Today I had a nostalgic meal at the only Blue Circle left in existence. It was a marvelous meal consisting of a cheeseburger, fries. And a milk shake. Blue Circles were prolific in Knoxville when I was growing up. They had small hamburgers/cheeseburgers on round buns. They had displays of donuts on the counter and served your meal on an oval china plate. I remember them fondly and when they went out of business in Knoxville years ago, my father bought their donut machine at auction. Thanks to the staff at the Blue Circle in Bristol, TN for a wonderful meal and a trip down memory lane. Follow me on Yelp for more places to see and eat in East Tennessee. read more

See all

I used to frequent this adorable Bristol landmark when we lived here on Bluff City Hwy from 2016-2021. We recently moved back to the area (Oct 2024) & I decided to show my worker this delightful & charming burger restaurant. I only meant to order a few sliders so he could taste how good they were. While we were waiting, I mentioned to him that it's better than Krystal's or White Castle. As we left, I didn't pay attention to the bag they gave my friend (supposed to have just a few sliders). Instead, Blue Circle had surprised us with nearly a dozen sliders simply because I had told them that my friend was new to town. What a delicious surprise! Blue Circle, thank you for treating us special, you've gained 2 loyal families for life. read more

Maybe it's just nostalgia but I love Blue Circle! Blue circle was my go to lunch place in high school (1986-89)! Used to love sitting at the counter and eating a 1/2 dozen circle burgers. The new owners have brought the original nostalgia back! The place looked great! They have also expanded outside seating with a canopy. I ordered the original Blue Circle burgers with cheese. They come with onions, mustard and a pickle on a steamed bun. Tasted just like high school. The fries were dropped when ordered and came out hot and fresh, crispy and golden brown. Got to spend some time with my parents reminiscing over a good meal! Thank you Blue Circle for bringing back the memories! read more

See all

Blue Circle is a hidden gem of a restaurant that offers little burgers that are huge on taste. I wish I could give a review of the small menu, but despite my intention to try other items, I always order those addictive little burgers (though I do mix it up and get some with cheese and some without). I will say that the onion rings look pretty impressive and I have been told that the hot dogs are very good. I would like to try both, but again, those little burgers keep whispering in my ear. If you find yourself in the Bristol area, I recommend here. A classic drive-in type restaurant serving classic American fare (including those addictive burgers). read more

Blue Circle - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

See all

Friendly staff! Yummy food! I enjoyed the atmosphere! Try the deluxe combo! Yummy l! read more

Blue Circle - Deluxe combo w/ tots - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

Best small "Krystal like" burgers. Very nice wait staff but did take a long time for to go order. But it was busy if you go when not as busy prob be faster. read more

Good food, nice staff and fair prices. I really like the park, order and eat option. I have never been dissapointed here. read more

Blue Circle - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

This place is under new ownership within the last several years. What an improvement! I love the circle burgers! The hotdogs are excellent as well. If you like, smart on your dogs, they make an in-house slaw that is unique and delicious on a hot dog. The staff are friendly, the manager and cook were both super helpful and informative with recommendations/suggestions for future visits. Everything was clean. They accept cards and cash. read more

See all

A great little find in Bristol...on the TN side. Founded in Knoxville TN, Blue Circle has been serving the original Blue Circle Burger (burger, bun, pickle, mustard, onion) since 1931. I had no idea there WAS so much history in a little round burger & restaurant. Definitely beats Krystal and White Castle hands down!! The staff and service was the BEST!! Definitely a Happy Place for Hungry People. read more

See all

I have been coming to the place since I was little. The new owners need to do something before this place closes again. The hops were young girls who did not comprehend our simple order and we had to repeat multiple times until finally giving up and walking in to order and returning to the car. Then when the food finally came out it was wrong. We ordered a 12 pack of circle burgers with cheese and onion only on all of them. One order of fries and 2 drinks. That's all. It took them close to an hour to bring the food out as well. I'm so disappointed. This place used to have one man running all the orders outside alone and he was able to keep up so why can a staff of multiple not do the same? read more

