Photos by Bryan Stevens                                             Placing an order at Sycamore Drive-In.

Sycamore Drive-In is one of those places you like to visit for some great comfort food, such as an old-fashioned hamburger or meatloaf sandwich.

Owner Gary Hicks and his crew have created a nostalgic environment to enjoy some old-fashioned favorites, whether it’s burgers or a densely-packed cone of delicious ice cream.

The restaurant’s history dates back to 1951 when it opened as a Tastee-freez franchise. Gary said the restaurant operated for about a decade as a Tastee-freez before it was purchased by Maxine Matherly. She and her husband operated the restaurant for about 30 years.

The interior of the Sycamore Drive-In’s dining room.

The name Sycamore Drive-In is a relatively recent incarnation for the restaurant. The original drive-in area now has been enclosed to form a small dining room.

I should emphasize the smallness of the indoor dining area. There’s a total of four tables with folding metal chairs, and a few extra chairs for those waiting for to-go orders. One of the tables can support a party of four. The three remaining tables are definitely two-seaters. The eatery does a brisk carryout business.

I usually like to eat at the restaurant. If Gary is present, he’ll always stop by the table to say hello. He and his employees are great at making people feel welcome. They know their regulars on a first-name basis.

I like to sit at one of the tables while enjoying my food and the nostalgic, small-town ambiance. While the decoration is relatively sparse in the small dining area, a few touches definitely add personality, such as a collection of vintage soda bottles prominently displayed behind the glass of the front counter.

I enjoyed a recent weekday visit with a friend to Sycamore Drive-in. We placed our order at the cashier’s window. The menu board on display behind the counter features a wide variety of burgers, sandwiches, side items, salads and dinner platters. I like that the menu items are listed with prices that include tax, eliminating the need for any mental arithmetic.

Cheeseburger with Crinkle-cut French Fries at Sycamore Drive-In.

The burgers deserve their top billing on the menu, and Hicks even has his own top-secret recipe for his burgers, which are hand-patted every morning. In addition to the standard Hamburger and Cheeseburger – both single and double versions – the menu offers a Bacon Cheeseburger, Bacon Double Cheeseburger and even a Bologna Burger.

In addition to burgers, the restaurant also offers sandwiches such as Grilled Cheese, Fish, Chicken, Egg, Ham and Cheese, Pork BBQ, Chicken Salad and Club. My favorite, which I have enjoyed on several occasions, is the Meatloaf Sandwich. The restaurant also offers an impressive Club Sandwich.

The Bologna Burger with Onion Rings at Sycamore Drive-In.

Other menu items that tempted me included the Deluxe Chef Salad, Chicken Tenders Platter and Hamburger Steak Platter. All the dinner platters are served with fries, salad and toast. In addition, the eatery offers Beans and Cornbread, which are also served with slaw and a side of chopped onions.

On my recent visit, my friend ordered the Double Cheeseburger, while I chose something – the Bologna Burger – I have wanted to try for a long time. I’ve enjoyed the other burgers on previous visits. My favorite is the simple, old-fashioned goodness of the Cheeseburger although I occasionally splurge and try the Bacon Double Cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger with Crinkle-cut Fries at Sycamore Drive-In.

Of course, you’ll want something to go with your burger. In addition to Crinkle-cut French Fries and Onion Rings, other sides available to pair with a burger or sandwich include Tater Wedges, Fried Mushrooms and Mozzarella Sticks. I paired my Bologna Burger with Onion Rings while my friend chose the fries.

My friend’s Double Cheeseburger featured two juicy patties topped with bacon and cheese. It also included all the toppings – lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise. As always, it was cooked perfectly. The bun held up pretty well, too, as he enthusiastically consumed the burger.

A cone of Butter Pecan Ice Cream from Sycamore Drive-In.

I also liked the Bologna Burger, which consisted of a grilled slice of bologna served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo. This item again reminded me of the value of the nostalgic menu at Sycamore Drive-In. I also enjoyed the ample serving of Onion Rings, which were fried to a crisp, golden brown.

