What's in Knoxville, Tn?

Will be spending a nite in Knoxville and would like a local type place to eat. Anyone been there lately? I've read about a place called King Tut Grill. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks.

Yes, the place to go in Knoxville is that wonderful quasi-Egyptian-Southern Cafe, King Tut's Grill. The owner, Mo, is quite an eccentric character. The food is by no means authentic Egyptian, but Egyptian as processed through southern tastes. The restaurant is a collection of odds and ends, games, bric-a-brac. It is quite wonderful as an experience. The food while not among the best ethnic food, sure beats the chain food that Knoxville is known for. The dishes that I ordered were quite enjoyable (much better than suggested below), but the place was magnificent. Note that lunch is quieter and more sedate than dinner, but I would recommend either one.

Here is an account of King Tut's from a Knoxville area discussion list:

King Tut's Grill
4132 Martin Mill Pike
Knoxville
865-573-6021

Reviewed by Brehd Patchley on 3/22/2004

I had an eye opening experience the other night, and don't quite know how to pass it along. Passing along these little experiences, however, is the job that I've given myself by working with this website. And if you don't know what King Tut's Grill is, you need to know.

For years I had a simple rule. Some things are fun, but you don't do them in your own town. They are reserved for business trips and vacations when you can just let go - and nobody knows your name. Lately I haven't been following my own rules, and I couldn't be happier.

I've decided to place this review under the 'restaurants' category because I don't think any place requiring you to bring your own alcohol should fit under 'bars' -- and we don't have a 'playground' category. A playground, however, is the best way to describe King Tut's Grill.

Walking through the door, I didn't know what to expect. One of my friends had described this place simply as an 'experience' that one must have. Well, they were right. When we first walked in we were greeted by very bad karaoke and only about ten people were enjoying an evening at Tut's. I assumed more folks would soon appear, that the crowd just arrived later (I was wrong, only one more group came in throughout the night...a crowd never formed).

We sat down and were visited by a man that I assume owned the place. I heard him called Mo several times, so I'll go with that. Mo couldn't hear anything we said, and didn't seem to want us to make our own selections off the menu. It seemed very preferable to him if we just let him bring us whatever he thought we needed. Eventually food was ordered.

Not quite drunk enough to sing karaoke, I decided to visit the restroom while I could walk a straight line. Big mistake. To visit the restroom, one must walk directly through the kitchen. I'm not going into detail here, but I'll never know why that room wasn't condemned (or at least protected by barbed wire and a sign that stated "BEWARE OF LEOPARD!").

Once the food arrived we each poked about in it for a few moments. I finally decided one batch was tuna helper and the little ball was falafel. Other than that, I'm not really sure what was on the plates.

Soon hats were passed about, the kind of things you don't put on your head without spraying them with Lysol and boiling yourself after. A big trucker hat with fake hair, a giant bear head, I don't even recall what else.

Next came karaoke. Hundreds of CDs were available, and Mo just lets folks play with the equipment if they like. Our group of friends is not the type to sing karaoke. Needless to say, we sang karaoke until poor Mo finally had to push us out the door.

For some reason, King Tut's Grill is truly an experience one must have. As I think about the evening, I shouldn't have enjoyed it - but I simply cannot wait to go back!

Though that part of TN is lovely, and I have some UT alums in the family, I have found Knoxville to be a remarkably rusty old vesion of an SEC college town. Never had much luck food-wise, though there are plently of places to get a cheap drink. Like all college towns, Knox. has at least one serviceable Indian restaurant, though I can't recall any names.

On the way back to the airport there is a large Corky's (Memphis BBQ) outpost. Try it, and you'll wonder what the big deal is.

I haven't been to Knoxville since about 2001, but used to get there often. For dinner, you might want to try Manhattan's in the Old City historic district for steaks and some ambience decidedly different from the college town strip on the hill. This is a boho kind of area with clubs, restaurants, etc., but far enough from campus (and priced a bit higher) so that students don't gather here so much.

Someone I work with highly recommends Ye Olde Steakhouse, but I've never been there. (Full disclosure: His parents apparently got engaged during dinner there, so there may be some level of sentiment in his opinion of the place.)

And of course there are the spots on the hill, including the original location of Ruby Tuesday's. Never been, don't know if its better or different from the chain spots (like Uno Pizza, for example), and therefore have no real opinion.

Another spot worth trying in Knoxville (not for dinner) is the 11th Street Expresso House, which is just up the hill from the old Worlds Fair site and Art Museum, in and among the Victorian homes James Agee wrote about in A Death in the Family. Great place to relax if you have an hour or two to yourself during the day.

And if you REALLY have some time to kill, and a car, drive yourself to the Botanic Gardens run by the UT Ag school. It's about a mile or two out of town by the Tennessee River. UT Gardens.

Here is an aerial view of Knoxville so that you can get a good feel for where you are in that wonderous bastion of low IQ.

