This Old-School Tennessee Burger Joint Has Been Serving Giant Burgers Since 1964

A longtime waitress once bought the restaurant where she had served tables for years. By then, the grill had already been flipping giant burgers for decades.

That’s my kind of plot twist.

This Tennessee burger joint first opened its doors in 1964. It’s often called the oldest restaurant in its city, and its owners work hard to keep that old-school feeling in place.

The menu goes way beyond burgers, too. Breakfast runs all day, the pancakes are described as plate-sized, and the dessert list includes deep-fried Oreos.

I have to admit, a diner that survives six decades on burgers and grits must know a few secrets. I’d be tempted to start with breakfast and stay right through lunch.

Sixty Years Ago, One Man Just Wanted To Feed His Neighbors

Kelly’s Big Burger got its start in 1964, when Kelly Austin opened the doors with a simple goal. He wanted to serve good food to the people of Clarksville.

That plan clearly worked. The restaurant has now been feeding the community for more than 60 years, and it’s widely considered the oldest restaurant in town.

So much has changed since those early days. Phones left the wall, cars got cup holders, and fast food chains popped up on nearly every corner.

Through all of it, this little Tennessee spot kept doing its thing. Big burgers, hearty plates, and a no-fuss attitude carried it from one decade into the next.

I find that especially appealing because longevity like this rarely happens by accident. A restaurant needs loyal neighbors and a kitchen people trust to last that long.

Kelly’s Big Burger earned its reputation as a community landmark the slow way. It became a true gathering place one meal at a time.

Sitting down here means joining a very long line of hungry folks. That’s a fun thought to chew on between bites of a burger with six decades of history behind it.

The Ownership Story Here Reads Like A Hometown Movie Script

Few restaurants can claim a plot twist quite like this one. After Kelly Austin became ill, his brother stepped in and kept the grill running.

Later, the family sold the business to Joyce Vanderbilt. She wasn’t an outsider with a fancy plan, because she had worked there for years as a waitress.

Joyce kept the tradition alive for decades. That kind of steady hand explains a lot about why the diner still feels so familiar.

The next chapter arrived around late 2022. Brothers Jeremy and Chad Bryant took over and promised to keep the old feeling intact.

Of course, new owners usually bring a few new ideas. The Bryants added some fresh touches while protecting the original character people love.

Honestly, that balance is tricky. Change too much and longtime fans grumble, but change nothing and things can get stale.

I’d be curious to see how the past and present sit side by side here. It’s a rare restaurant that has passed through this many caring hands and still kept its personality.

Kelly’s Big Burger pulls it off with surprising ease.

Your Jaw Might Need A Warm-Up Before These Burgers Arrive

Size is the whole point at Kelly’s Big Burger, and the name doesn’t exactly hide it. The menu runs from regular and jumbo burgers to doubles and gourmet options.

Picking one can feel like a quiz with no wrong answers. The Double Bacon Cheeseburger waits patiently for anyone who believes more is always better.

Craving some heat? The Spicy Burger handles that job, while the Mushroom Swiss Burger leans savory and comforting.

Then there’s the Sarge Burger, which carries one of the more memorable names on the board. It feels right at home in a city sitting next door to Fort Campbell.

The Juicy Lucy rounds out the lineup with a name that sounds like a cartoon character. Cheese fans will probably want to give it a serious look.

Every burger pairs naturally with hot, crispy crinkle-cut fries, onion rings, or fried pickles. Good luck choosing just one side.

My advice is simple. Order with a plan, and bring a friend who’s willing to split a basket of rings, because these burgers live up to the name on the sign.

Pancakes The Size Of Your Plate Show Up At Any Hour

Breakfast at Kelly’s Big Burger never clocks out. It’s served all day, so craving eggs at dinnertime is perfectly respectable here.

The pancakes are described as plate-sized, which sounds like a friendly challenge. French toast, hash browns, and grits round out the morning classics.

Meat lovers get plenty of choices too. Egg plates can come with sausage, bacon, city ham, country ham, links, ribeye steak, or corned beef hash.

Omelets cover a lot of ground as well. There’s Cheese, Western, Ham, Bacon, and even a Philly Steak omelet for folks who want a little lunch in their breakfast.

Biscuits might steal the show, though. The loaded biscuits come smothered in gravy, which is about as Southern as a morning gets.

Combo platters bundle ham, sausage, bacon, and eggs together for anyone who hates making decisions before coffee. And yes, coffee is on the menu, thankfully.

I wouldn’t pass up the chance to order breakfast at an odd hour here. Pancakes at sunset just feel a little rebellious, and this kitchen happily plays along.

Smoked Barbecue Became The New Owners’ Boldest Addition

Brisket at a burger joint born in 1964 sounds like a surprise twist. It became real when the Bryant brothers introduced barbecue smoked right in-house.

