet BBQ and beignets! Food is stellar and service is great! Atmosphere is unlike anything you will see elsewhere and something you just have to experience. Absolutely worth your time.

So-so. It was almost like the atmosphere (decor) was overdone to compensate for mediocre food--just the opposite of the Athens location.

Very cute hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Outdoor and indoor seating, and the staff was super friendly. There are vegan options too! A little pricy for the amount of food, but definitely a nice hangout!

The burger is fine (similar to five guys, 4oz of beef), but not up to either Chops and Hops or Travelling Hobo's standard. The interior decor is absolutely hideous, meant to appeal to four year old girls I guess. Does have outside seating and that is fine. Service was fast. Tried it, but won't be coming back, so much better options in the immediate area.

I love that White Tiger has tofu options. The Tofu Q is a nice little sandwich. The barbecue sauce is vinegar based. The Mac n' cheese is good, but didn't blow me away. They have picnic tables right outside, as well as some indoor seating.

Super good Vegan options & excellent barbecue. Try the Tofu Q sandwich or the vegan tacos you won't regret it.

I enjoyed my plate (I got the smoked chicken) but the chicken was on the dry side. The Mac and cheese was also good. The outdoor seating was the best part, lots of picnic tables and it's on a peaceful street. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back but it was still good !

Not bad at all. Typically have the Pork Sandwich. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it. My friends ALL love it - it's a solid choice for me, but not my 10 favorite in Athens. But again, I wouldn't discourage anyone from giving it a shot

I picked up plates for my family at this restaurant. The experience was great, and I definitely recommend them and would return. Growing up in Athens, we now rarely visit. I was hoping for the best, but planning for the possibility of it not being a good experience. Everyone was kind, the food was great. We love their barbecue style, as well as the Mac and cheese. Loved it!

I have been wanting to try this place for a while and finally made it for lunch. Restaurant is in an old business building in the boulevard area. It looks like it could have been an neighborhood market at one time. They have a nice outdoor sitting area with picnic tables under trees on the side of the restaurant. It was nice to smell the meat smoking as we arrived in old school smokers. With the great smell I knew I had to get the pulled pork. I had the barbarella sandwich with Zap's chips. This is white and red barbecue sauce with melted mozzarella cheese with pork on a ciabatta roll. They piled on the pulled pork. Sandwich could have used a little more sauce for my taste. My wife had the pulled pork tacos with slaw. We both enjoyed our meal and look forward to returning when the weather gets a little warmer.

We almost drove away when we saw the outside, but inside was clean and cozy. Unusually good BBQ tofu sandwich, pan fried and chewy. Pork BBQ sandwich was also excellent. All our sides were exceptional - side salad (fresh), sauteed kale (crisp), pimento & crackers (rich), tomato soup (spicy). Staff were happy & accommodating. Music was hip. Food presentation and décor were basic but sincere. Three thumbs up. Exceeded expectations.

Got this delivered to my hotel room! it was perfect. I got the smoked chicken plate and asked for a side of the white tiger sauce, which was deliciously tangy. Definitely recommend!

I'm so serious this place is ridiculous. This afternoon my son and I popped in for an early lunch. He got the BBQ Sandwich and I got the Barbarella. When I was eating my sandwich it occurred to me that there some things that make me exceedingly grateful to be alive on planet earth. That sandwich is one of those things (my child is too, but this is a review of the eating spot). Like, I actually live in a place where this sandwich was invented and I get to eat it on a beautiful day while hanging with my kid who is also enjoying the deliciousness? What makes it even better is that when you're walking up to the spot you're greeted by an aesthetic that does not cater to some cookie cutter upscale thing. There's always a danger of "too much of a good thing" but I am so ready to risk it with White Tiger BBQ.

When I say AMAZING!!! Such an understatement! I came here after looking for a good burger spot. I found White Tiger after seeing some pics on google. This is a cool location. Looks like an old deli or ice cream parlour from times past. Very interesting outdoor seating area under big canopy trees. If it wasn't so hot, I would have loved to sit outside. Inside was very quaint. The cashier/waitress was extremely nice, and suggested the Barbarella...you MUST MUST MUST try that sandwich! Omg it was the best BBQ sandwich I've ever had!!! Overall...if you are in the Athens area, this is definitely a place you should try. The menu is full of great eats. I was bummed bc they had a photo of a glazed donut hamburger...but that's just a special only...and the biscuit sandwich is only for brunch. But that's ok, because everything else was amazing!

