Handee Burger
InlandA Kingston institution that has been feeding the town and interstate travelers for decades, open only on weekdays until 2 PM.
Handee Burger has been at this location for 47 years. In Kingston, this is the diner you grow up going to with your grandparents, then take your own kids, then recommend to strangers exiting the interstate two miles away.
The burgers are the small, crystal-style variety, not the thick patty format that dominates current burger culture. They are made fresh and eaten fast. The onion rings are frequently called out by name. Fries are good. The biscuits and gravy have a reputation that extends beyond Kingston, with more than one out-of-towner describing them as the best they had on a trip through Tennessee and the Carolinas. Breakfast runs until 10:30 AM, including the Bulldog breakfast sandwich.
The service is the other thing. The waitresses are uniformly described as welcoming, warm, and quick. People who arrive fifteen minutes before closing report being served without attitude. This seems to be less policy than disposition. The dining room is small, with a counter and tables, and a drive-through window. If you need a table on a weekday morning you may have to wait a few minutes.
The hours are the friction. Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 2 PM, closed weekends. Multiple reviews contain some version of "wish they were open longer" or "the only problem is the hours." That is the only problem with Handee Burger. If your schedule permits, the visit is worth making.
Tips
- Breakfast ends at 10:30 AM; lunch runs until 2 PM.
- Closed Saturday and Sunday with no exceptions.
- There is a drive-through window if the dining room is full.
- If you are heading west on I-40, take the Kingston exit; it is a short detour worth the time.
What people love
- The slider-style burgers, which have a loyal following that spans decades.
- Onion rings, consistently called out as excellent.
- Biscuits and gravy, among the best around.
- Waitresses who are genuinely warm and fast, not performatively so.
- The price point, which has held reasonable over the years.
What to know
- Open weekdays only, 6 AM to 2 PM; plan your visit around this or you will find a closed door.
- The dining room is small; a short wait for a table during peak breakfast and lunch hours is normal.
- Cash may be preferred; verify before you go.
Best time
Weekday mornings between 7 and 10 AM for breakfast, when the dining room is lively and the biscuits are fresh.
First visit
On North Kentucky Street in Kingston, a few minutes from Interstate 40. Small exterior, counter seating plus tables, drive-through on the side. Arrive early; the kitchen closes at 2 PM.
How to get in
Walk-in only. Counter and table seating, first-come first-served.
Location
Frequently asked
When is Handee Burger open?
Open Monday through Friday only, 6 AM to 2 PM. Closed all weekends and holidays; call ahead to confirm holiday hours.
How do I get to Handee Burger?
On North Kentucky Street in Kingston, a few minutes from Interstate 40. Small exterior, counter seating plus tables, drive-through on the side. Arrive early; the kitchen closes at 2 PM.
Does Handee Burger take reservations?
Walk-in only. Counter and table seating, first-come first-served.
What should I know before visiting Handee Burger?
Open weekdays only, 6 AM to 2 PM; plan your visit around this or you will find a closed door.
Last updated: April 30, 2026