Many years ago, some wise person tagged Tennessee “The Volunteer State. The name has stood the test of time, and here in East Tennessee, it is used in every way possible: Volunteer Realty, The VolShop, Vol market, Volunteer Paving and Construction, The Volunteer Express, Volunteer Mechanical, Volunteer Roofing and Siding, Volunteer Lawncare, on and on.
Located in Rocky Top, the Vols Diner has a reputation with the locals as THE place to eat. Good, down-home food with fast service and reasonable prices. A little too good for an unassuming building in a small town? I had to see for myself.
The Dining Duo was the Dining Single on a Thursday afternoon, hurrying through town, late as usual, not looking forward to cooking when I got home, but knowing that I wasn’t the only hungry person in the family. Then, like Batman’s logo in the sky, the Vols Diner sign lit up my world! I was rescued!
Entering the diner, the first thing you notice is the smells: frying onions, chicken, baking bread, and cleanliness. That fresh smell that tells you the tables are clean, the floors mopped, and the kitchen is like it is supposed to be.
I sat at a table and started to study the menu. The first thing that caught my eye was country-fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, and one more side. I decided on green beans and then returned to the menu to choose meal #2. Knowing my family as I do, I went with the cheeseburger with everything on it and French fries.
My order was taken, a glass of sweet tea appeared to help me pass the time, and my wait began, but it quickly ended in near-record time. The take-out order was ready, and I was on my way.
I haven’t reported on meals eaten anywhere, but inside the restaurant we were visiting, but occasionally life gets in the way, and you have to grab and run.
Take-out is a gamble, as you’re praying you get to your destination with your food still slightly warm, not squished or smashed, and without grease soaking through the wrappings.
The Vols Diner knows how you feel. Everything I bought was well packaged, separated to keep crisp things crisp and dry things dry and gravy covering what gravy was meant to cover.
I can’t imagine that eating in could have been any better.’
The Vols Diner is one of my new favorite places to eat in East Tennessee. Take it home or eat in the dining room. I believe you will be as impressed as I am.
The Vols Diner is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is located at 711 Main St, Rocky Top (Lake City), TN.
By the way, it seems to be popular opinion that the Friday night Fish Fry is to die for. Sounds like a date night destination!
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