Trying to find the best BBQ spot in Athens & unfortunately I don't think this is it. Came on a Saturday night with 5 people. Loved that they had ample outdoor seating with cafe lighting (COVID times - their dining room inside was still closed) & the staff were wearing masks & they required customers to wear masks. They also provided hand sanitizer which was nice. You order at the window. I got the smoked chicken plate which was smoked BBQ chicken, mac n cheese, cole slaw, & a slice of bread. The chicken was definitely the best part; flavorful & delicious. I was disappointed with the mac n cheese as it was more liquidey than cheesy. The cole slaw was average and the bread was the butt of a loaf. Overall, not my favorite, but I would definitely like to come back to try the burgers on their menu!

First time here salmon salad is amazing and our son loved the Barbarella sandwich great outdoor picnic area we will be back!!! Great value for the price.

This place is freaking awesome. BBQ deliciousness. My new favorite place in Athens. I've tried like 6 or 7 items already and they are all delicious.

The food here is awesome and I'm surprised that they are not busy at all today. Take out, delivery, and outdoor seating are all available. So come get some de

Ordered the "plate" which was a hotdog basket with coleslaw Mac n cheese topped with chicken, however I think they gave me pork. More of like a bowl with everything on top of each other. I'd recommend perhaps an actual plate so the food is atleast somewhat divided. Coleslaw was alright, sure it would've been better alone. Mac n cheese tasted like stouffers. As for the meat, nothing special whatsoever. And bbq sauce was mediocre. All in all basic food in an old brick house. There has to be better options around.

This is such a neat little spot, tucked away a bit. Though their smoked pork is very solid, don't go in expecting a standard southern BBQ experience. They do a lot of neat sandwiches, and have excellent vegetarian options. I love their grilled tofu sandwich. Though it might be a couple of blocks off the main drag, I would definitely make a trip to go try it out. White Tiger is one of my go-to's when I'm in town.

Not being in Athens often, I pounced at the chance to attend UGA graduation. This was on our way to Sanford Stadium, so we stopped here for a quick dinner, even though we were already running late. We were hesitant by the "Vegetarian" label on Yelp, since barbecue and vegetarian are contradictory words in my book, but we set that doubt aside and hoped for the best. We drove past it trying to find street parking and we were shocked to find it a run down shack in what looked to be one of the less safe parts of Athens. Once again, we tried to shake off the weird feeling that this was not a good idea. We were the second group of people in the restaurant, as they just opened at 6, and we arrived right at 6. We ordered at the front (non vegetarian meals, phew) and seated ourselves at one of the odd tables in the corner. There doesn't seem to be plentiful seating inside, although picnic benches are available outside, too. After an hour and a half drive up to Athens, plus my hour to get to Duluth to meet a friend to carpool on a Friday afternoon, I had to visit the facilities. To get to the bathroom, you have to walk around the entire outside of the building to the back, which involves stepping down into some rough terrain, so I hope you weren't wearing heels like I was. The bathroom is definitely one of the dirtier bathrooms I've been in, but at least I had low expectations after the hike it took to get there. The lady manning the register brought us our orders: my friend ordered a pimento bbq sandwich, while I ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Our food took a while, but we finally got it, and realized they were essentially the same thing, except my friend's had some extra cheese on top of the meat. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful, nothing to complain about. The side of a cup of tomato basil soup wasn't bad either, although it seemed to be missing a key ingredient, which I couldn't pinpoint. It's also super classy to literally bring me a cup of soup in a styrofoam cup. The Mac and cheese also seemed to be missing some key ingredient, but it still satisfied my fatty carb craving. A note we both realized was they use a lot of pepper in everything they brought to us. White Tiger's layout was very odd to me, with half the restaurant crowded by food storage and an unused glass display case, which could have been better utilized for seating. There was, of course, a stuffed white tiger in the corner of the restaurant. Overall, the food was pretty good and cheap. While the experience left something to be desired, I can definitely say I've had much worse barbecue in my life.

