Louis Original Drive In Restaurant
4661 N Broadway St, Knoxville, TN, 37918
Louis Original Drive In Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
4661 N Broadway St
Knoxville, TN, 37918 - Phone (865) 688-4121
- Website https://theoriginallouis.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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R T.
Best spaghetti ever! Fantastic liver and grilled onions if you're a fan. The salads are always fresh and their homemade blue cheese dressing is excellent!
(4)Robert W.
My family has been visiting Louis for over fifty years, and I believe they are still serving the same lousy food they had purchased and were serving fifty years ago, it is nasty, and disgustingly tasteless. Our order consisted of two lasagna entrees, a baked spaghetti entree, and a large pizza. After consuming half of our entrees, not one person in our party was well. Two of us spent the next 24 hours vomiting, and belching non-stop, from what we believe to be food poisoning, while the other two swore they would never again eat anything from Louis. Their menu is so tired and dated, they really need to bury it and lay it to rest. The same sickening food they have served for over half a century. Boring, to say the very least. The restaurant is hideously decorated with some of the worst murals ever to be seen, and the dining room is not at all inviting. The food is bland, unimaginative, and usually served almost room temperature when it arrives. Service is lousy. Our check was slightly under $80. A complete ripoff. Never again. Steer clear of this complete disappointment. Definitely not at all worth the trip, or the money. You will fare much better driving through any fast food place.
(1)Ann P.
I do not understand the popularity of this place. Said I would not return but gave in after a friend said it was awesome. The sauce tastes just like the Chef Boy R D sauce in the ravioli. I did not like it. A "salad" is nothing but an overflowing bowl of lettuce that has a metallic taste as it is probably cut on a meat slicer. The lettuce overflows onto the serving tray and how often are they sanitized? The blue cheese dressing was thin and not very good. I ordered the veal parmesan and was served a chopped and formed deep fried patty that was greasy and almost all filler. I will not go back to this place.
(1)Lisa M.
The coolest thing about this place is I've heard it was great which it may have been back in the day but no longer. I don't get the high praise or the crowds. Nope, no thanks - once was enough for me.
(1)Larry A.
Tried the spaghetti after reading some raves. Wasn't impressed and probably won't return.
(2)Cindy B.
recently, while having lunch here ( only because my co-workers insisted) I ordered a hamburger with mayo, lettuce and onions. Can you begin to imagine my utter surprise when I looked on my bill to see that they had charged me 75 cents for a slice of onion !???!!!!! Who doesn't offer onion on a burger ? Their prices are crazy......$15 for a plate of spaghetti and tea ? The new generation that now runs this family owned business is just running it in the ground
(1)Chuck C.
It's always good, but very old school if you like that. Their spaghetti is very popular, but I don't get that. I don't love it and their sauce is brown. I enjoy mine being red. But I do recommend it and that you go. Here is a varied menu for everyone. Looks like some of the help has been there since they began which is always good.
(5)John G.
Stopped in late, well 9 pm is late for Fountain City, and this place was open until 9:30, so we were stuck. This place has been around for 40-50 years and some folks loose their mind over this place, I'm not one of them. My friend had a small pizza and small salad, I had a club sandwich. His pizza was bland, small side salad was 4 bucks. My sandwich was fine, fries were out of a bag. This is lowest common denominator food, assembly line, quickly prepared and cheap for the store, not the customer though. I paid 13 bucks with tip for a club sandwich, buddy paid about the same for a small pizza and salad, no drinks either. My meal was filling and tasty, but over priced. Live and learn right.
(3)Lupi R.
This was our first visit and our last. I ordered veal parmigiana and the menu states it was hand breaded veal. What I got was a processed frozen veal patty. The red sauce lacked any authenticity of the old country and was just color on the plate. Louis is suppose to be famous for their onion rings and although they were fried well they lacked any seasoning which also made them bland to taste. The garlic bread was just SAD ! The one positive note was the wait staff was very attentive and professional. My bill was $58.00 for two adults and two children and I was completely un-impressed and will not eat here again and recommend you do the same.
(1)Layney C.
First time eating here and I was very impressed. Our server Tammy very attentive and knowledgable about the specials. Their homemade spaghetti sauce is phenomenal. The only bad thing I would say is the hostess was rude, but I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Tim A.
