Great food, but the gluten-free buns for the burgers are not the best (seemed to be corn-based). Still, we love the fresh meat selection there. Awesome Thunder Road burger.
(4)
Logan F.
Fantastic food and great service. The wait can be long at times, but it is well worth the wait. (Try and save room for dessert. Doesn't matter which one, they are all good!)
(5)
Melissa A.
Delicious burgers and onion rings. Did not have enough room for gigantic slices of cakes... But they looked yummy!
(5)
Lauren B.
I have had this argument more than I care to remember: while Litton's is in no way the be all end all of cheeseburgers- it is a DANG GOOD burger! It has a huge bun and a pretty solid patty. This is the sort of burger you want to grace with the holy trinity (ketchup, mustard, mayo), lettuce, onion and a piece of cheddar cheese. I refuse to compare it to other burger restaurants around because it's just not the same - less adventurous but still tasty. The fries and onion rings are always fresh. I have had some pretty great desserts- night&day cheesecake and the strawberry cake are worth trying.
(4)
Mark W.
Michael Stern Roadfood spot! Very Solid Burgers! Get the pimento cheese on your burger....Onion Rings are top notch, top notch! Massive Portions! Lighteaters should split... Desser was also worth the trip!
(3)
Cub F.
Excellent! The burger was perfectly cooked to my specifications. Onion rings and fries are very good and not overly greasy. Leave room for dessert. A lot of cakes, cheese cakes, cookies and brownies to choose from. I was impressed and will be back.
(5)
Josh S.
The burger was ok, nothing special to write home about. I went here because a local recommended it to my wife and I. My wife, who doesn't eat much, asked if she could order the children's burger. Our waitress rudely said NO. I understood that but then the rudeness and extra charges for stupid stuff started. Cheese is $1 extra, if you like honey mustard with your burger, it's $.75 extra. Onion rings? $2 upcharge. This place would be so much better if the staff would just fill people in about the extra charges before you get your bill. My bill came to $25 for two burgers with water! I'm ticked off I even ate here.
(1)
Mandy J.
Every time I have come to this restaurant I have been impressed with the food! I always order a burger with smoked cheddar cheese done medium, and every time it is perfectly cooked and tastes delicious! It is my favorite burger place by far. And to top it off you cannot beat their prices!!
(5)
Kevin C.
The burger was good, but not life changing. The onion rings were solid and the key lime pie needed to be more limey. Overall I don't think it's worth the price. A burger, side, and dessert is running you $25 at a diner.
(3)
Hannah N.
I always get the fried chicken or bacon cheese burger. The lemon cookies are just like the ones grandma use to make! They also have a small bar in the back. Oh, and don't forget to write your name on the chalk board that's the wait list!
(5)
Anthony C.
One of the Best damn burgers you'll ever put in your mouth! And trust me I've had my share of burgers stuffed into my face across the nation :p. I had the thunder road topped w PIMENTO CHEESE and a pound of delicious grilled onions which all just melts into your mouth. I usually have to have some sort of sauce or fried egg on my burgers recently but not this one. 2 toppings and I'm set in burger nirvana!
(5)
Jones B.
This is my first time to Litton's. Great burger but they forgot to put bacon on my burger and then brought me out some to put on it when I asked about it....not the best service. However I'm giving it a 4 star because the burger was great and the backed goods where fantastic. The coconut cream pie and red velvet cake...so good!
(4)
Jon D.
Litton's is great, every time. If you haven't been you have to try a burger but if you want something different go for the Road Runner. It's a chicken sandwich with grilled onions and cheese. Best thing on the menu, and the best kept secret. Onion rings are amazing. Cakes are amazing too but the prices are a little high. Going with the family could easily cost you $85 or more, especially if you order cokes and a dessert or two. Great food, even of a little overpriced.
(4)
Melanie W.
So we stop here for lunch on our way to Knoxville TN since it had such great reviews. We were greeted promptly, server was very friendly and fast. We ordered the burger platter (burger and fries) and the burger was juicy buns were soft. But in my personal opinion there was nothing out of the ordinary, I honestly could've went to another burger place for the same burger at a cheaper price.
(2)
Jordan K.
This is what Burgers are supposed to be! If you can finish the giant 10 inch delight, the desert counter will knock your socks off. Stuffed with pies and cookies and the best red velvet cake you will ever put in your body. The daily specials are always a bargain and large portions. Do not miss this while in Knoxville.
(5)
Tommy M.
There is no better burger joint in Tennessee there is just something relaxing about the 50's to early 70's vibe in the place and oh yeah did I mention the burgers :p but not only do they serve some of the best burgers there desserts and other dishes are to die for.
(5)
Viva C.
We always make a point to stop here whenever we are in Knoxville. Amazing burgers and the best strawberry shortcake dessert EVER. The Baby Jane shortcakes are only made every other weekend though. I think if you check their site they have a posted calendar of shortcake availability. Great giant cookies and other desserts too.
(4)
Hunter T.
I love this place so so much. They have the best burgers. They make their own buns as well! I usually get the Thunder Road burger (burger covered with pimento cheese, caramelized onions, and a jalapeño). They have a wide variety of tasty desserts as well. I usually leave with a couple packs of cookies. We try to stop here to eat about every time we go to see the vols play! It's a great gameday stop, but be sure to leave yourself plenty of time, because it will most likely be busy!
(5)
Bobby Y.
Apparently known for burgers, but mine was boring, and bland. Then the server stiffed me on my request for silverware so I could cut it in half. Their hand cut fries were very tasty, a redeeming menu addition that saved me from the uninspiring burger. They have this orange-sicle cake that's out of this world delicious.
(3)
Israel G.
I'm sure that this place was pretty good but it was a miss when I went. I liked how you write your name on the board for the wait to be seated. We had a party of 10 and it took about 20 min to be seated. We went on a Wednesday around 2pm. It took another 15 min before we even placed out order. My daughter had a happy meal box because she brought her toy in and one of the workers told us we couldn't have it and he would be happy to throw it away. I told him I would rather take it to my car so I though that was pretty rude. We were on a time limit and with the wait to be seated, and waiting for someone to take our order taking 35min and another 15-20 min to get our food we ended up just getting to go boxes and took our food to go. Food was okay, would have been better to eat there but definitely plan on spending at least 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours there.
(2)
Corey S.
Literally the worst burger I've ever had. Not only did the patty appear frozen, it had absolutely no flavor. I ordered a chili burger which was supposed to have jalapeños on it, and it came bare with cheese, a side of chili, and a single whole jalapeño like they expected me to cut it and place it on my burger. My mother has been coming to this place for over 50 years, and even she said that the patties seemed frozen. All three of us ended up sending our food back, and the waitress didn't even offer to adjust our ticket. P.S. In order for people to really grasp just how horrible our experience was, this review was written in a Sonic Drive through.
(1)
Shelly S.
Ok......so, after waiting so long for a table, when we got our food, the burgers were VERY bland and had NO FLAVOR.......our fries and Oinion rings were OVER COOKED and tasted BURNT .....YUK!!! Very disappointed after reading all the good reviews, but then i see others now have experienced the same thing we did. Will not go back thats for sure
(1)
Andy S.
While visiting Knoxville, I was given a suggestion to try this place, so I did, and I'm glad I did. They had a wait, but we were given the option to sit at the bar (not a drink bar) with no waiting, so we did. At the bar, you had a view of the kitchen, so you could see items being prepared. The server was super friendly. We had the blue plate special, so there was little waiting. This particular day was meat loaf and two sides with roll or cornbread. For my sides, I had the greens and the mac n' cheese with the corn bread. Everything was fresh. The greens were definitely fresh and not from a can, like so many places serve. The mac n' cheese was creamy and topped with extra cheese. The cornbread was homemade. The meatloaf was also delicious topped with a little ketchup and plenty of brown gravy. The food was delicious, fresh, and homemade. The price for the plate lunch was $11, which is fair for the quality. We didn't eat dessert, because we were stuffed. However, their desserts are on display, so we drooled while looking at them on the way out. At first I thought the desserts were too expensive ($6 or more). However, the slices of cake were huge (easily enough for 2 or maybe even 3 people). If you need a quality plate lunch, this is the place to go in Knoxville.
(5)
Sara A.
This place is known for its burgers and deserts for good reason- both are excellent. I have eaten here multiple times over the 2+years I've lived in Knoxville, most recently this past week with my aunt and uncle who gave the burgers and onion rings two thumbs up. Atmosphere: casual. You write your name and number in your party in a chalkboard when you walk in. You can also specify a booth or table, but this may make your wait longer but you get what you want! There is a tv to entertain while you wait and a large display of their mouth-watering deserts to feast your eyes on while you wait hungry, mouth watering. Food: it's all been home cooked and good in my experience. Burgers are the best here and onion rings homemade. It's my staple dish here but I also like the grilled chicken sandwich. You get really good burgers here, high quality (not frozen) meat. But this is not the linen napkin 5 star Michelin type restaurant. This is a paper napkin finger lickin' type restaurant. Good solid food though. Burgers rock (the traditional ones- I don't care for the pimento cheese one). Dessert: loosen up a belt notch because it's so hard to choose. So many options here I always want to ask for a sampler platter ;-) Everything I've had has been good- cakes, pies, cookies, cheesecake (can you tell I've visited only a few times?). I had the Baby Jane this week which is their version of strawberry shortcake. Delicious! Had a pound cake cake base and some type of rum filling. Yum yum. My uncle had the orange and white cake which was like a creamsicle flavor and was also delicious. Service has always been great every time I have visited- fast, efficient, friendly, and they've always kept my drink glass filled. They now serve beer! Highly recommended!
(4)
Adam L.
Above average overpriced food. Can't really complain about anything but the price. The burgers are good, so are the desserts, but this would not be my first choice for a dinner out. Every time I've ever been I've always come away regretting how much I spent. Also I've been involved with a number of functions who've been looking for a place to hold a meeting and they've been completely unaccommodating. You can get a much better burger at "The Other One" in Oak Ridge, if you're on the hunt for a great burger that is.
(2)
Zachary W.
I try to limit my reviews to local establishments, but this place gets an exception. Wife suggested we try this place after our plane got in. There was a lunch crowd and I think we had to wait about 30 minutes before we were seated...but the wait was well worth it. I'm also not one to buy into hype surrounding a menu item, but once again, this place gets an exception. The Thunderoad was worth the wait and lives up to the hype. A burger with pimento cheese, fries and a whole pickled jalapeno. The waiter tried to suggest getting the burger cooked medium well, I opted for medium-rare, but it still came out medium well. I was a bit disappointed, but really didn't need to be. They are obviously meat artists back there and the burger was still juicy and delicious. The pimento cheese is plentiful and you need that jalapeno, taking little bites as you go along, to help cut the fattiness. Fries, always an after thought in my mind, were cooked perfectly here as well. Service was quick and friendly. Worth the trip.
(5)
T J.
Been eating here for over 40 years. So disappointed. I have out of town guests and have been raving about littons forever so taking them there told him that littons had the best burgers that I've ever had. But now after ordering their burgers they came to the table looking like a Bubba Burger flat and tasteless, not their usual juicy fresh meat. I asked the waitress if the the diner was using different meat and she stated "not to my knowledge". My guests and I sent back the burgers back without eating them after taking a bite. Horrible horrible. It was obvious they were frozen fake burgers not the usual fresh meat Even after sending back we were never offered to have it made right, remove from the dinner check or any apologies. So I paid $75 for three cheeseburgers none of us ate. I doubt I'll be returning there anytime soon. Very disappointed
(1)
David C.
Ever since moving here three years ago, I have wanted to dine at Litton's. Today worked out and so I gave it a try. The parking lot was packed which is always a good sign and so I expected a wait, but when I walked inside, it was a hoppin', but there were plenty of tables available. This is a nice retro-feeling diner, long-time-established atmosphere, where the waitresses wear black uniforms with pink ribbons in their hair. The kitchen is a long galley kitchen that opens up to the lunch counter. The menu is simple yet loaded with plenty of yummy looking options. Today's special was a chicken and mashed potato with gravy dinner, but I've been dying to try their hamburgers because they do have a reputation in K-town. I had the Thunder Road which is a burger topped with pimento cheese and grilled onions, accompanied by a jalapeno pepper. As a side, I up-ordered to get their famous onion rings. All burgers are served medium unless otherwise ordered. I decided to order it medium. The burger was meaty but a little too cooked (there was no hint of pink) and the pimento cheese and onions on top were delicious! The onion rings lived up to their expectation and were so plentiful, I had to take half of them as a to go option. My waitress was very friendly and kept my diet Coke filled. Definitely worth a repeat visit.
(3)
Zach W.
Man....I really struggled with this review. I wanted to give Litton's three stars. I REALLY did! ...but I can't. I finally figured out why. I think i've cracked it. Let me start by saying this; Litton's is a Knoxville staple. Litton's is an institution. It's been around for a LONG, LONG time. Generations have been eating here, my family included. After a football game, you're LUCKY if you can even get into the parking lot! Budweiser on draft, onion rings and a Litton's burger are the bricks that Fountain City was built on. In the 80's and 90's you really couldn't get a better burger in Knoxville. A lot of things have changed. If you get around town, you know there are a ton of places now to get a great/better burger for half the price. Some people still swear it's the best in town. If I want a burger, I typically do not go here. If I'm with a group from out of town or it's after a game or something, I'll go. It's not awful. The burger is okay. The thunder road and chili burger are okay. The fries and onion rings are good. The desserts are always good. The day & night cheesecake and strawberry cake are wonderful. I know a lot of folks who just get desserts from Litton's. I think it's more of a Knoxville experience, rather than "The best burger in Knoxville" maybe "The best burger in North Knoxville" is more fitting.
