Stepping back into Dovie's after all these years felt like walking straight into a warm, delicious memory. The little white building on 4th Street still wears its vintage RC Cola sign like a badge of honor, and the moment you push open the door, that familiar sizzle of burgers hitting the oil hits you like a hug from your childhood. We slid onto the stools at the old horseshoe counter, the same one I remember from when I was a kid, and watched the magic happen right in front of us. Patties kissed with bread for that impossibly soft center, fried in the shallow oil until the edges turned perfectly crisp and golden. My cheeseburger arrived "unsquoze," glistening and glorious, layered with that signature tangy sauce, crisp pickles, and onions that somehow make everything sing. One bite and I was twelve years old again--only this time I got to share it with my own family. The new owners have kept every bit of what made Dovie's legendary. Same perfect burgers. Same simple, soulful menu. Same feeling that you're exactly where you're supposed to be. My kids devoured theirs with the same wide-eyed joy I used to have, and we left with full hearts and fingers still a little greasy in the best possible way. Dovie's isn't just a burger joint. It's a living piece of Tompkinsville history that still tastes like home. If you've never been, go. If you grew up on these burgers, go back. It's every bit as wonderful as you remember. read more

Dovie's - Dovie's Cheeseburger - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

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Hamburger did taste great and very reasonably priced. Simple menu. Very friendly staff.

Great burgers. I added the fried egg, it was a fantastic add on. I score them a 9.2/10 read more

Dovie's - Adding the fried egg is a must! - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

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Still the best burger. Squeezed with everything. New ownership 2025. No changes noted. read more

Dovie's - Menu - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

There aren't a ton of restaurants in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, a rural city that serves as the county seat of Monroe County. However, it's probably safe to say there's only one restaurant considered truly iconic within Tompkinsville and that's Dovie's. Many call their burgers the best in the state of Kentucky. Deep-fried and served up either "squeezed" or "unsqueezed," these burgers are a delight. In my hometown of Indianapolis, I might equate them to a Workingman's Friend establishment - however, this place is definitely unique. Dovie's was established in 1940. "Dovie" was the founder's sister. The building itself is older and not perfectly accessible (though not bad). There's a bit of a lip at the door and it's at a weird angle, but it works and folks in Tompkinsville are seriously friendly. I love this city. Okay, back to the whole "squeezed" or "unsqueezed." Squeezed means that you'd like to have your patty drained of all the excessive oil via spatula, and unsqueezed means leave it the way it's meant to be. Locals will definitely tell you to go with unsqueezed, though it entirely depends upon your preferences. To be honest, they're great both ways. My understanding is in the early days they cooked the burgers in pure lard, however, these days it's soy bean oil. It's worth noting that the sides are basically chips here - no fries or tater tots to be found. The award-winning burger is the star (yes, they do have other items like hot dogs, bologna, etc.) here. Dovie's is a daytime joint - open until 3pm during the week and 2pm on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays. I don't get back to Tompkinsville as much as I used to these days, but when I do a stop at Dovie's is required. Great food, better customer service, and an awesome community. read more

This place was an interesting experience. Definitely one of a kind and unique. They pretty much just serve fried burgers. While our burgers were Very Tasty...... but also probably the most greasy burger I've ever had. Hard to describe. The burgers are cooked in large pans of grease/oil, almost deep fried. The smoke from this process was heavy inside and caused my wife issues for the rest of the day. There appeared to be an exhaust fan, but wasn't working or wasn't turned on. Our waitress was very friendly, and the cook was also. I hate to give 3 stars....... but, I think that's actually kinda generous. The flavors were great, the staff were great, but cleanliness, and the smoke were atrocious. The place has been around forever, and I understand why. But, we should smell of grease, and have burning eyes after a meal. Wish I could have been more generous. read more

The best burger I ever had! I had a double cheeseburger. So authentic and they are making the burgers from scratch right in front of you. And I'm usually more of a salad person. Loved it! read more

Amazing food! Waiters are very quick to get to your order even though they are swamped with customers most days!

