Xanthogranulomatous tissue reaction is an uncommon but well-documented process that occurs at many sites in the body. It is most often recognized in the kidney and gallbladder, where its etiology is believed to involve an outflow obstruction. We report the case of a man with a parotid mass that exhibited features consistent with an inflammatory process on fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The mass persisted despite medical management, and the patient subsequently underwent a superficial parotidectomy. Histologic examination of the resected specimen identified a xanthogranulomatous tissue reaction adjacent to a Warthin's tumor. We compare the features of this case with those of the 2 previously reported cases of xanthogranulomatous sialadenitis, and we discuss its possible etiologies.