Small&#x27;s Drive-In

Great food. Friendly service, and entertaining worth their live music. I'm not from Athens but…read morealways make an effort to stop in when I'm the area.

My teammates and I went to celebrate my birthday. I wanted a place situated halfway between…read moreKnoxville and Chattanooga. The big plus was the Cuban cuisine (which is pretty close to what I ate growing up in a Dominican home). I had the ropa vieja with tostones and it was well prepared and scrumptious. Everyone tried something different, and all raved about how delicious the food was. Our server was very friendly and helpful to the Americanos that were with me :)! Food was served quickly. It was a great experience and I'll definitely be back for more comida criolla!!

Cheeseburger Plain cooked wee done with fries

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This is the front entrance.

Open Door Cafe

3.8(37 reviews)

1.0 mi

There aren't a lot of things that I love better than a local unique bar & restaurant with huge…read morespace, swanky decor, and a few nice surprises. Folks come in very casual attire, some arrive in fully formal clothes, and everything in between. It's a really comfortable vibe and that's something that I appreciate. Maybe you do, too? The owners are a couple and chances are they'll be the ones waiting on you, preparing your food, and treating you love a neighbor who came out to have a good time. Locals who I know LOVE it here. The food is always great, and if the have homemade egg rolls, try them. They're amazing! Also, one of the best burgers I've ever had, and among the ways that we're spoiled in Athens, we have several places with GREAT burgers. Seriously. I mean, don't come to Athens just to eat at a chain. Come on downtown and try places like this and nibble around the edges of town for a few other treats. The name is appropriate. It's THE OPEN DOOR in "the friendly city" in a small, pretty, southern town fercryinoutloud. So I expected that and T.O.D. delivered. Well, I ate-in several times and I don't even know if they Door Dash. It's just an expression, OK? This is not the review to take literally. It's still honest. I've had steak, chicken, prime rib, burgers, the aforementioned egg rolls, and a catfish dinner and it was delicious EVERY time. Every damn time. Folks enjoy the drinks here and this place has huge extra rooms that they open when it's warranted. They don't always have enough staff to be like a chain restaurant/bar and they employ some intermittent staff for busy events, so I don't come expecting a hostess type greeting, white linen, and tables set and ready. They're usually hustling to keep up, take care of their guests who are, from my observation(s), usually friends and neighbors and regulars, and a few folks who are just visiting sprinkled-in for good measure. Yet, it's not so local that the player piano stops and everyone stares when you swing through the saloon doors. Well, through the pretty front door and IF it had saloon doors. It's friendly and welcoming without people being all up in your business. If you're feeling like you're in a hurry, take a deep breath and relax and maybe sit at the bar.

Absolutely the best food in Athens. Best hamburger you can find and incredible service.read more

Ahi tuna steak with veggies and rice

Craft beers! High gravity

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Pools tables

Midway Milkshake

3.8(18 reviews)

4.6 mi

This was an amazing stop and find on our way home from camp!!!…read more Everything we had was delicious. We started with the cheese curds, they were perfectly fried. Each of us had different burgers. We shared fries and onion rings. Each of us had 3 different shakes and one son had a cookie dough sundae. We all left stuffed and happy! It's outdoor seating, but clean and had big fans to cool you down.

You know.....I really want to support all local businesses, including this business. But when I'm…read moresitting at the drive through and I look over at the restrooms and I see women's restroom and the mens restroom covered with paper and tape reading RESTROOM.....this just makes me want to vomit. Myself and many locals have driven off and refused to come back. I feel like I'm in new York city, Chicago, Los Angeles or some communist liberal city that can't have a men's and women's restroom. We are in Athens/ Etowah Tennessee for God's sake. Sorry for all you commy supporters but this is something that many locals have noticed this crap and refuse to do business here because of it.

Indoor/Outdoor seating with heaters and fans.

Cookie dough sundae

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Updated burger menu

Farmhouse Restaurant

4.3(84 reviews)

8.3 mi

This restaurant is near Amish farms. Food is farm fresh, not frozen and reheated. Everything is…read moredelicious except we were not a fan of the creamed corn, it was way too sweet. All the other veggies were delicious, burger was great and daily meat specials were wonderful. We particularly loved the chicken and dumplings. They had a jalapeno pimento cheese burger special today and it was fantastic. We have driven 2 hours to eat here two weeks in a row. You will not be disappointed, and it's family owned with fabulous family staff.

Excellent down-home cookin and service... and we plan to stop here again whenever we're on a road…read moretrip!

Interior

Fried pickles

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202209 Menu

Angela's Cafe

4.0(2 reviews)

1.0 mi

I always get the Cuban sandwich. It had a so much flavor and the portion was just right for me. The…read morepork was cooked perfectly. Love the new location! I would have taken a picture, but I ate it before I could take one. Come try them out, you won't be disappointed!

