Hot Rods 50's Diner — Restaurant in Alcoa

Edit my review to the owner. I have since learned that you own Foothills Milling, Two Doors and perhaps other places to dine in our beloved Maryville. It's extremely unfortunate that you let who ever is running Hot Rods run wild. You asked me to reach out to you but you didn't give me a way to. I will never go to any of your establishments. Service means everything in your business. We seriously tip 20 dollars everytime we came because I have worked in the service industry my entire life. I know how difficult the public can be. I would never be that person to give someone serving our food a hard time. She was absolutely in the wrong for yelling at me. If you'd like to talk to me please tell me how I can contact you.

Hot Rods is terrible. The food is cold every single time. It always takes quite awhile so you hope it's going to be good but it's not. Typically they will fix it with no problem. When they do, we always tip $20.00 without fail when our typical bill is no more than $40.00 for our food. The last time we went here I ordered french fries for the first time. We waited 30 minutes for our food. We ordered a turkey club and tater tots and a chicken sandwich with fries. My fries were ice cold. I said something right away and the lady that was 'taking care of us' immediately changed her demeanor and said she would "take care of it". That was acceptable to me. She went to a different table to take an order because clearly they were busy. I told my fella to feel the fries and she screamed at me from the table she was taking an order from that she was "TAKING CARE OF IT". I'm not kidding or exaggerating, she yelled at me, in front of two kids, when I wasn't even talking to her. I was dumbfounded! I tried to explain to her that I was dumbfounded and she continued to yell at me. A new lady came to our table explaining that she was a lead server and asked what happened. I told her and thanked her for asking. She asked if we would like another server and I said, "absolutely". She introduced herself as our new server. I thanked her again. I was so grossed out about the whole situation that I wanted to cry. I didn't eat my food. It was so gross. Even the new fries were hard as a rock, the chicken sandwich was soggy and my fella's turkey club was the worst example of a club sandwich that we have ever seen. We never even said anything about the rest of the food. Just the fries. I am still dumbfounded. It's ok though. We would never dream of coming back to this establishment. We have had employees tell us how the owner's son treats them. More than two. While we were customers. Maybe that's why the first lady took it out on us? Because she was scared to to go back with my fries? I've heard the same about their 50's drive in on East Broadway. Terrible employers/restaurant owners. They never opened back up. Save your precious time and your precious money and go somewhere else. There are so many other wonderful places around Alcoa and Maryville with wonderful food, service and far more comfortable seating to give your hard...

Prompt and attentive service, and all freshly made "from scratch" food. On offer is an impressively large (if not borderline overwhelming), and diverse menu prominently featuring a huge variety of (at least a dozen or more) signature burgers, alongside an equally impressive selection of traditional comfort food favorites, which also includes vegetarian, and even gluten-free options. Rounding out the retro experience, they even offer ice cream and milkshakes as well (I didn't notice whether they have counter seating, but I don't think so). This isn't sophisticated food, but what they're doing, they're doing well. Many similar places end up being a letdown on their side dishes, but all of our sides were unexpectedly excellent as well. Like many of their competitors in this league, they could have been forgiven for offering "par for the course" frozen appetizers and sides like so many chain restaurants have, but in the case of my side dishes (onion rings and mac and cheese), and to my immense surprise, both were fresh, made from scratch in-house, and very good. Portion sizes are generous, and you can be confident you won't leave hungry.

The indoor ambience (outdoor patio seating is also available) was kitcshy (in a good way), but clean and well maintained with lots of car-centric (you ARE in a place called "Hot Rods" after all) '50s themed tchotchkes and memorabilia--right in line with what you'd expect from a retro-themed diner/burger joint. What's more, it's a far cry from "garish" '50s theming cobbled together by amateurs (even if it might strike some as being slightly "busy" or "man-cavey"). From the pastel color schemes to the vintage advertising, and even the more subtle detail touches and nuances like '50s style tables, chairs, and banquettes, this is car-centric, '50s theming carried through and through, and thoughtfully executed. It's by no means any kind of stretch to say that aside from not being in a "period correct", '50s style building, 'Hot Rods' would be right at home with the numerous retro-themed roadside diners found along Route 66.

Finally, their prices are also quite reasonable, and worth every penny, making it an excellent value for the money. There's no shortage of burger joints and other similar places that try to do what 'Hot Rods' does, but precious few which aren't on Route 66 do it this well. An excellent and impressive...

Hot Rod 50s Diner took me on a trip down memory lane with its captivating nostalgia-filled atmosphere. From the moment I stepped inside, it felt like I had been transported to the heyday of the 1950s. The attention to detail in the decor, complete with vintage posters, neon lights, and classic jukebox tunes playing in the background, was truly commendable. The ambiance alone deserves high praise and earns this establishment a solid spot in the hearts of those seeking a nostalgic experience.

One aspect that truly stood out during my visit was the excellent service provided by the staff. The waitstaff were attentive, friendly, and dedicated to ensuring that every guest felt welcome. They were always ready to assist, offer suggestions, adding a delightful touch to the overall dining experience. The outstanding service demonstrated by the staff deserves special recognition and is undoubtedly a highlight of Hot Rod 50s Diner.

However, despite the exceptional service and captivating ambiance, I must express my disappointment with the quality of the food. The menu boasted classic American diner fare, but unfortunately, the execution fell short of expectations. The dishes I sampled lacked flavor, and the overall quality was subpar. It was disheartening to find that the food did not match the excellence of the service and atmosphere.

In conclusion, I would recommend visiting Hot Rod 50s Diner at least once to immerse yourself in the delightful nostalgia and experience the exceptional service provided by the friendly staff. However, I would caution against having high expectations for the food. While the atmosphere and service are undoubtedly worth the visit, the disappointing quality of the cuisine will leave you unsatisfied. When you do visit, be sure to leave a generous tip for the outstanding staff who work hard to create a memorable dining experience. But, regrettably, due to the lackluster food, I cannot see myself returning to Hot Rod 50s Diner...