The Burger Bar serves hamburgers and history

4:40 PM, Jul 16, 2012   |    comments
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A hamburger joint in Bristol really cuts the mustard as a local landmark.

Back in the 1940's, the Cameo Theater hosted big shows with big stars just around the corner from the Burger Bar.

"On their breaks before and after they would come over to the Burger Bar to have a burger and hang out, sometimes write or just relax. It was a big spot the local area musicians," Burger Bar Cook Mike Adams said.

Hank Williams may be the Burger Bar's most famous customer, though Elvis and Johnny Cash may have eaten there too.

Legend has it Hank Williams ate his last meal there about midnight before he died on New Year's Day 1953.

Celebrities today include race car drivers and a Barney Fife impersonator.

The restaurant closed in 2009 then reopened under new management three years ago with some changes.

"It was one of the only places in a small town that was open 24 hours a day. And sometimes that late you can get a little rougher crowd in here," Adams said.

The Burger Bar shortened its hours and updated the building but some things remain the same.

"The place isn't the same but we keep the original feel. We don't like to have the dive feel but we like to have the old time diner feel for the place," he said.

It's remodeled with air conditioning and a loyal staff.

Before she worked there, Ashly Steele was a Burger Bar regular.

"Maybe like four or five times a week for maybe two years straight," she said.

She always orders the same meal.

"It's the bacon and cheese with American and parmesan fries. It's really good," she said.

Mike Adams has a personal favorite. "I like pepper jack bacon and mushroom. Sometimes I might add an egg instead of mushroom."

Regulars like Garrett Boyd sometimes eat there for breakfast and lunch.

"I hang out a lot downtown so I'm like let's just go to Burger Bar and hang out. It's a good place to hang out," Garrett Boyd said.

The most popular burger?

"It's a good onion mustard burger or a standard bacon burger. They get ordered a lot around here," Adams said.

The Burger Bar features black angus beef, fresh vegetables, and its own spices and sauces.

"I usually get pancakes in the morning or parmesan fries in the afternoon or regular fries," Garrett said.

Does he order burgers?

"Well, not really because I don't like burgers," he said.

For those who do like burgers, find some classics at the Burger Bar in Bristol.