The Three Best Southern Restaurants Near Kingsport

Sep 14, 2017

Southern Restaurant

For a meal that tastes as good as your own mother’s cooking, head over to the Southern Restaurant on Elk Avenue in the heart of Elizabethton, Tennessee. Just a 40-minute drive from Kingsport, it’s well worth the trip to sample their signature southern dishes, like the country fried steak or open-face roast beef sandwich. The Southern also serves up classic burgers with fresh coleslaw, scratch-made meatloaf, and oven-baked turkey with dressing.

If you love breakfast but you’re not always up early enough to order it, the Southern Restaurant has you covered there, too. Day or night, you can always order off the breakfast menu at this family-style restaurant. With breakfast platters to suit every taste, three-egg omelets, and steaming hot coffee, you’re sure to find something delicious to fill your tummy.

Swing by on any Saturday evening in the summer to check out the classic cars that gather along Elk Avenue as you eat your meal. Sponsored by the Carter County Car Club, the weekly Cruise-In features a variety of vintage vehicles that will make you feel like you’ve taken a trip back in time.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

In 1979, Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers opened the doors to the first Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen with the goal of serving made-from-scratch meals to hungry patrons. Since then, Cheddar’s has become a household name with more than 160 locations all over the eastern United States, but the food is just as good as ever. From house-smoked baby back ribs to hand-battered country fried chicken and homemade onion rings, Cheddar’s makes every menu item fresh just for you using top-quality ingredients. Prices range from about $6 for a burger to $20 for a choice cut steak.

For a home-style meal, you won’t soon forget, check out the Cheddar’s at 2004 North Eastman Road in Kingsport, or take a drive to one of the other two nearby locations in Johnson City, Tennessee, or Bristol, Virginia. Be sure to leave room for dessert. Cheddar’s Seasonal Crisp A La Mode takes pie to a whole new level. Made from a golden crust filled with fresh seasonal fruit and served with two scoops of ice cream, it’s the perfect ending to a delicious meal.

The Second Story Cafe

If you’ve got a little extra time on your hands, head on down to The Second on Story Cafe to try their tasty breakfast and lunch offerings. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Second Story is just shy of an hour away from Kingsport. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, be sure to try the cafe’s famous cornbread. With gluten-free and vegetarian options offered daily, there’s something to suit every diet.

If you’re looking for a home-cooked meal, be sure to visit these three best southern restaurants near Kingsport.