- Attraction: Litton’s Market & Restaurant
- Location: 2803 Essary Dr, Knoxville, TN 37918
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://www.littonsdirecttoyou.com
Litton’s Market & Restaurant in Fountain City has been a Knoxville institution since Eldridge Litton opened it back in 1946, originally as a humble grocery store and service station in the Inskip neighborhood.
The restaurant didn’t start flipping burgers until 1981, when a customer asked Barry Litton to fry up a hamburger, and the rest became delicious history.
Today, this family-owned gem sits across from the charming Fountain City duck pond, drawing crowds with its award-winning burgers and desserts that have earned accolades from Southern Living and countless local food awards.
The fourth generation of the Litton family now helps run the operation, maintaining the same commitment to quality and comfort food that made this spot a beloved landmark.
The Star-Studded Burger Lineup
The Thunder Road: This signature creation lives up to its bold name with a generous half-inch layer of housemade pimento cheese melting over the patty, topped with sautéed onions and jalapeños for a kick.
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Keep Exploring →The combination delivers such an abundance of cheese that you might want to grab extra napkins, but that’s exactly what makes it memorable. Named after the classic moonshine movie filmed in these parts, this burger captures the spirit of East Tennessee on a plate.
Classic Litton Burger: If you prefer simplicity done right, the classic option features a thick, juicy patty cooked to order and served on a bun that’s baked fresh in the in-house bakery.
You can customize it with your choice of cheese, and the patties are made from quality beef sourced from a local purveyor. The freshness shines through in every bite, with lettuce, tomato, and onion providing the perfect crisp contrast.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options: While burgers dominate the menu, you’ll also find satisfying alternatives including a veggie burger that gets surprisingly enthusiastic mentions, grilled chicken sandwiches, fresh salads with homemade dressings, and their popular chicken salad served on honey whole wheat bread baked by Lynda Jones and her bakery team.
The Legendary Onion Rings: These aren’t your average frozen rings dumped from a bag. The handmade onion rings at Litton’s consistently steal the show, with their crispy golden exterior giving way to sweet, tender onion inside.
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Discover MoreMany guests opt to substitute these for fries with their burger combo, and it’s absolutely worth the small upcharge. Try dipping them in the honey mustard for an extra flavor dimension.
The Dessert Case That Stops Traffic
Southern Living’s Coconut Cream Pie: When Southern Living names your coconut cream pie one of the best in the South, you know you’ve created something special.
This dreamy slice features abundant coconut shavings folded into silky cream filling, achieving the perfect balance where coconut enhances rather than overwhelms. The generous slices are large enough that sharing becomes a genuine option.
Red Velvet Cake: Impossibly moist layers of classic red velvet are slathered with rich cream cheese icing that complements without overpowering. The texture melts on your tongue, and the portion sizes are substantial enough that one slice can satisfy two people, though you might not want to share.
Italian Cream Cake: This buttery Southern classic gets the Litton’s treatment with a traditional recipe featuring pecans and coconut, all wrapped in silky cream cheese frosting. The simplicity lets the quality ingredients shine through, making it perfect alongside a cup of after-meal coffee.
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Keep Exploring →Key Lime Pie: Tart and refreshing, this Florida-inspired dessert provides a lighter option after a hearty meal, with genuine key lime flavor that doesn’t rely too heavily on sweetness.
Chocolate Chess Pie: Available only on Tuesdays, this ultra-rich, creamy specialty is worth planning your visit around if you’re a chocolate devotee.
Turtle Brownies and More: The bakery case rotates through cheesecakes, strawberry cake, cookies, and other tempting treats that change regularly, so there’s always something new to discover.
The Fountain City Experience
Nostalgic Diner Vibes: Step inside and you’re transported to a simpler era, with neon lights glowing and vintage Knoxville memorabilia covering the walls.
The space showcases old advertisements, Tennessee Vols sports memorabilia, and historic posters that tell the story of Fountain City’s past. You’ll sign your name on a chalkboard when you arrive, adding your mark to the daily roster of diners.
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Discover MoreThe Waiting Area Entertainment: During busy lunch hours or game days when UT fans descend on Knoxville, waits can stretch out, but the time passes quickly as you survey the awards plaques covering the walls and browse the bakery case, strategizing which dessert you’ll order.
The visual feast of towering cakes and perfect pies makes the anticipation even sweeter.
Cozy Yet Spacious: The interior strikes a balance between intimate diner and accommodating restaurant, with enough seating to handle crowds while maintaining that neighborhood spot feeling. A private dining room in the back can accommodate groups of 15 or more for special events.
Game Day Destination: When the Vols play at Neyland Stadium, Litton’s becomes a popular pre-game or post-game stop. They even offer orange and white themed desserts for SEC football tailgates, showing their deep connection to Tennessee sports culture.
Planning Your Visit
Pricing Perspective: Expect mid-range pricing that reflects the quality ingredients and generous portions. A burger platter with a side typically runs in the teens, while those enormous dessert slices are priced to reflect their size.
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Keep Exploring →While not the cheapest option in town, the freshly baked buns, quality beef, and from-scratch desserts justify the investment.
Best Times to Go: Weekday lunches tend to be packed with regulars from the neighborhood, while weekend afternoons draw families and out-of-town visitors. Arriving slightly off-peak hours can help you avoid the longest waits, though the line moves steadily even when busy.
Parking Accessibility: You’ll find dedicated parking available at the restaurant, making it convenient despite its location on a busy stretch of Essary Drive near the I-640 interchange.
Closed Sundays: Following their longtime tradition of honoring church and family time, Litton’s closes on Sundays and major holidays, plus takes a week off in July for vacation. Plan accordingly, especially if you’re visiting from out of town.
Order Wisely: Come hungry, because the portions are substantial. Many regulars recommend splitting a dessert unless you’ve saved plenty of room, though those slices are so tempting you might struggle to share.
Take Home Options: The bakery ships desserts nationwide through their website, and you can purchase whole pies or cakes to go. Chicken salad is also available by the pint container for those who want to recreate the magic at home.
Litton’s Market & Restaurant
📍 2803 Essary Dr, Knoxville, TN 37918
