Knoxville Restaurants

#2,701
#2,701
kiddiedoc said:
Did it close down again? I'm guessing that an aging regular patronage and competition from the many newer quality eateries around town were to blame.
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I read somewhere about how they had gone through several chefs and quality of service was down. Here is the short article from WBIR.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The owners of The Orangery in Knoxville announced plans to close the long time restaurant on June 26.

In a statement, David and Rebecca Kiger said, "The Orangery restaurant has had a great run and made some incredible memories, including many of our own. We are thankful to all of our customers and humbled by your patronage over the years. We anticipate the restaurant to evolve to a new concept in the very near future and hope you will visit us again soon. Again, we want to thank our community for all of your support over the years."

The Orangery opened in 1971 under the watch of Kristopher Kendrick, according to the restaurant's website.

An arsonist burned the building in 1984 but Kendrick rebuilt. After 38 years, David Kiger and his wife Rebecca took over in 2009.

WBIR
 
#2,703
#2,703
Coug said:
Hey Crusse, I meant to ask you how K Town was doing?
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some of the food is way better, a couple things are still things I'd recommend not getting (i.e. ribs)

business has slowed down significantly, as generally happens both during the summer and after a few months of operation

all in all, things are finally rounding into form after changing kitchen managers twice and getting a little more structure in the kitchen

supposedly (SUPPOSEDLY) lunch service should be launching in August...we'll see about that. Can't launch lunch without having enough staff to work the 2nd shift every day

things to get: smoked wings (they aren't tossed in sauce but you can get buffalo or barbecue on the side), any pizzas, and any burgers

things not to get right now: steaks (although they're getting far better and are probably about to get back off the no list)

things to never get and will be probably taken off the menu anyway: ribs, tri-tip platter
 
#2,704
#2,704
crusse10 said:
some of the food is way better, a couple things are still things I'd recommend not getting (i.e. ribs)

business has slowed down significantly, as generally happens both during the summer and after a few months of operation

all in all, things are finally rounding into form after changing kitchen managers twice and getting a little more structure in the kitchen

supposedly (SUPPOSEDLY) lunch service should be launching in August...we'll see about that. Can't launch lunch without having enough staff to work the 2nd shift every day

things to get: smoked wings (they aren't tossed in sauce but you can get buffalo or barbecue on the side), any pizzas, and any burgers

things not to get right now: steaks (although they're getting far better and are probably about to get back off the no list)

things to never get and will be probably taken off the menu anyway: ribs, tri-tip platter
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That's an interesting review, notes taken! Did they ever update the menu like you previously mentioned? Happy hour? Flights?
 
#2,705
#2,705
Coug said:
That's an interesting review, notes taken! Did they ever update the menu like you previously mentioned? Happy hour? Flights?
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Happy hour runs from 3-6 Monday-Friday and includes a few bucks off whiskey flights, which we have. No beer flights. But for $1 you can get a beer sample which is how much you'd get on a flight. You can order 2 of those.

Also the menu is in the process of being consolidated. The new chef is eliminating things that don't sell or aren't good. So that should take a couple weeks.

Oh and for lunch there will be specialized quick items as well as soup and salad/sandwich combos
 
#2,706
#2,706
Not serving food yet but the most authentic beer hall Munich style is Shulz Brau off central. I was suprised to see such a great job done here in little Knoxville. The patio is fantastic and the beer is really good. I don't care for the uniforms but everything else there is done very well. The kitchen is planned to open in 6-12 months but who knows. Right now food trucks are serving.
 
#2,707
#2,707
Freak said:
From my perspective it doesn't seem like he's trying to "mandate" anything, just giving his opinion. You seem taking it personally, telling him "don't go" and throwing out stuff like "high horse" and "sour grapes."

Like you said it's a matter of choice.

For me, it's probably not a place that's in my wheelhouse, other than maybe a very special occasion, but it will be interesting to see how it works out.
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That's bull! You know you can afford to eat there every night (and lunch too for that matter). You probably bathe in Bens. Don't come in here acting like you're one of the common folk. :)
 
#2,710
#2,710
chatt-townVOL said:
Foursquare and Business Insider got together and rated the best steakhouses by state.

Connor's in Knoxville won it for Tennessee.

Best steakhouse in every state - Business Insider
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Nice accolade for Connor's, which is a solid local choice. It's not the best steak in Knoxville, and certainly not in the state, but it's a fantastic bang-for-your-buck.

