This place is a little slice of breakfast heaven. The food was hot, fresh and fast. The loaded breakfast potatoes were amazing and my omelet was massive. Cant wait to come back for lunch and try the greek salad! read more

I had thought about being selfish and not writing a review for this gem because the last thing I want is to contend with a long line, but that would be a disservice to these people...and your tastebuds. As soon as my wife and I walked in the door we knew we were in for a treat. I had the country fried steak and eggs with the Colonel's potatoes, and my wife had the Mediterranean Breakfast. Everything was super fresh and scratch made. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they had a chicken coop in the back. If you like Greek food, or even mainstream American with a Greek touch, or even if you have no idea what Greek food is like you should just try them. If you don't like really good food, made by really good people, from a small "Mom and Pop" hole in the wall...then this might not be the place for you...because you're probably pretentious. read more

Colonel's Cafe - So excited I almost forgot to take a pic, hence the poised fork. - American Near Me - Knoxville, Tennessee

Great traditional breakfast and lunch diner. Good food, good atmosphere, and good price.

Best food in Knoxville - breakfast and Mediterranean specials are reliably delicious and always hit the spot!

I'll openly admit that I don't know the long history of this place and never met the original "Colonel" but Nina and her team have carried on a legacy exceptionally well. With a strong Greek influence throughout the menu you can find your favorites any time of day. Whether it's corn beef hash with colonel's potatoes at breakfast or a falafel pita and fries at lunch, stop on by and give this place a shot. Tucked in behind Toddy's liquors in Bearden, this hidden gem seats around 30 but if there's a line, be patient because it's worth the wait. Can't wait to come back and try something new! read more

Another example of the magic of Yelp. This off of the main drag location and plain facade don't attract your attention, but the food certainly will. Friendly, attentive and helpful staff. The menu is full of great selections, so it is difficult to choose. I have eaten something different each time I have gone and enjoyed each one. They also have daily specials and are open Tues, Wed, Thurs for dinner with dinner specials. Don't miss their delicious potatoes with capers. We have taken a number of people who have all enjoyed their meal. A real find! read more

Great food and service ! Home made food with a great twist.Place would be a five except for the door and windows need a daily cleaning.

I hate to post negative reviews but there's honestly no way to avoid this. I ordered from this restaurant for delivery from Bite Squad and, with deepest regret, I can say this was this worst meal any of us have ever had. When it arrived everything looked fine except our order of blueberry pancakes, which had been packed poorly and into which both sealed (??) butter packets had exploded. What a mess. The pancakes were also clearly cooked on a dirty griddle because there were so many flecks of onion and other vegetables in the pancakes they were rendered INEDIBLE. The rest of our order was mostly fried foods - chicken fingers, a bacon egg and cheese sandwich, fries, and fried okra (along with a veg and cheese omelette that was barely passable) and every single thing that came from their fryer tasted rancid. I have no idea why this well reviewed restaurant was using old, horrific tasting oil in their fryers but we wound up throwing at least half of our $50 order away. What a waste. Perhaps they're somehow better if you eat inside, but at this point I certainly will never know! read more

After seeing a pic of the breakfast burrito we had to do. Holy smokes this place is fantastic!!!! Great service great food. CAPERS IN THE POTATOES!!! WOW! Loved every bite! read more

Neat, underground spot in Knoxville. The cafe has a Small, intimate setting. The most surprising this is the menu. The menu ranges from a Greek/Mediterranean vibe to an American diner vibe, which is very unique and offers a lot of variety. I think their diner/more "American" cuisine is better than their Greek food. If I wanted Greek or Mediterranean it wouldn't be my first choice, but it would be a number one choice for a hamburger or Philly cheesesteak! read more

Went here because of yelp reviews and the food was decent but was immediately turned off when I went to the bathroom before we ordered and had to walk through the kitchen and the bathroom door was literally next to the stove. That's a little gross. We would've left except we'd already ordered drinks. I will say the colonels potatoes were really good, and the Greek dressing was very tasty. The gyro meat on the other hand was the pre-packaged stuff with the consistency of thin bologna. The flavor was ok but when you're use to a thick cut of meat that is firm and crunchy on the outside, this left us a little disappointed. My husband said the hamburger meat was good but a no frills otherwise. The parking lot was full by the time we left so apparently a popular spot but I'd skip the gyro meat unless you prefer the sandwich meat style and don't mind your food being prepared next to the bathroom. Think we'd have been much more impressed if it weren't for the bathroom situation. read more