Some restauranteurs talk about making big changes to fine dining. At Louis, though, the less-talented but more-enthusiastic chefs of Knoxville have come together to actually do something about it. Ever thought about taking the shredded lettuce that goes on tacos and making a salad out of it? Me neither. But Louis sure has. Get ready for the first salad that might actually be more easily eaten with a spoon. Visionary! In the past, at other places, I've ordered baked pasta dishes such as manicotti and found that awesome top layer of cheesiness isn't quite as textured as I'd like it to be. However, Louis has developed a patent-worthy method for securing this texture. First, the dish is cooked the "traditional" (or some might say "appropriate") length of time. Then, with a flair of genius, the dish continues to cook until the cheese layer has formed a burnt crust over the pasta. No shortage of texture here. Revolutionary! I've always loved great garlic bread, with its crunchy surface and rich aroma of herbs, one of which is generally garlic. However, Louis has shown me a better way. One can simply leave a chunk of bread next to (but not actually in) the oven, melting a small pat of butter over the top. Most importantly, no garlic whatsoever is added, because garlic is a sufficiently strong flavor that imagining its presence is good enough. I imagine the chefs at Louis look ahead of us commonfolk to a future when garlic might in fact be endangered, thus promoting resource conservation. Inspired! One day, the world will abandon the outdated preferences for "quality" and "taste" and look to Louis to lead us to the culinary Promised Land.
(2)I G.
I know this place is sort of an institution in fountain city but the food isn't even mediocre. Hospital food which fits the mostly elderly that frequent this establishment from nearby senior housing. The sauce on the overcooked spaghetti has a nice zing to it but that's why I gave them 2 stars instead of 1. The veal Parmesan worst I've ever eaten. You get a more interesting tossed salad in a public high school cafeteria. If you have no taste buds you might like it here. Server and staff pleasant. Restaurant seems clean for most part.
(2)Noe W.
The baked spaghetti is to die for. Found it by accident 10+ years ago and have been going back ever since. Constant and never disappointed so if you are in the mood for Italian give it a try.
(5)Will C.
This is one of those older Knoxville restaurants with an old-time reputation. Their spaghetti sauce makes their spaghetti. The steak and spaghetti is my recommended dish. Over the years I feel like their quality has not been what it use to, however they still have large and regular crowds. I feel this restaurant is a Knoxville staple.
(4)Jon D.
Definitely a crowd pleaser with the whole family. Spaghetti is a little different but excellent - the sauce has a kick to it. Gotta have a salad with blue cheese dressing. Very reasonable prices and always nice size portions, easy to share a meal. If you're looking for consistency, this place never changes and never disappoints.
(4)Steve Q.
Late sunday afternoon the parking lot is still full with people /family coming and going. A good sign. Inside it's clean well-appointed but not pretentious. It is a bit noisy but that's just sign of roomful of happy people. This is an Italian family dinning hall. Every town worthy of some size should have one. West Lake Joe's in Daly City (san francisco) is another one, which i think a better one as their breaded sole and original meat sauce are blown away good. Luis's version isn't bad. You have to take in the whole old-time family atmosphere along with the food and service and the history of the establishment to render fair judgment. In that department I am an easy judge. Many people derided the shredded salad, My was fresh, without spoilage and crisp; like a good boy i ate my veggies without complaint, topped with honey mustard which I suspected was thousand island by mistake. But like I said the restaurant and lientele put me in such good mood - no complaint. My diner sampler had sphaghetti with meat sauce, ravioli and meat ball. Alll of which i chowed down heartily. Next time I will ordered grilled steak with side of that good sphaghetti. By way there is no garlic to the otherwise nicely brown "garlic" bread. We suppose to use our imagination right ? I dont care some liken Luis food to chef boyardi; IItalian home-made comfort food put me on a happy walk down memory lane, and what is wrong with that ?
(4)Casey H.
I am a big believer in local business and I am not a food snob. Mom and Pops are right up my alley. However, when there is SO little effort put into a restaurant's food it SHOWS. Louis is accurately described by a lot of reviews on here... the negative reviews. The brown iceberg lettuce salad and brownish orange spaghetti are just simply crap. I was able to try their pizza on the second time I was dragged to this joint, and also showed just a lack of effort in preparing the food. I mean, if you owned a restaurant and took the time to read Yelp reviews, and saw that people were complaining about the iceberg lettuce, BUY SOME NEW LETTUCE! I also refuse to go back to this place. This is based on eating there twice in the past 7 years. My mother in law is an old North Knoxville native and is the driving force behind going those two times. My theory is some people grew up on Louis when the food was prepared with care are writing these reviews. Now the bad food of this place is in stark contrast to the great food available right down the street at Range House Restaurant. Pick Range House not Louis for the love! I would love to see one of those Kitchen Nightmares shows filmed here.
(1)Christopher J.
Definitely one of my favorite places in Knoxville. Lots of great things on the menu, but the thing to get is the spaghetti. The dine in portions are huge so splitting works well. Also, the Italian dressing is homemade and nice if you like oil and vinegar style dressings. The onion rings are a favorite as well and again portions are large. Growing up my family would split a "small" order as an appetizer. I know that some people have called Louis a greasy spoon and perhaps that is true, but the simple fact is that it is a great one.
(5)Mary T.
