Pretty good for breakfast, not as good for lunch. Can't beat the prices though. Our family of four saved easily $15-$20 over what we would have spent at Cracker Barrel. The pancakes are delicious, the chicken fried steak was good. My kids ordered chili, and my husband had a cheeseburger (rather small). Everyone liked their food well enough, although, for lunch, it did remind me slightly of cafeteria food. My mashed potatoes definitely were served with an ice cream scoop. The decor leaves a lot to be desired. There are many things in there that look original to the restaurant, from probably the 1950s. That said, this is the type of place you go not for the ambience, but to get a hearty breakfast, or a cheap, simple lunch. read more

Quaint little place some friends and I stopped by for a late breakfast after camping at Elizabeth Furnace for Labor Day Weekend. The holiday weekend meant they were closing early and were out of some favorite breakfast foods - much to my party's shagrin. The service was fine, pleasant enough, however being "city folk" we weren't quite treated as warmly as the "regulars." Food was good & cheap - but it did take a while to make it to the table. Recommended for those looking for the down-home, small-town country breakfast experience - and not in a rush. read more

The Knotty Pine is just what you would want and expect in a breakfast place. Good food, fast and cheap. The diner part is smoke free and has a classic feel to it. They still have the Art Deco range hood and fountain fixtures. The sandwiches are decent and most of the daily specials are very well done. Think meat loaf mashed potatos and veggies for $5. The bar section around back is perfect for a couple cold beers and music. The TV will have whatever sports are in season playing in the backround. read more

This place has great food and service!! However, NO social distancing at all. I was very uncomfortable being in the restaurant waiting for our food. I had to keep my mask on and just pull it down to take a bite or a drink. They don't let anyone sit at the bar but the tables are very close together and everyone was taken. read more

I wish I could do the review solely on the food and the experience but we didn't even get that far. We walked in at 7:30pm, supposedly 30 minutes before closing, even though online they said they closed at 9pm. The restaurant was halfway full. I literally looked at them and smiled, because I thought they were joking. Then another rude waitress repeated what the other staff said when we walked in that they were closing. I asked them, if there was something wrong, and they said no. Then I informed them that online they say they are open until 9pm. She looked at me and responded with "well, not tonight we aren't" So my family as well as 5 other family members had to walk out and find another restaurant. read more

A local landmark. The bar is biker-friendly. The dining room is post-war Americana. The menu is likely closer to the civil war. If you're ready to travel back in time, if you're ready for scrapple and Yuengling (even if they come from just north of the Mason-Dixon), and if you're sick and tired of the 21st century, then c'mon! Knotty Pine is waiting! read more

My son LOVES Knotty Pine for breakfast! Good country-style home cooked breakfast. Chipped beef gravy and sausage gravy are our favorites. Nothing fancy about it but that's not what we go there for! read more

Yes. Old time diner is right. But that's not a bad thing. The place is hoppin' most weekend mornings with good reason. Good greasy food at a price from yesteryear. Sure. This isn't for everyone. The pretentious should stay closer to home in the land of McMansions. But if you want good old fashioned eggs without the edges encrusted with burnt butter, and whatever else your gastronomic leanings might crave, then squeeze in and step back in time. read more

Went in no one acknowledged me. Sat for 10 minutes. Waitress never came to my table. Restaurant was 1/2 full left went somewhere else

This was exactly what it looks like. Mom and Pop diner, sensible and cheap. We wanted a big cheap breakfast. The servers are friendly, the prices are extremely reasonable and the food was good! Don't let the run down look fool you, this place is constantly packed with regulars. read more

This place is the best around! Great food, friendly service you can't ask for more. We went in a few years ago and we keep coming back when we are in town. read more