Drove all the way there from Glasgow and they wasn't even open. Google said it was open but just waisted a tank of gas for nothing. Maybe update the hours online. We came at 1pm. The hours on yelp say closed but who goes to yelp to check hours of business read more

Great burgers with plenty of taste!!! Unique spot. Must try!!! Historic. Excellent service!!!!!!!!

The burgers are deep fried, delicious goodness. They have this great sauce that they make for the burgers. The people that work there are all very friendly. What a great experience. We took a detour, on our way to Dale Hollow lake. It is worth it if you are within an hour of Tompkinsville, KY, to stop in and get a burger. They have lots of different bags of chips, to pick from. No fries or onion rings. My sweet tea was perfect. I think this is has to be on the way to a few other places, so I have an excuse to go back. Thanks for the delicious and very nicely priced lunch. read more

Dovie's - Ate the burger too fast to get a picture - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

These hamburgers are delicious their a different flavor from other hamburgers in restaurants they have their own sauce made from scratch . They're the best burger I have ever eaten . They are alittle pricey but what else hasn't went up in price . read more

The burger was as good as I had heard they would be. The atmosphere was just Southern Hospitality. Reasonably priced for what you get. If I am ever on that area again I will drop by. read more

Five stars best burgers around I would wait a few days after this is posted cause the line is huge since they just reopened but it's great I recommend read more

Dovie's - The inside of dovies - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

Best little dinner you will ever find! Just the same as anything you've seen in any home time movie! Just like bellying up to your mommy's kitchen table! read more

Dovie's - Great food, homey atmosphere from the best deal off the road - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

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Old and outdated. Smells like greasy old farts and clogged arteries. No veggie or bean burger options.

Car broke down on trip to The beach and walked over here for a bite. This is one crazy little cafe full of very interesting folks. The sandwich delivered was also interesting. It contained a significant amount of juice, perhaps grease or their own special sauce. I am unsure. However the sandwich was acceptable. The decor is very quaint. I felt as though I was sitting in a scene from Coal Miners Daughter; just then Sissy Spacek's twin walked in and sat beside me. She had not aged well since the original movie was made. Nevertheless I continued eating my sandwich (along with a cool refreshing Tab which I brought into The eatery myself. Was that not allowed? I do not know). Though I did notice the wait staff glaring at me. Or perhaps they were entranced by my newly acquired haircut, which harkens back to the era of Jed Clampett. But I degrees. As a Starbucks, they could do better. But as a sandwich place equipped with simple stools and a well honed menu, they do fine. Worth a stop when you are in the area. Kudos to the young man who held the door open for me and my German Shepherd. read more

Always great food people know you by name and staff is always friendly you get them burgers hot and fresh

These are one of a kind burgers you won't find anywhere else in the world if you're ever in the area you have got to try one you will not be disappointed read more

This a classic hole in the wall restaurant that has a great burger! My uncle was shocked that I'd never had a Dovie burger and asked me if I wanted it "squeezed?!" They cook the burger in a skillet of grease. The meat was crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. My cousin made fun of me because I said I was going to get it squeezed; his peer pressure worked and I did not have mine squeezed. It was well worth the cheap cost and experience. read more

Dovie's - people entering a donut shop - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

Great food love this place been eating here since I can remember the milk there is amazing with the Burgers

First saw this on diners drive-ins and dives. Had a local take me there and it's absolutely amazing and unique that a restaurant that deep fry's hamburgers could do such a vibrant business especially at lunchtime. I make the annual trek to this place and I must admit the hamburgers are absolutely unusually delicious and it's a lot of fun to simply show up. If you want dessert you can find them in the little Debbies boxes scattered around the bar area in case you're hungry after your deep-fried cheeseburger. Absolutely love to visit this place , was a lot of fun and the staff is very friendly read more

Dovie's - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

Used to have great hamburgers, last time I was there, they tasted different, not sure if they cut back on the meat due to covid and added more filling, could just be a off day. read more

I was first introduced to this place by my wife and her family. Just a simple place putting out simple, but delicious burgers and chicken sandwiches. Price is great too. Watch them fry up your burger/chicken/hot dog right in front of you. Delicious special sauce, pickles, and onions top these sandwiches and either have it squeezed or straight out of the pan. Just yum. Place is always clean. Waitresses/cooks are always friendly and help you with just about anything. Small town life. read more