(2)
Jamie M.
First I'll start with the dinner. I had the burger; they are very good. Not the absolute best in knoxville like some have claimed but good. For the same price you can get more intricate and better tasting burgers at stock and barrel. It also has a classic diner menu. The burger variety is limited. However, the best part about littons is the bakery. The options are plentiful and the cheesecake is the best I've had in knoxville (although I've yet to try magpies). The red velvet cake is moist and the icing is thick and not overly sweat. A slice, especially after a burger, is enough for two people. I wished I lived closer to littons, although I'm thankful I don't because I probably be 40 pounds heavier!
(5)
Julia H.
Littons is also a Knoxville staple. You can reserve the back room for parties so call ahead for that. You get a one pound hot dog for next to nothing. The burgers are too big to hold, and the deserts..... Well.... You better get in line. Seriously, I cannot rave enough about the Italian Cream Cake. You know you can buy a while one if you call a couple weeks ahead of time. It will cost You, but I promise it is worth every penny.
(3)
Mr B.
We had high expectations when we walked in. The place smells great. The burgers look great. The menu is a little pricey anyways, but by the time you add cheese and have onion rings, which were very good, to a burger, it costs $13. It is $8 for the burger, no sides or cheese. $1 to add cheese and $4 for onion rings, I'm guessing it's the half order. The full order of rings is $9. Like I said, the rings are great, but the burger wasn't seasoned and bland. Either the menu or the server should mention how steep the onion ring up charge is. After 2 burgers with cheese and rings, fish and chips (sub rings), a kids hot dog with fries, and 4 sodas the bill was $65 plus tip! I will however say the waitresses were very friendly and helpful, even if they weren't serving your table. $8 for a burger isn't outrageous as long as it a very good burger. Driving home, we had buyer's remorse thinking we could have went to a good steakhouse.
(2)
Robert L.
The overall experience was average compared to the hype. I had some burger that was supposed to have jalepenos on it, but instead it came out with a whole pepper...I mean, for the amount im paying for a burger, the chef couldn't cut the pepper for me? The food was overall ok, but not the best I've had which led me to feel it was overpriced. We probably won't be back.
(3)
Doug M.
solid burgers. Fresh real fries. Very good collard greens. Nice blue platte specials. Attentive, friendly service. It is a bakery so there are lots of pastries. Coconut cream pie was good. Those with peanut allergies need to be aware that the fries and baked goods are prepared with peanut oil. My uncle says the home made blue cheese salad dressing is great.
(3)
Naomi G.
Ok, so I've ordered the chicken salad sandwich to go. Staff was friendly while I waited,delivery was quick....and then the bill. $12 for a sandwich...yikes. It's a bigger than usual sandwich granted. But dang that's pricey.
(3)
J W.
Upon moving to Knoxville in 2007, many people told me to try the burger at Litton's. Finally, 2014, we had the opportunity to make the stop and see what this place was about. You would think with all of the people marking this place as 4 stars and commenting "AMAZING" or "Best Ever", we were in for a treat and gearing up to discover some hidden gem of a burger joint. Save yourself the time! I can easily say for all of the commentators announcing this place as the one of the greats are either lacking taste buds or have just been out to their first restaurant ever. Where to start: 1. The silly chalk board where you mark your name down in order to be seated. This may be enough to provide the place with character and charm for some, but is it really necessary. Not to mention the hostess who would have her duties distracted from handling customer seating to actually having to clean tables and sweep the areas. If this is the standard model for this place, no wonder during rush hours there is a wait. Hire a person to be responsible for table clearing and prep. 2. The menu is uninspired and limited. We were in a text chat with a friend recommending some dishes, actually a single dish to try. However, we were putting together our selection and planned on trying some items they were known for. 3. Now the food. I ordered the burger form the selection of 4, well five if you count the fact you can add cheese or bacon. I still count it as 4. To be known as a place to go for the burger, you would think these folks had taken the burger concept and amped it up to eleven. Not a chance, their big claim is adding peppers and/or pimento cheese to a burger and people flock to review this place as amazing and best burger ever. Really!!!??!!! Best burger ever???!!! Have you not tried Sam $ Andy's, Five-Guys, or even some of the local chains? I paid $11 dollars for a burger, which is billed as fresh in house Angus beef on a baked in store roll. I understand the concept of homemade, but to make a roll isn't a dark art or rocket science. It certainly didn't take the burger to the next level nor did it leave a lasting impression. The impression I got, "heck, this burger patty doesn't reach the edge of this big ol' roll". Topping consisted of a nice fresh tomato slice, onion and lettuce. The burger patty appeared to be of good quality meat, but there is nothing standing out to say it was hand formed. In fact, the size and shape reminded me of a Carl's/Hardees 1/3# patty. Once you put these items together, get ready to set it up with the amazing selection of condiments, I mean ketchup, mustard and mayo. Even the salt and pepper shakers where the local store, grind your own, thrown on the table. Again, 11 dollars for a burger that tasted absolutely no different than going to the local grocery and throwing down in the back yard. Oh, it did include fries and I thought maybe these would take up the slack from the burger let down. Alas, I was wrong. Fries are pretty much similar to those you would find at five-guys and that isn't a bad thing, but they still didn't elevate the experience one bit. In fact, they come out unsalted (I guess in an effort to cater to the denizens who claim this combo to be AMAZING and THE BEST's taste buds. Which must be of such a delicate nature to be triggered into high heaven by the blandness of the burger let down and non-seasoned food) I would like to stress that this was the worst burger I have ever had in Knoxville. In fact, I would even say this burger was the biggest let down I have had in the past 10 years. I pay $11 dollars for burgers in LA and they win without even a fight against this let down. I will stress again, do not buy into the locals hype about this being one of the best burgers-you have been warned. Oh, and the newspaper and magazine clippings on the wall extolling the virtues of the Litton burger, should be burned in a barrel out back. 4. Now for the chili dog, which a friend recommend over the burger, prior to our sitting down. Take a good sized hot dog, place on bun, layer with cole slaw, and then ladle down a mess of chili and you have the chili dog. I will not place fault with the hot dog because one would not be able to evaluate it without having to take into account the absolute layers of mush piled on this thing to make it look like the hotdog fantastic. The chili is nothing more than a paste of chili powder, beans and beef. Nothing more and nothing less. You can build a better experience by stopping in a Pilot store and paying $1.99 for a hot dog, going to Wendy's next door and putting a container of chili for $2.48 on top of it. You will walk away with something far better and not breaking the bank. 5. Onion rings. Now surely these could be the best as all of the other reviews on the site claim these to be the best they ever had. If in fact "best" means just like you can make at home; they hit the mark. 6. Total bill of $27.31
(1)
Warp T.
I am visiting Knoxville for business. Staying in a hotel in 3 miles from this restaurant. Checked in yelp and found this place. I ordered the LITTON THUNDER ROAD that is $12 (looks like the To Go menu's prices are different). Kelly was serving food for me.Hospitality was great. The environment is just okay. I think they could make it look more professional with a few small changes. For example, the light is too bright and that also white color. Fine restaurants never give you so much light. The food was really filling. No more space for desert. But a part of that fillingness was because that the food was too oily. It's about an hour from the time that I left the restaurant but still I feel the after taste of the burned oil on the burger and the fries. Anyway, I guess some people like that since they have a high rating in Yelp. I am giving 3 stars mostly because of hospitality. Otherwise I would give 2 for the food itself.
When you are craving a burger, this is the place to go. Homemade bun, double ground beef, caramelized onions, pimento cheese, and a baked jalapeño. We substituted collard greens for fries and my husband had a sweet potato. Good home cooking! Delicious! Hit the spot. I really value my food coming out hot....the collard greens were hot enough that I had to wait a minute for them to cool off for me to eat. Our waiter, Jeff, was friendly and nice. He gave fast and effective service. We stopped by on our way from myrtle beach to Louisville ky. It was 330 pm on a Saturday. We took our time and we were out of there within an hour. It's so good it's probably packed during the evening, so maybe call ahead?
(5)
Will C.
Went here for my birthday for the first time since I was 10. 11 years later and it is still an amazing restaurant. It has been in business since 1946 and they keep it simple and good, which many places over complicate their burgers. I got the Litton burger platter which comes with a mountain of fries (which are cooked in peanut oil). To top off a wonderful dinner, I ended up looking through their many desserts that are on display. Everything was delicious and I plan on coming back soon.
(5)
Keith H.
I'd heard the rave about this place and the food was a huge failure. I'd recommend over fast foid but it's not much better than Five Guys. The wait staff and atmosphere were great, just not the food; although I will go back to sample the desserts.
(3)
Shannon D.
If you have one meal to eat in Knoxville, Litton's should be it! Checking in at Litton's is a little different - instead of signing in with a hostess, you write your the name of your party and the number in it on the chalkboard. We have never gotten a bad meal here - EVER. The chicken salad is incredible (I prefer the bread toasted for my sandwich), and the hot dogs are enormous. I'm not a burger fan, but my husband risks a gout flare up for these burgers! The onion rings are great - just the right amount of batter and not greasy. Whatever you do, save room for dessert! The Italian cream cake is my favorite, and the coconut pie is my husband's. Whatever your choices, you just can't go wrong here.
(5)
Patrick S.
Killer Burgers and Desserts so always save room for dessert. Come here and get a burger then move on to something else because their burger will put most to shame. Coconut Cream Pie is out of control and their overall dessert selection is massive and looks more like a bakery when you walk in than a burger joint. Good Eats.
(5)
Greg S.
The main reason this is rated four out of five is for its uniqueness and local flavor. Don't get me wrong, the burgers are good and the cake is great. The main thing that gets me is the price point. $10-$12 is a bit hefty, and I'm not sure the burgers match the price. But, if money isn't an object, then this may be a great choice for you. Service has always been spectacular as well.
(4)
Jon V.
Great burger. I went with the "Thunder Road" which consists of a hefty burger topped with grilled onions and pimento cheese. What a mess, but what a burger. Really good. Maybe the most remarkable thing was it was actually cooked medium. Seems next to impossible to get a burger medium and a little pink inside, but they did it perfectly. Fries were my side and they were ok natural cuts. Everyone's food looked great. I wish I had room for dessert. Their array of cake looked amazing. For a burger and fries with ice tea they got $14 from me, but it was worth it. Would eat here again.
(4)
Christian S.
Food was good. Child's burger lacked flavor which was odd. The waiter offered cheese for our sons burger but didn't tell us it would cost us more...little deceptive. However he did help us save on the main entre.
(3)
Kevin N.
This is my favorite restaurant to visit in Knoxville. The food is always good and the portions are great. I never have room for desert, which is awesome by the way. Sometimes the wait can be long but it's worth it.
(5)
Monica S.
The burgers are where it's at but make sure to save room for the desserts. The amaretto cheesecake was our favorite with the Italian cream cake coming in a close 2nd. The shortcake is awesome and the coconut cream was good. We wished it had more of a crust. Clean and excellent service. A great vacation find thanks to Yelp.
(5)
John J.
Was not overly impressed on my first visit last fall, so we revisited on a warm, sunny spring afternoon last month. Again, not overly impressed. We each ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries. It took FOREVER, and I'm not using a 'fast-food' point of reference, here. 33 minutes for a burger to appear on an afternoon in which the floor is 1/3 full is simply not acceptable. Our servers attitude was less than impressive, as well. Our first inquiry regarding our order (at 15 minutes) was met with a "Hummpf!" and no additional response. No mention was made of our empty drink glasses, even when the food finally appeared. The burger, despite all the 'hype' was below average, with a somewhat stale, dark taste. The bun was mushy. The accompanying items (onions, lettuce, tomato) appeared to have been 'tossed' in the general direction of the bun. (Hey manager! One word: PRESENTATION!) The fries can be best described in one word: LIMP! We almost laughed when (after the first bite) our 'server' appeared with our check to inquire if we might want dessert! Politely, we declined. The only reason Litton's Market and Restaurant didn't rate a 1-star rating on my review is the wonderful atmosphere inside. Forget the dumpster by the side wall, forget the view of the back of the gas station, forget the wait for a table (even on a slow day), the atmo in this place is its ONE saving grace, however, you can't make a meal on 'atmo'!
(2)
moore t.
First time visit so I chose a simple original burger. Definitely huge in size--enough for two meals. save room for the coconut cream pie--
(4)
Marcy B.
Delicious!!! All three of us got a burger & fries & they were so yummy!! Desserts are amazing so save room!
(5)
Ellen F.
I get that some people don't want surprises and they look for the nearest chain restaurant , but for better or for worse my husband and I try to find local places. Thanks to the prior Yelp reviewers we landed at Litton's - and it was all that was promised. Can't say if it was the best burger in E. Tenn - but my husband said it was very good. (I don't eat beef.) My chicken salad sandwich on honey wheat bread was great. I asked for a half sandwich, which used to be on the menu (according to the Web) but isn't now - but our server graciously offered to let me order it. It was huge and more than one person should eat for lunch. Slaw was yummy too - just what you want your slaw to taste like - creamy and flavorful. Very friendly service and terrific food - what more could you ask! BUT - in fact - there is more. We ordered Key Lime pie to go - and it was amazing! Would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Jason K.
Best burger in Knoxville!
(5)
C-pher M.