Quite honestly might be the best breakfast in Knoxville. I had the corned beef hash, eggs, potatoes and pancake. All were delicious. Can't wait to return read more

tried Colonel's for lunch today. It was able to get a table quickly but it was the last one. The waitress took mu order quickly and gyro platter was on my table in nearly no time! It was delicious! I had been craving one of these lately but had not found a good gyro locally. My search is over. read more

Disappointing. I have heard about this place for years but never been here. Had the gyro for lunch. The gyro meat was the thin sliced prefab type not the type that cooks on a spit. Not that tasty. I would consider going back to try the breakfast but the gyro just didn't do it for me. read more

YUM! We visited Colonel's Cafe for breakfast on a Saturday. We found it very clean and with a very friendly staff. I ordered the Special of the day and it was fantastic! This is one of those little gems you know you will come back to whenever you can come back. I know I will definitely be coming here the next time I am in Knoxville. Delicious! read more

Favorite little dive deli in town!! Blackened N' Bleu Burger with Bacon and Colonel's Potatoes is amazing!!

Great for breakfast: farm fresh eggs, plate-sized blueberry pancakes and wonderful fried potatoes. The Greek dishes are a disappointment, I fear; the kefta was tough and the gyro meat was of the thin, limp variety (pre-packaged, I think). Stick to the breakfast items and you will become a regular (breakfast is served all day). read more

My wife and I looked on Yelp for a restaurant close to our hotel that served breakfast all day. We arrived just after noon on a recent Saturday. Prior reviews giving a high rating describing the place as homely or a dive, told me it was my kind of restaurant. We both ordered an omelet (different ingredients), the Colonel's potatoes, grits and wheat toast with coffee and orange juice. The omelets were large and fluffy, the fried potatoes with capers were so tasty and the grits and toast were just right. Service was prompt, food was out pretty quickly and the coffee was kept filled. We saw lunch items being prepared and served to others near us. Everything looked so yummy. Wonderful restaurant with diverse menu, great food and friendly very efficient service. We'll look forward to coming back when we are in Knoxville again. read more

YUM. This breakfast spot is "triple D" worthy for sure! We went for Sunday brunch and I had the greek omelet which was amazing. My husband had biscuits and gravy with Colonel's potatoes and they were an awesome blend of spices, butter, capers and deliciousness. Must visit this dive in knoxville! read more

Country ham, eggs, Colonels potatoes---not to be missed---biscuit for $8! Several Greek options, omelettes, pancakes, and your regular egg choices. Great food, good service. The lunch menu looks wonderful, and they now are open for dinner 4-8 on Tues, We'd, Thurs with menu that changes daily. Gotta get back for dinner! Easy to overlook the place...it's across Kingston Pike from Bearden Kroger, behind Toddys and between El Garisol & Smoothie King. Do yourself a favor and try this! read more

I've lived in Knoxville almost my whole life and I've never seen this place. The food was super good and staff was very nice. The only thing poor I'd have to say was my corn beef hash was really greasy. Other than that everything was fantastic!! read more

Who would have thought looking by the name this place would have such good Greek food. It is a hole in the wall diner but I prefer it over Pete's. The Mediterranean breakfast platter fills you up and tastes so good, and yet I feel strangely healthy after eating it. Comes with Greek salad, hummus, eggs and homemade pita. I'm not the sort of person who recommends much less ever says "what a great salad" but the combination of feta and their secret dressing they make is unreal. I've taken people from work and they all agree. Can't vouch for anything else because I refuse to get anything else. read more

Yum yum yum! One of Knoxville's best "hole in the wall" restaurants. My favorite: the Mediterranean breakfast with hummus, pita bread, a greek "salad" and 3 eggs. The hummus must be made on-site - it's too fresh and garlicky to come from Sysco. I think the pita bread is homemade, too. The tomatoes in the Greek salad could have come from my grandma's back yard garden. This restaurant is located close to the 3rd Creek greenway - meet up with your girlfriends on Saturday morning for a long run on the greenway, then refuel at Colonel's afterwards. read more

Delicious. Portions are perfect. Prices are reasonable. Casual and clean. Service was great.