Blue Circle - The fries come in a tiny order. Not big enough to share. Make sure everyone gets their own. - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

I would never go here again! We were the only ones in the places and waited 30 minutes for our food and never got it. People started packing in and a "regular" guy got his burger before us. We listen to the blonde cook tell every person about how she broke her toe and has gauze stuffed under it because it hurts. We ended up leaving. I would never eat here!! read more

Bland weird tasting meats. Wouldn't be surprised if everything was frozen and pre-packed. Nothing had any flavor. Food tasted like it had been under a heat lamp all day. Won't be surprised if I get food poisoning. No idea why locals rave about this place. Put down the cigarettes your taste buds are crying. read more

Absolutely love this place!! Great food, better staff,and awesome atmosphere!!! Only wish I lived closer!!

It's like Krystal's but better! Cool little joint with great food. I had the little burgers and onion rings -- they were just what I had hoped for. The staff was really pleasant and the atmosphere is classic diner/lunch counter. No frills, all taste! read more

It's great to see this place back to what it once was. The food is excellent again and the energy is amazing. Thanks for revitalizing this gem. read more

Went to get the Bigmoma and it ok but the old one witch is a lot different it has ham spicedham bologna salami and cheese and if you are going to make the old one then make it right but it is a good try read more

There is so much I can say about this place that just makes me wish I found a White Castle instead. Now I not a native from this area, but eating there for the first time after looking up food challenges... I was very disappointed in what I got. Now mind you the prices for the burgers and fries is great, small inflation change from 50 years ago, that's cool. But my burgers weren't cooked fresh. The staff was great, customer service was excellent, but the griller lacked on making this well known small established stay true to what they serve. After making an order, I saw the grill, pull already pre-cooked burgers out of a steel bowl, and added the fixings to them and place them in a steamer..... I freaking steamer... They only time I saw food being made on the grill were for the regulars that normally come in. Flipped a few patties, toasted the bun, melted the cheese, and served on a plate fresh for them... My family got 15 steamed burgers that were were so wet and soggy that the air in the place started to harder the side of the burgers and buns... And if you ate them quick you you would burn your mouth off. My daughter and wife were so disappointed as I was. The only thing that was good other than the waitress was the Milkshakes... They had no choice to make them fresh. So, I might have to go back there and try it again and ask for FRESH Burgers, because watching the grilled pull two damn tubs out cold burgers... pissed me off. I traveled all the way from Maryland just to have these, and my experience was horrible. I hope the people who did the challenge got fresh burgers, because those steamed one went through me all the next day, ruined a whole day that my two day trip to Gatlinburg was changed to one... At least I saved money. Do better Circle Burger... Give me a new reason to drive out to you and try you again. read more

Had dinner there tonight, it was delicious. The service was great and food even greater. We love the Blue Circle.

As a transplant to this area, I was told About Blue Circle several times before they closed. I was sad I didn't get to try it, but luckily they reopened. I made it a point to try this place out. I'm a long time fan of White Castle, but this area has no White Castle and the Krystal that was in town closed (tried it and it was gross!). Blue Circle is a perplexing place. It's a small sit down but also a drive in. You can sit at a bar or at tables. On a busy day be prepared to wait for a seat and then for food, but it's worth it. There definitely seems to be some kinks still being worked out with the new owners and staff. While my order has always been correct and, for the most part, timely, some patrons I have seen get their order incorrectly or have to wait for quite some time. The food however is delicious and a great stand in for an area that lacks a White Castle. Everything is made fresh when you order. The staff is busy but always friendly in my experience. I've been here twice and will definitely continue to visit until I move! read more

Blue Circle - Circle Burgers with Cheese - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

Amazing! Best burger I've had in ages! Crowded but worth the wait!!!! Drive in car hop style and outside tables available!!!