Dovie's - Straight up with sauce, pickles and onion. - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

Superb burgers in a quaint little building. I had the Dovie burger (which comes with special sauce, pickles and onions) unsqueezed with chips and an RC Cola. It was awesome for my taste buds, probably not too awesome for my life expectancy as these burgers are deep fried. Even better news is the price which was under $5 including a Little Debbie style dessert. This is a bucket list type place. Highly recommend. read more

Dovie's - a sign on the side of a building - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

The locals really built up my appetite for this place. So my daughter and I made a visit. It is a special burger fried on a grill that is sopping with grease. The burger comes with a mixture of pickles, mustard, ketchup and onion and a sauce made up of the same. It is a very wet sandwich to say the least. Was not what I expected. The hospitality of the ladies working there was outstanding. Down home. Simple. Good. read more

You must have the fried Cheeseburger. Not squeezed. With extra sauce. And yes under $2.00!!! Fried cheese dogs also amazing! read more

Dovie's - You must try the fried burger, extra sauce and the fried cheese Dogs.. Out of this world! - Burgers Near Me - Tompkinsville, Kentucky

This place is a local legend burgers. Get 'em hot get 'em fast. Very simple menu, great value, and a really good Dovie's sauce (Honest-to-God Awesome-sauce). Gotta love Dovie's! read more

A local institution since the 1940s, so you know you had to try it. The locals warned me... you will enjoy it while you eat it, but you will pay for it later. "I only eat there like twice a year, cause my stomach just can't take it, but man I look forward to those times". I told myself "Chris, you can handle this!" and walked in. Small, small place. Extremely limited menu. Burgers, and a few other sandwiches available (Fried Bologna and Cheese, Egg, and a few others). I had a double cheeseburger. They don't do fries, only bags of chips. Soda is available in cans only. They cook the burgers in a swimming pool of boiling grease. It's really rather amazing and disgusting at the same time. So I get my burger, which comes with sweet onions, pickles, and their "special" burger sauce. The patties are literally dripping with grease. I was told later that ordering them "squeezed" was a thing you should really do, but I didn't know. I ate it. I ATE IT ALL. It was gross and delicious at the same time. The burger practically slid down my throat. Then I went back to work. All felt fine for a while... a little strangely overfull, given that I can usually eat much more at a meal and feel less full. But later that night... oh I experienced the payoff. I won't share what it was, you can use your imagination. Was it worth it? Maybe as the locals described: once or twice a year. Definitely something to experience if you are in the area, but go into it knowing the consequences. read more

Okay burger, taste more like a home made burger made on a skillet but the burger is pretty crispy and very very greasy. Great service, just nothing special. read more

The most amazing burger I've had in a while coming out of this town, I have to say I had to use the restroom 30 minutes after I had one of their burgers. read more

This the best hidden gem of a restaurant! I travel two hours to eat here and as soon as you get to the small-town and see the building you can't help but feel as if you took a step back when things where simpler. The small building only has bar sitting and they take cash only. Everything is done the way it was when it opened up in the 1940s. They serve one of the best and simple burgers ever. Live a little, and don't get it squeezed! read more

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Simply amazing. Very unique and a great value. I love eating here but don't get to often. My trip to Tompkinsville is usually combined with a trip to Dovies. Small place but worth the trip. I love the cheeseburger with the sauce and the hotdog is equally as amazing. read more

If you're looking for local flavor, this is it. If you have a high grease tolerance, you can go regular, if you're a normal human, you'll want your burger squeezed. I grew up near Tompkinsville, so I eat at Dovie's every time I visit home. Good, unhealthy cuisine! read more

amazing burgers, mixed with some back woods nostalgia. my go to restraunt when I fly in from San diego have to make the trip every time.

This is a local landmark in town that has kept the authenticity of old days. The recipe for these burgers haven't changed much but are a staple for those who grew up on them. Anyone that wants a taste of hidden Southern Kentucky food must try a burger. read more