Litton’s Restaurant

            If there were any restaurant that could ever perfectly fit the category of, “The restaurant you absolutely must eat at while you’re in Knoxville,” Litton’s would hands-down be that restaurant. Viewed as an iconic restaurant in Fountain City across the street from the Fountain City Duck Pond, for many locals it is part of their weekly routine to pay a visit to Litton’s. My grandparents happen to be one of those people; every Monday morning at exactly 10:59 AM, you will be sure to see my grandparents in their 1994 Toyota Camry in the Litton’s parking lot waiting for the doors to open at 11:00. Also, if you speak to them in the restaurant at “their table” (yes, they have laid claim to a table as theirs when they come in), my grandfather will surely draw your attention to his picture on the wall of him with his F-150 Super Saber from back in his glory days. Litton’s atmosphere is almost that of an old-fashioned diner, but it is very interesting to look at the pictures they have acquired from their guests from over the years that cover their walls.

            Litton’s is nothing short of famous in Knoxville as the best place you can go for a burger. It may just be something about the freshly made bread that brings in the swarm of customers on any given day. Or, maybe it could be the trophy-case of daily-made desserts they have sitting next to the booths you sit in as you wait to get your table. Whatever it is, Litton’s is undoubtedly a hit with just about anyone. Now, if you have not been to Litton’s before and you live in Knoxville I feel terrible for you! But do not fret my friends! This blog’s whole intention is to inform you of the greasy, creamy, and filling goodness that Litton’s have to offer that you have missed out on for oh-so-long.

            For starters, unless you are like my grandparents and get there at precisely 11:00, there is a fairly decent chance you will have a slight wait before a table becomes available for you and your friends. Now, Litton’s is not that high-tech with a beeper system that lets you know when you are ready to go to your table. Litton’s simply has a chalkboard that has the specials for the day on it, and a place for you to put your name and party number. Once at your table, you can look over your menu if you want, but I don’t even know why you would bother. You’re there for the best burger in town, not the best salad! (On a side note, if you do get a salad, the home-made honey mustard dressing is out of this world.) So, order your hefty burger with all the extra toppings your heart desires, and get a side of a sweet potato or one of their other delicious sides.

            Even before you bite into your Litton’s burger you will buy into all the hype I have given this establishment. The steam pouring off of the burger is sure to entice your appetite, but any burger-loving American is sure to love the greasy goodness of this magnificent burger. Every bite is one of pure deliciousness, and is sure to fill you up, yet I am sure you will continue eating anyway.

            Your entrée is over, and the faint of heart at this point will be asking for the check momentarily, but if you really want the whole Litton’s experience your meal is not complete. The display case of desserts is beckoning you from across the restaurant, and you cannot help but to answer its call. The only question is: what will your answer be? Will it be an iced sugar cookie as big as your head, or maybe the German Chocolate Cake that will appeal to any chocoholic. Personally, I cannot help but go with the Red Velvet Cake, but as I always say, any dessert is better than no dessert at all.

            This is the end of your guide to dining at Litton’s in Fountain City, and now it’s your turn to go and give it a shot. I would be willing to bet with anyone that these burgers will smear any college student’s normal Cookout burger every single time. Don’t get me wrong, I love a burger from Cookout on a Friday and Saturday night around 3 in the morning, but if I had my pick it would always be Litton’s. So my friends, go on out and give it the ol’ college try, and let me know what you think. I would love to hear back from you about how much Litton’s blew your mind and altered the way that you thought about burgers. You may not get that into it, but if you enjoy a good burger Litton’s will not disappoint. Check it out, get a dish, and let me know what you think! As always, keep on eatin’ well, K-town.