That being said, any list that puts J. Alexander's as best in state (Alabama) has to be taken lightly. That, or they didn't want to spend any time looking around in Alabama, which is completely understandable.
 
#2,711
#2,711
kiddiedoc said:
Nice accolade for Connor's, which is a solid local choice. It's not the best steak in Knoxville, and certainly not in the state, but it's a fantastic bang-for-your-buck.

That being said, any list that puts J. Alexander's as best in state (Alabama) has to be taken lightly. That, or they didn't want to spend any time looking around in Alabama, which is completely understandable.
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What's the best steakhouse in Knoxville and in TN then?

I'm surprised the best steakhouse in Louisiana ISN'T in New Orleans honestly.
 
#2,712
#2,712
kiddiedoc said:
Nice accolade for Connor's, which is a solid local choice. It's not the best steak in Knoxville, and certainly not in the state, but it's a fantastic bang-for-your-buck.

That being said, any list that puts J. Alexander's as best in state (Alabama) has to be taken lightly. That, or they didn't want to spend any time looking around in Alabama, which is completely understandable.
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funny that J. Alexander's is the pick for Alabama as the best steakouse, yet in the blurb they recommend prime rib and burgers...neither of which is a steak
 
#2,718
#2,718
bigdaddy said:
Tasty?
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Absolutely but just not grilled. I've even smoked some larger ones in the same method I use for prime rib. IMO they're all steaks just cooked differently.

It's consider PR more of a steak than some of those sauce covered pictures in the article. Hate when places do that to great meat
 
#2,719
#2,719
Coug said:
What's the best steakhouse in Knoxville and in TN then?

I'm surprised the best steakhouse in Louisiana ISN'T in New Orleans honestly.
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Either of the Prime Steakhouses in Knoxville (Ruth's Chris or Fleming's), as they use consistently better quality beef, and I am looking forward to trying Lonesome Dove. In Nashville, Bob's, Kayne Prime, Capitol Grill, Palm, Old Hickory, etc would all probably rank above Connor's. It's been a long time, but I remember Folk's Folly being very good in Memphis.

None of this is an insult to Connor's: for the price, it's tough to beat.
 
#2,721
#2,721
A long time ago, when the Original Copper Cellar was brand new and only below street level, I worked there, quickly rising from dishwasher to principal cook ("broilerman" back then) in a couple of months. Signature entrees included Crab Imperial, Shrimp Savannah, and the Zingarella filet. The "broilerman" prepared to order all of the entrees except fried shrimp and prime rib (weekend special). One football Saturday night, a kitchen staff of 5 (dishwasher, prep cook, expediter, principal cook, and "floater") prepared 440 meals for a dining area that seated less than 100 (including every stool at the bar). Good times...
 
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#2,722
#2,722
utvolpj said:
Absolutely but just not grilled. I've even smoked some larger ones in the same method I use for prime rib. IMO they're all steaks just cooked differently.

It's consider PR more of a steak than some of those sauce covered pictures in the article. Hate when places do that to great meat
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I smoke my prime rib as well, sooooooo good. In fact I'm planning on one this weekend for my birthday
 
#2,723
#2,723
Ate at Chivos tonight. Pretty darn tasty. Was originally going to be Cholos which is much more racist, too bad
 
#2,724
#2,724
crusse10 said:
I'd all it a roast. Steak is grilled
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I agree in the sense that I've never thought of prime rib as "steak", I've always felt like it was a roast. The method of cooking not being a factor.

kiddiedoc said:
Either of the Prime Steakhouses in Knoxville (Ruth's Chris or Fleming's), as they use consistently better quality beef, and I am looking forward to trying Lonesome Dove. In Nashville, Bob's, Kayne Prime, Capitol Grill, Palm, Old Hickory, etc would all probably rank above Connor's. It's been a long time, but I remember Folk's Folly being very good in Memphis.

None of this is an insult to Connor's: for the price, it's tough to beat.
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Flemings I could totally see but I just have to disagree with Ruth's Chris. We've not always had a great experience at Ruth's Chris. Considering both overall experience, and quality of food at consistent rates I'd chose Connors almost every time over Ruth's Chris. That being said I do wish Connors offered a prime filet option more than it does.
 
#2,725
#2,725
bigdaddy said:
I smoke my prime rib as well, sooooooo good. In fact I'm planning on one this weekend for my birthday
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Agree...although I just use the natural lump to add a hint of smoke. I also cook mine low and slow (200-220) to ensure a perfect M-rare throughout. I don't like it when the deckle or edge is grey.
 
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