Sycamore Drive-In

Sycamore Drive-​In is Carter’s County’s ultimate diamond in the rough. If you don’t know what you are looking for, you might drive right past it. The once-​thriving area of downtown Elizabethton occupied by the Sycamore has fallen to pieces in recent years, but the classic restaurant remains. The former walk-​up counter has been closed in with a few tables added, though the main business is take-​out orders from locals on their lunch break or looking for an affordable dinner.
The menu is general «burger joint» fare with a pretty large selection ranging from bologna sandwiches to chicken tenders, with sides including fries and mozzarella sticks. But the absolute stars of the menu are the burgers. Sycamore’s patties are almost literally melt-​in-​your-​mouth fare, juicy but not especially greasy. I like mine plain but ask about some of their specialty «off-​menu» offerings to see how creative this hometown eatery can get with an American classic.
One thing I have noticed about the food is that it is rarely too salty, likely owing to their attention to the needs of their clientele, many of whom are older folks who have been eating there for decades. That’s a welcome change from normal fast-​food fare.
And speaking of fast food, Sycamore’s prices easily beat similar fare in town. A regular cheeseburger will run you just $ 3.25, with a huge double cheeseburger coming in at $ 4.25. You can easily feed a family of four here for under $ 20.00 and be full.
Don’t let the old-​timey exterior and the seemingly out-​of-​place location deter you: Sycamore Drive-​In is truly a local gem in Elizabethton.

I’ve tried a bunch of things from their menu, everything here is great (even the fries)

Great little shop. Burgers are fresh and tasty. Easily as good as Five Guys, with the advantage of being a locally-​owned small business with lower prices. Fried sides (French fries, etc.) are not stellar. Give those a pass and make your burger a double instead.