As I pulled into the parking lot of Stock Burgers, I had to question if I was at the right place. At first glance, the sign for the Knoxville burger joint doesn’t catch the wandering eye, let alone seem like it would belong to such a popular diner. Its simple red-on-grey sign in the middle of busy Sutherland can be easily overlooked.
While Stock Burgers may not stand out on the street, I had heard their burgers have a reputation of their own.
Upon arrival, I found a small, wooden building with a smoker placed in the front yard to draw in customers craving the familiar taste of backyard cookout-style burgers.
The inside was modest, yet warm and inviting. The wooden accents that adorned the furniture and walls created a cozy feel that seemed like home.
I was seated immediately as it was a down time in the rainy afternoon; I was glad to be greeted by friendly service.
A menu claiming, “We will treat you so good for lunch that you will be back for dinner,” was promptly presented before me. I eagerly began searching through the diverse array of options listed.
Expectedly, burgers were the main attraction, all priced at $10. A selection of other American favorites included hot dogs, salads and a variety of chicken items. I was surprised to find the menu had a large selection of fish dishes ranging from a fish sandwich to shrimp baskets, titled “Pelican Choice.”
I was curious about many of the burger offerings, including one trademarked “The Knox Burger.” The Stock Burgers staple adds swiss cheese and mushrooms to traditional toppings on the burger of your choice. Despite the lengthy amount of choices, I decided to go with my gut (literally), and ordered The Sunny Side Up Burger, which pairs a fried egg and bacon as toppings.
After an adequate wait, my burger arrived at my table accompanied with a generous serving of fries. The surprise fries were a personal selling point for me, but the mere size of my meal was well worth the cost. Not only did I fail to finish my dinner, but I had enough leftover for lunch the following day.
The burger itself was satisfying: a juicy patty, a soft bun and unique toppings that really made the taste both interesting and appealing. Although egg and bacon might traditionally belong on a breakfast platter rather, the toppings were definitely the most exciting part of the meal (aside from the perfectly crisp fries, of course).
My waiter checked on me regularly throughout my experience and offered me banana pudding at the end of my meal. Though I had heard people rave about the dessert, and my server promised it was a Stock Burgers specialty not to miss, I declined the offer due to my heavy entree.
Overall, Stock Burgers serves a quality burger. However, was it worth the money on a college student budget? Probably not.
Among the lack of good burger options in Knoxville, Stock Burgers is definitely a must for those who crave hand-patted patties paired with unique toppings and complementing sides. Next time I’m missing the taste of home, I’ll be returning to Stock Burgers for a hometown diner experience, and I’ll be sure to leave room for the banana pudding.