I have to say, when someone says that such and such has the best Blue Cheese Dressing, I'm a little skeptical. But this place has some of the best Blue Cheese dressing I've ever had. I guess that they make it there on site...and I don't know what they do, but it's heavenly. So I had a salad before my burger. And this place was PACKED the first time that I went...so packed that I couldn't even eat there. So I went back for a late lunch and it was still PACKED. But I was lucky that there was a place at the bar...so I ate there. These burgers are out of control. They are juicy, tasty, and they are awesome! I can't wait to go back to Knoxville again sometime so I can get these amazing burgers and great blue cheese. And from talking to these people, they win the best burger in Knoxville every year. I can see why.
(4)
Bruce H.
Thunder Burger and fries, very tasty. Coconut cream pie is excellent. Fantastic service. Far better than any chain burger.
(5)
Jonathan P.
The hamburgers are huge!! The fries were very cut fresh and the cake was very rich. The only downfall I had is that it was a little too pricey, other than that this place is great to eat at.
(4)
Mary T.
One thing I enjoy about this place is that they have the old-fashioned coke machine up-front. It is tradition for me to get one, and you should too for that matter. You can give this place a shot. What I like: -All the desserts! Baby Jane (Delicious Strawberry Shortcake, usually only every other Saturday, Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet, Brownies, and Cookies! YUM! -Cheeseburger -Chili Dog -Grilled Chicken Salad -Onion Rings -French Fries - I like the soups for lunch! Check it out if you are in the area. For many Knoxvillians, it is a Knoxville tradition like it is in my family.
(4)
Channa P.
You know after hearing so much about this place I was really underwhelmed. People from Knoxville act like Litton's has burgers touched by angels, and maybe that was the case 15 years ago. All I have to say now is Meh... My thunderoad came with pimento cheese and onions. While it tasted fresh it didn't wow me. On the other hand the "Baby Jane" strawberry shortcake was freakin awesome! It was light and the perfect sweet flavor with fresh strawberries. It's the reason this review gets a three. I plan to head back to Litton's to try the more traditional bacon cheeseburger. If that's not great I'm done with the place. It's not enough of a wow to drive from west knoxville to fountain city.
(3)
Tara S.
This just isn't AS good as it once was. The onion rings are still (usually) awesome. THe burgers are still massive and pretty good, but not amazing as i recall them being. They seem greasier in a bad way. THe daily lunch specials can be pretty good, particularly the salmon patties. The sides are mediocre at lunch. The brownies are still amazing. If you need a fix, the best thing to do is order take-out and get the burger from the kids menu.
(3)
Katie C.
Best burger I've had in Knoxville! They have a wide selection of cheeses and sauces for the burgers, at least more than the typical sit-down joint. Unlike a lot of other reviewers, I'm not a huge fan of the french fries. I usually get my burger order to go at Litton's (to enjoy with my sister-in-law and her 2 year old son at home), and the fries are just too greasy. I prefer crispy fries. It's a little on the pricey side - about $25 for two to-go burger platters with no drinks. But it's nice for the occasional treat, and when I'm craving a good burger, this is where I go. I haven't tried much from the bakery, but the chocolate chunk cookies are DEEEELICIOUS! You would have to see these cookies to believe them. Thin layer of cookie with huge pieces of chocolate everywhere. It's a chocolate lover's (i.e. my) dream.
(4)
Melissa T.
Basically it's overpriced for their underwhelming burgers. Service is decent, seated quickly, nice server. The burgers sound more impressive on the menu than they actually are. Food takes a while to come out, even for being fresh made. In short it doesn't live up to the hype.
(2)
Eddie O.
My family ate there to celebrate my college graduation. I had heard great reviews from locals but it did not live up to its reputation. The iced tea was bland and watered down. I ordered charbroiled chicken with green beans and a baked potato. The chicken really lacked from seasoning. I ordered German chocolate cake for dessert. That was great and oddly served hot. I have honestly never heard of cake served warm.
(3)
Mike H.
This was one of my favorite restaurants in Knoxville. I always get the Thunderroad and onion rings. Their cakes are a good deal as well. One of the few places in k-town that always has a line.
(5)
Ben G.
First time -- great burger and we loved the fries too! Can't wait to come back to Knoxville.
(5)
Monica And J.
There was nothing special about this burger. No extra flavor or special style in the beef. If anything, they're just big burgers. Veggies were plain, buns were plain, fries were nothing to scream about. The onion rings were pretty good though. Best part about Litton's is that they have a HUGE selection of desserts. We ordered the snickers cheesecake and regretted each tasty bite. If you LOVE a good burger, this place is not necessary; but if you like a decent, big burger... yeah, I guess you'd want to check this place out.
(3)
Christy M.
Great place! Loved the look. Food was very good and service was pretty good. I got the chicken salad sandwhich and baked potato. The desserts looked amazing but got a little pricey.
(4)
Pat O.
Someone brought their F-plate to my table. I JUST got back from Littons and let me say, what a complete let down. I understand this is the landmark diner in Fountain City but it was meh. The food was a complete letdown. Waiting to be seated and waiting to eat took forever; I went after lunch to avoid the lunch line and didn't get served until an hour later. The menu is pretty limited: fried chicken, grilled chicken, burgers, and cakes. I wanted meatloaf but you can't get it unless its Thursday . So I ordered hamburger steak, sweet potato, and green beans. Basically what I got was a hamburger patty, a sweet potato I could have microwaved and green beans out of a can. Oh yeah, it was kinda expensive for the sub-par food I received. This was also my first and definitely my last time coming back. If you want expensive food you can make yourself, by all means eat at Littons. Pros: Great family atmosphere Nice desserts The fried batter for their onion rings is pretty delicious Cons: EVERYTHING
(1)
Helen C.
Love, love, love Litton's. It's a Fountain City landmark and rightfully so. Everything is fresh and delicious. My favorite is the Thunder Road burger, loaded with homemade pimento cheese and grilled onions. Be still, my heart... They make the hamburger buns in their bakery in-house, so no average store bought bread for their burgers! The fries are made fresh and you get a gigantic serving- yummy. And the onion rings...they are spectacular! The oysters are the best in town. If you are an oyster lover try their fried oysters. You will not be disappointed. Save room for dessert, because they are all made in house and they are yummy. My favorite is the coconut cream pie. Ahhh...now I want to go to Litton's!
(5)
Rony M.
The burgers are amazing. The place has character and history, and the staff is super friendly! I would recommend going for their cheeseburger and make sure you leave room for the Red Velvet cake!
(5)
Ronnie B.
Stopped at Litton's for lunch on our way through Knoxville last Monday. The burgers and fries were great. I think our servers name was Wendy and she was fantastic. I also got a piece of cake to go and it was great when I got home that night. I will go back every trip to or through Knoxville.
(5)
David G.
The italian creme cake at Littons is nice. Moist and sweet vanilla cake with bits of things inside, the icing is great. Very rich desserts!
(4)
Alfonso L.
You don't need this visiting Californian to tell you to visit this Knoxville landmark. The line out the door on this warm afternoon seemed to confirm this, and even the chalkboard where you're supposed to put your name for a table. I quickly made a beeline for the counter stool where I was greeted not just by the server, but by the diners there already hunkering down on the burgers. Ah, the burgers. It's practically all they make. OK --well, they have other things for sure but that's really where everyone's here. Ordered the burger platter --massively good, the patty really more than I could handle. I chose pepper jack as my cheese and even added the bacon --yeah, tasty, sloppy and elegant all at the same time. The fries were more than plentiful. All in all I realized why a visit to Knoxville had to include one to Litton's just to make things complete. Couldn't leave without some dessert. Try looking at the enormous display case and all those slices of cake and pies. It's a way to remind you to partake before you leave. Today it was the strawberry cake that I craved. What an incredible cake! Dense and moist and packed with strawberries baked into the cake. Whoa! The cream cheese frosting that was like a wall of flavor as I carefully at the cake parts. For $5.49 it may be a tad overpriced but this, like the other cakes --chocolate, German chocolate, neopolitan, was perfection. And guess what? For $50 you can have the entire cake to go! Best part of the experience: feeling extremely well served with some of the nicest servers. I had like a team of servers that were checking on me, refilling my sweet tea, asking me how everything was. Such hospitality --and one thing this place gets absolutely right.
(5)
Burrito M.
Litton's serves good simple food which hits the spot. It definitely seemed like things were made from scratch. I ordered the burger, they serve it medium well by default which was a little overcooked, under-seasoned and dry for my taste - I would order medium next time, S.B. ordered the fried fish burger, the thinly sliced fish was coated in a thin cornmeal crust. The best part of both dishes were the home made bun, very soft and yummy. We both gobbled down our burgers in a flash. The desserts sounded compelling, but I didn't like how they were pre-cut each portion and wrapped it in plastic wrap, this made them look old and unappetizing. As a result, we skipped dessert. They had a baby jane cake which looked like a strawberry shortcake, could have been really good if not for the presentation. Our waitress was busy and no nonsense, we were told we'd have to wait 20 minutes for a table, but only ended up waiting 5 minutes. So the service was decent, but not earth shatteringly good. I love supporting local joints, so I would come back in the future.
(3)
Mark M.
its ok doesn't live up to the hype
(4)
Jennifer D.
One of our all time favorite restaurants! Everything about Litton's is great, the food, the baked goods, the atmosphere, the service. Favorite items: burgers, fries, chicken salad, lemon cookies.
(5)
Alicia J.
In short: - I didn't quite like the burger - The atmosphere is great - The service was even better It's a big, homely place with different types of seats, and I am pretty sure I would come here again if we come back to Knoxville. We walked in through the back door and two people on the way were kind enough to show us the way to the front. The amazing service didn't stop here. We were quite dehydrated and had a rather sore throat; but no matter how fast we gulped down our drinks, Eddie was right there for a refill. In every possible manner, service was fast, competent and extraordinarily friendly even by the standards of "better" places. He even noticed we were about to be out of butter and went to get us more. We had a burger platter with soup (a wonderfully rich tomato soup with sour cream and some parsley added into it) and a thunder bolt burger with fries. The soup was very good and came with cornbread; the fries were hand-cut and not the crispiest, but perfectly to my tastes. I just love fries where the potato peels were left on. However, the burgers were just not that great, despite being carefully made with nicely butter-toasted buns. Taste-wise I would have given it a 3 - at medium well, this burger felt overcooked and unfortunately not particularly juicy. Although the beef looked like it was high quality, it was just not cooked well. From the decor of the place and the huge number of framed old newspaper articles on the walls, we learned that Litton's is quite an institution in Knoxville, and a beloved one at that. But since the burger itself was a disappointment for the high expectations we had, this is a 4-star where the food gets 2.5 stars while the service gets something like 6.
(4)
Walker S.
If you are in Knoxville for any reason, you absolutely MUST go to Litton's. Litton's has hands down the best burger you will EVER eat. Instead of ground chuck like most burger places use, Litton's uses bits from left over sirloins and filets to make their burgers and the taste really shows. You will be shocked and amazed at their burgers and freshly made burger buns. Try the onion rings, they are some of the best I've ever had! Great friendly service (although you may have to wait 20-25 mins on a table during the dinner rush) that never left my drink empty. It's an absolute must, GO GO GO!!!!
(5)
Chuck C.
I hate this place and can't keep saying enough bad things. People follow each other like cows to the slaughter. The price keeps going higher. Just try a Hardes thick burger once. It is so much better and you can fill up your tank with the difference. And you aren't blindly following the crowd. It's such a joke I can't even tell you how much.
(1)
Amy H.
Based on Litton's established history and reputation, perhaps I expected too much. The food was disappointing, to say the least. Sad to say I've had better burgers at Hardee's. The meat was dry and bland and not cooked properly (and COLD). The fries were cold and the onion rings limp and mushy. And what is the big deal about the red velvet cake? I was told before I went that I HAD to get the red velvet cake. It was mediocre at best. Not very flavorful cake with too much overly sweet frosting. Unfortunately, the staff was also very unprofessional. We were pretty much ignored when we first came in. I say "pretty much" because a young woman near the hostess stand looked at us, then walked away without a word. We waited several minutes to be seated, even though it wasn't crowded and there were plenty of empty tables. Our food was cold, probably due to it taking nearly a half an hour to reach us. NO refills on my water, even though the waitress walked past our table several times. She never asked us how everything was or if we needed anything. I tried to flag her down and eventually had to get up and go to the hostess stand to ask for service. It was my first and last visit to Litton's. Definitely NOT worth driving all the way to Fountain City.
(2)
Erin B.
It can not be said enough that Knoxville, TN is lacking good, local Mom & Pop-type establishments. For some incomprehensible reason, folks here crave and rely on national chains to satiate their restaurant cravings. Litton's is one of the few local gems that Knoxville can lay claim to. They do burgers. They do desserts. I'm sure they do some other things, as well--but for my money, if you want a cheeseburger and/or a fabulous dessert, Litton's is the ONLY place to go. The decor is nothing to write home about--it is comfortable and casual--and the vibe is busy. They are rarely slow, but the wait is usually less than 15 minutes for a table (at their busy times.) The service is fine--just what it should be a diner-type place. The staff are attentive, but not overbearing. Do yourself a favor--get the burger with blue cheese & bacon. Order it medium-rare (I believe they do grind their meat on-site). Put a little mayo on the top, forgo the lettuce & tomato and enjoy as the substantial, yet soft roll gives way to the perfectly seasoned meat. Don't bother finding a napkin to catch the juice as it runs down your forearms--try to catch it in your mouth. There was no room for dessert (well, I could have actually had another burger AND some dessert, but I try to be a lady in public) so we grabbed some red velvet cake slices to-go. They were exactly as they should be: delicate, flavorful cake topped with sweet-tangy, fluffy cream cheese frosting. It's a good thing I don't live around the corner from them anymore--a 20-minute drive through heavy traffic is enough to prevent me from giving in to every burger craving that crops up.
