10 Best Knoxville Dining Experiences.

#76
#76
Big Ed's is a pretty good pizza, but that's it. Do not even think about driving all the way out from Knoxville for it. I say this as somebody with a Big Ed's shirt in my drawer. I grew up with it, but once you peel the nostalgia off, it's very good but unspectacular. It's not worth 45 minutes in the car.

(But I will say that every single time I wear the Big Ed's shirt anywhere even down here in Atlanta, somebody comes up and says something to me about it. Big Ed's has a powerful hold over the East Tennessee imagination.)
 
#78
#78
Heebs said:
Where's that?
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Farragut. Across from Watt rd. on Kingston pike. Has a distinct frozen pizza nostalgia to it.

Anyone remember Digenova's? The original in west Knox was incredible! They cut their pies just like Italians, with scissors.
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#79
#79
A couple of my favorites to add:

RouXBarb near Northshore and KP -- I know some people have issues with the Chef/owner, but it's a great meal.

Seasons in Farragut -- the ex-chef at Fox Den offers some nice and fairly eclectic fare (for Knoxville). Reasonably priced.

Haven't been to Echo yet (newer venture for the Seasons guys), but I hear good things.

Chez Liberty

Steak: can't go wrong with Ruth's Chris. Ye Olde is a standby (and much more affordable). Flemings is very good, as well.

Nama is the king of Knoxville sushi.

Little Bangkok and Stir Fry Cafe are good if you are in that mood.

For Italian: learn to cook. I can top anything K-town has to offer. If you refuse, go Savelli's.

Pizza: Honestly, I like Mellow Mushroom. Pizza Kitchen is OK, but (to me) only because they offer gluten-free pizza and beer (my wife has celiac disease). We hit Brixx occasionally because the kids like it. Little Joe's is nasty.

One gripe on Knoxville dining: why can we not get a decent lakefront establishment??? I recently ate at the "new" Willy's off Choto and had (yet another) horrendous experience. We waited 1.5 hours for overcooked and overseasoned food and terrible service. Every time that place reopens, I give it another chance. Every time, I refuse to return until they get it together. It is just crazy that Knoxville doesn't have a decent place to eat that is "boatable."
 
#80
#80
Is Regas still in Knoxville? I never had the dough or a date classy enough to take there when I was a student but it was reputed to be the best back in the early '70's. Smokey mt. Market on Chapman Highway used to have great chili dogs late at night.
 
#81
#81
bamacheats said:
Farragut. Across from Watt rd. on Kingston pike. Has a distinct frozen pizza nostalgia to it.

Anyone remember Digenova's? The original in west Knox was incredible! They cut their pies just like Italians, with scissors.
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That's how they cut it at Big Eds too.
 
#82
#82
Vercingetorix said:
Big Ed's is a pretty good pizza, but that's it. Do not even think about driving all the way out from Knoxville for it. I say this as somebody with a Big Ed's shirt in my drawer. I grew up with it, but once you peel the nostalgia off, it's very good but unspectacular. It's not worth 45 minutes in the car.

(But I will say that every single time I wear the Big Ed's shirt anywhere even down here in Atlanta, somebody comes up and says something to me about it. Big Ed's has a powerful hold over the East Tennessee imagination.)
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Oh come on! It's definitely worth trying! If you're in the Knoxville area you should try Big Ed's at least once.
 
#83
#83
Anyone like Louis'? My favorite place for spaghetti in Knoxville. A lot of their other food is average, but their meat sauce is epic.

As for Big Ed's, it's horrible. Average pizza and pathetic service. I loved the place when I was a kid, but I won't step foot in the place. Had an experience a few years back where they burnt my pizza not once, but twice. Went back about a year ago and they brought my pizza out about 20 minutes after everyone else received their food, and they completely effed up my order. Then a while later they came out and told me that they accidentally sent my pizza out as a to go order. I've had a couple of other bad experiences there, but those were the worst.
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#84
#84
utvol0427 said:
Anyone like Louis'? My favorite place for spaghetti in Knoxville. A lot of their other food is average, but their meat sauce is epic.

As for Big Ed's, it's horrible. Average pizza and pathetic service. I loved the place when I was a kid, but I won't step foot in the place. Had an experience a few years back where they burnt my pizza not once, but twice. Went back about a year ago and they brought my pizza out about 20 minutes after everyone else received their food, and they completely effed up my order. Then a while later they came out and told me that they accidentally sent my pizza out as a to go order. I've had a couple of other bad experiences there, but those were the worst.
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Big Ed's son definitely is not his old man when it comes to quality control, plus he's a jerk. But their pies are still tasty.
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#85
#85
bamacheats said:
Big Ed's son definitely is not his old man when it comes to quality control, plus he's a jerk. But their pies are still tasty.
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he was a good guy. When I was a kid he used to deliver us pizzas himself and trade them for strawberries.
 
#86
#86
hatvol96 said:
It's pretty good. Certainly better than its primary competitor Brixx.
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This. Brixx is terrible, Hard Knox is very good (but after eating at Lombardi's in NYC this summer I am forever spoiled.)
 
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#88
#88
volfanjo said:
I HATE Gus's Deli. Week of Alabama game about three years ago some hotshot thought it was cool to wear a Bama hat and take everyone's order. He deserved his rear-end whipped.

If you are into the steamed sandwich, Nixon's or Sam and Andy's do it much better and for a better price.

And no joker is wearing a Bama hat taking your order either.
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The owner and his family are HUGE Joe Namath fans. Wayy before they moved to knoxville. Therefore they like Alabama, but trust me, they root for UT 51 weeks out of the year. Nobody deserves to be beat up over a hat. He might have been a little grouchy because it was probably his 3000th sandwich he has made for some drunk jerk, but that is a part of the ambiance of Gus' They really dont care if you dont like his hat. Nixons, Sam and Andys, and Campus deli all get their bread, meat, cheese, mayo, mustand, tomatoes, etc from the same place. Even the steamers are the same.
 
#89
#89
I really like Puleo's as well and Sammy's is pretty good breakfast food.
 
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#90
#90
utvolpj said:
he was a good guy. When I was a kid he used to deliver us pizzas himself and trade them for strawberries.
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Stress can do that. I only know him at work, never seen him outside. Friday night is pizza night for us so we show up at BE every few weeks. His old man would always come and say hi when I was a kid and my folks did pizza night, but now regulars don't seem to matter much. Oh well, I have enough friends, the pizza is still good.
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#92
#92
Roman's Pizza in Windsor Square is very good though there's not much in the way of atmosphere.

I like Gondolier too.
 
#94
#94
It was good, but took about 45 minutes on a dead Thursday night to get my pizza, which is a tad long for my taste.
 
#97
#97
Barley's is good, but IMO it used to be better. If you want to go somewhere post game, it's a hidden gem of a place after football games, esp. when the Pumpkin Ale starts flowing.

I've eaten at Hard Knox once enjoyed it.

Dead End is the best BBQ in Knoxville.

I will throw out a legit place in Maryville this time, Foothills Milling Company. Well worth the drive from Knoxville.
 
#100
#100
tigervol9802 said:
Barley's is good, but IMO it used to be better. If you want to go somewhere post game, it's a hidden gem of a place after football games, esp. when the Pumpkin Ale starts flowing.

I've eaten at Hard Knox once enjoyed it.

Dead End is the best BBQ in Knoxville.

I will throw out a legit place in Maryville this time, Foothills Milling Company. Well worth the drive from Knoxville.
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Pretty solid but I would go with M&M BBQ.
 
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