Tennessee Mountaineer Restaurant & Dairy Hart Restaurant--in Church Hill (Kingsport: school, closing)

[jjbradleynyc]

I was talking to my mom last night, and we were chatting about our old hang outs in and around Church Hill, when I was growing up in the '70s and '80s. These two classic restaurants came up, and I my mom said they are both completely bulldozed now and gone!!
TN Mountaineer for a Walgreens, and the Dairy Hart is a parking lot! What a surprise!
These were classic, "old school" restaurants that made great food and were part of my memories growing up. We'd always go to the Mountaineer on some Sundays or for a quick dinner on the weekdays.
It's sad to hear that these places close. Progress has to be made, but still, it's a bummer they are gone.
Anyone else lament the closings of classic places in and around the tri-cities? Hope there aren't a ton more!

[kamoshika]

If any place could be considered the heart & soul of Church Hill, the Mountaineer was probably it. I wish it could've survived, especially given what's slated to replace it. Its ownership changed hands in '06 and it was rumored that the new owner only bought it as a property investment. I do know that the quality of the food went downhill fast after that. But it was really more important as a social place than as a restaurant. My dad met with friends there weekly for many years, and whenever I went in for dinner with my parents my dad would always know a bunch of the other diners.
Video Report - Mountaineer Restaurant loses battle to attract younger generation, closing to make way for Walgreens - Kingsport Times-News Online

Dairy Hart closed in '06 after its owners retired but has since reopened on E. Main under the ownership of a former employee.
After 42 years, Church Hill's Dairy Hart closes its doors - Kingsport Times-News Online

FWIW, Rogersville's Pig & Chick restaurant is supposed to move sometime this year to the original Dairy Hart location, and I hope it'll become a new Church Hill institution.

[jabogitlu]

For me, it's the Little Top and Tipton's Cafe in Greeneville. They're both classic (open way back in the 50s and 60s) with gooooood food!!!