Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023 - 40

BEST OF
THE
10 DINERS WORTH THE DRIVE
A
PINK CADILLAC | FACEBOOK
cross the mountain region, there
are hundreds. Here are a few our
readers say are sure to please.
High's Restaurant (Monterey,
Virginia). High's has been a staple
since 1901 for its classic American
comfort foods and specialty entrees.
Try the signature dessert, Fire and
Ice Cream-a big ice cream bowl
set on fire without melting the
deliciousness inside. Pre-dessert fare
includes half-pound burgers, fried
fish and barbeque. highsrestaurant.
com
Hob-Nob Drive-In (Gate City,
Virginia). This family-owned
establishment has been drawing
crowds for 60 years. The short
order menu offers cheeseburgers,
sandwiches, salads and fries. Grilled
cheese sandwiches and hot dogs are
also served just as when Hob-Nob
first opened-with a scoop of chili
on them. Don't miss the thick and
creamy milkshake, classic banana
split, loaded sundae or a Monster
Cone. facebook.com/hobnobdrive
Kathy's Restaurant (Staunton,
Virginia). Memories from Kathy's
childhood inspire many selections,
especially the all-day breakfast
menu, including homemade biscuits
and gravy, corned beef hash and
a vast assortment of omelets.
Southern-inspired fried chicken
and hamburger steaks are also a
hit. But it's the gourmet pancakes
that top everything: Flavors include
blueberry, lemon, apple and
strawberry. The pancake mix is
available at the restaurant and on
the website. kathys-restaurant.com
Mel's Diner (Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee). This classic 1950s diner
welcomes with a jukebox, checkered
floors and all the American classics,
including breakfast platters,
sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers,
ice cream floats and much more.
Everything is served all day long, so
40 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
The Pink Cadillac Diner,
near Natural Bridge,
Virginia, offers all-day
breakfast items plus ice
cream and pervasively
pink decor.
order a Mel's Famous
Ultimate Banana
Split any time!
melsdinerpf.com
Pink Cadillac Diner
(Natural Bridge,
Virginia). " The King
of Rock and Roll "
is honored in every
way at this iconic
diner with the pink Caddy out
front. While their famous 12-ounce,
double-decker Elvis burger is a
fan favorite, customers also enjoy
Pink Cadillac's all-day breakfast
selections and the 12 different
ice cream flavors. facebook.com/
ThePinkCadillacDiner
Pop's Diner (Hendersonville,
North Carolina).The old-school
feel of checkerboard floors and a
pink and blue color scheme belies
that Pop's opened its doors only 11
years ago. Best known for its all-day
breakfast, Pop's also offers burgers
that ring a bell-the Jailhouse Rock,
Buddy Holly and Frankie Vallie. The
side dishes are unique-fried squash,
and corn nuggets among others.
popsdinernc.com
Sunrise Grill (Boone, North
Carolina). For over 20 years, Sunrise
has been serving up jalapeno
popper grilled cheese, soysage
patties, Belgian waffle sandwiches
and goat cheese grits among other
classic favorites. A Yelp poll voted
their eggs benedict best in North
Carolina. sunrisegrillboone.com
The Beacon Drive-In
(Spartanburg, South Carolina).
The Beacon is the second largest
drive-in restaurant in the U.S.,
keeping the old-school curb service
alive since 1946. They're known for
their Chili Cheese A-Plenty, a chili
cheeseburger hidden underneath
heaping piles of fries and onion
rings. The Southern-style sweet
tea is served in a cup of shaved ice
and finished with a spritz of lemon.
beacondrivein.com
The Hole in the Wall (Blairsville,
Georgia). Union County's oldest
diner opened in 1931 and is known
for the excellent service and food
that's " so good you'll swear your
grandma made it. " Owner and chef
Mark Cox has curated an extensive
menu of internationally inspired
signature dishes and Southern-style
diner eats. holeinthewallga.com
Wright's Dairy-Rite (Staunton,
Virginia).Wright's takes customers
back in time as they place orders
via speakers or phone from
their cars or table. The drive-in
specializes in hand-pattied burgers,
homemade onion rings, footlong
hot dogs and more. Wright's dessert
offerings are the main attraction-
funnel cake fries, hot fudge cake,
malted milkshakes or a warm donut
topped with ice cream. dairy-rite.
com
-SARAH RIDDELL

http://www.melsdinerpf.com http://www.highsrestaurant.com http://www.facebook.com/thepinkcadillacdiner http://www.beacondrivein.com http://www.facebook.com/hobnobdrive http://www.holeinthewallga.com http://www.popsdinernc.com http://www.kathys-restaurant.com http://www.sunrisegrillboone.com http://www.dairy-rite.com http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country July/August 2023