The Traveling Hobo Cafe

The Traveling Hobo Cafe

20 Greensboro Hwy, Watkinsville, GA 30677, United States

+1 706-310-4323

Hamburger restaurant, American restaurant, Restaurant
(603)
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About This Place

Nestled on 20 Greensboro Hwy in Watkinsville, GA, The Traveling Hobo Cafe stands out as a culinary treasure celebrating classic American fare with a distinctive Southern twist. Specializing in hearty hamburgers and a broad array of comfort food favorites, this inviting restaurant offers an experience that’s as rich in flavor as it is in character.

From the very first bite, you’ll discover why locals rave about their menu. The Bison Burger and The Ruben Burger feature juicy, perfectly seasoned patties stacked with fresh toppings, bringing both familiar and bold flavors to the table. Seafood lovers will appreciate the expertly crafted Shrimp Po’ Boy and the crispy Fried Shrimp Basket, each bite delivering a satisfying crunch with a tender, flavorful center.

One cannot talk about The Traveling Hobo Cafe without mentioning the legendary Box Car Fries—a dish that combines crispy fries smothered with savory toppings that will tantalize your taste buds. Sides like fried pickles, fried okra, and green beans with bacon complement every main course with authentic Southern flair. And don’t miss their nightly homemade cheesecakes, like the heavenly Chocolate Cheesecake and the refreshing Lemon Cheesecake Slice, which perfectly round out your meal with a luscious sweetness.

The atmosphere inside echoes the spirit of the restaurant’s name; walls adorned with nostalgic hobo memorabilia and train-themed decor set a charming, laid-back mood that makes dining here feel like a small journey back in time. Customer reviews highlight the warmth of the staff and the soulful hospitality—qualities that transform a simple meal into a memorable occasion.

For those seeking variety, the menu’s “Hobo Sandwiches” — ranging from the towering Triple Decker Club to the zesty Buffalo Chicken Po’ Boy — provide enticing options, while the “Hobo Fried Baskets” like the seafood platter and huge chicken tenders promise indulgent, crispy delights that satisfy even the heartiest appetites.

Guests like Quandala Norman praise the generous portions and friendly service, describing the fried green tomatoes as “the BEST” with a level of authenticity and flavor that’s hard to find elsewhere. Meanwhile, Amber Kitson calls it a “hidden gem,” especially recommending the perfectly cooked fried shrimp, underscoring the value and quality at this local favorite. Other regulars, such as cat bobon, extol the weekly homemade cheesecakes and “off the charts” blackened grouper sandwich, signaling a culinary experience that keeps diners coming back for more.

If you’re ready to indulge in true Southern-American comfort food where every dish tells a story of care, flavor, and tradition, The Traveling Hobo Cafe promises a hearty meal, genuine hospitality, and a vibrant atmosphere that you won’t soon forget.

For reservations or inquiries, call +1 706-310-4323. Prepare to taste the passion and savor the journey.

Service options
Outdoor seating Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great coffee Great tea selection
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Coffee Comfort food Food Quick bite
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Quiet Trendy
Crowd
Groups Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 02:30 PM 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • Sunday
    Closed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Quandala Norman
    1 month ago

    The BEST Fried Green Tomatoes! Delicious food for a more than reasonable price for the amount you get. Giant size hot dogs and hamburgers! This place is laid back and the staff is so friendly! Thank yall for the southern hospitality!! We will keep coming back and telling others about our experience.

  • Amber Kitson
    1 month ago

    The Traveling Hobo Cafe is a hidden gem that Athens is truly sleeping on! They have the best fried shrimp in town—perfectly cooked, flavorful, and at such a reasonable price. The food and atmosphere are fantastic, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. Highly recommend checking this place out!

  • cat bobon
    1 month ago

    Omg i come for the amazing weekly homemade cheesecakes but that blackened Grouper sandwich is off the charts SOOOO GOOOD! Also love love love their Bison burgers and drunken boxcar fries and fried Shrimps! One of my absolute favorite places to eat!‼

  • Raven Bloodrain
    1 month ago

    The atmosphere was awesome! It had so many pictures of trains and hobo stuff, the service was beyond five stars and the food was out of this world! You must try this place!! The only thing that's anywhere near bad was it's a lil expensive so be prepared to spend some money! Cause you will want to order the whole menu! It was fantastic!

  • Sam Beasley
    2 month ago

    Prompt friendly service. The fried pickles are really good. Update a year later. I have upgraded my review to five stars on all three levels. This is something I don't do too often, but yesterday's experience was great. The food was outstanding. I ordered the Fried Shrimp Basket with a side of fried dill pickles. The price was reasonable; I received ten large shrimps, with light batter and not too greasy, just right! Same for the side of fried dill pickles. My dining partner has fried artichoke po boy and loved hers. She said that the battered fried artichoke hearts were so good, she wished that she could just order a whole backet of those. While I waited for the food, about 15 minutes because it was so busy at lunch time, I had time to watch the kitchen prepare meals. This small bistro (because it is a small local restaurant) is very well run. There were just three people turning out orders and food for about a continuous group of 30 people. This team of three women were impressive the way they worked together. Everything synchronized. They were all busy but friendly and courteous. The locals were friendly and courteous also. The atmosphere is one where it is simple but warm and cozy. Makes me want to go back. Parking is a little tricky but doable. I highly recommend the Traveling Hobo for fried southern treats at reasonable prices. Well done ladies!

  • Rose Holton
    2 month ago

    What a cool little diner! A very simple menu with salads and burgers. I had the Hobo Harvest salad: a very generous portion of fresh mixed greens with walnuts, apples, craisins, blue cheese crumbles and tasty chicken. It was delicious! The fried artichokes were perfect— a light tempura-style batter kept them light and crunchy. The staff were friendly and cheerful. We were greeted as soon as we walked in. This was definitely a 5-Star experience.

  • Chip Folendore
    4 month ago

    Outstanding hamburgers and fries. Fish and chips very good as well. Lots of choices and daily specials. Tuesday cheesecake is wonderful. Add steak sandwich to wonderful food here. Cheesecake Tuesday always do good.

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