No visit to this nostalgic drive-in can be considered complete without ending with one of the sweet items on the menu. Desserts include ice cream cones, shakes, sundaes, banana splits and Hot Fudge Cake. My friend decided to try the Hot Fudge Cake, which consisted of a slice of chocolate cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, rich hot fudge, several dollops of whipped cream and a cherry on top. This mix of quality components made for a delectable dessert.

 

Hot Fudge Cake provides a sweet conclusion to a meal at Sycamore Drive-In.

Sycamore sells hand-dipped Mayfield Ice Cream, and milkshakes can be made from any of the available flavors or combinations of flavors. I considered one of the shakes, which are fantastic at Sycamore Drive-In, but decided on this sunny afternoon a cone of ice cream might be even better and selected a cone of Butter Pecan Ice Cream.

Another thing I like about this long-time Elizabethton restaurant is the way it appeals across various demographics. Customers included parents with young children, older couples, students and working people grabbing a quick and tasty meal for their lunch break. Several people picked up carryout orders, but a few elected to have a seat at one of the other available tables.

Vintage soda bottles on display in the restaurant.

The Sycamore Drive-In definitely serves up some solid, good-tasting burgers, as well as other items. I’ve never had anything on the menu I haven’t liked.

If it’s been a while since you’ve visited, why wait? If you’ve never had the chance to stop by Sycamore Drive-In, make an effort to change that soon.

If you go, let Gary and his staff know they come recommended by the Carter County Compass.

•••••

AT A GLANCE: Sycamore Drive-In, 213 S. Sycamore St., Elizabethton. 547-0166. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Closed Sunday. All menu items $6.95 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

The burgers are classic at Sycamore Drive-In.

Smoky Mountain Bakers will celebrate five years of doing business on Tuesday, July 1

Photo by Bryan Stevens Buffalo Chicken Pizza

The word is definitely out about the sensational pizza pies baked in the large brick oven at Smoky Mountain Bakers. This rustic pizzeria and bakery tucked away in the slow-paced town of Roan Mountain will celebrate its fifth anniversary next week with a full day of specials and musical entertainment.

 Although they have been baking for about five years in Roan Mountain, Tim and Crystal Decker — owners and operators of Smoky Mountain Bakers and Wood Fired Pizza — have slowly but steadily built up a loyal clientele throughout northeast Tennessee and western North Carolina for their delicious pizzas and other baked goods. Customers arrive from both sides of the state line, many of them driving quite a distance for what is unquestionably some of the best pizza in these parts.

Photo by David Thometz                           Making some absolutely incredible pizzas in the kitchen of Smoky Mountain Bakers.

If you’ve been waiting to pay a visit, what better time than Tuesday, July 1, when this marvelous local eatery will celebrate five years of doing business in the community?

Smoky Mountain Bakers will offer live music all afternoon, including such local acts as Thistledew, The Kupos, The Roan Crows and many more area musicians.

Of course, the star attraction will be the fantastic wood-fired pizzas. To thank their loyal customers, the Deckers are offering $5 one-topping pizzas the entire day.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                           A customized White Pizza at Smoky Mountain Bakers.

The Deckers lived and baked for many years in California, but have made their home and their workplace in Roan Mountain for the past several years. Tim has more than 30 years of experience as a professional artisan baker.

For those in the know, Smoky Mountain Bakers is a frequent destination, whether it’s to enjoy one of their sensational pizza pies or some other baked goods, including breads, croissants, brownies and much more. The eatery recently added breakfast hours and offers a variety of items perfect for starting the day with a bang, including English Muffins, Bagels and Cheddar Biscuits paired with a variety of meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables and spreads.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Smoky Mountain Bakers has been serving wood-fired pizzas for five years in Roan Mountain.

The business is almost entirely a carry-out enterprise, but there are a few tables inside. The restaurant has also expanded its picnic deck, which now includes an awning to offer some protection from the sun and elements. On pleasant evenings, such as the one we enjoyed during our most recent visit, this is really the way to enjoy your food while admiring the view of the surrounding mountains. Diners can also bring their own wine to enjoy with the pizza.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Diners can enjoy their pizzas on the airy dining deck.

