Hot Rod's 50's Diner - a review of a great 50's style restaurant in Maryville-Alcoa

Hot Rod's 50's Diner is a fairly authentic 1950's style diner in Maryville/Alcoa, just beside the public library near downtown, that has nailed diner-style food on the head: the burgers, shakes, French fries, and onion rings are all absolutely fantastic! This little diner is a must-try, even if you have to drive down to Maryville/Alcoa from Knoxville.

First and foremost about Hot Rod's 50's Diner, the food is great.  The burgers are thick and very filling, and the first thing that they present the palate is a distinct taste of good-quality beef.  What really impresses, though, are the French fries, which require no ketchup or other adornments because they're seasoned and fried to absolute perfection: crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.  The other fare, from sandwiches to desserts (like the fried Twinkie sundae!), is all spot-on as well, particularly their milkshakes, which come in 13 fabulous flavors.  Also, though the food isn't quite what would be called "health food," unlike many diners, this place is pretty far from being a greasy spoon.

Hot Rod's 50's Diner also offers a gastronomical challenge to the big-eating food champions out there: "The Chubby Challenge."  The challenge is to order "The Chubby Burger" and consume it with its one-pound side order of fries in under 30 minutes or, for the consolation prize, in under 45 minutes from when it arrives at your table.  This task is somewhat gargantuan.  The regular "famous burgers" sport one 10 oz. beef patty and are quite filling.  "The Chubby" is a triple-decker monster burger with 30 oz. of beef smothered in American cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle for garnish! While that sinks in, remember that one pound of delicious French fries on the side.  The "Chubby Challenge" prize (finish it all in under 30 minutes) is a commemorative t-shirt that reads "I got a 'Chubby' at Hot Rod's 50's Diner" with a somewhat kitsch graphic and your picture on their "Wall of Fame."  The consolation prize is just having your picture on the wall, and, as they say, "No shirt for you!"

From 7 am until 10:30 am every day of the week, Hot Rod's 50's Diner also offers a breakfast buffet, serving typical diner-style breakfast dishes like pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage.  If you eat in, it's all you can eat for just $4.99 for adults and $2.99 for kids under 12 (and $3.99 for seniors over 65), but if you're in a rush, they offer breakfast take-out.

The decor and atmosphere of the place are, reputedly, quite authentic.  The entire building sports the look of the 1950's, right down to the funny signs posted on the walls.  The seating is a bit tight, therefore, so expect that.  It's also very busy around lunch time and dinner time, so you may want to plan ahead and go at a slightly off-time to beat the rush.

In the author's opinion, Knoxvillians, Hot Rod's 50's Diner's burgers beat those from the famous Litton's in Fountain City (which should tempt you fully into driving down and trying these), and the French fries make it all the better.

Address and phone:

• 373 Hannum Street (right by the Blount County Public Library)
• Alcoa, TN 37701
• 865-984-7171

Hours:

• Monday through Thursday: 7 am to 9 pm
• Friday and Saturday: 7 am to 10 pm
• Sunday: 7 am to 8 pm

Don't miss this place -- it's awesome!

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