Tellico Beach Drive In — Restaurant in Etowah

Been a very long time since I have eaten here. Let me start off by saying how friendly the staff was. I was actually greeted at both the windows by a gentleman and a young lady at the other. Both offered to take my order promptly. I placed a rather large order with the lady and she quickly jotted down my order with no mistakes as I had some specific ways the food be prepared. She verified the order with me once I was done. Then rang it up and I paid. Let me add at the time not knowing how good the food was. For what all we got a very good price. She then gave me a ticket with my number for the order. I asked her how long it would be and she said about 15-20 minutes. I walked back to the van and after about 10 minutes the gentleman whom greeted me at the order window came up to the window and said your food is ready. Wow that was fast. Made two trips back to the van with our food and drinks. My bacon cheeseburger was absolutely delicious. Matter of fact it was so good I ordered another and it was done in a couple of minutes. The meat would melt in your mouth and the bun was so soft. My wife had the foot long hotdog with slaw and chili. She loved it to. Said the slaw was better than anything she had ever had. My daughter also had a plain foot long hot dog and is already begging me to go back. We sat in the car due to Covid exposure. We have a social needs tracheotomy son and couldn’t get him out in public. The view is wonderful. Having grown up in the area it’s what you are accustomed too. Bring cash. No cards accepted!

IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA THIS IS...

Service is extraordinarily slow. I understand it was a fairly busy time on a Saturday, but a 42 minute wait for 5 hot dogs, 2 hamburgers, some fries and fountain drinks is asking too much.

Burgers are the exact size and thickness (no lie) of a McDonald's hamburger, but you're paying more than double the price. Hot dogs, fries, and buns are about what you would buy from a supermarket.

Sincerely, I've had more quality food from a Little League snack bar.

Also, no restrooms.

It may sound like I've got it out for this place, but this is absolutely nothing personal. Coming into it, I heard amazing things about how great the food is, so maybe my expectations were set too high. And, to be fair, I haven't tried everything on the menu, but considering how slow the service is and how plain the burgers and dogs are, I can't see myself ever going back. If you don't expect too much and just need some really basic food on the go, then it's perfect. Just don't come thinking you'd get anything above average.

The fact that it sits on the river is really cool, and give the kids an opportunity to cool off on hot days. Be prepared to constantly having to avoid stepping in poop - apparently nobody picks up after their dogs here, which isn't the...

I will defend my 5 star rating by saying this place IS an oasis , almost every year we stop here during or after our annual camping trip to the Cherokee National forrest . Almost every April we get drenched , this year was especially muddy , taking shelter whenever possible . We managed to have a good time and good food grilled on site . After seeing the long line Easter afternoon I initially decided to skip the beach and head home . But after hearing the friendly banter between customers and employees and seeing cold milkshakes and delicious smelling beach burgers at the pickup window ... I couldnt resist . Ordered 2 beach burgers all the way , and a Gravy Train (or was it a Chuck-wagon) sandwich (sorta like a Salisbury steak sandwich) , also with 2 orders of fries . All with the intent of having something to eat after I got home . I ended up having a few cold fries and 1/3'rd beach 🍔 when I got home . All of wich was destroyed upon entry to my house 😂 ! Thank you...