The Deckers are quick to deliver orders, despite each pizza being hand-made fresh-to-order, and the service is always friendly and prompt, including fast drink refills and custom orders. But atmosphere and table-side service aren’t the reason people flock to Smoky Mountain Bakers – it’s all about the pizzas and other baked items that are the true stars, as well as the chance to watch the bakers at work.

The menu lists about 10 specialty pizzas (which can be customized upon request) as well as the make-your-own option that allows customers to create a pie with their choice of sauces and toppings. All the pizzas at Smoky Mountain Bakers are 12- inch pies. A pie with up to three toppings will cost you $10, four to six toppings are $11 and a pie with seven to 12 toppings tops the quite reasonable price scale at $12.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Every pizza is good to the last slice at Smoky Mountain Bakers.

The regularly available toppings include pepperoni, bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomatoes, spinach, garlic, ham, onion, banana peppers, chicken, green peppers, jalapenos, ground beef, black olives and pineapple. Daily special toppings are occasionally available, in season, including home-grown items from the Deckers’ own garden adjacent to the business, such as fresh basil and other herbs and vegetables. Cheeses include fresh mozzarella, ricotta and feta, with others occasionally available as specials, and the sauces range from tomato sauce to pesto and barbecue.

The specialty pizzas include pies to delight carnivores, including the BBQ Chicken Pizza, Hawaiian and Meat Lovers. There’s also a Six-Cheese Pie with shredded dry mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, ricotta, feta and fresh mozzarella. The “All the Way” pie offers a pizza loaded with pepperoni, sausage, ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives, garlic, tomatoes, pineapple, banana peppers and jalapenos. The less carnivorous diners among us will find some pleasing pies with the Vegetarian Pie, as well as the Gourmet Veggie Pie, which offers spinach, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions and feta cheese.

Photo by Bryan Stevens Smoky Mountain Bakers will celebrate five years of business in Roan Mountain on Tuesday, July 1.

Obviously, it’s the time in the huge, hand-built, wood-fired

Photo by Bryan Stevens                               Smoky Mountain Pizza also serves breakfast baked goods, such as danishes and muffins.

stone oven that produces such a unique and interesting pizza. If you’re new to the process, know that the charred edges around the crust of the pie isn’t a sign that your pizza “burned.” It’s merely a sign of a healthy stay inside the confines of the oven. The crust is thin, with a delightfully chewy crunch. I’ve enjoyed all three of the sauces, but I’m most fond of the pesto. It’s a tangy, assertive pesto sauce that really provides the foundation to help you take note of other toppings.

On the White Pizza, that pesto sauce is accompanied by ricotta cheese, garlic and herbs, spinach, sausage and caramelized onions. This riot of bold flavors has been my overall favorite among the pizzas on the menu.

I also like the “Hog Wild” pie, which piles the sausage, ham and bacon onto a pizza with just the right amount of cheese and marinara sauce.

Another recent favorite has been the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, which features grilled chicken tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce and accompanied by onions and blue cheese. I like to add a few additional tangy toppings, such as kalamata olives or artichoke hearts to this pie.

Other specialty pies include the Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger and the Hiker’s Surprise, which features a pesto sauce instead of a red sauce, as well as mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, caramelized onions and gorgonzola cheese.

Photo by Bryan Stevens Diners can carry out or dine in during a visit to Smoky Mountain Bakers.

The restaurant’s menu doesn’t offer much to pair with your pizza other than fresh garden salads, which are made with mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots, feta cheese, a slice of hard-boiled egg and a few scattered radish slices and kidney beans. A variety of salad dressings are also available.

The bakery offers several daily specials. The Tuesday lunch special is two pizzas for $15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Fridays, get one pizza, two salads and two drinks for $15. People planning Saturday gatherings and parties might want to take advantage of the buy five pizzas for $40 special offer.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                                                   A customized White Pizza ready for sharing.

If I’m visiting on a Wednesday or Friday, I never go home without some extra treat from the other baked goods offered at Smoky Mountain Bakery on those days. A recent Friday saw the eatery offering Sourdough, New York Rye and Pugliese with fresh herbs from the Deckers’ garden, as well as Apricot-Pecan Bread, Cottage Cheese Dill Bread, Triple Chocolate Cakes, Caramel Pecan Cheesecakes, Almond-Apricot Tarts, Lemon Tartlets, Blueberry Crumb Cakes, Lemon Blueberry Tea Breads, Brownies, Cookies, Scones, Muffins, Cherry Turnovers, and Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls.

