Burger Bar

A Bristol institution on State Street, Burger Bar delivers exactly what the name promises, outstanding burgers in a no-frills setting that has been feeding downtown Bristol for decades. The hand-formed patties, crispy fries, and milkshakes hit every comfort food note, and the location on State Street makes it a perfect lunch stop between the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and shopping. This is where locals eat, and that's always the best recommendation.

Burger Bar opened in downtown Bristol in 1942, originally operating as the Snack King on Piedmont Avenue, which sits on the Virginia side of the Tennessee-Virginia state line. The diner is known as one of the last places country singer Hank Williams was seen alive. On New Year's Eve 1952, his driver Charles Carr stopped in Bristol and asked if he wanted food; Williams reportedly answered "No." He died hours later in the car before reaching his scheduled Ohio show. Joe and Kayla Deel bought the restaurant in 2013.

Visitor Tips

• ›The classic cheeseburger is the move, don't overthink it
• ›Perfect fuel stop between museum visits on State Street
• ›Cash-friendly and fast, great for families on the go