Linky no worky for me . . . and as an Auburn alum I'm not a huge fan of the Big Orange but I'm not real keen on describing UT as a "bastion of low IQ". I have a number of friends from UT that I think are able to both walk and chew gum at the same time . . . and split atoms, too.

Sorry folks. My link seems to have disappeared. I'll try to find another. It was a picture of Neyland Stadium positioned on the northwest corner of Alcatraz.

Kman, as a South Carolina Grad, I'm just participating in a little SEC piling on of UF-K (the University of Football at Knoxville). No harm intended.

Just spoke with a friend who lives in Knoxville, who added a recommendation for Taste of Thai -- he thinks it's fantastic.

YourPalWill wrote:Kman, as a South Carolina Grad, I'm just participating in a little SEC piling on of UF-K (the University of Football at Knoxville). No harm intended.

Uh-oh, don't make me sic my Clemson sister on you! Hey, if I can get along with her UGA husband I can get along with a Gamecock, too.

http://img242.echo.cx/img242/3465/neyland25vd.jpg

For you, Kman

The family is piling into the car and heading to Knoxville, TN this weekend. Any suggestions on places to check out while we are there? I am partial to pizza and BBQ, but any recommendations are welcome. Thanks.

Make it a point to go to King Tut's Grill

* 4132 Martin Mill Pike
* Knoxville, Tennessee 37920
* 865-573-6021

It is a very funky kind of place with a great owner (Mo), and some very decent Middle Eastern food. Not at all what you would expect in Knoxville.

thanks for the tip....we didn't get to make it to that place. it is on the list for next time for sure.

My sister used to live outside of Knoxville, and she swears by the burgers at a place in nearby Newport. The name alone makes it enticing...

The Grease Rack
555 Morrell Springs Rd
Newport, TN 37821

If you're ever in Knoxville, i would recommend hitting up Vic and Bills Deli. This deli screams health department inspection, but i've never had any problems

I only get one thing there, and it's the "One Eyed Jack." Capable of producing an acute myocardial infarction on premise, this cheeseburger is probably one of the top 10 i've ever had.

Includes shredded lettuce, raw or grilled onions, two slices of cheese, a half lb burger patty, pickles, tomato, mustard and ketchup - you'd think it would be pretty run of the mill.

then they throw you for loop when they put a nice greasy fried egg in between the patty and the veggies.

AWESOME.

On top of that, $.25 games of Galaga will pass the time as they prepare it.

Havent been there in a couple years - but it would be nice to hear if anyone has and if it's still the same great burger.

Address:
1501 White Ave
Knoxville, TN
37916-2513
Phone: (865) 521-6108

I'll be going to Knoxville soon and wonder if anyone has any recommendations besides what's covered in this thread.

Darren72 wrote:I'll be going to Knoxville soon and wonder if anyone has any recommendations besides what's covered in this and other threads.

The other threads are
What's in Knoxville, Tn?

Knoxville, TN - Great burger

Well, I can tell you that almost everything else mentioned is closed now.

If you are staying downtown without a car, I would recommend spending some time in Market Square. There are a number of eateries/bars with Tomatohead (local/organic sandwiches & pizza), Cafe 4 (a bit upscale southern comfort food), and La Costa (a bit upscale latin/american fusion & local/organic) being my favorites. Preservation Pub is a good bar with local music most nights that is also located on Market Square.

Also downtown is Nama, surprisingly great sushi and they also have really good happy hour deals (actually, most establishments in Knoxville do). And then down towards the Old City is The Crown and the Goose (which is a good gastropub) and Barleys (pizza and lots of beer on tap).

If you want some out of the way, GNR type places, my first recommendation would be Chandler's in East Knoxville. They do all kinds of southern food, including BBQ, but the fried chicken is where it's at. The sides are all done well too.

A pretty good BBQ place is M&M's Catering. They are located pretty far out in West Knoxville and don't offer any indoor seating. They used to be just a little cinder block shack, but have since upgraded and expanded (still no seating).

Also, a really good bakery just north of downtown is Magpies.

Oh, and if you find yourself on 'the Strip' (bars and stuff by campus), the one tolerable place is the Sunspot. Again, organic mexi-american fare with a good amount of beers on tap.

Another random find, is a Mexican (again) fusion kind of place in a strip mall in west knoxville called Chez Guevara. Not authentic at all, but quite an interesting place, from decor (Elvis everywhere) to food (think salmon/goat cheese/spinach burrito). Good margs too.

I haven't been to Knoxville on a regular basis for 2+ years, so there may be changes, and certainly new places, but I'm pretty sure M&M and Chandler's are still going strong.