If you want to have dessert, Smoky Mountain Bakers does offer Cinnamon Walnut Strips, as well as any of the wide variety of the cookies, brownies or other baked items that might be available at the time of your visit.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                     The Almond-Apricot Tart is an excellent pastry for concluding a visit.

My most recent dessert was the excellent Almond-Apricot Tart. It was a refreshing pastry and, while sweet, it was not overly so and the apricots provided it with just the right amount of tartness.

Nestled away in the quiet community of Roan Mountain near the Cloudland High School, Smoky Mountain Bakery was always too exceptional to remain a local secret for very long. Watch for the signs pointing from 19-E. If you live close by, so much the better. If you don’t, it’s definitely worth the drive to sample one of these pizzas. Make sure to also pick up one of the other baked goodies as well.

Photo by Bryan Stevens Be sure to take home some fresh-baked cookies.

Be sure to turn out on Tuesday, July 1, to help them celebrate five years of serving some of the best pizza in these parts.

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AT A GLANCE: Smoky Mountain Bakers and Wood Fired Pizza, 500 Cloudland Drive, Roan Mountain. 957-1202. Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All menu items $12 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

 

White Elephant a welcome gift for Elizabethton diners

 

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Italian Sub at White Elephant Fresh Market in Elizabethton.

It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room when it comes to downtown dining in Betsy.

With a winning combination of fresh-made sandwiches and good-to-the-last-spoonful soups, The White Elephant Fresh Market in downtown Elizabethton has been winning over diners since its opening last November.

The White Elephant is a partnership between co-owners Michael Henley and Erik Kitchens. They’ve created a wonderful addition to the downtown Elizabethton dining scene with a creative menu of hearty sandwiches, sensational soups and, now on Saturdays during the Carter County Car Club’s weekly Cruise-in, a variety of tempting hot dogs.

I’ve enjoyed a handful of visits since this eatery’s opening, and my most recent one has reminded me that I need to frequent this eatery more often.

“We’re still building up our clientele,” Henley said, noting that business has been good since opening back in November of last year.

The White Elephant has been offering a menu of hot dogs targeted for Saturday’s downtown Cruise-In, which brings a lot of traffic and potential customers to Elk Avenue.

The all-beef dogs are all-natural and nitrate-free. They include the Volcano, which is smothered in the White Elephant’s homemade Pimento Cheese, and the Gut Grenade, which includes such trimmings as chili, kraut, onions, mustard and more of that Pimento Cheese. There’s also a Naked Dog, which is just plain, as well as the Sir Slaws Alot, a dog piled high with White Elephant’s wonderfully tangy Blue Cheese Slaw.

Through the week, the White Elephant focuses on the sandwiches and soups.

Sandwiches include a range of both hot and cold sandwiches, including an Italian Sub, Reuben and a Kentucky Hot Brown, which is served open-faced on white bread with applewood-smoked turkey and bacon, covered in cheese sauce and diced tomatoes.

Photo by David Thometz
Michael Henley works on one of the hand-crafted sandwiches that are the specialty of the White Elephant.

My first visit at the White Elephant introduced me to this eatery’s version of The Muffaletta, a New Orelans-inspired sandwich made from olive salad, bologna, salami, ham and provolone cheese served on ciabatta bread with cheese and pepperoni baked in. This sandwich provided a fantastic fusion of some zesty flavors.

My most recent visit with a friend took place on a sunny spring afternoon. The soup of the day during our visit was Chicken and Dumping Soup, and I immediately wanted to try a bowl.

This soup featured an assortment of herbs and vegetables, including onions, carrots and celery, in a savory, creamy broth. My bowl contained several tasty, fluffy dumplings and I savored every spoonful.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
A bowl of Chicken and Dumpling Soup at White Elephant Fresh Market.