See all

My friend and I stopped by on our way through town and sat at the counter- the staff eavesdropped on our conversation that included an ongoing joke between us about not liking children. I don't feel like I need to explain my inside jokes to people, but they took the conversation between friends and told some woman in the back- I imagine the owner or head of kitchen or something. This woman came out to the front and accosted us in a harassing, ready-to-fight manner. Not only was it wildly inappropriate in a business setting, but she then went around to other customers who began loudly voicing disapproval. It felt like she was rallying troops in an effort to create discomfort. I wouldn't have been surprised if someone got out the tiki touches. The harassment was frankly enough for a lawsuit. Whether my brown skin and Hispanic heritage had anything to do with the issue is undetermined, but regardless this spot is clearly not interested in best business practices. read more

I've been coming to the Knotty Pine since I was a baby. I don't have a place outside of Front Royal anymore, so I don't get to go to this place that much anymore, but in it's day this place was great. It's getting more and more greasier by the day, but if you want a hometown place, that's cheap, this is your place. And the staff is always friendly. I still remember a waitress who worked their over 15 years ago when I was a child. read more

A solid place for breakfast. The food was hot, yummy and filling. We each got the 2 egg, 2 pancake and bacon breakfast. The home fries were also really good. It isn't fancy but definitely a good find. read more

I love this place and would be there every night if I lived there. They serve my beer, Yuengling, too. The bartender was great when a patron got mad at me for smoking too much. It is a smoking bar, but I do smoke a big cigar. The service on Karaoke night is really bad, so order your drinks ahead of time or you won't get the second round. Finally, the food is well made, clean and fresh. It's also priced fairly. The bar has some basic hard brinks, but if you want a cocktail like NOLA Sazerac or a Tom Collins this is not the place. It is usually very quiet at anytime: lunch, dinner or after hours. Karaoke night is the exception. They close at 10 PM which is a downside, but I guess there is not enough traffic at night. read more

Tumbled into town after a weekend camping in the George Washington National Forest, looking for a classic country diner to get a huge breakfast at. This place did not disappoint. The food was cheap and really tasty, and the service was excellent. Would love to come back next time we're in the area! read more

A 10 star home cooked meal place. ALL their own recipes! Had chicken soup....the real thing. Also chicken fried steak just like my Texas home. Wife had 3 veggies dish which was great. Stayed an extra hour to talk to the locals....very friendly place. Highly recommend this restaurant...old timey place read more

As much as I would like to write something glowing about the Knotty Pine - if for no other reason that it is an eating place out of a bygone era - I cannot honestly praise the place. It's rundown and shabby looking. My hope was that the kitchen area was cleaner than the restaurant tables ... because the tables were not clean. The restrooms were dirty. Dishes are just ordinary. Nothing special. The biscuits and gravy was the worst I've ever had, and someone has to work to screw up such a dish. read more

Ah yes, the legendary Knotty Pine. Never been to the bar, but I like the restaurant. The place is immaculate, the food is good, and the service genuine and friendly. Try the biscuits and gravy if you're in for breakfast. read more

Excellent diner atmosphere. (Can't speak on the lounge, as we ate in the restaurant.) Good, clean food. Nothing phenomenal, but nothing horrible. Reminds me of a 60's diner. read more

Very friendly service and 1960's prices -- but it is very, very local. Charming in its way, from the knotty pine walls to the RCA Victor clock over the vintage counter with stools. Good home cookin' but if you're not a local, you may feel like you're impinging on their turf (though no one but ourselves made us feel that). read more

Definitively cheap, but I'm not sure what to think about the looks of the place, the cleanliness, and the consistency of the food at this place. My lunch was basic, the service was OK, nothing really special, which is kind of what I expected after all the reviews. read more

Front Royal finest, lol! Love the country food and atmosphere. This place will always be my first stop when I get into town. Giving this 4 stars instead of 5 because the heavy set bartender always cuts me off, lol. Maybe it's me. read more

Service was pretty terrible if not entirely non-existent. I don't know if it was because we weren't locals but the interaction we received was awful not to mention they entirely forgot about our order and we had to wait almost an hour for our food to come out only after they finally decided to remember us. Food was ok but it definitely made me feel sick the entire evening and following morning. The cleanliness of this establishment should be questioned. read more

We stopped in here after a day of riding and we just fell in love. This is a great little place with good food with that mom and pop feel. We love finding places like this and we plan on making this a regular stop every time were in the area. read more

Only accepts cash. Food was ok. First 2 items i tried to order they were out of. Lady was friendly enough.

