Knoxville Restaurants

#427
#427
InVOLuntary said:
On a side note long time Japanese steakhouse Kanpai of Tokyo is closing it's doors on Mother's day Sunday. Been there a very long time. Apparently they lost their lease as the building has changed hands.
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I absolutely hate the hear that, but the last 3 or 4 times I'd been there, the service and food had declined quite a bit.
 
#428
#428
InVOLuntary said:
On a side note long time Japanese steakhouse Kanpai of Tokyo is closing it's doors on Mother's day Sunday. Been there a very long time. Apparently they lost their lease as the building has changed hands.
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That's terrible. The one in Chattanooga is my favorite restaurant. I go there every year for my birthday. Hopefully it isn't closing down.

I will admit though the wife and I went to the one here in Knox about a month ago and it was a Wednesday night and we were the only two customers in the restaurant
 
#430
#430
dooley2 said:
I absolutely hate the hear that, but the last 3 or 4 times I'd been there, the service and food had declined quite a bit.
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I just went and it was good. It seems to be pretty spotty as I've had good and not so good. It seems a little dirty and Wasabi seems cleaner but there is something that keeps taking me back to Kanpai. Can't really put a finger on it.
 
#431
#431
InVOLuntary said:
I just went and it was good. It seems to be pretty spotty as I've had good and not so good. It seems a little dirty and Wasabi seems cleaner but there is something that keeps taking me back to Kanpai. Can't really put a finger on it.
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The salad is a big reason for me. Easily the best among Hibachi grills
 
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#432
#432
InVOLuntary said:
I just went and it was good. It seems to be pretty spotty as I've had good and not so good. It seems a little dirty and Wasabi seems cleaner but there is something that keeps taking me back to Kanpai. Can't really put a finger on it.
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Shrimp sauce and salad are better, IMO.
 
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#433
#433
DrRosenRosen said:
To be honest, the staff at Guthries was awful, and the manager was an ass. Their food was generally disgusting because they cooked it all at one time and reheated or kept it under lamps.

Not bad when they were slammed, but during slower times they were awful.
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I'll second this emotion.

The staff at that place was worthless! I walked over from Ft Sanders hospital once, and it was almost completely empty. But every table in the joint was filthy! Not even one clean table. I asked the girl behind the counter about wiping off a table, EVERYONE gave me the , "oh no he dit'unt!" look.
 
#434
#434
dooley2 said:
Shrimp sauce and salad are better, IMO.
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If you're in K-town and like Japanese and don't care about it being cooked right in front of you, there is a small little restaurant On Hardin Valley Road just a little past Pellissippi State coming off Pellissippi Parkway on the left in a small shopping center. The name is Mikata. It is very good and very reasonable. You can eat a similar sized portion off Chicken for under $10 and the quality is great. I am not a sushi eater but I've been told by those that like it that theirs is very good too. It is owned and operated by a Japanese family.
 
#435
#435
InVOLuntary said:
If you're in K-town and like Japanese and don't care about it being cooked right in front of you, there is a small little restaurant On Hardin Valley Road just a little past Pellissippi State coming off Pellissippi Parkway on the left in a small shopping center. The name is Mikata. It is very good and very reasonable. You can eat a similar sized portion off Chicken for under $10 and the quality is great. I am not a sushi eater but I've been told by those that like it that theirs is very good too. It is owned and operated by a Japanese family.
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I love the food, like the show. I'll have to give that place a try.
 
#437
#437
InVOLuntary said:
If you're in K-town and like Japanese and don't care about it being cooked right in front of you, there is a small little restaurant On Hardin Valley Road just a little past Pellissippi State coming off Pellissippi Parkway on the left in a small shopping center. The name is Mikata. It is very good and very reasonable. You can eat a similar sized portion off Chicken for under $10 and the quality is great. I am not a sushi eater but I've been told by those that like it that theirs is very good too. It is owned and operated by a Japanese family.
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Sounds similar to Fuji in Farragut. One of the most underrated restaurants in Knoxville
 
#438
#438
I've also eaten Chicago pizza in Chicago. Felt like a wasted meal opportunity with all the excellent options there.
 