On previous visits, I’ve enjoyed bowls of the rich and hearty Broccoli Cheese Soup, which has been a big hit with regular customers. Other recent soup offerings have included Summer Squash Delight, Maryland Crab, Tomato, Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice, Chicken Tortilla and Cioppino, which is a type of Seafood Chowder.

Of course, I wanted to pair my soup with a sandwich, so I contemplated several of those listed on the menu, including the Turkey Reuben, French Dip and the Golden Gobbler, which features applewood-smoked ham and turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese and honey-dijon mustard, all served on white bread. The MD Pit Beef Sandwich, which features pit beef on a roll with horseradish mayo and thinly slice onions, also tempted me.

On the recommendation of another customer at the counter, I chose the Italian Sub. This cold sandwich is served on a toasted sub roll and features salami, prosciutto, capicola ham, lettuce, tomato, onion and oil and vinegar dressing. This is a great sandwich for those who enjoy zestier flavors.

My friend considered the Vermont, which offers applewood-smoked turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon and maple-grain mustard on white bread, but decided on the White Elephant’s version of the Monte Cristo. This sandwich evolved from the French croque-monsieur, which is essentially a fried ham and cheese sandwich.

Photo by David Thometz
A tasty version of the famous Monte Cristo is one of many sandwiches available at White Elephant Fresh Market.

At the White Elephant, the Monte Cristo is served on buttery, toasted white bread, piled high with applewood-smoked ham and turkey, cheese and Dijon mustard and accompanied by a small container of currant jelly on the side.

Customers can also choose a “build-your-own” sandwich option that gives them the flexibility to choose their own breads, cheeses, meats and vegetables.

In addition to bags of potato chips, the White Elephant offers a couple of side dishes, including Potato Salad and Blue Cheese Coleslaw. I love the slaw, which is a refreshing blend of tangy blue cheese and creamy dressing tossed into a classic cabbage slaw.

Nothing that I have tried at this new establishment could be considered average or ordinary. Everything I’ve sampled has some creative flair that stands out.

There’s not a lot of seating, with only about four small tables in the dining area. The decor is completed with a vintage soda chest at the back of the eatery. A refrigerated glass display case at the front of the eatery showcases the meats and cheeses used for building the sandwiches. Decorating the walls are such items as nostalgic state license plates and shelfs displaying vintage soda bottles.

The eatery also enjoys a brisk carry-out business, and I am very impressed with the neat, precise way that the sandwiches are packaged neatly and precisely in white butcher paper.

It’s a certainty I will be back for future visits since there are still several sandwiches and soups I haven’t yet sampled. If you’ve not made a trip to the White Elephant, make a point to do so in the near future. Let them know they came highly recommended.

•••••

AT A GLANCE: White Elephant Fresh Market, 602 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton. 518-1111. Menu items $7.99 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                                                                                                                    Unwrap a Muffaletta and a side of Blue Cheese Slaw from White Elephant Fresh Market.

 

 

Dixie’s Diner expands Stoney Creek dining options

 

Some friends and I made it a point to dine at Dixie’s Diner on Stoney Creek in Elizabethton this past week.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Dixie’s Diner is located at 1791 Highway 91, Elizabethton.

The meal marked our first visit to the restaurant, which was opened last fall by owner James Harris. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed and told to seat ourselves at any of the eatery’s booths and tables. Banner-sized placards with big, friendly letters promoting slogans such as, “Live life with a twist,” and, “Here, everybody’s a regular,” adorn the wood-plank walls. The chair and benches are upholstered in dark burgundy vinyl. The dining area isn’t showy, but it is cozy, comfortable and clean, and the wood-plank gives the room a rustic touch and imparts a bit of a golden glow to the lighting.

The menu at Dixie’s Diner isn’t elaborate, preferring to keep the focus on burgers, sandwiches and a few country-style dinner platters. In addition to lunch and dinner, the restaurant also offers breakfast all day with a menu of traditional favorites such as biscuits and gravy, hash browns, pancakes, omelets and French toast.

