When you want homecooked goodness served up with a dash of nostalgia, the Sun Diner is the way to go. At their Gatlinburg location, you’ll find all the best comfort foods for breakfast and lunch, including pancakes, country-fried steak, and omelets. And they’re all served up in an iconic diner with roots set deep in the heart of Music City.
As you browse the menu, you’ll notice that many of the dishes are named after music icons like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. That’s because this diner has a special connection to Sun Records, the famous record label in Memphis that launched their careers. So, if you’re an Elvis fan, you might enjoy the “Love Me” Tenders, while Johnny Cash’s fans should try the “Cry Cry Cry” Hot Wings.
If the dishes’ names give you a kick, just wait until you taste the food. The chefs at this diner take pride in making many of their dishes from scratch using fresh, quality ingredients. For example, the chicken tenders are breaded by hand, and the spiral-cut fries are cut and fried to order. Just be forewarned, with so much care put into each dish, it’s common to wait up to an hour for your meal to arrive at the table.
The Music City theme continues throughout the diner’s décor, with vintage photos, concert posters, and other memorabilia splashed along all the walls. The red vinyl booths and stools pay homage to diners of that era, but the rest of the dining room has a modern look and feel. The open-concept dining area takes some getting used to, but it’s perfect for making fast friends during your meal.
Although the staff is friendly, the service quality is nothing to write home about. Be prepared to savor your drinks because refills might not come as quickly as you might like. However, if you need something urgently, you can talk to the host or simply flag down a nearby server.
Their most popular menu items at Sun Diner include:
Short Rib Hash
The Short Rib Hash is always a great choice whether you come by for breakfast or lunch. This dish features fresh potato hash fried to perfection and then topped with beer-braised short ribs. Caramelized onions and fried eggs done how you like them join the party next. After that, the dish gets smothered in bearnaise sauce, provolone cheese, and a dash of fresh arugula.
Donut Sandwich
Want something imaginative to brighten up your day? The Donut Sandwich is the way to go, for sure. When you order this dish, the chef gets busy frying up a pork patty on the flat top. Once that’s done, it goes on a donut half along with a fried egg and slice of cheddar cheese. Sun Diner potatoes come alongside to finish off this dish.
Crème Brulee French Toast
Lovingly dubbed, “Let’s Do the Twist, the Crème Brulee French Toast is a definite fan favorite. This dish starts with thick-cut cinnamon bread dunked in Rum Chata crème brulee batter. Then, it’s fried until golden brown and topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. Although that’s plenty enough on its own, you can round out your meal with crumbled bacon if you wish.
You cannot make reservations, even if planning to dine in a large group. So, be prepared to wait for a table to open up if you arrive with many tablemates or during the breakfast or lunch rush. The wait reflects the popularity of this joint and the quality of their food. So, try not to be too disappointed if you must spend a little extra time anticipating your meal.
Insider Tips:
-The Sun Diner only serves breakfast and lunch, so make sure to plan to eat dinner elsewhere while visiting Gatlinburg.
-People shorter than 5’7” have trouble reaching the floor while sitting on the stools. Kids also find the stools far too slippery to sit on comfortably. So, ask for a booth if you don’t want to deal with all that.