Had a late breakfast on a Friday. Husband ordered Western Omelet which he said was tasty and not too big - 2 eggs, fresh peppers/onions, canned mushrooms. He was able to substitute apple sauce for the home fries. I had the sausage gravy over biscuits with home fries. Home fries were average. According to the waitress the gravy is made in house. It didn't have much meat and the texture was a big grainy. Also according to the waitress, the biscuits come in frozen and they heat them in the microwave. If you're a sausage gravy over biscuits fan, skip them here. read more

Hefty Pine breakfast is always Five Stars. Went back for dinner, and had the country fried steak with mashed potatoes and sliced tomatoes. Five Stars all the way. read more

Smokers paradise, not great if you are not a smoker. Seemed great if you are looking for a Biker bar, we were not.

The Knotty Pine is the place to go for really good home style cooked meals. Breakfast is really good, nice portions and good prices. It's not gormet by any means but if you are passing thru on your bike or heading to Skyline drive this is the best place by far in town. It's a simple old fashioned style eatery. If you are looking for an upscale or generic place to eat don't go here....Plenty of IHOPS around for that. There is also a bar that serves beer and spirits as well as food. Use the side door to get in. It's a great local bar. Great place to find out what's really worth doing and seeing in that local area. Roger and his wife Debbie and their bar staff are wonderful hosts! Check the place out. read more

Biscuits and chipped beef gravy where tasty. The gravy was flavorful. I wanted sausage gravy but they were out of it and it was only 930am. The side of sausage was funny looking and tasting.. Service was quick and our waitress was pleasant. read more

Love the knotty pine! The best sausage gravy ever! Also I love the feeling of being able to have a nice home cooked breakfast anytime of the day. Prices are amazing & the service is always fantastic! read more

This place has been here for ever! Great food, no frills place that looks like it hasn't been redecorated in 30+ years. Who cares? Nice people, good food, great prices. I will stop over every time I'm in town. read more

This place is legit, and delicious. The service was great. I got the Sunday special hamburger steak and a 99¢ Bush beer.

What people who come here have to realize is there are 2 desperate restaurants in one building. There is the main entrance which leads to the non-smoking area, then there is my favorite part, the side door which leads to the smoking section/ bar. Now I don't smoke but it's a fun place to go and relax assuming the slight smell of cigarette doesn't bother you. The service is always friendly and, as long as you stick with breakfast (especially the "knotty pine breakfast") you can't go wrong and will get some quality food. They have a juke box which only adds to the pleasant atmosphere. Only put 4 stars because about half the time I have gone there is has taken a while for the food to come out. read more

I am dumbfounded by most of the other reviews of this place. My experience was about as bad as it gets, and we will not be back. Let me start by saying that I love a good mom and pop place and a little grime here and there does not bother me. However, this place took the greasy diner theme to a whole new level. The food was less than average, though not horrible. But the lack of attention to health standards is what will keep me from returning. Here are just a few specific examples to justify my review: 1) There was ketchup smeared on a wall by our booth that had been there so long it was nearly all dried up. It was a popular spot for all the flies that shared our dining space. 2) I could see under a booth on the opposite side, and there was greasy dust built up all around the bars that attached the booth to the floor. There were even a couple of coins down there that were partially covered in dust and grime. 3) Our table was sticky and dirty and I needed to wash my hands after touching the menu. 4) Out waitress was evidently ill, and she repeatedly coughed, most of the time without covering her mouth. Then when she did cover it, she did so with her hand, and proceeded to immediately use that same hand to help her balance herself on the tabletops as she maneuvered through the place. (She was so ill she could not carry our tray of food. She had to have someone else carry it for her.) Like I said, I am not a neat freak, and a dirty restaurant normally not does factor into whether or not I will return. But this place is in a category all its own. read more