(5)
Josh C.
When you think about going somewhere to get a fantastic burger normally tasty bakery treats are not in the equations. I had been in san diego for the past 5 years so I was missing the burger bakery! Its tough to find a better burger in east Tennessee. I highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a burger and whatever fresh treat they have in the bakery!
(5)
Michelle V.
I love Litton's! This place embodies most everything I have loved about discovering food in the South, plus some extras. A great local joint that is not only a restaurant, but also butchers its own meat. How can you go wrong with a place that knows its meats so intimately? The bacon cheeseburger was excellent, nicely cooked with good quality bacon, and came with a large serving of tasty, crispy fries. I am picky about fries, and these were good. The fish sandwich came with a gigantic piece of fish, really fresh lettuce and tomato, and homemade tartar sauce. The buns were wonderful, fluffy, buttery rolls baked in-house. The onion rings weren't battered to an inch of their lives, and they stayed crispy. The servings were huge. I really wish I had discovered Litton's on an earlier visit to Knoxville, I definitely would have returned more often. I can say that the cupcakes were a bit of a disappointment (would have gotten cake slices, but cupcakes proved easier to transport on the plane) - the red velvet was not as good as it was at Big Fatty's, and the chocolate wasn't very chocolatey. But for dinner, I would definitely love to go back. Ah, one day.
(5)
Lashona M.
This place has been in business since the late 1940s! When you walk in, there is a chalkboard that you sign in on before begin seated by a hostess. Excellent, super huge burgers, supersized salads that can carry you all day long and the desserts I hear are to die for. Unfortunately, I didn't have dessert because I didn't have room but all are homemade. You must try the blue chesse dip or dressing even if you don't normally like it. It doesn't taste like your ordinary blue cheese sauce. It's great on the burgers too! Simply awesome!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
There are people in town who just love Litton's and talk about it like its an institution (or maybe its just old?). I've been there a few times over the years and I honestly think its severely overrated. Sorry, I generally like to leave positive reviews, but there are so many other good choices in town to eat at that are way better.
(1)
Aaron J.
I could write a 7 page essay on this place, but I'm going to keep this very simple. This place has the best burgers, onion rings, and desserts I have ever had ANYWHERE. If you have not been here, then go immediately. You will not regret it.
(5)
Joey D.
This place is a Knoxville staple. I publicly berate any Knoxvillian that hasn't visited Litton's. The burgers are absolutely on point and for Christmas one year I bought an Italian cream cake and passed it off as my own. As long as I could at least. Te- he.
(5)
Tiffany B.
I have mixed feelings about Litton's. To sum it up: good food, high prices, few choices. The only thing I have ever eaten at Litton's is the chicken salad sandwich. I don't plan on trying anything else. The chicken salad couldn't be better. It is the kind that is a little sweet, which I love. The chicken is good quality. I have never once gotten some weird rubbery piece of fat in a bite of one of their sandwiches. For me, one bite like that ruins the whole meal. Weird pieces in chicken salad is fairly commonplace, so I am impressed. The chicken salad comes on toasted homemade over-sized honey wheat bread and comes with one side for $9. It seems a little steep, but when I think about it, half of one of their sandwiches is about the size of a whole one on normal bread. Also, they layer on the chicken salad fairly thick. If it wasn't $9 a pop, I would probably eat their chicken salad 4 times a week. Their desserts are pretty good, too, but a little overpriced. Everyone goes on and on about their delicious giant hamburgers...Okay they aren't THAT big...when people say giant, I think of the 1-2 pound hubcap burgers. These are not like that. They seem about the same size as the burgers you see in steakhouses. I haven't tried the burgers, but everyone I know loves them. They do have a limited menu, but it shouldn't be a problem if you are into burgers or chicken salad.
(4)
Kelly M.
Wow! Really good! The wait is a bit long but it is worth it., it is a sign of a good restaurant. The food was really good and the service was wonderful! Everything is homemade and made in house. Family owned and well worth the drive to Fountain City.
(5)
John S.
Litton's is probably the best burger joint in Knoxville. They are big and juicy. Be careful of when you go. You'll be waiting a long time if you go on a Friday or Saturday night. We've even gone on a Wednesday night and had to wait to be seated. Best advice. When you get there, have someone jump out of the car and write your name on the chalkboard while the driver parks the car. It'll save you like 4-5 spots on the chalkboard.
(5)
Matt J.
I've been to Littons 4 times in the past 3 years. The food has progressively gotten worse. The first burger I got there was amazing, seasoned and cooked perfectly and for a decent price. The last burger I got was flavorless, lukewarm, and cost me over $17 for the whole meal including bacon and cheese add-ons and a sweet tea. In addition to the burger, on a seperate ticket, I ordered a red velvet cake that was so dry it crumbled when I tried to cut it with my fork. The service is always good but lately food is very mediocre and expensive.
(2)
Bob F.
The burgers and fries are good but rather pricey. The Knoxville area seems to be a seller's market for restaurants, especially compared to larger metro areas and small towns.
(2)
Robert M.
Good beef. Little pricy.
(4)
T C.
Best Blue Cheese dressing in town!
(5)
Jon C.
If you're searching around Knoxville for a burger, there are plenty of places that would be glad to make you one. For instance, you can head to the Roaming Gnome on the strip (Cumberland Ave.) and grab yourself one of about 20 different burgers on their menu (personally, I'm a fan of the Fried Mozz burger, but that's another review). You can go over to the Old College Inn and have a burger on an English muffin. But if you're looking for the quintessential burger, a burger that defines what a burger should be, look no more than Litton's in Fountain City. As for the beef, most (if not, all) of the beef comes from the good ole ribeye steak that they butcher in house and prepare fresh every day. How about the buns that hold these fantastic pieces of meat? They also make those in house as well as some other baked goods (cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake, and the list goes on). What else makes this the quintessential burger? If you order the original burger, you only get two choices. Do you want cheese? Do you want bacon? That's all you need to ask when you have a burger that has a high quality of meat, such as this burger. If you start piling on a ton of toppings, you barely get to taste the beef. Then you need to ask yourself is this a burger or not. However, they offer a chili burger and the Thunder Road burger (Pimento cheese, sauteed onions, and jalepeño) if you're stubborn on going outside of the bacon and cheese box. Fresh cut fries make this symphony complete, but I would have liked these fries to be a little crispier. They're the kind of fries that could use some malt vinegar; it's very similar to boardwalk fries that you would have in Ocean City, MD. If burgers are not your thing, they also offer steak, fish, salads, etc. to round out the menu. The first time I went there, I bought some ribeye steaks and prepared them on my cast iron skillet at home. And the steaks were to die for! Next time, I'm planning on getting some NY Strip. So if you're looking for burgers the way they should be or another dish that reminds you of a good old-fashioned American meal, go to Litton's NOW.
(5)
Brad H.
Growing up just north of Fountain City, we had to travel over and down the ridge to get a decent, sit-down meal. There were only 3 places to go, as I recall. Louis' Restaurant for Italian, the Western Sizzlin' for steak and salad, and Litton's for burgers...the best burgers + fries + onion rings + desserts. Only one of these 3 originals still stands today. Barry Litton and his team and family keep the great platters coming. Everyday is a different home-cooked special. Real southern cuisine. Always delicious and way more than burgers. But...those burgers...no more all-American platter than Litton's burger platter with fries and a side of onion rings. Oh, and the extreme hospitality of the staff matches the talent in the kitchen. It just feels like home with every visit, every plate full of love, and with a current copy of the Halls Shopper to catch up on local gossip over lunch. May all the Litton's keep this destination cooking for decades to come!
(4)
Amanda M.
Best Burgers in town!!!! Desserts are to die for!!! We go here at least 2 times a month it's absolutely delicious!!! staff is always extremely nice and everything is always out quick and yummy!
(5)
Chad R.
The sign outside said "best hamburgers and desserts" Okay that is a challenge. Can Litton's have the best hamburgers I have ever eaten?? The answer yes and no. The best hamburger ever...no. The best hamburger in Knoxville..yes. The hamburger basket came it at 8.99 not bad price wise. I had the fries. Typical coney island type fries done with peanut oil. No salt. Not impressed with the french fries...however! My wife had the onion rings listen up folks..THE BEST onion rings I have ever had. Yummy get a side order for 2.75 more with your burger and trust me you will be happy. I will be returning on Thursday because I am still on the quest for a great homemade pie. Pull into Fountain City (north on broadway from Knoxville) and have a burger! :)
(4)
paul s.
I visited the restaurant yesterday with Holly Moore which is a very famous food writer. I was embarassed. Holly has visited thousands of restaurants across the USA Holly ordered their blue plate special which was fried chicken breast. It was dry and had been obviously cooked previously before our arrival as it appeared that it had been setting under a heat lamp and also it was delivered with minutes after our order?? Go figure. His coconet pie was way oversweet and he took one bite and refused to go further. He did not go further with his meal.. His greens were very good and the casserole was good and the gravy was runny and just like wallpaper paste. I had a half of a chicken salad sandwich with salad. The chicken salad was way over sweet and the salad was just OK. Litton's is sailing on yesterdays wind. Holly indicated that before he gave a negative review on his webside, he would try the burger. I wish them luck. Litton's is not what it use to be. hollyeats.com Paul E. Smith Knoxville, TN
(2)
R B.
Another good meal. Littons is an area institution, known primarily for their OMG big hamburgers. Delish. We went for Saturday lunch. Only complaint was the service was a little too earnest. They had just sat down soup when the meals arrived. Wham-bam, please pay your bill, ma'am.
(4)
Audrey M.
On our way to louisiana, we stopped here for lunch. Hoping for an interesting place to yelp, i made my crew stop at a local place for lunch. Im so glad I did! This place embodies everything good about the south, and was absolutely delicious. The food was absolutely delicious and came in very hearty portions- i had half of it for dinner later that night. Its definitely a local stop, as the waiter, Ed, stopped by our table after we ordered saying he didnt recognize us and asked us friendly questions about where we were from. All of the staff was very friendly, and even gave us extra rolls for the trip, no charge. Just pass all of the crappy fast food joints, and youll find a good friendly restaurant right off of the interstate
(5)
Matt H.
These are some of the best burgers and fries money can buy anywhere. Portions are a bit on the large side and burgers tend to come out on the well-done side of your request, but it doesn't matter because the taste and texture are fantastic.
(5)
Ashley H.
My friends who live in/grew up in other cities think I'm absolutely crazy when I say this, but Litton's serves some if the best burgers I have ever had in my life. They use fresh ingredients (fresh ground beef, veggies, and fresh baked bread), cook the burger just like you want it, and have great fries and onion rings to go with that fantastic burger (especially if you an get them hot out the fryer). I have had one other thing here and that was their massive chili dog, which I'll never get again, only because they put beans in their chili and I'm from the North Carolina mindset in terms of chili (it should be sans beans if it's going on a burger or hot dog, with some extra cole slaw on the side). The desserts are okay; they are usually too sweet for me. So my 5-star review is based in the burgers and the incredible staff, who always lay on the Tennessee charm--makes me feel right at home. If you're passing through Knoxville or have a taste for a good burger that will not disappoint, Litton's is always worth the trip out to Fountain City.
(5)
wright k.
The grilled chicken sandwich is outstanding, and the burgers are great. A side of fries is enormous (and delicious). Service is always great- plenty of refills for our drinks, which always makes me happy. And every dessert we've tried has been wonderful, the Italian Creme Cake in particular is ridiculously good.
(4)
Charlie S.
Where do I begin. Litton's is a quaint little burger joint nestled in Fountain City, located just outside of downtown Knoxville. Upon entering the doorway I was filled with the feeling that Litton's had history and that some of the older people had dined there sense they were 5. The atmosphere was laid back and the design was rustic, which only fueled my curiosity for their food. After getting settled in and pondering what to order for 10 minutes I finally decided to order the "thunder road." The "thunder road," is one of their specialty burgers consisting of a burger topped with jalapeno's, pimento cheese, and grilled onions. The combination of the ingredients and an ice cold beer had my mind curiously imagining what the first bite would be like. When the food arrived it looked like any ol' burger w/ fries presentation from the 60's, but the aroma was like little angel kisses telling you that your stomach is gonna love you for the next week. After the first bite I knew I had found a new place to go when I was in the mood for a burger and beer. The service was good, the food simply amazing, but the one thing holding me back a 5 rating was the price. I know most people will shell out a couple extra bucks for a burger cooked just right, but how much is too much? My order consisted of a burger, fries, and a beer.... the tab consisted of $17 bucko's plus tip for a burger and beer, which might not be a big deal to some but for me is. I know I can go down the street to Copper Cellar on wed. and get a blue burger close in taste for less than $10 with tip. The food is good, but if your going on a date your looking at $40 easy, unless your on the liquid diet. Just a little food for thought. Definitely give it a try...
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : Yes
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
Ronald F.
Great food, but the gluten-free buns for the burgers are not the best (seemed to be corn-based). Still, we love the fresh meat selection there. Awesome Thunder Road burger.
(4)Logan F.
