Located along Greensboro Highway in Watkinsville, Georgia—just a short drive from nearby Athens—The Traveling Hobo Cafe is a beloved local gem known for its comforting Southern fare, hand-crafted specialty burgers, and home-style hospitality. Operating out of a charming, casual roadside setup, this local favorite offers counter service where every order is made fresh from scratch. Whether you are stopping in for their signature spiral-cut Boxcar Fries, a towering grass-fed bison burger, or a slice of their famous Tuesday cheesecake, the cafe provides a warm, welcoming vibe that keeps regulars and first-time travelers coming back for more.
Free parking lot and free street parking available
Payment Options
Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments
Why Visit? Key Highlights
Signature Over-the-Top Burgers: Features fresh, thick 100% Angus beef and organic grass-fed bison patties loaded with inventive toppings ranging from Hobo Chili and jalapeños to fried green tomatoes and glazed donuts.
One-of-a-Kind Sides: Renowned for their famous “Boxcar Fries”—thick, spiraled, coated potato cuts—alongside tempura-battered fried artichoke hearts, crispy sweet potato waffle fries, and house-battered fried green tomatoes.
Famous Cheesecake Tuesdays: Regulars rave about the rotating homemade cheesecake creations baked fresh weekly, which frequently sell out early in the day.
Southern Comfort Classics: A diverse menu covering hand-breaded fried shrimp baskets, blackened grouper sandwiches, savory po’ boys, and rich hamburger steaks smothered in brown gravy.
Pet-Friendly Outdoor Dining: Guests traveling with dogs can enjoy their meal at the outdoor patio tables, complete with fresh water bowls provided by the staff.
Food & Beverage Menu
Appetizers
Item Name
Description
Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Served hot with classic marinara sauce.
Jalapeño Poppers
Stuffed with cream cheese and paired with sweet raspberry jelly.
Buffalo Shrimp
Hand-battered shrimp tossed in buffalo sauce, served with celery and blue cheese or ranch.
Chili Cheese Fries
Hobo chili and melted shredded cheddar over your choice of fries, tater tots, or boxcar fries.
Fried Artichoke Hearts
House-battered artichoke hearts fried golden brown and served with creamy Texas Cajun sauce.
Fried Mushrooms
House-battered button mushrooms cooked crisp, served with Texas Cajun sauce or ranch.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Tangy green tomatoes hand-battered and fried, served with buttermilk ranch or Texas Cajun sauce.
Fried Pickles
Crisp pickle chips fried in house batter and served with Texas Cajun sauce or ranch.
Salad Bowls
Item Name
Description
Hobo Cobb
Grilled chicken, shredded cheddar, diced eggs, blue cheese crumbles, bacon, tomatoes, and avocado over mixed greens.
Chilled BLT Wedge
Fresh iceberg wedge topped with diced tomatoes, bacon, croutons, and blue cheese crumbles.
South Western Salad
Blackened chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado, cheddar, and tortilla strips on greens.
Hobo Harvest Salad
Grilled chicken, chopped green apples, craisins, walnuts, and blue cheese crumbles over mixed greens.
Train Wrecked Hobo Chef
Sliced ham, turkey, Swiss, cheddar, boiled egg, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, bacon bits, and croutons.
Ribeye Steak Tip Salad
Tender steak tips, grilled onions, blue cheese crumbles, tomatoes, cucumbers, and croutons on greens.
Classic Caesar
Chopped romaine lettuce with croutons and shaved Parmesan and Asiago cheese blend.
Garden Salad
Iceberg lettuce topped with shredded cheddar, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and croutons.
Specialty Burgers
Item Name
Description
The Blazing Hobo Burger
Thick beef patty loaded with Hobo Chili, jalapeños, and melted shredded cheddar cheese.
The Be-Cheesy
Two glazed donuts serving as the bun for a thick burger patty with a fried egg, bacon, and cheddar.
Hobo Hawaiian Loco Moco
Thick burger patty served over white rice, topped with a fried egg and smothered in brown gravy.
