Open Door Cafe - Athens

There aren 't a lot of things that I love better than a local unique bar restaurant with huge space, 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.

Open Door is easy to find with plenty of available parking. The team mates are very friendly and helpful. I ordered the Chicken Cordon Blu and it was wonderful. Well presented and served hot. I have a new favorite spot in Athens TN. On this visit, I ordered the Deep fried shrimp and it was great!!!! I ate at the bar again and it was pleasant.

I'm giving Open Door Cafe a 2 star rating only because the service was very good. The food on the other hand was very mediocre. Our salads were soaked in water, the fried green tomato's were flavorless and our steaks were insanely over priced for the quality that they were. No seasoning but at least they got the temp right. We were looking forward to a good steak dinner, but I would say it was very far from. Mediocre is putting it nicely.

Love love love this restaurant. I've been coming here since they first opened. I've been able to watch it grow from super small dining into the staple of Athens. Blair Oneyang are amazing!! I always love the food, drinks, atmosphere and sass and if they ever leave Athens will forever have a hole missing. The old fogey Athens board members despise this place, but open door brought the fresh air the town needed. Thank you Blair for standing your ground and giving the town what it needed. It's been loved and treasured.

Starting off the service was amazing. Super sweet couple own the place but also are the only workers really. She takes the orders and he cooks it up and let me say her mixed drinks are awesome and the food they prepare is simply amazing. Love the egg rolls and steak and veggies my husband loves the rack of lamb and lobster tail. This place is a hidden gem I wish they had more advertisement. They have pool tables darts music it's nice little set up very spacious.