Fantastic food and great service. The wait can be long at times, but it is well worth the wait. (Try and save room for dessert. Doesn't matter which one, they are all good!)
(5)Melissa A.
Delicious burgers and onion rings. Did not have enough room for gigantic slices of cakes... But they looked yummy!
(5)Lauren B.
I have had this argument more than I care to remember: while Litton's is in no way the be all end all of cheeseburgers- it is a DANG GOOD burger! It has a huge bun and a pretty solid patty. This is the sort of burger you want to grace with the holy trinity (ketchup, mustard, mayo), lettuce, onion and a piece of cheddar cheese. I refuse to compare it to other burger restaurants around because it's just not the same - less adventurous but still tasty. The fries and onion rings are always fresh. I have had some pretty great desserts- night&day cheesecake and the strawberry cake are worth trying.
(4)Mark W.
Michael Stern Roadfood spot! Very Solid Burgers! Get the pimento cheese on your burger....Onion Rings are top notch, top notch! Massive Portions! Lighteaters should split... Desser was also worth the trip!
(3)Cub F.
Excellent! The burger was perfectly cooked to my specifications. Onion rings and fries are very good and not overly greasy. Leave room for dessert. A lot of cakes, cheese cakes, cookies and brownies to choose from. I was impressed and will be back.
(5)Josh S.
The burger was ok, nothing special to write home about. I went here because a local recommended it to my wife and I. My wife, who doesn't eat much, asked if she could order the children's burger. Our waitress rudely said NO. I understood that but then the rudeness and extra charges for stupid stuff started. Cheese is $1 extra, if you like honey mustard with your burger, it's $.75 extra. Onion rings? $2 upcharge. This place would be so much better if the staff would just fill people in about the extra charges before you get your bill. My bill came to $25 for two burgers with water! I'm ticked off I even ate here.
(1)Mandy J.
Every time I have come to this restaurant I have been impressed with the food! I always order a burger with smoked cheddar cheese done medium, and every time it is perfectly cooked and tastes delicious! It is my favorite burger place by far. And to top it off you cannot beat their prices!!
(5)Kevin C.
The burger was good, but not life changing. The onion rings were solid and the key lime pie needed to be more limey. Overall I don't think it's worth the price. A burger, side, and dessert is running you $25 at a diner.
(3)Hannah N.
I always get the fried chicken or bacon cheese burger. The lemon cookies are just like the ones grandma use to make! They also have a small bar in the back. Oh, and don't forget to write your name on the chalk board that's the wait list!
(5)Anthony C.
One of the Best damn burgers you'll ever put in your mouth! And trust me I've had my share of burgers stuffed into my face across the nation :p. I had the thunder road topped w PIMENTO CHEESE and a pound of delicious grilled onions which all just melts into your mouth. I usually have to have some sort of sauce or fried egg on my burgers recently but not this one. 2 toppings and I'm set in burger nirvana!
(5)Jones B.
This is my first time to Litton's. Great burger but they forgot to put bacon on my burger and then brought me out some to put on it when I asked about it....not the best service. However I'm giving it a 4 star because the burger was great and the backed goods where fantastic. The coconut cream pie and red velvet cake...so good!
(4)Jon D.
Litton's is great, every time. If you haven't been you have to try a burger but if you want something different go for the Road Runner. It's a chicken sandwich with grilled onions and cheese. Best thing on the menu, and the best kept secret. Onion rings are amazing. Cakes are amazing too but the prices are a little high. Going with the family could easily cost you $85 or more, especially if you order cokes and a dessert or two. Great food, even of a little overpriced.
(4)Melanie W.
So we stop here for lunch on our way to Knoxville TN since it had such great reviews. We were greeted promptly, server was very friendly and fast. We ordered the burger platter (burger and fries) and the burger was juicy buns were soft. But in my personal opinion there was nothing out of the ordinary, I honestly could've went to another burger place for the same burger at a cheaper price.
(2)Jordan K.
This is what Burgers are supposed to be! If you can finish the giant 10 inch delight, the desert counter will knock your socks off. Stuffed with pies and cookies and the best red velvet cake you will ever put in your body. The daily specials are always a bargain and large portions. Do not miss this while in Knoxville.
(5)Tommy M.
There is no better burger joint in Tennessee there is just something relaxing about the 50's to early 70's vibe in the place and oh yeah did I mention the burgers :p but not only do they serve some of the best burgers there desserts and other dishes are to die for.
(5)Viva C.
We always make a point to stop here whenever we are in Knoxville. Amazing burgers and the best strawberry shortcake dessert EVER. The Baby Jane shortcakes are only made every other weekend though. I think if you check their site they have a posted calendar of shortcake availability. Great giant cookies and other desserts too.
(4)Hunter T.
I love this place so so much. They have the best burgers. They make their own buns as well! I usually get the Thunder Road burger (burger covered with pimento cheese, caramelized onions, and a jalapeño). They have a wide variety of tasty desserts as well. I usually leave with a couple packs of cookies. We try to stop here to eat about every time we go to see the vols play! It's a great gameday stop, but be sure to leave yourself plenty of time, because it will most likely be busy!
(5)Bobby Y.
Apparently known for burgers, but mine was boring, and bland. Then the server stiffed me on my request for silverware so I could cut it in half. Their hand cut fries were very tasty, a redeeming menu addition that saved me from the uninspiring burger. They have this orange-sicle cake that's out of this world delicious.
(3)Israel G.
I'm sure that this place was pretty good but it was a miss when I went. I liked how you write your name on the board for the wait to be seated. We had a party of 10 and it took about 20 min to be seated. We went on a Wednesday around 2pm. It took another 15 min before we even placed out order. My daughter had a happy meal box because she brought her toy in and one of the workers told us we couldn't have it and he would be happy to throw it away. I told him I would rather take it to my car so I though that was pretty rude. We were on a time limit and with the wait to be seated, and waiting for someone to take our order taking 35min and another 15-20 min to get our food we ended up just getting to go boxes and took our food to go. Food was okay, would have been better to eat there but definitely plan on spending at least 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours there.
(2)Corey S.
Literally the worst burger I've ever had. Not only did the patty appear frozen, it had absolutely no flavor. I ordered a chili burger which was supposed to have jalapeños on it, and it came bare with cheese, a side of chili, and a single whole jalapeño like they expected me to cut it and place it on my burger. My mother has been coming to this place for over 50 years, and even she said that the patties seemed frozen. All three of us ended up sending our food back, and the waitress didn't even offer to adjust our ticket. P.S. In order for people to really grasp just how horrible our experience was, this review was written in a Sonic Drive through.
(1)Shelly S.
Ok......so, after waiting so long for a table, when we got our food, the burgers were VERY bland and had NO FLAVOR.......our fries and Oinion rings were OVER COOKED and tasted BURNT .....YUK!!! Very disappointed after reading all the good reviews, but then i see others now have experienced the same thing we did. Will not go back thats for sure
(1)Andy S.
While visiting Knoxville, I was given a suggestion to try this place, so I did, and I'm glad I did. They had a wait, but we were given the option to sit at the bar (not a drink bar) with no waiting, so we did. At the bar, you had a view of the kitchen, so you could see items being prepared. The server was super friendly. We had the blue plate special, so there was little waiting. This particular day was meat loaf and two sides with roll or cornbread. For my sides, I had the greens and the mac n' cheese with the corn bread. Everything was fresh. The greens were definitely fresh and not from a can, like so many places serve. The mac n' cheese was creamy and topped with extra cheese. The cornbread was homemade. The meatloaf was also delicious topped with a little ketchup and plenty of brown gravy. The food was delicious, fresh, and homemade. The price for the plate lunch was $11, which is fair for the quality. We didn't eat dessert, because we were stuffed. However, their desserts are on display, so we drooled while looking at them on the way out. At first I thought the desserts were too expensive ($6 or more). However, the slices of cake were huge (easily enough for 2 or maybe even 3 people). If you need a quality plate lunch, this is the place to go in Knoxville.
(5)Sara A.
This place is known for its burgers and deserts for good reason- both are excellent. I have eaten here multiple times over the 2+years I've lived in Knoxville, most recently this past week with my aunt and uncle who gave the burgers and onion rings two thumbs up. Atmosphere: casual. You write your name and number in your party in a chalkboard when you walk in. You can also specify a booth or table, but this may make your wait longer but you get what you want! There is a tv to entertain while you wait and a large display of their mouth-watering deserts to feast your eyes on while you wait hungry, mouth watering. Food: it's all been home cooked and good in my experience. Burgers are the best here and onion rings homemade. It's my staple dish here but I also like the grilled chicken sandwich. You get really good burgers here, high quality (not frozen) meat. But this is not the linen napkin 5 star Michelin type restaurant. This is a paper napkin finger lickin' type restaurant. Good solid food though. Burgers rock (the traditional ones- I don't care for the pimento cheese one). Dessert: loosen up a belt notch because it's so hard to choose. So many options here I always want to ask for a sampler platter ;-) Everything I've had has been good- cakes, pies, cookies, cheesecake (can you tell I've visited only a few times?). I had the Baby Jane this week which is their version of strawberry shortcake. Delicious! Had a pound cake cake base and some type of rum filling. Yum yum. My uncle had the orange and white cake which was like a creamsicle flavor and was also delicious. Service has always been great every time I have visited- fast, efficient, friendly, and they've always kept my drink glass filled. They now serve beer! Highly recommended!
(4)Adam L.
Above average overpriced food. Can't really complain about anything but the price. The burgers are good, so are the desserts, but this would not be my first choice for a dinner out. Every time I've ever been I've always come away regretting how much I spent. Also I've been involved with a number of functions who've been looking for a place to hold a meeting and they've been completely unaccommodating. You can get a much better burger at "The Other One" in Oak Ridge, if you're on the hunt for a great burger that is.
(2)Zachary W.
I try to limit my reviews to local establishments, but this place gets an exception. Wife suggested we try this place after our plane got in. There was a lunch crowd and I think we had to wait about 30 minutes before we were seated...but the wait was well worth it. I'm also not one to buy into hype surrounding a menu item, but once again, this place gets an exception. The Thunderoad was worth the wait and lives up to the hype. A burger with pimento cheese, fries and a whole pickled jalapeno. The waiter tried to suggest getting the burger cooked medium well, I opted for medium-rare, but it still came out medium well. I was a bit disappointed, but really didn't need to be. They are obviously meat artists back there and the burger was still juicy and delicious. The pimento cheese is plentiful and you need that jalapeno, taking little bites as you go along, to help cut the fattiness. Fries, always an after thought in my mind, were cooked perfectly here as well. Service was quick and friendly. Worth the trip.
(5)T J.
Been eating here for over 40 years. So disappointed. I have out of town guests and have been raving about littons forever so taking them there told him that littons had the best burgers that I've ever had. But now after ordering their burgers they came to the table looking like a Bubba Burger flat and tasteless, not their usual juicy fresh meat. I asked the waitress if the the diner was using different meat and she stated "not to my knowledge". My guests and I sent back the burgers back without eating them after taking a bite. Horrible horrible. It was obvious they were frozen fake burgers not the usual fresh meat Even after sending back we were never offered to have it made right, remove from the dinner check or any apologies. So I paid $75 for three cheeseburgers none of us ate. I doubt I'll be returning there anytime soon. Very disappointed
(1)David C.
Ever since moving here three years ago, I have wanted to dine at Litton's. Today worked out and so I gave it a try. The parking lot was packed which is always a good sign and so I expected a wait, but when I walked inside, it was a hoppin', but there were plenty of tables available. This is a nice retro-feeling diner, long-time-established atmosphere, where the waitresses wear black uniforms with pink ribbons in their hair. The kitchen is a long galley kitchen that opens up to the lunch counter. The menu is simple yet loaded with plenty of yummy looking options. Today's special was a chicken and mashed potato with gravy dinner, but I've been dying to try their hamburgers because they do have a reputation in K-town. I had the Thunder Road which is a burger topped with pimento cheese and grilled onions, accompanied by a jalapeno pepper. As a side, I up-ordered to get their famous onion rings. All burgers are served medium unless otherwise ordered. I decided to order it medium. The burger was meaty but a little too cooked (there was no hint of pink) and the pimento cheese and onions on top were delicious! The onion rings lived up to their expectation and were so plentiful, I had to take half of them as a to go option. My waitress was very friendly and kept my diet Coke filled. Definitely worth a repeat visit.
(3)Zach W.
Man....I really struggled with this review. I wanted to give Litton's three stars. I REALLY did! ...but I can't. I finally figured out why. I think i've cracked it. Let me start by saying this; Litton's is a Knoxville staple. Litton's is an institution. It's been around for a LONG, LONG time. Generations have been eating here, my family included. After a football game, you're LUCKY if you can even get into the parking lot! Budweiser on draft, onion rings and a Litton's burger are the bricks that Fountain City was built on. In the 80's and 90's you really couldn't get a better burger in Knoxville. A lot of things have changed. If you get around town, you know there are a ton of places now to get a great/better burger for half the price. Some people still swear it's the best in town. If I want a burger, I typically do not go here. If I'm with a group from out of town or it's after a game or something, I'll go. It's not awful. The burger is okay. The thunder road and chili burger are okay. The fries and onion rings are good. The desserts are always good. The day & night cheesecake and strawberry cake are wonderful. I know a lot of folks who just get desserts from Litton's. I think it's more of a Knoxville experience, rather than "The best burger in Knoxville" maybe "The best burger in North Knoxville" is more fitting.
(2)Jamie M.
