What treat this place is! Definitely out of the way, but somehow perfectly located…read more This little eatery is quaint and welcoming. Service was warm and friendly. Had the lunch special, fried fish & fries with some hush puppies, and choice of peach or blackberry cobbler. Hands down the best fried fish I have EVER HAD. Crispy and packed with flavor. Fingerling hush puppies were just like mamaws! Also ordered a BLT with was delicious. Plenty of bacon , freshly sliced tomatoes, crunchy lettuce ... My mouth is watering again, hours after eating as I write this. Very clean. Plenty of parking. Plenty of seating inside or out on the back deck. A small gift shop and miscellaneous items for sale, t shirts, ball caps, cup, souvenir items. Even had a few automotive items, motor oil, trans fluid etc... It is out of the way. LOL. TAKE A DRIVE. This is East Tennessee at its best. I will be going again for the fall colors, and a truly amazing meal. Air B&B cabins on the river are available too.

Great food and friendly staff. Visited on a Saturday around noon a got a great patio table…read more Definitely will return!

I know this is a chain, but, this spot is SPECIAL!!! I've lived here two years and, this is my…read more"happy place" for coffee and breakfast. They are always friendly and the service is perfect!!!!! Very clean!

Service was good, food was extremely meager for the price I paid. I feel embarrassed about the tip…read moreleft, considering I could have went somewhere else and got twice the food.

When you travel you get to see so many neat and unique things. Some things once common become rare…read more They say that during the last ice age the ice did not reach the top of the Great Smokey Mountains. The Mountains saved plants and animals from extinction from the ice. In Harlan there is Rax Restaurant. Once a mighty fast food chain with over 500 locations nationwide. Now that mighty fadtfood chain is down to two locations one of those two locations is in Harlan. The Mountains of Kentucky have saved this Restaurant from extinction. I remember years ago being able to see Rax all over the place. It was a treat to recently visit a Rax in Harlan. Rax is one part Arbys roast beef sandwich shop and one part full service restaurant. I ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich and tater skins. The Roast Beef was like Arbys. Maybe a little more of a buttery flavor on the bun but maybe that was just my imagination. It was good. The tater skins were a nice addition. The cheese was a little runny. Why the 5 stars? Well the food was good for fast food and you have to admire the survivors in the restaurant world. When you are in the Mountains of Ky, stop by Harlan. Get you a Roast Beef Sandwich. Stop for a second and appreciate all the effort that was put into this Restaurant. And maybe if you sit real quite in the parking lot and listen to the breeze you can hear the words of a rock music ballad from the 1980s or 1990s when Rax was a dynamic nationwide chain. Recapture the past and enjoy a good meal at Rax in Harlan, a survivor in the Mountains of Ky.

I ate here since I was doing business with a coworker and we decided to go here because it gave her…read morenostalgia of having one in the city she was born and raised in. Apparently, this chain had many locations at one time, but they downsized to this sole location in all of KY (I think). This place reminded me of Arby's, with its roast beef sandwich; however, if Arby's had salads and baked potatoes as sides. I ended up ordering a Rax, Lite Salad, and water. What I did not expect was the large (I guess they only had one size for water) was charged as if it was a normal fountain drink (later found out on the receipt that it was charged under a combo)? I think the Rax a la carte was $4.99 and the Lite Salad was $2.99. The large water, if a la carte would have been like $2.89 (total was like $11.54)! I noticed on the receipt that it was combo'd and the price of the salad was like $1.50 upcharge? Would I not have saved money had I just bought everything a la carte? $7.98 instead of $8.78 for the combo and a Lite Salad with upcharge, bringing the total to $10.28. Then Kentucky state tax, $0.64 and the city of Harlan charges a city tax of $0.26. Geezus. Not even Lexington charges a city tax. Harlan should be like Beverly Hills (I mean it has the hills part) if they are charging a city tax. If I had known they charged for water, which I just had seen the employee fill up with water from a faucet (not even from a machine, just a sink faucet, with ice); I would have opted for a soft drink. I feel like many places now days are charging for water or enveloping it into a combo (the right thing to do would have been to charge the Rax and Lite Salad separately). It would be fine if it was something like $0.25 or so for the cup (Starbucks does that); however, at the regular price of a large drink, combo'd? That is a bit steep. I am kind of mad, Lol. Good thing my employer gives me a diem to cover meals.

We were passing through the area on a roadtrip, and did a search for coffee, and Folktale popped…read moreup. The pictures drew us in! Staff was very friendly. Service was a little slow, but we weren't in a rush, so that was okay. There's lots of seating and the natural light really makes the place bright and inviting. The cappuccino was smooth and hot. And the baked goods were fresh tasting and yummy. A great little coffee shop with tasty treats!

Cute space with tons of seating. Local artist projects and art around the place. Food was really…read moregood and came out hot. Service was friendly. Would stop again if I was in the area. The pancake was very good, the fried Bologna sandwich brought back childhood memories and my wife really enjoyed her BLT as well.