#441
#441
chatt-townVOL said:
Sounds similar to Fuji in Farragut. One of the most underrated restaurants in Knoxville
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Fuji has lost its appeal imo. It used to be a great place for lunch. Chicken, veggies, lots of rice, and sweet tea for about $6. It's about $10 now. Add tip and its out of my price range for lunch.
 
#442
#442
bamacheats said:
Fuji has lost its appeal imo. It used to be a great place for lunch. Chicken, veggies, lots of rice, and sweet tea for about $6. It's about $10 now. Add tip and its out of my price range for lunch.
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I agree I've never gotten out of there for less than $12. Not for lunch or dinner.
 
#443
#443
All this talk motivated me to go eat at Mikata tonight. Wife had hibachi chicken $6.99 with a salad. I had the steak and chicken $8.99. Plus I added the shrimp for an additional $4.99. Huge portions for a great value.
 
#444
#444
My go to for Japanese Hibachi is Wasabi. Their food is always cooked perfectly and the filet is amazing. They clean the grills immediately after you pay. Sometimes we linger and talk and they'll clean it while you are sitting there. Haven't gotten bad sushi from them and my favorite is the Super Crunch Roll.

I've known about the place in Hardin Valley but I haven't been there.
 
#445
#445
coug said:
My go to for Japanese Hibachi is Wasabi. Their food is always cooked perfectly and the filet is amazing. They clean the grills immediately after you pay. Sometimes we linger and talk and they'll clean it while you are sitting there. Haven't gotten bad sushi from them and my favorite is the Super Crunch Roll.

I've known about the place in Hardin Valley but I haven't been there.
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You really should give it a shot. I agree on Wasabi but there is something that pulls me to Kanpai. Old dog new trick thing I guess. Gonna miss my Kanpai. :(
 
#447
#447
coug said:
So the Downtown West kanpai is closing?
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Yes. I went last Saturday and I heard some others saying it. I inquired and apparently the building ownership has changed hands and the restaurant has lost it's lease. Their last day will be this Mother's day Sunday.
 
#449
#449
Magic8Vol said:
Wow let me help you folks w this. As a knoxville native I can tell you if you havent been to the following you are missing out.

1. Louis Italian - old broadway in knoxville. The food there has to be what Michael Corleone was eating in the Godfather just before hit shot Sollozzo & McClusky. Yes it has the same name as its movie counterpart! You get the picture. Anyway this place has been in business since the 50's for a reason. Although the decor inside has changed (they were forced to move down the street because of changes to the interstate) the food has not. For you first timers just try the spaghetti w meat sauce, maybe add the veal too. Onion rings, ravioli, I could go on and on. Be prepared to wait.

2. If you are a fan of real NY style pizza, then say no more because Elidios is your last stop. NY pizza is thin neopolitan style pizza that is so large you litterally have to fold it to eat. Elidio has been in knoxville for over 30 years (God Im old) I have been eating his pizza since he opened. Many of you will remember him from the 20+ years at east towne mall. Same guy, same great pizza, still there everyday. Now at callahan & central ave across from rusty wallace honda.

3. This is tough but probably my 3rd favorite has to be Fuji Japanese Hibachi in Farragut. Again they have been in knoxville for many years & have a very loyal following. Excellant food and pricing. Usually packed when we go. We always make it a point to stop there and eat when we are that far west.

Close to top 3. Littons is a very good burger joint w great desert, metro pizza in maryville is very similar to elidios and is great, pizza palace on magnolia is fantastic. Very similar to Louis', its a drive in only that has also been serving the same food for 50+ years. All of these places are locally owned and what they lack for in atmosphere they make up for in the food. Chop house is a mid scale restaurant w very good food. Mellow mushroom is very good.

If you are in for a road trip or are visiting Gatlinburg you have to go to Best Italian. They have two locations and both are great but we go to the original just past Ripleys museum near the end of town. If you dont know where it is you will miss it. Its not on the main drag but sets off behind it w its own parking. We like this location because we can set outside next to the river. Pizza, pasta and steaks primarily make up the menu and its all good!

All of these places are where the locals go, you cant go wrong w any of them. Have some fun and explore.
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Bump for those who missed it a month ago
 
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