White Diamond’s barbecue proves why it’s been around for 65 years
White Diamond Grill is the very definition of not judging a book by its cover. On the outside, it shows every bit of its 65 years of existence. For that matter, so does the inside: white cinder blocks, a ceiling just above your head, and sticky floor tiles that look like they’re probably original.
Right at the corner of Ga. 247 and Ga. 96, White Diamond has been a mainstay for the Robins Air Force Base crowd for decades. We came a little later in order to miss the lunch crowd and the staff was very helpful and attentive. It took less than 15 minutes to get our order to go for four.
The barbecue sandwich was the highlight of our order. Their sauce is based on vinegar and mustard in the Carolina style, so if you’re a tomato-based sauce lover, you might want to stop reading now.
The sandwich for $3.90 has the sauce mixed in but comes with extra, and I noticed the sauce was a little creamier than the usual Carolina sauce. Also, expect your natural hickory smoked barbecue to be a pinkish color instead of the usual brown.
The hush puppies had less corn meal than I’m used to, making them a little more like fried bread. They come six to an order for $1.85. When I wasn’t sure whether I wanted plain or jalapeño, my server decided she would give me three of each so it would be a surprise what I got each time.
The half chicken and the ribs were a bit dry, but the extra sauce fixed that right up. The chicken comes as plate for $8.55 and the rib plate is $9.30, with the usual sides.
My two favorite sides were the slaw and the baked beans. Both were a little sweet but not cloying, and at about $1.50 each, a pretty good deal. In fact, if these are the two sides you prefer with your meal, it’s a better deal to order them separately than with a plate.
The fried sides were a bit greasy for my taste. The fresh cut french fries are best eaten immediately, as they are soaked in frying oil. The Brunswick stew is very tomato-y with plenty of meat for $2.70; and the $2.75 onion rings are super greasy. The fried pickles are sliced very thin, making them more like chips.
We also had the fried fish, fried shrimp and the hamburger, all of which were tasty. The combination shrimp and fillet plate is the most expensive item on the menu at $11.95, but you can get three bone-in catfish with hush puppies and two more sides for $11.50 on weekend nights only.
Overall, you should definitely visit this little piece of the 1950s and try their hickory smoked meats. It may not be pretty, but it’s tasty.
White Diamond Grill
Address: 497 Ga. 247 South, Bonaire
Phone: 478-922-8686
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/White-Diamond-BBQ/194666290557738
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Payment: Cash, credit
Smoking: No
Alcohol: No
Kids Menu: Yes
Noise Level: Low
Health Rating: 100
Price range: $2.75-$11.95
Rating: 3 stars
This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "White Diamond’s barbecue proves why it’s been around for 65 years."