As I have a significant number of family members in this area, it always feels like coming home,…read moreespecially at Frances Diner in Hazard, Kentucky. It is actual Appalachian comfort food delivered with genuine, small-town hospitality. This place is a classic, dependable Southern diner--hearty, welcoming, and satisfyingly delicious. The strength of Frances Diner lies entirely in its commitment to simple, traditional Southern fare. The daily specials are the main event, reminiscent of a Sunday dinner at Grandma's house. On my visit, the fried pork chops were expertly seasoned, featuring a tender interior and a crisp, savory coating. The roast beef, smothered in rich gravy, and the fried chicken are notable staples that consistently draw praise. Crucially, the sides are spectacular and feature an impressive variety that rotates daily, moving beyond standard fare to include dishes like fresh green beans, fried cabbage, and homemade macaroni and cheese. These sides are clearly prepared with attention, not just as afterthoughts. For breakfast, the biscuits and gravy remain a standout, maintaining a delightful taste over the years. The only minor deduction is that consistency can occasionally vary slightly when the diner is packed, but the quality always remains high for this style of cooking. The service at Frances Diner epitomizes Southern hospitality. The staff, many of whom are long-time regulars themselves, are incredibly friendly and attentive, treating patrons more like family than customers. Servers navigate the often-busy floor with practiced efficiency, taking orders quickly and offering personalized suggestions. My server was quick to refill coffee and check in without hovering. The only reason this isn't a perfect five stars is that, during peak lunch and dinner hours--which happen often due to the diner's popularity--the kitchen and serving staff can become visibly hectic, leading to slightly longer waits for checks or additional requests. However, the team's genuine warmth and care more than make up for any minor delay. During peak lunch and dinner hours, which often occur The atmosphere at Frances Diner is definitely old-school, local, and welcoming. It has the quintessential, cozy feel of a family-run establishment, complete with a décor that evokes a strong sense of community and nostalgia, featuring memorabilia and local photographs. It's clean and well-maintained and fosters a comforting environment where both regulars and travelers feel at home. The space is functional and focuses on community gathering rather than modern aesthetics. It can be loud and a bit chaotic when busy, but this only adds to its small-town charm--it's the sound of people enjoying good food together. While the dining area is not sleek or modern, it perfectly fits the vibe of a beloved local diner serving classic comfort food. Frances Diner is a must-visit institution in Hazard. It's an honest, high-quality purveyor of Appalachian comfort food that delivers excellent value and genuine hospitality. If you're looking for innovative cuisine, this isn't it. If you're looking for a hearty, traditional meal that tastes like home, served by friendly faces, this four-star gem is exactly where you should pull up a chair.

We came in on Saturday for lunch and both had a 1/2lb cheeseburger with fries. This was the best…read moreburger I've had in years! The bun was buttered and toasted. The burger was griddled and juicy. Yummmm!!! The fries were crinkle cut and piping hot. Delicious!!! Service was great as well! 10/10!

This place is still amazing! Their Nashville chicken sandwich is to die for!!…read more Their tots are perfectly crispy and tasty.

We ordered the baby bull breakfast and it was definitely enough for one person. If I ordered the…read morebigger one I would not have been able to finish it. My husband had the same thing. It was definitely delicious cause we ate almost everything. It was a little spicy for people that don't like hot. The staff was very helpful after we explained this was our first time and showed us the ropes and what we needed to do which was very cool and different. I absolutely love the mugs. You absolutely should sell them. Definitely go hungry and it's a kind of old soda shop feel. Thank you from two first timers!!!!

The Philly was delicious I recommend!!! Service was great too. Place was clean. Good locationread more

Awesome food and open 24/7! Don't let the outward appearance fool you! You cannot get home cooked…read morelike this anywhere in Hazard. A true staple.

Yes, a 4 star country kitchen with an extensive menu and two delightful women who run the place…read more The hours very by the day if the week. The serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner depending on the day. It's a little disconcerting when you pull up to my the entrance and slightly more as you step in the dining room. But the place, though worn, is spotlessly clean. The food that they prepare is all scratch made to order. So don't be impatient it's well worth the wait. My wife had corn dogs and fries. The corn dogs had a wonderful crunchy cornmeal crust that reminded me of my childhood (I'm pushing 70). I had the patty melt that had a very tasty yet unknown cheese that was so melty that I loved the sandwich. This place is a little out of the way but if you are anywhere near Johnson City it's worth the effort.

Just had breakfast here for the first time this morning. I had the biscuit and gravy with bacon,…read morescrambled eggs and added a side of cheddar rounds. My husband had the pancakes. The pancakes were just ok.... They made the batter as we ordered it so it didn't have time to absorb the flour so it wasn't all that good. He said he would try a burrito next time. I loved my biscuits and gravy. The gravy was a darker color but the sausage was so flavorful and it was light in pepper which I like because I don't like pepper. The biscuit was a really great size and fluffy. The bacon is not thick cut but still Crispy and good, eggs were cooked nicely. Now on to the cheddar rounds..... I try these all over but these are the absolute closest you will get to the Pals version. They were lacking the season salt which would have made them taste like Pals. Over all I was very happy and will definitely be back!!! Also the prices were good (pic of menu (included)

There food was so amazing I'm so sad they are gone I miss there food come back guys pleaseread more

Great Home Country Cooking and breakfast. Friendly atmosphere and locally…read moreowned................,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

This place is . I could not recommend this place more highly! The atmosphere 10+, the staff 10+,…read moreTHE FOOD ! Not just worth the stop... totally worth ANY DRIVE!!! The coffee is amazing! Had a breakfast pizza and WOW!!! So good!

This is such a cute little hidden gem! The staff are so…read moresweet and welcoming. We ordered the burrito, French toast, and biscuits and gravy. The burrito and French toast were wonderful, but the gravy was basically unseasoned. I wouldn't order that again. The coffee was delicious though. Would definitely come back and recommend.