Off Road Diner and Dogs — Restaurant in Oak Ridge

THE MOST AUTHENTIC Chicago Dog you can find in Knoxville Metro Area. The Chicago Dog I received had all the requisites: 100% Vienna Beef on a poppyseed bun, both the dog and bun were steamed (and hotdog had the perfect 'crackle' when piercing the outer skin -- VERY IMPORTANT!! -- mustard, onions, glowing green relish, peperoncino, tomato, and dill pickle spear.

My wife and I had a good time talking to the owner, who was from around the same parts of Illinois as my Dad grew up in. It's a shame that the shop is tucked away into a somewhat secluded strip mall that hasn't seen a facelift since black&white television. While I'm sure word of mouth has already gotten out about this wonderful little fascimile of a Chicago Hot Dog shop (complete with classic Vienna Beef, & Cubs/Bears decor!) I think the owner has to consider some sort of campaign that will assist the greater public coming from other areas with finding the place. Selfishly, I want this spot to succeed so I have a spot to eat away temporary bouts of homesickness.

Symbolically, I'm going to give it 4.5 stars, not 5: the entire way there, I kept annoying my wife repeating how eager I was to get a "chardog" (found on every hotdogshop menu back home and my personal go-to) and Chicago's Own didn't offer chardogs. BUT...

R and I had the lamb gyro, spicy Italian sandwich and ribbon fries.

There was a little bit of a wait but the kitchen is open and you can see them working non stop.

The food was delivered as soon as it was prepared so it didn't come out all at once but there was not a long wait for everything to show up.

We had the lamb gyro, spicy Italian sandwich and seasoned ribbon fries.

Food was fresh and hot when it got to the table.

I was a bit disappointed in the gyro. The pita tomato and tzatziki sauce was fresh, the meat was hot but it's pre sliced and I'm a rotisserie trompo snob where the meat is fresh sliced and is thicker.

The spicy Italian sandwich was fresh temp hot and had a nice spice. Fresh bread. Juicy Kinda messy the way a good sandwich should be. May ask them to add mustard next time.

The ribbon fries were delicious. They sliced them and fried them. They hit the table hot and fresh and very yummy.

It's a family owned local business. We ate in,but they were doing a lot of to-go orders. Very friendly staff.

It was a good lunch. We will be back. I will most likely pass on another gyro but they have other options that looked Interesting I think we need to try.

I recommend you give...

Awesome food & exceptional service! Nice large menu variety & everything we ordered was great. True "Chicago Style" Italian Beef Sandwiches, Vienna Hot Dogs w/Poppy Seed Buns, Italian sausage w/grilled onion sandwiches, BRISKET that was mouth-watering, fries & sides and those are just the items we ordered!! And they offer so much more like pork sandwiches/plates, Tamales, BLT's, Cheese Curds, Cheese Fries, Pork Nachos, Burgers & SO MUCH MORE! The owners were such nice, down to earth people that clearly enjoy their customers & want to make the best food possible for you to enjoy. This mom & pop style restaurant is a rare treasure with down home country cookin', pull-up a chair & sit a while, nothing fancy atmosphere, come as you are, bring the kids, sit outside little gem of a restaurant where they get to know your name! * Just be aware you don't see them from the main road...they are located behind another building * We Would definitely recommend them for a good meal & we will definitely...