The motivation for our recent visit was to show solidarity with the restaurant’s effort to support paper carriers let go by the Elizabethton Star. It’s rare to come across a business with a conscience these days, but the owners of Dixie’s Diner made a wonderful gesture by setting aside half of the proceeds to be divided among the roughly 16 carriers affected by the decision made by the Alabama owners of the formerly locally-owned newspaper.

The cause was particularly close to my heart since I was among the dozen employees let go in a massive purge a couple of months ago. This new weekly blog was born of that decision after I had numerous people request that I continue my weekly discussions of regional restaurants.

The day I learned of the decision that I was no longer needed at a paper with which I enjoyed a 20-year history was, understandably enough, a difficult one. Thankfully, several local restaurants made it a little more bearable. Jiggy Ray’s, a new pizzeria in downtown Elizabethton, treated me and several co-workers to a free lunch when the manager discovered what had gone down at the newspaper. It was a much-appreciated gesture. I’d encourage everyone to patronize Dixie’s Diner and Jiggy Ray’s, as well as Sycamore Drive-In in Elizabethton. Sycamore Drive-In owner Gary Hicks has been very outspoken in his support for all the community workers who were adversely affected by the decision, which was made by distant corporate heads from Alabama who had made no more than a couple of visits to Elizabethton and no attempt to actually get to know their new employees.

But, stepping back off of my soap-box, the main focus of this weekly endeavor is to introduce readers to some suggested dining destinations.

Dixie’s Diner, although tucked away up Stoney Creek beyond both Unaka High School and Unaka Elementary School, is worth the drive.

My friends and I were treated courteously and attentively by the servers, who also helped by making some recommendations on menu items.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Meatloaf, Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes at Dixie’s DIner.

 I chose the Meatloaf Dinner, which is accompanied by a choice of two sides, which can include French Fries, Green Beans, Onion Rings, Corn, Fried Okra and Mashed Potatoes. I chose the Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes.

Other dinner platters that got my notice included Hamburger Steak Dinner, Pork Chop Dinner and a large and small Chicken Tender Dinner.

 

One of my friends, a burger connoisseur, studied the those options on the menu. Burgers come in two sizes – 4-ounce and 6-ounce patties – and are served with fries and a drink. Any of the burgers can also be ordered as a double with two patties. Options include Hamburger, Cheeseburger and Bacon-Cheeseburger. He chose the latter.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Dixie Diner’s Bacon Cheeseburger with a side of Crinkle-cut French Fries.

My other friend considered some of the sandwiches, including the BLT and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. In the end, he chose one of the dinner platters and ordered the Pork Chop Dinner. For his two sides, he choose Fried Okra and French Fries.

About the only other items on the menu are a couple of dinner salads and a two-Hotdog Platter. We chose to share an order of Onion Rings among the three of us. Our food arrived speedily.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the meatloaf consisted of two muffin-shaped servings of meatloaf topped with ketchup. Every restaurant serves its own version of this comfort food classic, and I enjoyed the muffin-sized meatloaf servings. The meatloaf at Dixie’s Diner is firm, flavorful and not at all greasy.

My friends also reported satisfaction with their meals. The burger aficionado enjoyed his order, which featured a six-ounce patty, topped with an ample amount of bacon and cheese, and served on a sesame-seed bun.

Photo by David Thometz
The Pork Chops Dinner Platter accompanied by French Fries and Fried Okra at Dixie’s Diner.

My friend who ordered the two pork chops was also pleased with the only minor complaint being they might have been cooked slightly too long. The thinly-sliced chops were still well seasoned, flavorful and paired nicely with the Mashed Potatoes and the golden-brown Fried Okra.

I also like the nicely seasoned Green Beans and the Mashed Potatoes that came with my Meatloaf.

Although we were all just too full to indulge, Dixe’s Diner does offer some sweet at the conclusion of the meal, including Funnel Cakes, Snow Cones and Ice Cream. We’ll try to get back for some of those sweets in the near future. I’d also like to make a return visit and try the breakfast at Dixie’s Diner.

••••••

AT A GLANCE: Dixie’s Diner, 1791 Highway 91, Elizabethton. 474-0080. Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Menu items $7.59 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

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Do you have a restaurant you would like spotlighted? Post a message in the comments or send email to diningdestinations@wordpress.com