Cafe 4
cafe4ms.com
4 Market Square,
37902
865-544-4144

La Costa
lacostaonmarketsquare.com
31 Market Square,
37902
865-566-0275

Tomato Head
thetomatohead.com
12 Market Square,
37902
865-637-4067

Preservation Pub
preservationpub.com
28 Market Square,
37902
865-524-2224

Nama Sushi Bar
namasushibar.com
135 S. Gay Street,
37902
865-633-8539

The Crown & Goose
http://www.thecrownandgoose.com/
123 S. Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
p: 865-524-2100

Barley's
http://www.barleystaproom.com/knoxville/
200 East Jackson Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37915-1005
(865) 521-0092

Magpies Cakes |
http://www.magpiescakes.com/
846 North Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917 |
865.673.0471

Chandler's Deli
3101 Magnolia Ave.
Knoxville, TN
United States
37914
http://www.chandlersstore.com/page/page/5751245.htm

M&M CATERING
http://www.m-mcatering.com/
1039 Summerwood Rd.
KNOXVILLE TN 37923
865 692 1003

Sunspot Restaurant
1909 Cumberland Avenue,
Knoxville, TN
(865) 637-4663 ‎ · sunspotrestaurant.com
Chez Guevara Restaurant

Chez Guevara Restaurant
8025 Kingston Pike # A, Knoxville, TN
(865) 690-5250 ‎

My best pal is in grad school at U of T and I go visit him every year on spring break. There's only a few spots that have done much for me. My favorite spot, which is a must visit on every trip is Chandler's Deli for soul food. Housed in a pink colored former Taco Bell, this place does up real deal meat and threes from a cafeteria counter. The place is divey as all get out with its sticky patina- greasy duct-taped up booths, one of which overflows with the business' receipts and bills. Anyhow, the grub can't be beat, fried hard chicken, gizzard fortified gravy, collards redolent of smoked turkey. Awesome.

I was going to recommend brunch at a classic 1880's downtown saloon, Patrick Sullivan's where I enjoyed a very nice plate of eggs sardou and bloody marys, but according to the Googles, apparently closed this summer, a real shame.

My friends took me for "small plates" (Southern small plates= giant family style platters) at Rouxbarb. A nice, laid back room that serves up spiffed up versions of Southern classics like fried chicken livers, shrimp and grits, etc. We shared many a bottle of wine that night and I can't recall everything we ate, but remember a few really good plates of fried stuff and pretty much everything else I ate was rather enjoyable. Mountains of heavy, high quality grub, we left stuffed.

Chandler's Deli
3101 E Magnolia Ave
Knowxville, TN 37914
(865) 595-0212

Patrick Sullivan's (just in case they re-opened)
100 North Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37902-1007

Rouxbarb
130 South Northshore Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 212-0024

Biscuits and Burgers. At least that's what I had on my rides thru on a recent roadtrip to Asheville (stay tuned). Never one to let an opportunity to try a roadfood-esque place pass me by I stopped into the Roadfood recommended Litton's Market on the way down.


Locals favorite since 1946, serving burgers since '53

First thoughts upon entering is "this place is huge" as should of been evident from the parking lot, there were at least a couple hundred people dining in there for lunch on this early afternoon stop. Litton's doubles as a bakery and they bake their own hamburger rolls and get their beef patties supplied fresh. Their most popular offering is the Litton "Thunder Road" burger which comes topped with pimento cheese, sauteed onions and a jalapeno. Served with fresh cut fries for $12. Not bad but not great, they didn't ask how I wanted the burger cooked and as expected I got a medium well done one. Not sure if the option for medium rare was there or not.


Thunder Road Burger (an ode to the states old moonshine runners)

On the way back to Chicago I chose to get another one of America's classic drive-in's documented into my food folder. I don't know how I came across this place but it was on my list and somehow stopping in made our trip 7 miles shorter despite exiting the highway.


On the outskirts of town


Interesting Menu Selection

Lots of stuff I would of liked to have tried but I had other stops in mind not to mention dinner reservations in Cincinnati that evening. I asked and the Chuckwagon was just a breaded steak sandwich so I didn't need that. I enjoyed a slaw dog at the WNC Farmers market the day before. The chipped ham sandwich was tempting but I instead went with a pimento cheese sandwich and a couple breakfast sandwiches made with house baked biscuits from the all day breakfast portion of the menu.


Pimento Cheese Sandwich at a Drive-in...we must be south of the Mason Dixon

The pimento sandwich was pretty damn good. Simple but I could see how it would be comforting to many who grew up on them. I just question those who don't order one with bacon which was really all that this sandwich was missing. Some crispy hot slices placed right atop the cheese causing it to slightly melt would of won them the football game. Not that it was necessary as the biscuit sandwiches made the game a route. I had quite a few biscuits down in Asheville and while they were all very good none of them were on par with these little guys. Only thing on par I can remember eating were the offerings at the Nashville Biscuit House. Tennessee sure knows how to do these.


Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit

Litton's Market Restaurant and Bakery
2803 Essary Dr
Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 688-0429

Cardin's Drive-In
8529 Asheville Hwy
Knoxville, TN 37924
(865) 933-3251