Courtney’s Diner
InlandA roadside diner off Roane State Highway that does home-style cooking well enough to pull road-trippers off I-40 and keep locals coming back.
Courtney's Diner is the kind of place where the owner's name is on the sign and she still walks the floor. The operation is small enough for the owner to know your order by your third visit, and serious enough about the food to keep the regulars regular.
The food is diner cooking at its best. The biscuits and gravy are the signature plate: real crust on the biscuit and plentiful cream gravy. The smash burger shows up as a special and lands well. The Philly steak sandwich and fried green tomato BLT have their own following. The daily specials rotate through chicken fried steak, open-face roast beef, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and whatever the cook decides is worth doing that day. The fried okra is some of the best around, which is a real claim in East Tennessee where fried okra standards are high. The peanut butter milkshake is a reliable dessert call.
The deep-fried banana peppers are worth asking about. They are not always on the menu but they are the kind of local knowledge that regulars share. Ask the staff when you sit down.
Service is attentive, with the occasional slow shift on a rare off day. The dining room is small and the atmosphere is standard diner: no pretense, no theme, just tables and the smell of breakfast.
Tips
- The daily specials are the move; ask what's on when you sit down.
- The banana peppers are worth ordering if they're on the special that day.
- Saturday closes at noon; breakfast-only.
- The fried okra comes as a side and is worth adding to anything.
What people love
- Biscuits and gravy with a real crust and generous cream gravy.
- The owner's personal presence and the warmth it creates in the dining room.
- The fried okra, some of the best around.
- Daily specials that rotate enough to keep regulars interested.
- Smash burger when it's on special.
What to know
- Closed Sundays; Saturday breakfast-only until noon.
- Small dining room; can feel crowded on busy days.
- Service can run slow on occasional off shifts; not the norm.
- Located about a mile and a half off I-40 in Harriman; worth the detour.
Best time
Weekday mornings for a quiet breakfast without competition for tables. Lunch specials run until the food runs out, arrive before 1 PM if you have a specific dish in mind.
First visit
Courtney's is on Roane State Highway in Harriman, roughly 1.5 miles off I-40. Small enough to miss if you're not looking for it. Ask what the daily special is before opening the menu.
How to get in
Walk-in only. Small dining room; a brief wait is possible on busy mornings.
With kids
The menu is family-friendly and the atmosphere is easygoing enough for kids. Nothing about the setup makes families feel out of place.
Signature items
- Biscuits and Gravy
- Fried Green Tomato BLT
- Smash Burger (daily special)
- Fried Okra
- Deep-Fried Banana Peppers
Location
Frequently asked
When is Courtney’s Diner open?
Closed Sundays; Saturday closes at noon. Monday through Friday runs 7 AM to 8 PM.
Is Courtney’s Diner good for families with kids?
The menu is family-friendly and the atmosphere is easygoing enough for kids. Nothing about the setup makes families feel out of place.
How do I get to Courtney’s Diner?
Courtney's is on Roane State Highway in Harriman, roughly 1.5 miles off I-40. Small enough to miss if you're not looking for it. Ask what the daily special is before opening the menu.
Does Courtney’s Diner take reservations?
Walk-in only. Small dining room; a brief wait is possible on busy mornings.
What should I order at Courtney’s Diner?
The signature orders are Biscuits and Gravy, Fried Green Tomato BLT, Smash Burger (daily special).
What should I know before visiting Courtney’s Diner?
Closed Sundays; Saturday breakfast-only until noon.
Last updated: April 30, 2026