I have been addicted to the spaghetti with meat sauce since I was little. If you like Pizza Palace spaghetti then this is right up your alley. Majority of the time I get take-out. This consists of a very large order of spaghetti (I usually eat half of it the night I get it and the rest is for lunch), a shredded lettuce salad. Trust me on this. Get the Vinaigrette, an additional Blue Cheese Dressing and a side of Parmesan. Mix it up however you like but using all 3 makes it pretty darn good. They also give you good garlic butter toasted bread. I crave this place every time I think about it. For me it's tradition but the spaghetti here never gets old for me. Go check it out. Dine in the restaurant or pull up to the drive-in, or just get it to-go like me. They are closed on Mondays. Cheers & Enjoy!!
(5)Dale L.
Louis' is a Knoxville landmark with over 50+ years. Living in the Knoxville metro area, it's a wonder I never ventured here once until recently. I didn't get a chance to taste a variety of menu items on my visit, but here's my impression: The spaghetti is what I've heard most about this place. The meat sauce is almost a marinara 'gravy'. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The veal parmigiana was decent. It was a round-shaped cutlet with light breading, smothered in their 'Italian-at-a-Greek joint' style of marinara and mozzarella. The garlic toast (thick, Texas-style) was guilty-pleasure greasy good. The salad was sub-par, using only iceberg lettuce with little-to-no additional veggies, but hey, this isn't the place to go to have a fancy salad. I enjoyed the atmosphere - it was typical mom-pop rural East TN restaurant with Italian decoration on the walls. The elderly really like this place, apparently - likely because of its long-running history in near-north Knoxville. If I lived near this place, I would go on a semi-regular basis, but since I live out west, it's worth a visit when I happen to be wondering the downtown or Fountain City areas. If you live in Knoxville and haven't tried it, it's worth the effort to drive out to and try, and if anything, you can say you experienced one of Knoxville's only few remaining long-standing private-owned restaurants (RIP Regas).
(3)Brent B.
Louis Original Drive-in is a Knoxville institution. Yes, the atomosphere is simplistic Americana with red and white checkered plastic tablecloths, but it is in Fountain City, after all. This place is a destination location and is always packed. The food is straightforward, simple and hearty. The waitstaff are friendly and usually willing to converse a little. I love the spaghetti and meatballs!
(5)Tiffany B.
All I have had from here is the pizza. It was okay, but nothing special really. One thing is that I HATE italian sausage. I like what places call pork sausage or mild sausage. I just don't like the size and texture of italian sausage. But even putting my feelings about that aside, it was really nothing special. The crust is fairly thin,which I like but something was missing. The spaghetti, on the other hand, looks delicious and I have heard great things about it. I have not tried it yet, but I would be willing to go back and give it a try. The service here is great and everyone is really friendly. Update: I am thinking this place doesn't have a separate fryer for seafood. My mother ate the onion rings there and was sick for a couple of days. Many people with seafood allergies cannot even eat something fried in the same grease as shellfish so most restaurants have separate fryers for seafood. So people with allergies beware!
(2)Justin B.
Bad, cheap quality food.
(1)Rob C.
Louis' is a Knoxville staple for good reason. The breakdown: The decor is simple and older but as the one reviewer said it is Fountain City. The side salad that comes with all meals is shredded lettuce served with crackers and dressing on the side. It's shredded lettuce so take it for what it's worth. Their appetizers are great. I highly recommend the onion rings or fried zucchini chips. Their dinner rolls will put a spell on you and you will ask for more. The spaghetti and sauce are fantastic and can't be beat. They have great meatballs too. The baked manicotti and ravioli is delicious, but my favorite is the old Louis' #4 also known as broiled chicken Parmesan. Their broiled chicken is the juiciest piece of chicken you can find. Top it with their sauce and provolone and you have a masterpiece. I'm not a huge fan of the pizza here but I've had much worse. If you eat here make sure you don't skip out on the spaghetti. You won't regret it.
(5)Kristin M.
Louis has the best spaghetti that I have ever ate! Service is always good and fast. I was surprised by the other reviews,but I can see what they mean. The house salad does look like pitiful, but they offer great subsitutions. My favorite is the loaded baked potato soup. My husband loves the onion rings. I have taken out of town family members there and they love it and ask to come back. It is not the fanciest place in town, but they have awesome spaghetti!! Be prepared with a large appetite!
(5)kristen o.
I've been to Louis' twice and was unimpressed both times considering the restaurant's reputation for offering excellent Italian food. Their atmosphere is rather "family cafeteria," so it's loud, uncomfortable, and packed with children. It felt kind of dirty. That wouldn't necessarily matter if the food was good, but I ordered the fettucini alfredo and found it virtually tasteless. I've had better at Gondolier. I also snagged a bite of someone else's lasagna and was unimpressed. They offer no Italian desserts, so my companions settled on a slice of coconut pie to share. It was blander than bland. I will say that they have great onion rings and they actually give you enough dressing to cover the generous salad portions, but that's all. One of my companions was given bitter iced tea and the waiter said, "It's bad sometimes. It depends on who makes it." The tea should always be drinkable despite whoever makes it. I hate to pick on a place considered a historical eatery in Knoxville, but I guess my expectations were high. I would not eat here again.
(2)