Experience written by Jaylon Fudge for Northeast Tennessee Tourism
Bond-O To Burgers is a restaurant that I had never heard of before visiting this past week, but after eating there I wish I had known about it sooner. The car-themed decorations immediately catch your eye as soon as you walk through the door, and as a food blogger and critic, I enjoy when a restaurant takes pride not only in their food, but their appearance and ambiance to customers as well.
The Vibe
Immediately after entering you notice that Bond-O to Burgers is very vibrant, welcoming, and schematically themed. Why is that, you ask? The building was a former auto body shop, hence the car reference of bond-o in the name of the restaurant. What was once a bustling auto shop with tools clanging and the smell of motor oil has transformed into a nostalgic atmosphere serving home-cooked meals that you would expect to see on the table at your grandparents’ house. Customers come for the experience as well as the food, and I feel this dive covers all the bases when it comes to southern favorites in a fun space.
The Food
The first thing that caught my eye were the onion rings. A family sitting close to us ordered them and they were significantly sizable. You can never go wrong with a good onion ring. The special of the day was chicken casserole, green beans, mashed potatoes, and choice of cornbread or roll. This is what I decided to order and let me tell you, I do not regret the decision! The server was very nice and the service was efficient, as we waited no longer than 5-10 minutes to receive our food. The chicken casserole came out blazing hot, was also a good portion of creamy, crunchy, filling, and very flavorful. I added a little salt and pepper and that really took it over the top. I would not hesitate to come back again and order the casserole if it were the special of the day. The green beans, mashed potatoes, and cornbread were solid sides as well. My coworkers ordered the soup beans and cornbread with a side of the aforementioned onion rings, and another ordered the cheeseburger. They were both Instagram worthy and savory!
Overall, I really enjoyed the eclectic vibe of the restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone who is in the area and looking for a hot, fresh, home-cooked meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week and features live music on the weekends with plans for outdoor games and dinning in the warmer months.
Bond-O To Burgers is another successful restaurant in my mystery diner journey, and I hope to trek the region and find more just like it. You can find Bond-O To Burgers at 3500 Hwy. 126 in Blountville, just off exit 69, or driving past Northeast State Community College and Tri-Cities Airport along Hwy. 75.
