Calhouns

#53
#53
Gramps said:
I like the Apple Barn better than the Old Mill. It has been very good every time we have been there. I am not a big fan of the Old Mill, I know I am in the minority. Haven't been to either for a few years.
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The Apple Barn is a must for anyone that goes to the smokies. Absolute must.
 
#56
#56
Calhoun's biggest problems IMO

1) They advertise their barbecue, but it is not great. It's fair. Ribs are better than their pulled pork, but ok not great. Pulled pork usually disappointing IMO. Bbq Sauce is not great either.

2) The best things on their menu can be hard to find. Hamburger/cheeseburger is consistently very good. Fish n chips is very good. Pizza (not available at all locations) is surprisingly good. Buffalo tenders/ boneless wings in "Thuder Road" sauce are awesome. Catfish is good. Ale steak & pork chop are also very good.

Calhoun's is better than Applebee's, Rafferty's, O'Charley's and Chili's. On the same level as Aubrey's IMO.

Their beer when good is very good.

It really depends on your own likes/dislikes.

Don't limit your choices to BBQ and you may find something you really like.
 
#57
#57
Gramps said:
I am sure the team has to be extremely nervous waiting on the judges decision.

Hey if they can ever place in the top 20 in any division at Memphis in May, they definitely know how to make sone good bbq.

Do they do a lot of travelling and enter into several competitions per year ?


I never made it to Memphis in May. The best competition I have been to was the Jack Daniels World Championship in Lynchburg. They had some great bbq. Johnny Majors was one of the judges. Great guy, he was just roaming around talking to basically anyone that spoke to him.
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That's awsome! I once waited on a team reunion at my restaurant and Johnny was with them. He outdrank the rest of them with ease lol. And as for travelling, they tend to stick near Memphis, as it's a hobby (albeit intense hobby) for most of the members.
 
#61
#61
508mikey said:
ecoli risk cooking it that way -- i dont think they will do it
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But to miss that bad? I mean at least get it medium. Plus I'm pretty sure they cook med rare since it talked about all over the reviews.
 
#64
#64
bigdaddy said:
But to miss that bad? I mean at least get it medium. Plus I'm pretty sure they cook med rare since it talked about all over the reviews.
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I like mine med rare also, but cant find any place that will even come close to doing it --- I always end up cooking my own burgers on the grill
 
#65
#65
508mikey said:
I like mine med rare also, but cant find any place that will even come close to doing it --- I always end up cooking my own burgers on the grill
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It used to be against health code regulations to cook burgers medium rare in Knoxville. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but 10 years ago or so places were not allowed to offer that option.
 
#66
#66
davethevol said:
It used to be against health code regulations to cook burgers medium rare in Knoxville. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but 10 years ago or so places were not allowed to offer that option.
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I'm not trying to call you out on it, but are you sure that was true and not just some BS places were spewing? Cause that sounds like the coach-speak of the restaurant world
 
#68
#68
508mikey said:
I like mine med rare also, but cant find any place that will even come close to doing it --- I always end up cooking my own burgers on the grill
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There are quite a few places in town that will cook burgers to order, Connors, Flemmings, Stock and Barrel just to name a few.

davethevol said:
It used to be against health code regulations to cook burgers medium rare in Knoxville. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but 10 years ago or so places were not allowed to offer that option.
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I'm not aware of any regulation that was ever in place for Knoxville such as this. It really depends on the restaurant you are going to. I have been told at a restaurant in Knoxville before that "they cook all their burgers the same way". This is typically only something you'll hear from a server at a restaurant where you probably shouldn't be eating the burger anyway as it's likely nothing special, though I won't rule out exceptions.

O'Charley's is seriously on a much lower level than Calhoun's. Trust me I've eaten at both fairly recently.
 
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#69
#69
crusse10 said:
I'm not trying to call you out on it, but are you sure that was true and not just some BS places were spewing? Cause that sounds like the coach-speak of the restaurant world
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I was told that when I took a food science class at UT by the head of the food sciences program who has ties to all the Knoxville restaurants and health inspectors. I would imagine she was a pretty reliable source.
 
#70
#70
davethevol said:
I was told that when I took a food science class at UT by the head of the food sciences program who has ties to all the Knoxville restaurants and health inspectors. I would imagine she was a pretty reliable source.
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That's about the only person I'd trust lol. It just sounds like exactly what any server would say. "Oh, we can't do that, it's against ________ code."

insert fire, health, liquor, etc.
 
#71
#71
davethevol said:
It used to be against health code regulations to cook burgers medium rare in Knoxville. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but 10 years ago or so places were not allowed to offer that option.
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I've worked at many restaurants in my time, all in Knoxville. The last was about 22 years ago and I know you could get a burger medium rare at many locations
 
#73
#73
Ace said:
Gus' fried chicken is very good IMO. I do not know if I have had better, but I am not a chicken expert.
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Gus's Fried Chicken is the best fried chicken I have ate. Not fond of the piece of white sandwich bread they serve with it but the chicken is very good.
 
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