First I'll start with the dinner. I had the burger; they are very good. Not the absolute best in knoxville like some have claimed but good. For the same price you can get more intricate and better tasting burgers at stock and barrel. It also has a classic diner menu. The burger variety is limited. However, the best part about littons is the bakery. The options are plentiful and the cheesecake is the best I've had in knoxville (although I've yet to try magpies). The red velvet cake is moist and the icing is thick and not overly sweat. A slice, especially after a burger, is enough for two people. I wished I lived closer to littons, although I'm thankful I don't because I probably be 40 pounds heavier!
(5)Julia H.
Littons is also a Knoxville staple. You can reserve the back room for parties so call ahead for that. You get a one pound hot dog for next to nothing. The burgers are too big to hold, and the deserts..... Well.... You better get in line. Seriously, I cannot rave enough about the Italian Cream Cake. You know you can buy a while one if you call a couple weeks ahead of time. It will cost You, but I promise it is worth every penny.
(3)Mr B.
We had high expectations when we walked in. The place smells great. The burgers look great. The menu is a little pricey anyways, but by the time you add cheese and have onion rings, which were very good, to a burger, it costs $13. It is $8 for the burger, no sides or cheese. $1 to add cheese and $4 for onion rings, I'm guessing it's the half order. The full order of rings is $9. Like I said, the rings are great, but the burger wasn't seasoned and bland. Either the menu or the server should mention how steep the onion ring up charge is. After 2 burgers with cheese and rings, fish and chips (sub rings), a kids hot dog with fries, and 4 sodas the bill was $65 plus tip! I will however say the waitresses were very friendly and helpful, even if they weren't serving your table. $8 for a burger isn't outrageous as long as it a very good burger. Driving home, we had buyer's remorse thinking we could have went to a good steakhouse.
(2)Robert L.
The overall experience was average compared to the hype. I had some burger that was supposed to have jalepenos on it, but instead it came out with a whole pepper...I mean, for the amount im paying for a burger, the chef couldn't cut the pepper for me? The food was overall ok, but not the best I've had which led me to feel it was overpriced. We probably won't be back.
(3)Doug M.
solid burgers. Fresh real fries. Very good collard greens. Nice blue platte specials. Attentive, friendly service. It is a bakery so there are lots of pastries. Coconut cream pie was good. Those with peanut allergies need to be aware that the fries and baked goods are prepared with peanut oil. My uncle says the home made blue cheese salad dressing is great.
(3)Naomi G.
Ok, so I've ordered the chicken salad sandwich to go. Staff was friendly while I waited,delivery was quick....and then the bill. $12 for a sandwich...yikes. It's a bigger than usual sandwich granted. But dang that's pricey.
(3)J W.
Upon moving to Knoxville in 2007, many people told me to try the burger at Litton's. Finally, 2014, we had the opportunity to make the stop and see what this place was about. You would think with all of the people marking this place as 4 stars and commenting "AMAZING" or "Best Ever", we were in for a treat and gearing up to discover some hidden gem of a burger joint. Save yourself the time! I can easily say for all of the commentators announcing this place as the one of the greats are either lacking taste buds or have just been out to their first restaurant ever. Where to start: 1. The silly chalk board where you mark your name down in order to be seated. This may be enough to provide the place with character and charm for some, but is it really necessary. Not to mention the hostess who would have her duties distracted from handling customer seating to actually having to clean tables and sweep the areas. If this is the standard model for this place, no wonder during rush hours there is a wait. Hire a person to be responsible for table clearing and prep. 2. The menu is uninspired and limited. We were in a text chat with a friend recommending some dishes, actually a single dish to try. However, we were putting together our selection and planned on trying some items they were known for. 3. Now the food. I ordered the burger form the selection of 4, well five if you count the fact you can add cheese or bacon. I still count it as 4. To be known as a place to go for the burger, you would think these folks had taken the burger concept and amped it up to eleven. Not a chance, their big claim is adding peppers and/or pimento cheese to a burger and people flock to review this place as amazing and best burger ever. Really!!!??!!! Best burger ever???!!! Have you not tried Sam $ Andy's, Five-Guys, or even some of the local chains? I paid $11 dollars for a burger, which is billed as fresh in house Angus beef on a baked in store roll. I understand the concept of homemade, but to make a roll isn't a dark art or rocket science. It certainly didn't take the burger to the next level nor did it leave a lasting impression. The impression I got, "heck, this burger patty doesn't reach the edge of this big ol' roll". Topping consisted of a nice fresh tomato slice, onion and lettuce. The burger patty appeared to be of good quality meat, but there is nothing standing out to say it was hand formed. In fact, the size and shape reminded me of a Carl's/Hardees 1/3# patty. Once you put these items together, get ready to set it up with the amazing selection of condiments, I mean ketchup, mustard and mayo. Even the salt and pepper shakers where the local store, grind your own, thrown on the table. Again, 11 dollars for a burger that tasted absolutely no different than going to the local grocery and throwing down in the back yard. Oh, it did include fries and I thought maybe these would take up the slack from the burger let down. Alas, I was wrong. Fries are pretty much similar to those you would find at five-guys and that isn't a bad thing, but they still didn't elevate the experience one bit. In fact, they come out unsalted (I guess in an effort to cater to the denizens who claim this combo to be AMAZING and THE BEST's taste buds. Which must be of such a delicate nature to be triggered into high heaven by the blandness of the burger let down and non-seasoned food) I would like to stress that this was the worst burger I have ever had in Knoxville. In fact, I would even say this burger was the biggest let down I have had in the past 10 years. I pay $11 dollars for burgers in LA and they win without even a fight against this let down. I will stress again, do not buy into the locals hype about this being one of the best burgers-you have been warned. Oh, and the newspaper and magazine clippings on the wall extolling the virtues of the Litton burger, should be burned in a barrel out back. 4. Now for the chili dog, which a friend recommend over the burger, prior to our sitting down. Take a good sized hot dog, place on bun, layer with cole slaw, and then ladle down a mess of chili and you have the chili dog. I will not place fault with the hot dog because one would not be able to evaluate it without having to take into account the absolute layers of mush piled on this thing to make it look like the hotdog fantastic. The chili is nothing more than a paste of chili powder, beans and beef. Nothing more and nothing less. You can build a better experience by stopping in a Pilot store and paying $1.99 for a hot dog, going to Wendy's next door and putting a container of chili for $2.48 on top of it. You will walk away with something far better and not breaking the bank. 5. Onion rings. Now surely these could be the best as all of the other reviews on the site claim these to be the best they ever had. If in fact "best" means just like you can make at home; they hit the mark. 6. Total bill of $27.31
(1)Warp T.
I am visiting Knoxville for business. Staying in a hotel in 3 miles from this restaurant. Checked in yelp and found this place. I ordered the LITTON THUNDER ROAD that is $12 (looks like the To Go menu's prices are different). Kelly was serving food for me.Hospitality was great. The environment is just okay. I think they could make it look more professional with a few small changes. For example, the light is too bright and that also white color. Fine restaurants never give you so much light. The food was really filling. No more space for desert. But a part of that fillingness was because that the food was too oily. It's about an hour from the time that I left the restaurant but still I feel the after taste of the burned oil on the burger and the fries. Anyway, I guess some people like that since they have a high rating in Yelp. I am giving 3 stars mostly because of hospitality. Otherwise I would give 2 for the food itself.
(3)Burger Guide D.
Litton's is a restaurant famous for good food in Knoxville. They are especially famous for their great desserts and baked goods. I had the Thunder Road at Litton's which is marketed as "A cheeseburger lovers dream!". The burger features Pimento cheese, sautéed onions, and jalepeños. The burgers has a nice spicy kick to it, however the bun and beef do not do enough to make this a must-have menu item. The beef is not the juiciest or most flavorful, and the bun was average. If you are on the great American road trip, you should stop by Litton's for a quick bite. Their cheeseburger will satisfy your hunger, but the real star of the show is one of their pies or desserts (and is the real reason to drop in).
(3)Kelly T.
When you are craving a burger, this is the place to go. Homemade bun, double ground beef, caramelized onions, pimento cheese, and a baked jalapeño. We substituted collard greens for fries and my husband had a sweet potato. Good home cooking! Delicious! Hit the spot. I really value my food coming out hot....the collard greens were hot enough that I had to wait a minute for them to cool off for me to eat. Our waiter, Jeff, was friendly and nice. He gave fast and effective service. We stopped by on our way from myrtle beach to Louisville ky. It was 330 pm on a Saturday. We took our time and we were out of there within an hour. It's so good it's probably packed during the evening, so maybe call ahead?
(5)Will C.
Went here for my birthday for the first time since I was 10. 11 years later and it is still an amazing restaurant. It has been in business since 1946 and they keep it simple and good, which many places over complicate their burgers. I got the Litton burger platter which comes with a mountain of fries (which are cooked in peanut oil). To top off a wonderful dinner, I ended up looking through their many desserts that are on display. Everything was delicious and I plan on coming back soon.
(5)Keith H.
I'd heard the rave about this place and the food was a huge failure. I'd recommend over fast foid but it's not much better than Five Guys. The wait staff and atmosphere were great, just not the food; although I will go back to sample the desserts.
(3)Shannon D.
If you have one meal to eat in Knoxville, Litton's should be it! Checking in at Litton's is a little different - instead of signing in with a hostess, you write your the name of your party and the number in it on the chalkboard. We have never gotten a bad meal here - EVER. The chicken salad is incredible (I prefer the bread toasted for my sandwich), and the hot dogs are enormous. I'm not a burger fan, but my husband risks a gout flare up for these burgers! The onion rings are great - just the right amount of batter and not greasy. Whatever you do, save room for dessert! The Italian cream cake is my favorite, and the coconut pie is my husband's. Whatever your choices, you just can't go wrong here.
(5)Patrick S.
Killer Burgers and Desserts so always save room for dessert. Come here and get a burger then move on to something else because their burger will put most to shame. Coconut Cream Pie is out of control and their overall dessert selection is massive and looks more like a bakery when you walk in than a burger joint. Good Eats.
(5)Greg S.
The main reason this is rated four out of five is for its uniqueness and local flavor. Don't get me wrong, the burgers are good and the cake is great. The main thing that gets me is the price point. $10-$12 is a bit hefty, and I'm not sure the burgers match the price. But, if money isn't an object, then this may be a great choice for you. Service has always been spectacular as well.
(4)Jon V.
Great burger. I went with the "Thunder Road" which consists of a hefty burger topped with grilled onions and pimento cheese. What a mess, but what a burger. Really good. Maybe the most remarkable thing was it was actually cooked medium. Seems next to impossible to get a burger medium and a little pink inside, but they did it perfectly. Fries were my side and they were ok natural cuts. Everyone's food looked great. I wish I had room for dessert. Their array of cake looked amazing. For a burger and fries with ice tea they got $14 from me, but it was worth it. Would eat here again.
(4)Christian S.
Food was good. Child's burger lacked flavor which was odd. The waiter offered cheese for our sons burger but didn't tell us it would cost us more...little deceptive. However he did help us save on the main entre.
(3)Kevin N.
This is my favorite restaurant to visit in Knoxville. The food is always good and the portions are great. I never have room for desert, which is awesome by the way. Sometimes the wait can be long but it's worth it.
(5)Monica S.
The burgers are where it's at but make sure to save room for the desserts. The amaretto cheesecake was our favorite with the Italian cream cake coming in a close 2nd. The shortcake is awesome and the coconut cream was good. We wished it had more of a crust. Clean and excellent service. A great vacation find thanks to Yelp.
(5)John J.
Was not overly impressed on my first visit last fall, so we revisited on a warm, sunny spring afternoon last month. Again, not overly impressed. We each ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries. It took FOREVER, and I'm not using a 'fast-food' point of reference, here. 33 minutes for a burger to appear on an afternoon in which the floor is 1/3 full is simply not acceptable. Our servers attitude was less than impressive, as well. Our first inquiry regarding our order (at 15 minutes) was met with a "Hummpf!" and no additional response. No mention was made of our empty drink glasses, even when the food finally appeared. The burger, despite all the 'hype' was below average, with a somewhat stale, dark taste. The bun was mushy. The accompanying items (onions, lettuce, tomato) appeared to have been 'tossed' in the general direction of the bun. (Hey manager! One word: PRESENTATION!) The fries can be best described in one word: LIMP! We almost laughed when (after the first bite) our 'server' appeared with our check to inquire if we might want dessert! Politely, we declined. The only reason Litton's Market and Restaurant didn't rate a 1-star rating on my review is the wonderful atmosphere inside. Forget the dumpster by the side wall, forget the view of the back of the gas station, forget the wait for a table (even on a slow day), the atmo in this place is its ONE saving grace, however, you can't make a meal on 'atmo'!
(2)moore t.
First time visit so I chose a simple original burger. Definitely huge in size--enough for two meals. save room for the coconut cream pie--
(4)Marcy B.
Delicious!!! All three of us got a burger & fries & they were so yummy!! Desserts are amazing so save room!
(5)Ellen F.
I get that some people don't want surprises and they look for the nearest chain restaurant , but for better or for worse my husband and I try to find local places. Thanks to the prior Yelp reviewers we landed at Litton's - and it was all that was promised. Can't say if it was the best burger in E. Tenn - but my husband said it was very good. (I don't eat beef.) My chicken salad sandwich on honey wheat bread was great. I asked for a half sandwich, which used to be on the menu (according to the Web) but isn't now - but our server graciously offered to let me order it. It was huge and more than one person should eat for lunch. Slaw was yummy too - just what you want your slaw to taste like - creamy and flavorful. Very friendly service and terrific food - what more could you ask! BUT - in fact - there is more. We ordered Key Lime pie to go - and it was amazing! Would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Jason K.
