I love love love love local Great space. Old Wendy's building with beautiful mountains rolling out the big windows. Friendly staff!! The original restaurant was up the old road towards JC in the little town of Unicoi. It burned down when the blow torch used to blacktop the parking lot got to close to the building. read more

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I will always remember going to Clarence's when I was a little boy when it was in Unicoi now here in Erwin still so good. Great diner food great banana split the only unfortunate thing about living in Erwin is that everything's closed on Sunday so definitely check it out during the week I always get the roast beef platter real good read more

Clarence's was doing a healthy amount of business when we stopped in for breakfast. That required us to wait a bit before we could be seated. There's not much of a waiting area, as it's just a few chairs lined up at each entry door -- and that crowds things up at the cashier station near one of those doors. Thankfully, the waitstaff is not afraid to stay busy, so before long we were able to get a booth of our own. Scanning the menu before we ordered, we noticed that breakfast foods are available throughout the day (nice) but that there were no options available for hash browns. The kitchen seemed to move quickly once it had our orders, so before long we were presented with plates full of morning food. I kept my order simple: bacon, eggs over medium, and biscuits with gravy. The bacon was thick and cooked to a nice crispness. My eggs seemed a bit small but were still fine to eat. The biscuits were of reasonable size and thickness, and they also seemed fine. As for the gravy, it was a bit whiter than I'd prefer, and while it was better than fast food gravy it didn't have the well developed flavor I'd hoped for. Shredded hash browns would have been a nice addition to the plate, but I've already mentioned my disappointment in that regard. There were other breakfast potato options available, as my companion found. Their order included home fries, which arrived as some oddly shaped parabolic chunks of browned potato. I'm told they were good, though I didn't try any myself. All in all, the breakfast offerings weren't bad. We'd go back, though I don't think we would travel out of our way to do so. read more

We ate here after driving around Erwin. The atmosphere is like the 60's in the tables and chairs. I had their pinto bean and corn muffin special which was very good while my wife had country ham, okra, and rolls. That is on the senior menu which is confusing to find. Everything tasted great with good service. I would like to try their breakfast if I were in town some morning. read more

Food was amazing and very reasonably priced. The staff were so helpful and friendly. Little diner that has all kinds of fun things on the wall. Definitely will be back. read more

All packaged food. Used to love their gravy now it's a mix Prices are way too high.

We rented a cabin in the mountains for the weekend, and decided to explore the area for a bit on day two. We came into this pretty little town called Erwin, and with it being close to lunch time decided we'd find a local spot for lunch. Clarence's Drive In had the most full parking lot, so it looked like a safe bet. Sadly, I was wrong. We came in expecting something in the vein of Cracker Barrel, country style cooking, etc. what we got were frozen food items on a plate. I'm not one to completely rip a place because the food wasn't good, but I would avoid this place. I am giving it two stars because the staff were friendly and the restaurant itself was very clean. Cute town, though. read more

Clarence's Drive-In - View from the window booth - Diners Near Me - Erwin, Tennessee

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They are now located in the old Wendy's restaurant off the Old Erwin Highway. It's also easy to find coming off the interstate, but the sign does not stand out. It's just to the left at the stoplight. The driveway entrance has a short steep hill to climb, and they share the entrance with a gas station next door, so the area can get busy with cars coming from several directions. Owing to the fast food restaurant building, the two doorways are in the middle of each side of the building. There is parking on one side adjacent to the building, and handicapped spaces are right next to the door. The rest of the parking is across a traffic lane all around the building. Entering, you will see a sign that says either "Seat yourself" or "Please wait to the seated". Seating is a mix of tables and booths, and some can accommodate groups of 8-10 without having to move tables around. There is plenty of room to walk past other customers. There is a lot of natural light coming from the windows on three sides, and the inside looks clean and bright. We were not greeted on entering, but someone came by for our drink orders in less than five minutes. The menus were on the table so we were able to order right away. The food took about 20 minutes to come out. This review covers their breakfast menu, which is served all day. Eggs and omelets were cooked perfectly. All omelet fillings were good, and there were a lot. The sausage and bacon were good, the grits bland. I added pepper and margarine and they were ok. The biscuits and gravy were very good. The biscuits were moist and easy to cut with a fork. The gravy is (very) thick, flavorful, and filling. Service was very good. There is always someone walking through the dining area with a coffee pot ready to top off your cup, and other drinks are refilled quickly. The staff is friendly, and since many have been with Clarence's for some time, they know how to treat their customers right. It looks like the new location for Clarence's is ready to continue their long tradition of good food for a good price. read more

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This is the most well around menu of any good cookin restaurants I come upon in traveling. I now live in Ct but I'm from NC and miss some of the traditional southern home cooking. Spotless and very kind waitstaff. I'll be back for sure! Tracey read more

Service is outstanding! Have been coming to Clarence's for the last 2 years specially for breakfast, and is very good, never a mixed up order. Prices are very reasonable. Family ambience. read more

When I go to Clarence's, I'm always greedy with a smile and everyone is always friendly and the food is delicious. I couldn't cook it at home that would taste any better than I get there and the prices are reasonable they're not $12 a plate so if you want good food price, reasonable friendly atmosphere and the restaurant you gotta go there read more

Food menu was average diner food. Nothing spectacular. Astounding clean tables. Staff was friendly. read more

Clarence's Drive-In - Philly steak sandwich with fries. - Diners Near Me - Erwin, Tennessee

Great food, Good customer service, great pricing. I am taking a star off for two reasons, and these are a bit nit pickey but always stick out to me... 1 - lighting the led lights are super cold and make the place feel sterile like a hospital. Also, on the perimeter of the room, the tables near the windows are dark. Switch to warm white leds and add some hanging pendant lights to make the room feel less like an operating room 2 - noise. Lack thereof. For a fun 50's drive in diner feel - it was super quiet. A jukebox or a playlist of upbeat tunes would go a long way. All you hear is distant conversations and the kitchen. Quite depressing read more

Clarence's Drive-In - a dining room with tables and chairs - Diners Near Me - Erwin, Tennessee

Good "American diner" style food; hamburgers, sandwiches, drinks and desert. We had the catfish sandwich, hamburger & onion rings & a brownie sundae. Everything was well seasoned, fresh and delicious. Our waitress was really fast and genuinely seemed to enjoy her job. The restaurant had a 60's vibe and was well lit & immaculate. It's right at a Hwy 26 exit, easy on off, with 2 gas stations on opposite corners. read more

It's the best small town diner around! Great food, good service, and very friendly staff! Our family loves this place!