Aloha Hobo Burger
Thick burger patty topped with a sweet pineapple slice, onion, and teriyaki sauce.
Summer BBQ Burger
Thick burger patty topped with crispy bacon, house coleslaw, and rich BBQ sauce.
Patty Melt Hobo Style
Thick burger with grilled onions, mayo, and melted Swiss cheese served on toasted Texas toast.
8 Ounce Bison Burger
Organic grass-fed bison burger topped with melted cheddar cheese.
Fried Green Tomato Burger
Burger patty topped with a hand-battered fried green tomato, lettuce, bacon, and chipotle ranch.
Railroad Reuben Burger
Burger patty piled high with corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and 1000 Island dressing.
Traveling Elvis Burger
Unique patty combination with peanut butter, caramelized bananas, bacon, and honey.
Hamburger Steak Dish
Hamburger patty topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions, smothered in brown gravy with Texas toast.
Riff-Burger
Burger patty covered in homemade chili, melted American cheese, yellow mustard, and crunchy Fritos.
Bacon Brie Burger
Thick burger patty topped with bacon, fresh lettuce, and sweet bacon jam.
Hobo Sandwiches & Bowls
Item Name
Description
The Triple Decker Club
Sliced Black Forest ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on Texas toast.
The Deli Sandwich
Choice of ham, turkey, or corned beef with lettuce, tomato, and mayo on Texas toast or wheat berry bread.
Fried Fish Sandwich
House-battered cod fried golden on a hoagie roll with lettuce, tomato, lemon, and tartar sauce.
Shrimp Po’ Boy
Golden fried shrimp layered with lettuce, diced tomatoes, and Cajun mayo on a hoagie roll.
Artichoke Po’ Boy
House-battered fried artichoke hearts with lettuce, diced tomatoes, and Cajun mayo on a hoagie.
Buffalo Chicken Po’ Boy
Fried chicken tenders tossed in buffalo sauce with ranch, lettuce, and tomatoes on a hoagie.
Ribeye Steak Tip Sandwich
Seasoned steak tips, sautéed onions, bell peppers, and melted Swiss cheese on a hoagie.
Chicken Philly Sandwich
Seasoned chicken, sautéed onions, bell peppers, and melted Swiss cheese served on a hoagie roll.
Garden Variety Hoagie
Fried green tomatoes, sautéed peppers, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, yellow squash, Cajun mayo, and Swiss.
Classic BLT
Crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayo served on Texas toast or honey wheat berry bread.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap
Grilled or fried chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, feta or cheddar cheese, bacon, and ranch in a spinach wrap.
Steak and Rice Bowl
Tender steak tips with sautéed mushrooms and onions served over white rice and rich brown gravy.
Fried Baskets & Wings
Item Name
Description
Huge Chicken Tenders
All-white meat chicken breast tenders fried golden and served with honey mustard and a side.
Fried Shrimp Basket
Generous portion of golden fried or grilled shrimp served with cocktail or tartar sauce and a side.
Fish & Chips
Authentic battered cod cooked crisp, served with malt vinegar, tartar sauce, and a side.
Seafood Platter
Combination of fried cod and shrimp served with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and a side.
Jumbo Wings
Available in 8, 16, or 24 pieces. Tossed in Buffalo, BBQ, Sweet Thai Chili, Teriyaki, Kickin’ Bourbon, or Honey Garlic.
Dry Rub Wings
Crispy jumbo wings coated in Jamaican Jerk, Lemon Pepper, Mesquite BBQ, or Garlic Parmesan rub.
Hobo Big Dawg
12-inch, 8-ounce 100% Angus beef hot dog served with your choice of custom toppings.
Sides & Drinks
Category
Available Options
Side Dishes
Boxcar Fries, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Tater Tots, Dirty Boxcar Fries (with brown gravy), Fried Pickles, Fried Okra, Green Beans with Bacon, Corn on the Cob, Bowtie Pasta Salad, Steamed Broccoli, White Rice with Brown Gravy, Side Garden Salad