Yummy sliders and the eggs looked tasty. There is a reason this place has been here for 50 years. Worth checking out! read more

Blue Circle - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

Well the wait wasn't so bad because the burgers are worth it, but I'll be sure to check them before I leave if I come back because only four of my burgers had onions and pickles and none of them had cheese, which is what I ordered. read more

Blue Circle - Burgers Near Me - Bristol, Tennessee

I have eaten at the Blue Circle in the past when it was open and the burgers were really good. I heard that after it closed that new owners took over and reopened it and had ads running stating how great the food was. We live in Johnson City and had just moved back here from Florida this past year. We were in Bristol today so me and a friend decided to stop by and try out the so called great place to eat. We had to wait quite a while for a lady to come and take our order. Then other cars pulled in after us and she finally came out and took their orders and each time she went by she yelled out we are working on your order, it will be out in a few minutes. We waited and waited and waited and waited and after about 45 or 50 min. She then came by and told us our bill was $10.88 and when I gave her my card to pay for it she said she would be back in a minute and was gone, gone, gone for a long time. Finally she brought my card back. Then she was bringing out food to the people that had arrived after we did and finally she said we are working on your food and it will be out in a minute. She was also yelling to the other customers telling them the same thing about their orders. Finally she came out about 10 min. later. We ordered two slaw dogs, a Deluxe Cheeseburger- at least that is what they called it and a medium Dr. Pepper with very light ice. I said I hope it is hot for as long as we had to wait. And she walked off in a hurry. When I took a bite of the burger, it was the nastiest burger I have ever eaten, the meat was cold, hard, dry, flatter than a pancake and had a funny taste and the bun was ice cold, not hot and steamed. I tried to yell back at her that if was beyond bad but she quickly scurried away. The hot dogs were cold, the drink was full of ice and very little drink, which I had told her very light ice. I didn't want the nasty burger so I threw it away. This was the most disgusting tasting hamburger that I have ever took a bite of in my life. The girl said she was the only one working out side. She was taking orders with a pad and pen. Serving food like this and a person having to wait this long I don't feel like this Restaurant will stay in business very long. After taking a bite of the meat on the so called burger it left a really bad taste in my mouth and I had to stop and get a pumpkin pie and a drink at another Restaurant to get that taste out of my mouth. When I got home I used mouth wash to get that taste all the way out of my mouth. What was that meat Soilent Green. I would not recommend this Restaurant to anyone. The sign said We sale great food, not fast food and I assure you it was Not, and I Mean Not Great Food at All! Poor Quality and Poor Service. We feel like we just threw the $10.88 down the drain. It might not have been a high bill, but I would rather have stopped at a country store and bought a bologna sandwich, a candy bar and a bottle of coke and I would have thought I was at a 5 star restaurant compared to this place. John. read more

This was a great little place we found during a stopover in Bristol. We drove in and ordered from out car, so we were able to sit and enjoy our meal why we were in the car with our dog. The food came out pretty quickly, and the portions were decently sized. The food was great! We had ordered burgers and fries, and they really satisfied our hunger. We would definitely stop here again. read more

Went to this restaurant for several years, after hearing about their closure I was saddened. However they reopened and boy was it a mistake! 1hr 45minutes for food and not so much as an apology. Will not return ever again! Save your time and money! read more

Happened to be driving and found this little drive up restaurant. The orders at times aren't correct for us but they are quick to fix this. The burgers are great! The food is great. Really enjoy the food. read more

Worth giving a try was just a little unorganized when I visited maybe just having a bad day.

Very good burgers and hot dogs there circle burgers are 100 times better than krystals ever thought to be heckled everything is good great place to eat read more

Stopped by for lunch. Had a burger. It was good, but not outstanding.

Nostalgia for my childhood at Blue Circle! Their food has remained consistent throughout the years- try the onion rings

We were driving through Bristol and wanted to pick up a sandwich before we went on a hike. This was an excellent choice for us. It's a no frills type of place with good food. We split a turkey and cheese, with sauce.lettuce.and tomato on yummy pumpernickel.The guys there gave us some great tips on where to go hiking and went way beyond normal service! The whole place was a good friendly atmosphere with delicious food. read more