Everything was awesome. The waitress was amazing. The cooks do a wonderful job and the price is very reasonable. There isn't enough stars to give we love this restaurant read more

Very disappointed. Sat and waited for close to an hour for a sandwich. Never got it. Our waitress said the girl working the window kept putting take out orders in front of dine in customers. What? They have so so good but not too much of a choice considering it's Erwin. It'll be awhile before I go back. Not deserving of my business. read more

A very busy little eatery in Erwin. We stopped here for a hardy breakfast before starting a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. The home fries are more like spiral crinkle fries (not actual hand cut potatoes). Ordered a steak & cheese omelette and got a bacon omelette because the waitress misheard my order. It was fine, just not what I ordered. Table we were seated at wasn't wiped and had remnants of the folks before us, along with their opened creamers. A hometown feel with hardworking women serving breakfast. Just was hoping for a more filling omelette and real home fries. read more

Fries and burgers were good, and service was very attentive. Nice clean updated decor. Could use some sock hop music from a jukebox to make it more authentic. read more

Clarence's Drive-In - Burger with cheese, fries and cheese fries with two drinks $17.92 - Diners Near Me - Erwin, Tennessee

I sincerely hope you don't have desires to call ahead / call-in an order in the evening. Your frustration level will only grow if you attempt a phone call to Clarence's Drive-In after 4/5PM. I've ran into this most evenings and don't try to actually call more than twice. After two (2) attempts I decide how much the family wants Clarence's. If they are dead set on that for dinner I go place order at the restaurant or take my business elsewhere. I go, order, and wait. Don't expect them to be happy about a To-Go order either. The servers want to get their shift over and go home. They hate to be bothered with another order, let alone a To-Go order that doesn't require table service. I'm sure Clarence's is short-staffed, as is the story most places. They allow it to add to the frustration level if you want to call in an order. On some occasions they will say the phone is messed up and maybe apologize. I seldom have issues calling in a morning order. The evening crew doesn't seem to value customer base or orders to have tips flowing in on To-Go orders. This is obvious by the 'ignore-the-phone' approach commonly exercised during their shift. Clarence's is a historical staple of Unicoi County and known for biscuits and gravy, great burgers, and has a long track record. The ambiance is late-50's-early-60's flare in an old Wendy's. No drive-thru, sorry, they use that for the pick-up window, when they're taking To-Go orders. My frustration level gives this overall rating 1star due to the simple fact they maintain the phone off the hook in the evenings to avoid more orders. I could easily move to 4-5 stars if they didn't avoid the phone orders. I assume the owners let this behavior exist, because as an owner/manager it would start to be obvious that the phone isn't ringing and not a lot of people are stopping at the window. I would miss the sales and try to remedy the issue. Guess Clarence's owners/managers are content with the current volume of business and don't care. That calls into question more concern over the confidence of what they serve. read more

The best breakfast. Cheap good and service is fantastic. I will be back. Food is fantastic

Been there twice. Both times they can't get the order right. Then act like it's the customers fault and not there's. Terrible customer service. Who wants to eat soggy French fries? I WONT BE BACK! read more

The best breakfast anywhere with, by far, the best biscuits and gravy and grits. Fantastic prices also. Get 2 biscuits and gravy to go for less than $3. Nice, new place for the business. Glad they added the bar sitting area back. Need a TV for college football season. Best diner around. Great service. read more

Great food with and old school diner feel. I'll be coming back. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Frequently not open when it says they are online. Call first. I'm sitting in the parking lot now and they are closed again when it says they are open online. read more

We love clarences for breakfast! Diner style place, good food and service. Very friendly staff.

I really enjoy their new location and bright blue booths and tables. During the pandemic, the staff was very faithful to wear masks and do distancing. The taco salad is the best! read more

Have been going here for years, love the new location. The food is always good, and the service is amazing. All the waitresses are so friendly. They have something for everyone whether you want breakfast lunch or dinner, and the prices can't be beat. read more

Great food and great service. Has a nice selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. I enjoyed my crinkle fries, Impossible burger, and chocolate milkshake. Breakfast served all day. read more

I visited Clarence's with my parents earlier this week and it was one of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. When my dad, who is in his 80's, paid for his bill in cash, the rotund, slightly senior woman working at the cast register took his change out of the drawer then, rather than handing it to him, wondered off to the back of the restaurant with it as if she was in a daze. She appeared a few minutes later and yelled at my dad across the restaurant that he hadn't paid his bill (???). When my dad pointed out that he had paid his bill and was waiting on his change she yelled at him that he was rude, proving herself to be a hypocrite with no class or social skills. She never gave him his change so she stole from a senior citizen on a fixed income. When my dad asked to speak with the manager, she yelled at him again and called him rude. Needless to say, none of us will ever go back. As for the food, it's cheap quality and dripping with grease. The prices are cheap, as they should be since you could get better food at a public school cafeteria. Don't waster your time. read more