Alison’s Restaurant

We got there about 3:30 pm and starving. The waiter was very attentive (not bothersome though). The food arrived quickly. We had the steak and pulled pork plate. It came with delicious potato soup and good bread. The steak was cooked as ordered and both meals were tasty and filling. Very close to 81. Exit 14 to the first light and turn left. It’s a couple blocks up on the left. It’s not pretty but the food is good and priced reasonably. (Fairly cheap really) also family friendly,

Yet another delish dinner at Alison’s! It had been quite awhile since our last visit and it seems like my husband and I somehow forget how yummy it is between visits. We sat out on the patio to enjoy the nice cool spring air. The cool air made for a very enjoyable experience with the amazing and famous potato soup, paired with the half sand of turkey and Swiss. Hubby got the Reuben always a safe choice but this one was stuffed and deliciously messy. We were more than satisfied with the meal. The only think that could have made it better is if we could have relaxed out on the patio and took a nap in a hammock afterward.

I used to meet a friend here regularly for lunch and we loved it. Since I no longer live in the area I had not gone here for a few years.
Last night we were in town for a show at the theater and figured we would go to Alison’s since we had always loved it so much.
Well, I am not sure what has gone on at this establishment but it has really gone downhill. We waited for quite sometime after we were seated but could accept that because the place was pretty busy. We were seated by a door that said OFFICE and it was very, very drafty and uncomfortable.
We ordered iced tea and it was very watered down. I had the sandwich and soup combo, grilled cheese, potato soup, and the fried sweet potatoes. My husband had a sandwich and fries. After waiting about 20 minutes the soup came, it had sort of a skin across the top, like it had sat for awhile, it was only lukewarm. 25 minutes later the sandwiches arrived. I was excited to try the fried sweet potatoes with cinnamon butter. However, they were so cold that they actually felt as though they had been refrigerated. The grilled cheese was cold and bland just like the food my husband ordered. We were hungry and didn’t have much time so we went ahead and picked at the cold food except for the fried sweet potatoes, they were just too cold and greasy.
We had been finished for quite sometime before the server came back. I asked her if the sweet potatoes were supposed to be served cold. She offered to get me a new order but since we needed to leave to make it to the theater I declined. We paid the check and left, never to return again.
I noticed that the people dinimg around us were having the same type of experience.

hairs in food– wilted salad– rude service– stuffy patio– digny low lit seating area– long wait we had to speak to manager about the hair in salad bcz the waitress gave us attitude. not worth the 45 min wait :(

Not much to look at but the food more than compensates! What appears to be an old drive-​in restaurant/​diner contains some tasty dishes and excellent service.
My first visit was a couple days ago and I enjoyed a fantastic crabcake sandwich. The breading was light and appeared to be made of cornmeal. The contents were very heavily weighted toward the crabmeat and not full of other less desirable things. Good seasoning, well cooked — only slightly greasy. The roll was awesome (toasted, buttered) as was the tartar sauce. All housemade sauces, soups, and the crabcake, by the way.
Now the soup: I’ve heard for weeks now about the potato soup at Alison’s. Yes it was rich, yes it was flavorful, but I also had the distinct sensation of Velveeta somewhere in the mid. It was good, I’d order it again and I’d recommend it — but I still can’t quite put my finger on the «odd» element.
Service was quite attentive — almost overly. It’s a welcome change from absentee service, however.
All in all I’d say go. Enjoy yourself — it’s not quite a gastropub, but it’s definitely what I’d call a «fine diner».

This place is hit or miss when it comes to service. But I just can’t help the fact that I absolutely love the chicken tenders here. Plump, juicy and just the right amout of breading, fried to a perfect crisp. I have now opted for take out when I have the hankering for some Alison’s tenders. That way I avoid the stress and won’t require anger mgmt class. Lol :)

My husband and I were spending a couple nights in Abingdon (heading down the Creeper Trail) wanted some local cuisine, so I was hoping there would be something on Unilocal.Up popped Alison’s and we were right there. Not much impressed with the outside. But, the food was fantastic! and the service was top notch. I had the Grilled Shrimp and veg medley.superb. My husband had the Idaho trout stuffed with crab. He raved. we were so pleased to have fallen onto this «gem».thanks Unilocal

Traveling from Berea KY to Durham NC with 4 students when we Unilocaled for a locally owner restaurant. This is a home run and worth the stop. Recommend that you get there before 11:45am for lunch because of the popularity and 18 booths /​tables on the inside. This place gets busy.
Daily luncheon specials — Today Friday — Caribbean Chicken Pasta, Ginger Sesame Salmon Salad, Italian Club, Rib Basket and three soups. David served us encouraging and responding to our questions. Ask for him. He brought us Fried Sweet Potato as an appetizer.
I had Baked Potato soup and a side salad. Fabulous! Soup hits the spot — «Makes my tummy warm,» reports Lyndsay, which they sell in a cup, bowl, quart, and even crock size containers. All of us passed on the Molten Cake (rich dark chocolate cake with gooey center).

Wonderful restaurant with indoor/​outdoor seating. Huge menu with a friendly staff. I always stop by when in the area.

I stopped by Allison’s Restaurant while in the midst of a massive road trip from Houston, TX to Philadelphia, PA. My Dad and I were looking for something good and local. And in my opinion, we found it.
It was a smaller place with a big patio that used to be a drive in. My Dad got the Jalapeño Cheese Burger, which was amazing, and I got the basil chicken which was just ok. Whatever you order, make sure and get the Cinnamon Butter Sweet Potato Fries! They were my favorite part of the stop!

Great meal here tonight. Loved the spring rolls and liked the salmon pretty well. Always a pleasure.

Alison’s has the BEST RIBS ever. They are tender, flavorful and they fall off the bone. Alison’s 5 star rating is because of the ribs.
The pork BBQ was sliced, rather than pulled, so it did not hold the flavor of the sauce well. It was okay.
The staff was friendly and very attentive.

During my short stay here, I think Allisons was the best overall restaurant we me and my unfortunate group ate at. If you should find yourself forced in this rural area for business, you may pass by this unassuming eatery. The restaurant is a converted drive-​thru. The prices reasonable. The menu larger than the Hardware restaurant. No liquor, but beer and wine.
I had the apple/​cinnamon pork chops with sweet potato wedges. The pork chops were kinda dry/​slighty overcooked and the apple cinnamon flavor didn’t permeate as much as I would like. The sweet potato wedges were awesome though, going along with this unique cinnamon butter. Those wedges made my night and my review of this place.