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    Pal's

    4.2 (31 reviews)
    InexpensiveFast Food

    Pal's Photos

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    PAL'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Pal's

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    Los T.

    I had seen this place online while trying scope out some eateries when in Tennessee for the weekend. I keep trying to go places we don't have in Ohio. I was driving towards the campground at like 9:00pm and suddenly, the VERY distinctive Pal's building is right there! So I hit the brakes and pull in. There appears to be no dine-in at all. And the drive-thru is weird. You stop at the first window and tell another human, face to face, your order. The menu is small-ish. I got a sauceburger, small frenchie fries, and a small chocolate shake. I asked if the fries are really crispy or not, as I would have asked for them well done. He seemed confused, looked over for moral support(?) and then said, "yeah, our fries are really crispy." *everyone will remember that* I tried to pay the guy and he takes my card and then goes, oh no, you have to pay when you pull around. So, I roll around to the other side of the building, where I could now see the guys back who took my order, and pay this new guy. Who then gives me my food. It was indeed, pretty sudden service. That's the tag line. The fries were not crispy. They were still really good, and insanely hot. They had some kind of seasoning on them that tasted like old bay mixed with garlic cheese or something. They were good. The burger was ok. It wasn't bad, so it doesn't lose anything there. The sauce tasted like maybe ketchup mixed with a-1 steak sauce? And the milkshake was super thick. I would probably wait to drink that like 20 minutes after your meal. All in all, while I would go back, I would not make it a point to revisit until I try other restaurants in the area.

    an american flag flying in the wind
    John M.

    Pal's is not only an institution in the eastern Tennessee area (specifically the area that is known as the Tri-Cities region where Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City all are), but has garnered attention on a national level from a few unlikely sources. Food & Wine magazine wrote a review of it and the restaurant even won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award one year, which typically is awarded to hospitals, educational facilities, luxury hotels, etc. Pal's marked the first time this prestigious award was granted to a fast food restaurant chain. So what makes it so special? I asked myself that when I pulled into this location and found a line into the street. Well, one way to find out. When my turn arrived at the drive-up window, I ordered the cheeseburger and a chili hot dog. The small cheeseburger was called a sauce burger w ou th cheese and I guess the sauce was their ketchup based sauce which tasted pretty much like ketchup. The cheeseburger was ok. Basically a fast food cheeseburger and the hot dog, which did not look appetizing, was actually pretty good. Service was good and the building does draw attention. I would say a big part of the popularity is nostalgia, Pal's has been around a long time and people remember going here as a kid with their parents or grandparents. Nostalgia is an important thing and that is not a bad thing. I would return and I recommend that you check it out.

    Pal's before heading back to Charlotte, NC
    Connie J.

    Pals is great! I wish there was a Pals closer to Charlotte! Love me a chipped ham with cheese (plain) and a plain peachy tea! Their breakfast is the BEST! Cheddar rounds are my favorite!

    Pulling in

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    1 year ago

    ABSOLUTELY absolutely my favorite burger in town!!!!! Pretty much anywhere. Always fast, always friendly and always so yummmy!!!!!!

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    2 years ago

    Food quality good and exceptional fast service, a surprise for first time visit. It was a Wow for a drive through!

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    3 years ago

    Always always wonderful!!!! Awesome food and service is always great!!!! They are quick and on their game!!

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This was a great experience the food was amazing and it came super fast it was very cheap I definitely think you should come here

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    Review Highlights - Pal's

    Their 'Sudden Service' is a key component of their identity, along with their quirky building desig

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Pal's - hotdogs - Updated May 2026

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