Recruiting Forum Football Talk VI

[MoCo_Vol]

Also in food related discussion, tried The Walnut Kitchen in Maryville...honestly pretty disappointed.

We did the spinach/artichoke dip for our app and it was fantastic, as was the cornbread they bring out pre-dinner. The wife got the Filet Pasta I went with a NY strip, loaded baked potato and brussels sprouts. Nothing in the pasta dish had much taste it all lacked seasoning. The loaded baked potato was good, but hard to mess up. The brussels sprouts were a bit burnt, and despite the sauce they said it was cooked in there was really no flavor. The steak was cooked well, but the seasoning was inconsistent a few bites in it went from pretty good to salty fast and they also really tried to get that "charred" taste from leaving it on a hot grate but it didn't add much. So even though I went medium the lack of fat when searing the steak left it dry. I'm just more of a pan seared fan with my steaks.

We both had a soda, no drinks and that all came out to $110 before tipping. So felt a bit overpriced I've had better pasta dishes at Oliver Garden if I'm honest, better steaks at Outback even. Our waitress seemed to spend most her time chit chatting with the older tables as well. Not my worst dining experience, but overall the quality of service and food didn't fit the price tag... probably a 7 outta 10 wouldn't go back unless friends invited us.

 

[bignewt]

Also in food related discussion, tried The Walnut Kitchen in Maryville...honestly pretty disappointed.

We did the spinach/artichoke dip for our app and it was fantastic, as was the cornbread they bring out pre-dinner. The wife got the Filet Pasta I went with a NY strip, loaded baked potato and brussels sprouts. Nothing in the pasta dish had much taste it all lacked seasoning. The loaded baked potato was good, but hard to mess up. The brussels sprouts were a bit burnt, and despite the sauce they said it was cooked in there was really no flavor. The steak was cooked well, but the seasoning was inconsistent a few bites in it went from pretty good to salty fast and they also really tried to get that "charred" taste from leaving it on a hot grate but it didn't add much. So even though I went medium the lack of fat when searing the steak left it dry. I'm just more of a pan seared fan with my steaks.

We both had a soda, no drinks and that all came out to $110 before tipping. So felt a bit overpriced I've had better pasta dishes at Oliver Garden if I'm honest, better steaks at Outback even. Our waitress seemed to spend most her time chit chatting with the older tables as well. Not my worst dining experience, but overall the quality of service and food didn't fit the price tag... probably a 7 outta 10 wouldn't go back unless friends invited us.

Have you tried the Foothills Milling Co across the street? I thought it was very good.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Have you tried the Foothills Milling Co across the street? I thought it was very good.

That was the other option, the wife picked Walnut Kitchen instead though. We've been on a Maryville kick lately instead of just going to Knoxville. So we plan to try Foothills Milling Co. next, any other restaurants there you've tried?

We also hit up Hot Rods Diner last weekend and loved it. I mean it's a diner obviously, but they have all the burger choices you could want and everything we tried was delicious, I will warn their fries aren't amazing kind of the home cut style but they don't double fry them so they are a bit flimsy. But I had them as the chili cheese fries and they worked great that way.

 

[Jimmy Football]

Vermont... Vermont... Vermont...

Time to go for one member from every nation.

I know we can do it.

 

[LIvol]

Maybe It's a new thread in the Pub. The positive/negative reviews of restaurants. I have been working on the road quite a bit and have these criticisms for quite a few restaurants. The chain restaurants Olive Garden, Applebee's and Houlihans are all dead to me. They are microwaved at best. I still recall the best chain style food to me is Audrey's.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Maybe It's a new thread in the Pub. The positive/negative reviews of restaurants. I have been working on the road quite a bit and have these criticisms for quite a few restaurants. The chain restaurants Olive Garden, Applebee's and Houlihans are all dead to me. They are microwaved at best. I still recall the best chain style food to me is Audrey's.

Audrey's or Aubrey's? I've had Aubrey's and here in East TN it's a local chain. Never heard of Audrey's though.

 

[Ace]

the Lady Vols are recruiting this girl….. How do you get 2,000 points in your freshman season… d$mn

She needs to teach Lady Vols how to shoot layups

 

[volbeast33]

Man I wish the basketVOLs had been healthier this season, feel like we've had a bit of a nose dive with the injury bug (JJJ, Phillips, Uros for a game or two, Santi missed some time) it's just made things more challenging. They'll make the NCAA at least, but I don't know how much I trust them if they aren't at full strength and healthy. Hoping they can hang on for a top 4 seed and get the double bye for the SECT to help with getting back healthy.