Great food, great value. Sure, it's a diner, with a marginal restroom, and sometimes it's crowded, but you can't beat it if you want a tasty, filing breakfast at a good price. I've become a regular. Try the Mexican bakery next door on your way home, too! read more

Not bad. Typical diner but some items have a "greek" twist. Hummus was pretty icky though, avoid that. The gyro slices are thin and compact like salami, kind of odd. The chicken Athena was greasy but had decent flavor. Overall just had a very "meh" experience. Service was polite. Not sure why the hell is has 4.5 stars though. Maybe I should have stuck with the American food. read more

Highly recommended. I drive past here all the time thinking it's just a simple cafe. But the breakfast was outstanding!

Awesome Food. Ted (who is originally from Greece) is an amazing cook. I always look forward to tasting his latest lunch special; the Spinach Pie with Greek Salad is a must do! All the food they serve is fresh, never frozen, and it shows. From the fresh Hamburgers with Crinkle Fries to the latest specials you owe it to yourself to try this place. You will be hooked!! Mickey does a wonderful job attending to your every need; your glass of tea will NEVER be empty! This hidden Gem is located just off Kingston Pike on Newcom Avenue. Just turn North at the stoplight at the Sequoia Hills Krogers and go about 50 yards. The quality of the food is excellent, you'd pay twice as much for the same thing (IF you could find such a thing) elsewhere. read more

Great example of a hidden local gem. People were great, food was very good. Food came out quickly. Not the place if you expect to be coddled. Only drawback is location is very small. Would definitely come back read more

Best breakfast I've ever had! Their biscuits and gravy are a must. Very friendly workers and quick service. New favorite spot

Very happy this place is close to our new house. Love that they serve breakfast until 4 p.m. I had a delicious Greek omelet with the house potatoes. Potatoes are delicious with lots of herbs and capers. My husband had a very good chicken Philly sandwich. Both of our meals and two sodas were under $20. Our server, Danielle, was very friendly and helpful. Such a happy surprise to find such a nice little diner. I've lived in Knoxville off and on for 15 years and noticed this place before, but for some reason never thought to give it a try. Friendly and laid back with delicious food! read more

We all love the stories about hidden culinary gems. Little hole in the wall places you might drive by a hundred times without a second thought. More often than not these places are better off left undiscovered. But sometimes you get lucky and find a place like the Colonel's Cafe. You won't find any fancy decor or lavish table settings but you will find some truly delicious food. On our first visit, my wife and I had the Athenian Chicken and the Greek Combo. The chicken was moist and flavorful and the potatoes on the side were crispy and held the delightful surprise of some capers which paired perfectly with the flavors of the chicken. The spinach pie was simple perfection. Crispy phyllo dough cradling spinach and feta. Not fancy just delicious. A fitting dish to exemplify the cafe itself. The staff was charming and helpful. Service was prompt and friendly, both at our table and at all the tables in the place. I have heard from friends that on weekdays, they can be busy for lunch but I would say it would be worth the wait regardless of when you go. read more

So I almost don't want to do this review because I am afraid this place will become packed and I will no longer be able to enjoy my favorite breakfast joint. But nonetheless it is a great diner. The food is Greek inspired so you will find capers, hummus and feta on the menu. I love the twist on foods that we have come to know as breakfast here in the States and how they have added this tiny twist to make to so delicious. The staff is always welcoming. My favorite is the Mediterranean Breakfast. Being a vegetarian is not hard here because there are lots of choices and all of them yummy! read more

A simple little cafe. I had breakfast, the food was good! Service was prompt and friendly. Reasonably priced.

Saw this option on YELP...it was a really good alternative to chain restaurants. Excellent omelette and potatoes!

I've been dining in Colonel's for a couple of years with a rotating group of friends at lunchtime. The people who work there are salt-of-the-earth and the food is the closest thing I've found to New York City diners...but Colonel's food is better. Breakfast anytime...great omelette, and nice touches, like capers with the home fries. It's a home-away-from-home kind of place, consistently good in every way. read more

hands down great food..im so glad I discovered this little gem as I was in Knoxville on business

This is a local hidden treasure while in KVille. Don't go if you want chain food: don't go if you want plentiful seating: don't go if you're a vegan. DO GO if you want good, old-fashioned southern cooking with local folks. Friendly, attentive staff even with a wait time for tables. Look in the parking lot and all the license plates are TN Knox County. That says it all. read more

Our favorite breakfast / brunch place. The Mediterranean breakfast is great! Breakfast served all day. Unfortunately it closes at 4pm. Wish it was open on Sundays. read more

For a quick, made to order lunch, definitely try this place out! I got the Athenian Chicken with the potatoes and my friend got the Crab Cake special. Both were flavorful and exactly what we were looking for at lunch time. Friendly staff and good food make it worth the stop! read more