Best burger in Knoxville!
(5)C-pher M.
I have to say, when someone says that such and such has the best Blue Cheese Dressing, I'm a little skeptical. But this place has some of the best Blue Cheese dressing I've ever had. I guess that they make it there on site...and I don't know what they do, but it's heavenly. So I had a salad before my burger. And this place was PACKED the first time that I went...so packed that I couldn't even eat there. So I went back for a late lunch and it was still PACKED. But I was lucky that there was a place at the bar...so I ate there. These burgers are out of control. They are juicy, tasty, and they are awesome! I can't wait to go back to Knoxville again sometime so I can get these amazing burgers and great blue cheese. And from talking to these people, they win the best burger in Knoxville every year. I can see why.
(4)Bruce H.
Thunder Burger and fries, very tasty. Coconut cream pie is excellent. Fantastic service. Far better than any chain burger.
(5)Jonathan P.
The hamburgers are huge!! The fries were very cut fresh and the cake was very rich. The only downfall I had is that it was a little too pricey, other than that this place is great to eat at.
(4)Mary T.
One thing I enjoy about this place is that they have the old-fashioned coke machine up-front. It is tradition for me to get one, and you should too for that matter. You can give this place a shot. What I like: -All the desserts! Baby Jane (Delicious Strawberry Shortcake, usually only every other Saturday, Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet, Brownies, and Cookies! YUM! -Cheeseburger -Chili Dog -Grilled Chicken Salad -Onion Rings -French Fries - I like the soups for lunch! Check it out if you are in the area. For many Knoxvillians, it is a Knoxville tradition like it is in my family.
(4)Channa P.
You know after hearing so much about this place I was really underwhelmed. People from Knoxville act like Litton's has burgers touched by angels, and maybe that was the case 15 years ago. All I have to say now is Meh... My thunderoad came with pimento cheese and onions. While it tasted fresh it didn't wow me. On the other hand the "Baby Jane" strawberry shortcake was freakin awesome! It was light and the perfect sweet flavor with fresh strawberries. It's the reason this review gets a three. I plan to head back to Litton's to try the more traditional bacon cheeseburger. If that's not great I'm done with the place. It's not enough of a wow to drive from west knoxville to fountain city.
(3)Tara S.
This just isn't AS good as it once was. The onion rings are still (usually) awesome. THe burgers are still massive and pretty good, but not amazing as i recall them being. They seem greasier in a bad way. THe daily lunch specials can be pretty good, particularly the salmon patties. The sides are mediocre at lunch. The brownies are still amazing. If you need a fix, the best thing to do is order take-out and get the burger from the kids menu.
(3)Katie C.
Best burger I've had in Knoxville! They have a wide selection of cheeses and sauces for the burgers, at least more than the typical sit-down joint. Unlike a lot of other reviewers, I'm not a huge fan of the french fries. I usually get my burger order to go at Litton's (to enjoy with my sister-in-law and her 2 year old son at home), and the fries are just too greasy. I prefer crispy fries. It's a little on the pricey side - about $25 for two to-go burger platters with no drinks. But it's nice for the occasional treat, and when I'm craving a good burger, this is where I go. I haven't tried much from the bakery, but the chocolate chunk cookies are DEEEELICIOUS! You would have to see these cookies to believe them. Thin layer of cookie with huge pieces of chocolate everywhere. It's a chocolate lover's (i.e. my) dream.
(4)Melissa T.
Basically it's overpriced for their underwhelming burgers. Service is decent, seated quickly, nice server. The burgers sound more impressive on the menu than they actually are. Food takes a while to come out, even for being fresh made. In short it doesn't live up to the hype.
(2)Eddie O.
My family ate there to celebrate my college graduation. I had heard great reviews from locals but it did not live up to its reputation. The iced tea was bland and watered down. I ordered charbroiled chicken with green beans and a baked potato. The chicken really lacked from seasoning. I ordered German chocolate cake for dessert. That was great and oddly served hot. I have honestly never heard of cake served warm.
(3)Mike H.
This was one of my favorite restaurants in Knoxville. I always get the Thunderroad and onion rings. Their cakes are a good deal as well. One of the few places in k-town that always has a line.
(5)Ben G.
First time -- great burger and we loved the fries too! Can't wait to come back to Knoxville.
(5)Monica And J.
There was nothing special about this burger. No extra flavor or special style in the beef. If anything, they're just big burgers. Veggies were plain, buns were plain, fries were nothing to scream about. The onion rings were pretty good though. Best part about Litton's is that they have a HUGE selection of desserts. We ordered the snickers cheesecake and regretted each tasty bite. If you LOVE a good burger, this place is not necessary; but if you like a decent, big burger... yeah, I guess you'd want to check this place out.
(3)Christy M.
Great place! Loved the look. Food was very good and service was pretty good. I got the chicken salad sandwhich and baked potato. The desserts looked amazing but got a little pricey.
(4)Pat O.
Someone brought their F-plate to my table. I JUST got back from Littons and let me say, what a complete let down. I understand this is the landmark diner in Fountain City but it was meh. The food was a complete letdown. Waiting to be seated and waiting to eat took forever; I went after lunch to avoid the lunch line and didn't get served until an hour later. The menu is pretty limited: fried chicken, grilled chicken, burgers, and cakes. I wanted meatloaf but you can't get it unless its Thursday . So I ordered hamburger steak, sweet potato, and green beans. Basically what I got was a hamburger patty, a sweet potato I could have microwaved and green beans out of a can. Oh yeah, it was kinda expensive for the sub-par food I received. This was also my first and definitely my last time coming back. If you want expensive food you can make yourself, by all means eat at Littons. Pros: Great family atmosphere Nice desserts The fried batter for their onion rings is pretty delicious Cons: EVERYTHING
(1)Helen C.
Love, love, love Litton's. It's a Fountain City landmark and rightfully so. Everything is fresh and delicious. My favorite is the Thunder Road burger, loaded with homemade pimento cheese and grilled onions. Be still, my heart... They make the hamburger buns in their bakery in-house, so no average store bought bread for their burgers! The fries are made fresh and you get a gigantic serving- yummy. And the onion rings...they are spectacular! The oysters are the best in town. If you are an oyster lover try their fried oysters. You will not be disappointed. Save room for dessert, because they are all made in house and they are yummy. My favorite is the coconut cream pie. Ahhh...now I want to go to Litton's!
(5)Rony M.
The burgers are amazing. The place has character and history, and the staff is super friendly! I would recommend going for their cheeseburger and make sure you leave room for the Red Velvet cake!
(5)Ronnie B.
Stopped at Litton's for lunch on our way through Knoxville last Monday. The burgers and fries were great. I think our servers name was Wendy and she was fantastic. I also got a piece of cake to go and it was great when I got home that night. I will go back every trip to or through Knoxville.
(5)David G.
The italian creme cake at Littons is nice. Moist and sweet vanilla cake with bits of things inside, the icing is great. Very rich desserts!
(4)Alfonso L.
You don't need this visiting Californian to tell you to visit this Knoxville landmark. The line out the door on this warm afternoon seemed to confirm this, and even the chalkboard where you're supposed to put your name for a table. I quickly made a beeline for the counter stool where I was greeted not just by the server, but by the diners there already hunkering down on the burgers. Ah, the burgers. It's practically all they make. OK --well, they have other things for sure but that's really where everyone's here. Ordered the burger platter --massively good, the patty really more than I could handle. I chose pepper jack as my cheese and even added the bacon --yeah, tasty, sloppy and elegant all at the same time. The fries were more than plentiful. All in all I realized why a visit to Knoxville had to include one to Litton's just to make things complete. Couldn't leave without some dessert. Try looking at the enormous display case and all those slices of cake and pies. It's a way to remind you to partake before you leave. Today it was the strawberry cake that I craved. What an incredible cake! Dense and moist and packed with strawberries baked into the cake. Whoa! The cream cheese frosting that was like a wall of flavor as I carefully at the cake parts. For $5.49 it may be a tad overpriced but this, like the other cakes --chocolate, German chocolate, neopolitan, was perfection. And guess what? For $50 you can have the entire cake to go! Best part of the experience: feeling extremely well served with some of the nicest servers. I had like a team of servers that were checking on me, refilling my sweet tea, asking me how everything was. Such hospitality --and one thing this place gets absolutely right.
(5)Burrito M.
Litton's serves good simple food which hits the spot. It definitely seemed like things were made from scratch. I ordered the burger, they serve it medium well by default which was a little overcooked, under-seasoned and dry for my taste - I would order medium next time, S.B. ordered the fried fish burger, the thinly sliced fish was coated in a thin cornmeal crust. The best part of both dishes were the home made bun, very soft and yummy. We both gobbled down our burgers in a flash. The desserts sounded compelling, but I didn't like how they were pre-cut each portion and wrapped it in plastic wrap, this made them look old and unappetizing. As a result, we skipped dessert. They had a baby jane cake which looked like a strawberry shortcake, could have been really good if not for the presentation. Our waitress was busy and no nonsense, we were told we'd have to wait 20 minutes for a table, but only ended up waiting 5 minutes. So the service was decent, but not earth shatteringly good. I love supporting local joints, so I would come back in the future.
(3)Mark M.
its ok doesn't live up to the hype
(4)Jennifer D.
One of our all time favorite restaurants! Everything about Litton's is great, the food, the baked goods, the atmosphere, the service. Favorite items: burgers, fries, chicken salad, lemon cookies.
(5)Alicia J.
In short: - I didn't quite like the burger - The atmosphere is great - The service was even better It's a big, homely place with different types of seats, and I am pretty sure I would come here again if we come back to Knoxville. We walked in through the back door and two people on the way were kind enough to show us the way to the front. The amazing service didn't stop here. We were quite dehydrated and had a rather sore throat; but no matter how fast we gulped down our drinks, Eddie was right there for a refill. In every possible manner, service was fast, competent and extraordinarily friendly even by the standards of "better" places. He even noticed we were about to be out of butter and went to get us more. We had a burger platter with soup (a wonderfully rich tomato soup with sour cream and some parsley added into it) and a thunder bolt burger with fries. The soup was very good and came with cornbread; the fries were hand-cut and not the crispiest, but perfectly to my tastes. I just love fries where the potato peels were left on. However, the burgers were just not that great, despite being carefully made with nicely butter-toasted buns. Taste-wise I would have given it a 3 - at medium well, this burger felt overcooked and unfortunately not particularly juicy. Although the beef looked like it was high quality, it was just not cooked well. From the decor of the place and the huge number of framed old newspaper articles on the walls, we learned that Litton's is quite an institution in Knoxville, and a beloved one at that. But since the burger itself was a disappointment for the high expectations we had, this is a 4-star where the food gets 2.5 stars while the service gets something like 6.
(4)Walker S.
If you are in Knoxville for any reason, you absolutely MUST go to Litton's. Litton's has hands down the best burger you will EVER eat. Instead of ground chuck like most burger places use, Litton's uses bits from left over sirloins and filets to make their burgers and the taste really shows. You will be shocked and amazed at their burgers and freshly made burger buns. Try the onion rings, they are some of the best I've ever had! Great friendly service (although you may have to wait 20-25 mins on a table during the dinner rush) that never left my drink empty. It's an absolute must, GO GO GO!!!!
(5)Chuck C.
I hate this place and can't keep saying enough bad things. People follow each other like cows to the slaughter. The price keeps going higher. Just try a Hardes thick burger once. It is so much better and you can fill up your tank with the difference. And you aren't blindly following the crowd. It's such a joke I can't even tell you how much.
(1)Amy H.
Based on Litton's established history and reputation, perhaps I expected too much. The food was disappointing, to say the least. Sad to say I've had better burgers at Hardee's. The meat was dry and bland and not cooked properly (and COLD). The fries were cold and the onion rings limp and mushy. And what is the big deal about the red velvet cake? I was told before I went that I HAD to get the red velvet cake. It was mediocre at best. Not very flavorful cake with too much overly sweet frosting. Unfortunately, the staff was also very unprofessional. We were pretty much ignored when we first came in. I say "pretty much" because a young woman near the hostess stand looked at us, then walked away without a word. We waited several minutes to be seated, even though it wasn't crowded and there were plenty of empty tables. Our food was cold, probably due to it taking nearly a half an hour to reach us. NO refills on my water, even though the waitress walked past our table several times. She never asked us how everything was or if we needed anything. I tried to flag her down and eventually had to get up and go to the hostess stand to ask for service. It was my first and last visit to Litton's. Definitely NOT worth driving all the way to Fountain City.
(2)Erin B.