The lineup includes pulled pork, brisket, and wings. Each one comes with the restaurant’s signature slap sauce, a name that’s hard to forget.

The comfort food doesn’t stop with barbecue. Catfish dinners, country fried steak dinners, and ribeye steak dinners hold down the hearty end of the menu.

Lighter appetites have options, too. A Chef Salad or a Chicken Tender Salad keeps things a bit greener.

Sandwich fans can pick from a Patty Melt, Club, BLT, Philly Cheesesteak, Sloppy Joe, or Chuck Wagon Sandwich. The Smoked Bologna and Cheese is a true Southern throwback worth a look.

Homemade chili also earns a spot on the board. On a chilly Tennessee afternoon, that might be the smartest order in the building.

This menu is basically a family reunion of comfort classics. Everyone gets a seat at the table, and the barbecue proves that an old diner can still pick up a few new tricks.

Save A Little Room, Because Dessert Gets Deep-Fried Here

Oreos were never meant to stay plain forever. At Kelly’s Big Burger, they go into the fryer and come out as Deep-Fried Oreos.

That alone could justify a stop. Still, the dessert list has a couple more tricks waiting.

Grilled Honey Buns are next in line. Taking a classic snack-aisle treat and putting it on the grill feels clever and a little mischievous.

Banana Pudding brings the sweet ending back to familiar ground. It’s a Southern staple, and it fits right in at a diner with this much history.

My honest strategy is simple. Order a lighter main, then split two desserts with whoever came along.

Desserts like these also make a great excuse for a second visit. A return trip just to work through the list sounds completely reasonable.

I have to admit, a fried cookie after a giant burger sounds a bit outrageous. That’s exactly why it’s tempting.

Kids will likely love the Oreos, while grown-ups may lean toward the pudding. Then again, nobody has to choose sides when sharing is allowed.

This dessert menu proves the kitchen has a playful streak. After six decades, that sense of fun clearly hasn’t faded.

Concrete Blocks, Plenty Of Decor, And Zero Interest In Being Fancy

Concrete-block walls set the tone the moment you arrive. Kelly’s Big Burger keeps a utilitarian, no-frills look that suits a classic hamburger joint.

That’s not a knock, by the way. Plenty of the best diners in America look built for function first and style second.

Inside, there’s a lot to look at. The decorations give your eyes something to do while you wait for that plate-sized stack of pancakes.

The vibe stays laid-back and diner-style. Nobody needs to dress up, and nobody seems to expect it.

The new owners made a point of preserving the old feeling. That choice matters, because a building like this carries six decades of memories in its walls.

It’s easy to see why the place became a gathering spot. Relaxed rooms invite long conversations, second cups of coffee, and one more fried Oreo.

I find the honesty of this setup refreshing. There’s no pretending to be something it isn’t, just a comfortable room built for eating well and catching up with friends.

Sometimes that’s exactly what a good meal needs.

Sitting Right By The Cumberland River Gives This Diner Bonus Points

Riverside Drive earns its name honestly. Kelly’s Big Burger sits at 405 N Riverside Dr, Clarksville, TN 37040, right along the Cumberland River.

That spot puts it close to downtown Clarksville. It’s an easy stop for anyone exploring this corner of Tennessee.

The restaurant also offers outdoor seating. On a mild day, eating a burger outside near the river sounds like a solid plan.

Clarksville ranks as Tennessee’s fifth-largest city, so there’s plenty to do before or after a meal. The riverfront makes a natural place to stretch your legs after a big breakfast.

Travelers headed toward Nashville can make a worthwhile detour here. The city sits roughly an hour northwest of Music City.

A second location, Kelly’s Big Burger at Swan Lake, operates on Dunbar Cave Road. The Riverside original is where the long story began, though.

I’d be tempted to plan a whole morning around this stretch of town. Breakfast first, a riverside stroll next, then maybe a second visit later for barbecue and a basket of onion rings.

Early Birds And Night Owls Can Both Score A Plate Here

Doors open at 5 AM on most days, which is great news for early risers. Sundays start a bit later at 7 AM.

Closing times shift through the week. Weekday evenings wrap up earlier, while Friday and Saturday nights run later, so check before heading over.

Not in the mood to sit down? Takeout, delivery, and mobile ordering are all available, including no-contact delivery through popular apps.

Fast service is a big part of the deal here. That’s handy for early commuters who need a biscuit before work.

Office lunches and parties get covered too, since Kelly’s Big Burger offers catering. Those giant burgers can travel right to your event.

An ATM sits on-site as well. It’s a small detail, but it can save a frantic search for cash.

My best tip is to show up with an empty stomach and order something you can’t get at a chain. With a 1964 story behind every plate, that’s an easy choice.

Tennessee has plenty of famous eats. This riverside burger joint has earned its own spot on that list, one giant patty at a time.