Hwy 55 Burgers coming right up in Hardin Valley

Servers Emma Davis, left, and April Boggan welcome guests of Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries to the Cedar Bluff location. The newest restaurant in the franchise will open at 10810 Hardin Valley Road, next to Arby’s, Monday, May 27.
The 1950s are making a comeback in Hardin Valley.

Bill Hamilton, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries franchise owner, said his restaurant with a 1950s-style diner concept, is expected to open Monday, May 27, at 10810 Hardin Valley Road.

The nostalgia begins when Hwy 55’s smiling servers welcome their customers, and continues with a pink and teal dining room color scheme, ’50s music and freshly-squeezed lemonade.

“Kids” of all ages love it, from the very young to those who grew up in the era, he said.

Hamilton recalled one elderly customer who said, “This brings back memories.”

The special treatment continues with the food, which Hamilton said is “all made from scratch — from the coleslaw and pimento cheese to hand-breaded shrimp and the chicken tenders.”

Hwy 55 has four signature burgers — All-American Cheeseburger, John Boy and Billy BBQ Bacon, Pimento Cheese and Bacon, and Carolina Classic, as well as a Build Your Own option.

Hwy 55 also offers cheesesteaks, hamburger steak platter, chicken, shrimp po’boys, hot dogs and other sandwiches and side orders, which include chili-cheese fries and onion rings.

Those seeking lighter fare can try the made-from-scratch salads, such as the spicy shrimp Hwy 55 Cobb or the garden salads.

To satisfy the sweet tooth, Hwy 55’s homemade frozen custard is sold by the cone, in shakes, sundaes or create-your-own concrete mixtures.

The Hardin Valley restaurant will be the fourth area location of his franchise. Hamilton’s stores first opened at 441 S. Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge in September 2018, then he added locations at 9314 Kingston Pike in Cedar Bluff and in West Town Mall’s food court. He hopes to open a location at Exit 8 in White Pine in the future.

Founded by Kenney Moore in 1991 as Andy’s Cheesesteaks & Cheeseburgers, Hamilton, a 45-year veteran of the restaurant business, discovered Hwy 55 in North Carolina.

“I loved everything about it — the atmosphere and the motto ‘Love your Neighbor,’” he recalled.

His restaurant will be open for dine-in and carry-out service from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information, call 919-658-0902 or visit online at hwy55.com