A little hard to find but worth the effort. Remarkable menu variety and tasty food for such a small, unassuming place. It is a casual, local favorite. Prices are reasonable. Check your gps and the hours. Food: 4/5 We like the vegetarian sandwich, & the tofu choices, as well as the burgers, but my favorite is the salmon on ciabatta bread. The sandwiches are hearty. You will be pleasantly surprised at the size and flavor of the sandwiches. The mac and cheese side is good. Be aware that the slaw is not a traditional southern style, but is mostly a vinegar and cabbage version. Drinks other than water or tea are available in cans or bottles in the cooler. They usually have banana pudding and sometimes chocolate pudding, but we rarely have room for dessert. Their health score is consistently between 90 and 100. Service: Order at the counter and you food will be brought to your table. Facility: 3/5 The dining room is clean and casual, but not large. The few tables are not crowded together. Decor is rustic and uniquely colorful. Families feel comfortable as well as student groups. Parking is on the seemingly residential streets. Location :3/5. Ask your GPS to help you. It is near Athens but not right downtown. The locator says Normaltown, but it is not on the a main street. It is on a corner, amid generally residential streets and looks like other nearby houses. It has white siding, with parking in the streets-you can find a shady spot. Prices : 4/5 prices are good for the quality of the lunch time menu choices

I love white tiger, the BBQ tofu sandwich is delicious. We always split the pimiento cheese. Neat atmosphere, and I've never had a bad experience

LOVE LOVE this place and it's feel. Looks like a hole in the wall & it is- in this lovely down home way. During business hours, this place is always busy (in a 'you know it's good' way- they are quite speedy and efficient). The BBQ is seriously good and the atmosphere completes the deal. Love the outside picnic tables and inside decor. The sammies are awesome- creative and simple. The sides really vary and taste homemade (good slaw and veggies). The portion sizes are great- very appropriate but make it seem as though the price is a bit on the high side because they are smaller than other restaurants (worth it, though) I did get the tiger salad once (tofu) and it was super bland. Some pieces of melon, cucumbers, and unflavored tofu (where was the nutritional yeast). For $10 it was a mistake. I would suggest a sandwich or some bbq is a better call. Even the veggie sammies looked good.

Best burger in town, lovely place inside and outside. Don't miss out on this great place, it's easy to miss since it's situated in a neighborhood but I highly recommend it.

Ken and Melinda own the best restaurant in Athens! The food is so delicious and the customer service outstanding. They are great people as well. Thank you Ken and Melinda!Karen F. (Athens, Ga)

I had a few friends recommend White Tiger to me since I moved here but hadn't had the chance to visit. Students are back in town so I figured there would be a huge wait but there wasn't at all. The person helping us was very friendly and nice. It was her first day and was still figuring out the register, etc. but didn't let that stop her. She kept her poise while she had a line and was very welcoming. Wife and I ordered the Barbarella, The Jason, pimiento cheese side, and 2 orders of the banana pudding. It took our food an average amount of time to get out but the staff kept apologizing for the wait. Any time I get to spend quality time talking with my wife is fine by me. Food came out and was delicious. It was done perfectly. Like the kind of meal that makes you feel like you made it and did all the toppings and stuff how you wanted. The only thing to note is that the shredded chicken was a little dry but that's poultry in a smoker for you. My initial recommendation for them is that they give you the option to add more sauce. Maybe call it "Tiger Time" or something and they make it extra saucy. I would also buy one of their shirts, glow in the dark with the logo but am waiting for a buddy to come in town so we can get them when I take him here. I would love a sticker that says fun things like "Ride the Tiger!" Thanks for an awesome meal y'all and will definitely be back. It was so good that we felt bad about the tip that I left initially and tipped them again. It was on of those kinds of places/ experiences. Get the banana pudding!

It's a bit pricey but the food is pretty good. The place is interesting and makes for a fun experience.

Heard great things about White Tiger and finally tried it last week. The food was pretty good and the employees were super nice! I got the BBQ sandwich which was pretty tasty and the Mac and Cheese which had some dry noodles. When I asked if I could trade it out they were all super nice about it and helped me right away! Great customer service.