From a food perspective this place is a 4. But given the TOTAL disregard for COVID-19 protocol it's…read moreat best a 3. No masks on servers or most customers coming in the door. Again, TOTAL disregard for those of us with age on our bones and underlining health issues. Masks work. Wear them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Won't return and that's a shame because the menu is full featured with some awesome offerings (although the dessert we saw on line prior to going wasn't offed tonight) Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Applebee's Grill + Bar

2.4(44 reviews)

3.9 mi

The grade is a 71 at Applebee's on Decatur Pike in Athens. This is a passing score, as grades of 69…read moreand below are considered failing. Applebee's, 2536 Decatur Pk, Athens -- Grade: 71 on Dec 11, 2025 To begin with, the inspector found a live roach in the kitchen; there were also dead roaches and mouse droppings in the area. The inspector discussed a treatment plan with the manager. An employee who entered the kitchen from the back door didn't wash his hands as he began to prepare food. Another kitchen worker preparing raw hamburger didn't change his gloves before going onto another task, but it's required to prevent the spread of bacteria from the raw burger. There's more. When the inspector checked the dishwasher, no sanitizer was running through it, but it's required to properly wash, clean, and sanitize dishes and utensils. The inspector also wrote that employees were wearing excessive jewelry. Rings, watches, and bracelets have crevices where bacteria and dirt can hide, potentially contaminating food. Another employee was observed drinking out of an unapproved container in the kitchen. Kitchen workers are allowed to sip drinks while working, but the containers must have a top and a straw to prevent any accidental spills onto food. (per Don Dare of WATE NEWS)

I was seated quickly but waited a while for the waitress to even come and take my drink order. My…read morefood took at least 30 minutes to arrive and when I got it, I realized after the waitress walked away that I had no utensils. It took another 5-10 minutes for her to return and even realize that she had forgotten to give me a napkin/utensil. My food was good, but for a restaurant not being overly crowded, the service was ridiculous. I believe there was an issue in the kitchen that was impacting everything, but that's not a good enough excuse. Go elsewhere is my advice.

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Michael's Casual Dining

3.5(77 reviews)

3.4 mi

We went in for dinner. After being seated we waited for over 20 minutes without anyone…read moreacknowledging us. There were 5 people serving tables. We use to enjoy this place but it's gone down hill quickly.

Great place to eat , really good food and service. A little expensive but the portions are big and…read morethe flavor of the food is great for this area .

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Greek Cafe Restaurant

4.3(84 reviews)

6.7 mi

Wow‼Just...wow What a wonderful place…read moreWe've been twice now Great atmosphere. Felt like I was on vacation. Very open, airy and clean Service was friendly and attentive. Wanted for nothing and first visit was a busy Friday night The food is excellent. First time hubby had the Moussaka which he thoroughly enjoyed I had the trout. All so tasty and fresh We went for late lunch on Friday and had the salmon. Was delicious. Definitely a new favorite place to dine

Good food, amazing desserts and a wine tasting I did not get to try. You order at check in and food…read moreis brought to your table. Servers were prompt. You dine overlooking the vineyard and tasting area but can have wine with food.

Greek salad

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Psites Patates (tomato garlic potatoes)

Ruby Tuesday

2.8(96 reviews)

4.3 mi

We love this place. We love the Good Deal on the 30 day…read moreGarden Pass Salad bar all you can eat. We don't like that the corporate office charges over the amount n then puts the money back into the bank account. It's happened twice now n we don't know why they do that. But they do give it back. We love the people n the vibe. They keep it clean n do pretty great at keeping the salad bar stocked. One day they were so slammed n the only day they didn't keep up. They get orders out pretty quickly which all the patrons seem to enjoy. The only environmental complaint is that it gets too cold for customers, but we do understand when your running as a waiter or waitress that you need it to be cooler. But some days it's so cold it's like an igloo, so take your sweater n dress warm. We get salads n not hot foods so we haven't experienced our hot food getting too cold too quickly. So, At least the people can't look like a bunch of shameless hussies. Lol We have been able to come to the restaurant on a daily basis n got to know the people here. We totally look forward to seeing Logan, Lanny, Destiny, Sharon, Alley, Chastidy, Paul, Kassidy, and one of the greeters, Charlie n about the whole bunch. Most of the characters here seem to enhance each other. They are all attentive n courteous as needed. I only wish they had chicken on the salad bar but the food is fresh, too many bacon salads, we are kosher n don't eat it. The potato salad is way way too dry like it's been dehydrated n cut way too big n so that it doesn't get a chance to get soft with the dressing. But the flavor of it is good. The workers here seem to be honest n friendly. We completely enjoy being able to come here. We do recommend it n we recommend the 30 consecutive day Garden pass for 49.99 plus tax which is less than a couple dollars a day, not including gasoline n tips. But still worth it. Totally awesome!

Tried to do a quick stop here on a road trip but there was nothing quick about it. I tried to…read moreexplain this to the waitress to inform my choices but it still took an hour start to finish and nothing was great. The waitress was sweet and the fact that kids get to eat free on Friday's almost made me give this a 3 star because overall it was very affordable, but the quality of the food was just not good. My son's burger was pretty tasteless. His fries were ok. The waitress had recommended the hickory smoked salmon which had a sickly overly molasses-e sauce and was not tasty. The steamed brocoli was fine but none of it was super filling. Despite the nice waitress and affordability, I would not come back even though I'm guessing other dishes are better hence the overall rating being slightly higher than mine.

Front entrance.

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5 reviews that are not currently recommended

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James W.

7 years ago

As out-of-towners, we found Small's by accident, but it's full parking lot proved validation that it was a great place to eat. The burgers are fantastic, the staff was exceptionally friendly even though the place was packed. Clean, great food and great folks - it's well worth going a few miles past the exits on I-75 to experience this small town gem. read more

Amy J.

138

8 years ago

Great customer service. Excellent chicken salad. Smalls is very family friendly place with lots of food options. They also have a very delicious cherry Sprite you must try. My family enjoyed a refreshing dessert will visiting this location. read more

Angel H.

12 years ago

The best burger, next to my own. Almost too much for one person to eat. Under $25.00 for two people to eat. Going back again.

Mel C.

3 years ago

Fast service. Burger hot dog joint but go hungry. Burgers are huge. Everything yum.

Skyler C.

4 years ago

Best burger in town! Plus, you get so much food for a low price, you can't beat it!

Small's Drive-In - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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