Pal’s

OK, the fact that 2 Pal’s locations are in the «top 20» when you sort by rating in Johnson City is really misleading. Pal’s is just fast food with a loyal regional following.
Pal’s does a couple of things really well. One is efficiency. It is impressive how quickly they can run 9 cars of orders through in a few minutes. If it looks «too busy» don’t let that deter you if you are in a hurry. Their slogan «sudden service» is accurate.
«Peachy tea» and the «Big Chicken» sandwich are really good.
But, the burgers aren’t. They are, and I’m being generous here, just OK.
It’s a local chain, they have a great business model, and usually put clever and inspirational sayings on the marquee.

Wow. This review could be summed up in two words… The Best! The best burgers, the best hotdogs, the best fries, the best service! Seriously folks, the service is excellent! If your from upper East Tennessee then you are lucky to have access to such an awesome place!

This place is shockingly delicious. I got their barBQ dog yesterday and it was SO FANTASTIC. Delicious pulled pork on a hot dog bun. Their milk shakes and peachy tea are to die for. The fries are a little over salted, but it just adds to the flare. Pro tip: you can get plain unsweetened tea with peach syrup.

I didn’t taste it myself but the kids loved their cheesy hashbrowns for breakfast. Service was fast and very friendly!

Those that haven’t lived in this area for a long time probably won’t know what I’m talking about, but those that are native to the area will. Pals’ USED to be my favorite fast-​food restaurant. I lived in this area for a long time, moved for about 10 years and moved back. One of the best things I thought about when I moved back here was… I get my Pal’s back! So, the first opportunity that I had, I got a Pal’s burger… anxious to bite into that American goodness, I found the burger to be flat and tasteless and completely devoid of any type of seasoning. I figure.Ok.I just got a fluke, so a week later, I tried it again, same thing. Two years later I met someone that used to work for Pal’s that told me, no… I was not crazy… they did change something. Pal’s used to marinate their burgers in au jus… that explains why the flavor of the meat was so good. He said that they stopped the practice a few years ago… I was told that they cooked the burgers about 90% of the way, then put them in a tub of water (this explains why they are devoid of flavor), and when you order a burger, they put them back on the grill to give them a final heat up and then they are placed on a burger to be served. Their hot dogs are good, but I don’t order their burgers anymore. I would even be willing to pay extra to have the old one back or at least the option to order it. They used to be something special… the one at Wendy’s is better.

Pal’s is the only fast food I can get excited about. I no longer live in Johnson City, but whenever I go back, I usually have to make a stop at Pal’s at some point. This is partially due to the fact that I introduced my wife to this chain, and she loves it. If you haven’t been here before, most everything is good, the Big Pal is my personal favorite, but the Sauceburger is also great if you are looking for something unique. You gotta get the fries too. Lastly, if you like shakes, try one from here, they’re simple and delicious and a large one could feed a family of six.

This location is my favorite in the Tri-​Cities.
If you’re a regular there, when you drive up to the windows the window jockeys chat you up like you’re kin. On the other hand, some of the folks there are strictly business. Eat there frequently and you learn who’s your Pal.
Food is fried to perfection here; other locations potato products are often under/​over cooked. Items are cooked as you order them, so always fresh – although I skip the tomatoes because they’re never local or in season. Love the burgers & fries, but the toasted cheese sandwich really hits the spot. Some folks like the shaved ham sandwich, too.
Also breakfast is excellent. Best gravy biscuit ever. Skip the ham biscuit. In spring of 2013 they changed ham vendors so the ham sandwich is better, according to workers, but the ham biscuit, according to me, sucks. New ham is thinner, less fatty, and has a metallic taste? It lacks something that the old ham did, salt, for sure. The ham problem is why this place received a four-​star rating rather than five. Sausage biscuit is also good.
Tater rounds are excellent, ask for them with salt, that’s a seasoned salt they add to their frenchie fries. Ask for «light salt» the first time to see how you like it.
It’s fast food, but it’s awesome fast food.

I had never heard of Pal’s until I went to east TN. It looks like Good Burger from All That… and the movie. The people there are friendly! I don’t know why, but compared to all other fast food places, these people actually act nice. They smile and seem super friendly. The food is amazing! I go for the hot dogs. Delicious! Also, I got a big chicken from them once, it was great! Also, much healthier than the fried chicken sandwich I would have gotten from McDonalds. I wish we had a Pal’s here in Nashville!

I was as other reviews pointed out a bit turned off at the beginning because for fast food it is a bit expensive. But after getting my food, super quick, and with a smile. I was feeling a little bit better.
The food is good, better then other fast food places, the burgers more juicy and have a nice flavor to them. The menu is simple, and easy to understand. The fries have a great seasoning to them, which I can’t really figure out what it is but I’m a fan. The sweet tea is good. Like really good. Helps that it comes in a huge size, and costs only a buck.
There is no place to eat in, you can eat in your car if you want, or chomp down on the road. Pal’s has done something right, and I’m sad that there are not more of these places around for me to eat eat. It’s not fast food, its «Sudden, Service»

I thought this place was pretty expensive for fast food (burger and fries ran 5 bucks, no dollar menu or anything) but it’s a shitload better than other fast food. I’d say without a whole lot of hesitation that the burger was better than Five Guys. Also, it helps a lot that the menu is so short that it takes about 45 seconds to get your food if you’re the only one in the drive thru line.

If you’ve never been to Pal’s you have to got to eat here. It’s a drive through only restaurant but they have spaces for you eat in your car. The Big Pal has to be the best hamburger I’ve ever eaten and the fries ain’t bad either. The sweet tea is great and the chipped ham sandwich is like nothing you’ve ever eaten before. I’d rather eat here than at any «fast food» drive through anywhere. If they had tables to eat at inside this place could have restaurants all over the world. WOW!