It can not be said enough that Knoxville, TN is lacking good, local Mom & Pop-type establishments. For some incomprehensible reason, folks here crave and rely on national chains to satiate their restaurant cravings. Litton's is one of the few local gems that Knoxville can lay claim to. They do burgers. They do desserts. I'm sure they do some other things, as well--but for my money, if you want a cheeseburger and/or a fabulous dessert, Litton's is the ONLY place to go. The decor is nothing to write home about--it is comfortable and casual--and the vibe is busy. They are rarely slow, but the wait is usually less than 15 minutes for a table (at their busy times.) The service is fine--just what it should be a diner-type place. The staff are attentive, but not overbearing. Do yourself a favor--get the burger with blue cheese & bacon. Order it medium-rare (I believe they do grind their meat on-site). Put a little mayo on the top, forgo the lettuce & tomato and enjoy as the substantial, yet soft roll gives way to the perfectly seasoned meat. Don't bother finding a napkin to catch the juice as it runs down your forearms--try to catch it in your mouth. There was no room for dessert (well, I could have actually had another burger AND some dessert, but I try to be a lady in public) so we grabbed some red velvet cake slices to-go. They were exactly as they should be: delicate, flavorful cake topped with sweet-tangy, fluffy cream cheese frosting. It's a good thing I don't live around the corner from them anymore--a 20-minute drive through heavy traffic is enough to prevent me from giving in to every burger craving that crops up.
(5)Josh C.
When you think about going somewhere to get a fantastic burger normally tasty bakery treats are not in the equations. I had been in san diego for the past 5 years so I was missing the burger bakery! Its tough to find a better burger in east Tennessee. I highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a burger and whatever fresh treat they have in the bakery!
(5)Michelle V.
I love Litton's! This place embodies most everything I have loved about discovering food in the South, plus some extras. A great local joint that is not only a restaurant, but also butchers its own meat. How can you go wrong with a place that knows its meats so intimately? The bacon cheeseburger was excellent, nicely cooked with good quality bacon, and came with a large serving of tasty, crispy fries. I am picky about fries, and these were good. The fish sandwich came with a gigantic piece of fish, really fresh lettuce and tomato, and homemade tartar sauce. The buns were wonderful, fluffy, buttery rolls baked in-house. The onion rings weren't battered to an inch of their lives, and they stayed crispy. The servings were huge. I really wish I had discovered Litton's on an earlier visit to Knoxville, I definitely would have returned more often. I can say that the cupcakes were a bit of a disappointment (would have gotten cake slices, but cupcakes proved easier to transport on the plane) - the red velvet was not as good as it was at Big Fatty's, and the chocolate wasn't very chocolatey. But for dinner, I would definitely love to go back. Ah, one day.
(5)Lashona M.
This place has been in business since the late 1940s! When you walk in, there is a chalkboard that you sign in on before begin seated by a hostess. Excellent, super huge burgers, supersized salads that can carry you all day long and the desserts I hear are to die for. Unfortunately, I didn't have dessert because I didn't have room but all are homemade. You must try the blue chesse dip or dressing even if you don't normally like it. It doesn't taste like your ordinary blue cheese sauce. It's great on the burgers too! Simply awesome!
(4)Elizabeth M.
There are people in town who just love Litton's and talk about it like its an institution (or maybe its just old?). I've been there a few times over the years and I honestly think its severely overrated. Sorry, I generally like to leave positive reviews, but there are so many other good choices in town to eat at that are way better.
(1)Aaron J.
I could write a 7 page essay on this place, but I'm going to keep this very simple. This place has the best burgers, onion rings, and desserts I have ever had ANYWHERE. If you have not been here, then go immediately. You will not regret it.
(5)Joey D.
This place is a Knoxville staple. I publicly berate any Knoxvillian that hasn't visited Litton's. The burgers are absolutely on point and for Christmas one year I bought an Italian cream cake and passed it off as my own. As long as I could at least. Te- he.
(5)Tiffany B.
I have mixed feelings about Litton's. To sum it up: good food, high prices, few choices. The only thing I have ever eaten at Litton's is the chicken salad sandwich. I don't plan on trying anything else. The chicken salad couldn't be better. It is the kind that is a little sweet, which I love. The chicken is good quality. I have never once gotten some weird rubbery piece of fat in a bite of one of their sandwiches. For me, one bite like that ruins the whole meal. Weird pieces in chicken salad is fairly commonplace, so I am impressed. The chicken salad comes on toasted homemade over-sized honey wheat bread and comes with one side for $9. It seems a little steep, but when I think about it, half of one of their sandwiches is about the size of a whole one on normal bread. Also, they layer on the chicken salad fairly thick. If it wasn't $9 a pop, I would probably eat their chicken salad 4 times a week. Their desserts are pretty good, too, but a little overpriced. Everyone goes on and on about their delicious giant hamburgers...Okay they aren't THAT big...when people say giant, I think of the 1-2 pound hubcap burgers. These are not like that. They seem about the same size as the burgers you see in steakhouses. I haven't tried the burgers, but everyone I know loves them. They do have a limited menu, but it shouldn't be a problem if you are into burgers or chicken salad.
(4)Kelly M.
Wow! Really good! The wait is a bit long but it is worth it., it is a sign of a good restaurant. The food was really good and the service was wonderful! Everything is homemade and made in house. Family owned and well worth the drive to Fountain City.
(5)John S.
Litton's is probably the best burger joint in Knoxville. They are big and juicy. Be careful of when you go. You'll be waiting a long time if you go on a Friday or Saturday night. We've even gone on a Wednesday night and had to wait to be seated. Best advice. When you get there, have someone jump out of the car and write your name on the chalkboard while the driver parks the car. It'll save you like 4-5 spots on the chalkboard.
(5)Matt J.
I've been to Littons 4 times in the past 3 years. The food has progressively gotten worse. The first burger I got there was amazing, seasoned and cooked perfectly and for a decent price. The last burger I got was flavorless, lukewarm, and cost me over $17 for the whole meal including bacon and cheese add-ons and a sweet tea. In addition to the burger, on a seperate ticket, I ordered a red velvet cake that was so dry it crumbled when I tried to cut it with my fork. The service is always good but lately food is very mediocre and expensive.
(2)Bob F.
The burgers and fries are good but rather pricey. The Knoxville area seems to be a seller's market for restaurants, especially compared to larger metro areas and small towns.
(2)Robert M.
Good beef. Little pricy.
(4)T C.
Best Blue Cheese dressing in town!
(5)Jon C.
If you're searching around Knoxville for a burger, there are plenty of places that would be glad to make you one. For instance, you can head to the Roaming Gnome on the strip (Cumberland Ave.) and grab yourself one of about 20 different burgers on their menu (personally, I'm a fan of the Fried Mozz burger, but that's another review). You can go over to the Old College Inn and have a burger on an English muffin. But if you're looking for the quintessential burger, a burger that defines what a burger should be, look no more than Litton's in Fountain City. As for the beef, most (if not, all) of the beef comes from the good ole ribeye steak that they butcher in house and prepare fresh every day. How about the buns that hold these fantastic pieces of meat? They also make those in house as well as some other baked goods (cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake, and the list goes on). What else makes this the quintessential burger? If you order the original burger, you only get two choices. Do you want cheese? Do you want bacon? That's all you need to ask when you have a burger that has a high quality of meat, such as this burger. If you start piling on a ton of toppings, you barely get to taste the beef. Then you need to ask yourself is this a burger or not. However, they offer a chili burger and the Thunder Road burger (Pimento cheese, sauteed onions, and jalepeño) if you're stubborn on going outside of the bacon and cheese box. Fresh cut fries make this symphony complete, but I would have liked these fries to be a little crispier. They're the kind of fries that could use some malt vinegar; it's very similar to boardwalk fries that you would have in Ocean City, MD. If burgers are not your thing, they also offer steak, fish, salads, etc. to round out the menu. The first time I went there, I bought some ribeye steaks and prepared them on my cast iron skillet at home. And the steaks were to die for! Next time, I'm planning on getting some NY Strip. So if you're looking for burgers the way they should be or another dish that reminds you of a good old-fashioned American meal, go to Litton's NOW.
(5)Brad H.
Growing up just north of Fountain City, we had to travel over and down the ridge to get a decent, sit-down meal. There were only 3 places to go, as I recall. Louis' Restaurant for Italian, the Western Sizzlin' for steak and salad, and Litton's for burgers...the best burgers + fries + onion rings + desserts. Only one of these 3 originals still stands today. Barry Litton and his team and family keep the great platters coming. Everyday is a different home-cooked special. Real southern cuisine. Always delicious and way more than burgers. But...those burgers...no more all-American platter than Litton's burger platter with fries and a side of onion rings. Oh, and the extreme hospitality of the staff matches the talent in the kitchen. It just feels like home with every visit, every plate full of love, and with a current copy of the Halls Shopper to catch up on local gossip over lunch. May all the Litton's keep this destination cooking for decades to come!
(4)Amanda M.
Best Burgers in town!!!! Desserts are to die for!!! We go here at least 2 times a month it's absolutely delicious!!! staff is always extremely nice and everything is always out quick and yummy!
(5)Chad R.
The sign outside said "best hamburgers and desserts" Okay that is a challenge. Can Litton's have the best hamburgers I have ever eaten?? The answer yes and no. The best hamburger ever...no. The best hamburger in Knoxville..yes. The hamburger basket came it at 8.99 not bad price wise. I had the fries. Typical coney island type fries done with peanut oil. No salt. Not impressed with the french fries...however! My wife had the onion rings listen up folks..THE BEST onion rings I have ever had. Yummy get a side order for 2.75 more with your burger and trust me you will be happy. I will be returning on Thursday because I am still on the quest for a great homemade pie. Pull into Fountain City (north on broadway from Knoxville) and have a burger! :)
(4)paul s.
I visited the restaurant yesterday with Holly Moore which is a very famous food writer. I was embarassed. Holly has visited thousands of restaurants across the USA Holly ordered their blue plate special which was fried chicken breast. It was dry and had been obviously cooked previously before our arrival as it appeared that it had been setting under a heat lamp and also it was delivered with minutes after our order?? Go figure. His coconet pie was way oversweet and he took one bite and refused to go further. He did not go further with his meal.. His greens were very good and the casserole was good and the gravy was runny and just like wallpaper paste. I had a half of a chicken salad sandwich with salad. The chicken salad was way over sweet and the salad was just OK. Litton's is sailing on yesterdays wind. Holly indicated that before he gave a negative review on his webside, he would try the burger. I wish them luck. Litton's is not what it use to be. hollyeats.com Paul E. Smith Knoxville, TN
(2)R B.
Another good meal. Littons is an area institution, known primarily for their OMG big hamburgers. Delish. We went for Saturday lunch. Only complaint was the service was a little too earnest. They had just sat down soup when the meals arrived. Wham-bam, please pay your bill, ma'am.
(4)Audrey M.
On our way to louisiana, we stopped here for lunch. Hoping for an interesting place to yelp, i made my crew stop at a local place for lunch. Im so glad I did! This place embodies everything good about the south, and was absolutely delicious. The food was absolutely delicious and came in very hearty portions- i had half of it for dinner later that night. Its definitely a local stop, as the waiter, Ed, stopped by our table after we ordered saying he didnt recognize us and asked us friendly questions about where we were from. All of the staff was very friendly, and even gave us extra rolls for the trip, no charge. Just pass all of the crappy fast food joints, and youll find a good friendly restaurant right off of the interstate
(5)Matt H.
These are some of the best burgers and fries money can buy anywhere. Portions are a bit on the large side and burgers tend to come out on the well-done side of your request, but it doesn't matter because the taste and texture are fantastic.
(5)Ashley H.
My friends who live in/grew up in other cities think I'm absolutely crazy when I say this, but Litton's serves some if the best burgers I have ever had in my life. They use fresh ingredients (fresh ground beef, veggies, and fresh baked bread), cook the burger just like you want it, and have great fries and onion rings to go with that fantastic burger (especially if you an get them hot out the fryer). I have had one other thing here and that was their massive chili dog, which I'll never get again, only because they put beans in their chili and I'm from the North Carolina mindset in terms of chili (it should be sans beans if it's going on a burger or hot dog, with some extra cole slaw on the side). The desserts are okay; they are usually too sweet for me. So my 5-star review is based in the burgers and the incredible staff, who always lay on the Tennessee charm--makes me feel right at home. If you're passing through Knoxville or have a taste for a good burger that will not disappoint, Litton's is always worth the trip out to Fountain City.
(5)wright k.
The grilled chicken sandwich is outstanding, and the burgers are great. A side of fries is enormous (and delicious). Service is always great- plenty of refills for our drinks, which always makes me happy. And every dessert we've tried has been wonderful, the Italian Creme Cake in particular is ridiculously good.
(4)Charlie S.
Where do I begin. Litton's is a quaint little burger joint nestled in Fountain City, located just outside of downtown Knoxville. Upon entering the doorway I was filled with the feeling that Litton's had history and that some of the older people had dined there sense they were 5. The atmosphere was laid back and the design was rustic, which only fueled my curiosity for their food. After getting settled in and pondering what to order for 10 minutes I finally decided to order the "thunder road." The "thunder road," is one of their specialty burgers consisting of a burger topped with jalapeno's, pimento cheese, and grilled onions. The combination of the ingredients and an ice cold beer had my mind curiously imagining what the first bite would be like. When the food arrived it looked like any ol' burger w/ fries presentation from the 60's, but the aroma was like little angel kisses telling you that your stomach is gonna love you for the next week. After the first bite I knew I had found a new place to go when I was in the mood for a burger and beer. The service was good, the food simply amazing, but the one thing holding me back a 5 rating was the price. I know most people will shell out a couple extra bucks for a burger cooked just right, but how much is too much? My order consisted of a burger, fries, and a beer.... the tab consisted of $17 bucko's plus tip for a burger and beer, which might not be a big deal to some but for me is. I know I can go down the street to Copper Cellar on wed. and get a blue burger close in taste for less than $10 with tip. The food is good, but if your going on a date your looking at $40 easy, unless your on the liquid diet. Just a little food for thought. Definitely give it a try...
(4)