I'm not saying officiating is corrupt, but it's pretty frustrating when we seem to always have far less FT attempts against the blue bloods. Especially when it's not like we're racking up a ton more fouls...just seems like these teams always get the good whistles (on shot attempts) and we only ever get foul calls when it's not giving us shots.

Game 1 vs Kentucky 7 of 10 from the FT line vs them 22 of 25 (lost the game by 7) 24 PFs vs 18 for them
Game 2 vs Kentucky 4 of 14 from the FT line vs them 23 of 35 (lost the game by 12) 20 PFs vs 19 for them

at Arizona 8 of 10 from the FT line vs them 24 of 27 (lost the game by 5) 24 PFs vs 15 for them

Officiating is just very inconsistent and as a team that plays physical defense but doesn't attack the rim it seems to really bite us in games. 5 of our losses we've shot less than 15 free throws in, while giving up no fewer than 24 attempts. Oddly enough Missouri and Colorado were the only losses where we got to the line more than they did.

4 games left at A&M tomorrow then South Carolina and Arkansas at home then end the season on the road at Auburn. Depending on the effort for the full game we could win all 4, but we could also lose all 4. Frustrating season when at times we've seen this team look damn near unbeatable.

We are not a very aggressive offensive team which is why we are in the 100’s in FTA per game…. Here are the games where we shot 15 or less FT’s:

TN Tech….. 9
Kansas…….10
Arizona…….10
Austin Peay…12
Miss State…..3
South Carolina…. 7
Vandy….. 15
Kentucky….10
Miss State…. 15
LSU……. 8
Florida….. 12
Kentucky…..14

 

[Ace]

My mum is a travel writer (sixlegswilltravel.com).
She writes from the perspective of a blind traveler and gets invited all over the world to write and review places.

Next week she will be in Kentucky by invite to write about the 2023 Bourbon Classic.

On her way back to Greenville she and my dad will be stopping in Knoxville and have been invited to check out Dead End BBQ and Sweet P's (as well as some other museums and the Sun Sphere and such).

To round out her article she is hoping to add a few more Knoxville area BBQ stops. Other than Applebee's, what is good over there these days?
(To be clear, while she has been invited by the city of Knoxville to go to Dead End BBQ and Sweet P's, they are not expecting free food at the other places, she just really wants to write a good well rounded article because she loves doing it).

Original Louis in Fountain City, Littons, Pete’s Coffee Shop near Market Square. All are longtime Knoxville staples. Is Long’s still open?

 

[MoCo_Vol]

We are not a very aggressive offensive team which is why we are in the 100’s in FTA per game…. Here are the games where we shot 15 or less FT’s:

TN Tech….. 9
Kansas…….10
Arizona…….10
Austin Peay…12
Miss State…..3
South Carolina…. 7
Vandy….. 15
Kentucky….10
Miss State…. 15
LSU……. 8
Florida….. 12
Kentucky…..14

Yeah, I know it's not all bad officiating...but the fact that it's also happened against every blue blood we've faced (and we're 1-3 in those games) is a bit frustrating. We just played a fully complete game against Kansas, so it really didn't matter. Held them in check and shot well over 40% from FG and 3PT, we would have won without shooting a single FT in that game.

I'm hoping the Mashack we saw against Kentucky is where he's heading for the next 2 years he's here, that could really help this team having a guy that can score inside the 3 PT arc and create his own shot.

I think next year the talent level will be better top to bottom, and I honestly don't think we'll miss a ton from the frontcourt guys we're losing. Santi is going to be hard to replace, he's easily been the most consistent player we've had. JJJ being so injury prone we've never really gotten to see him at full potential...we've had a few games or stretches where he's looked like the 5 star top 25 player he was rated at.

I know that Carr will be a bucket guy, he's going to have plenty of ability to become the new Santi on offense. Question is will he do the work on the defensive side?

Between Dilione, DJ Jefferson, Mashack, and Julian (if he returns, which I think he should) we have the talent to help fill the role JJJ played for this team...not sure any one of those guys can do it next year alone but they all have the potential to do it.

I think JP Estrella and Cade Phillips will be upgrades over Uros/ON...but whether we see that next season or if it takes 2 or 3 years to get them there is the real question. We're going to benefit a lot from Aidoo and Awaka playing as much this year as they have though.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

 

[MoCo_Vol]

My mum is a travel writer (sixlegswilltravel.com).
She writes from the perspective of a blind traveler and gets invited all over the world to write and review places.

Next week she will be in Kentucky by invite to write about the 2023 Bourbon Classic.

On her way back to Greenville she and my dad will be stopping in Knoxville and have been invited to check out Dead End BBQ and Sweet P's (as well as some other museums and the Sun Sphere and such).

To round out her article she is hoping to add a few more Knoxville area BBQ stops. Other than Applebee's, what is good over there these days?
(To be clear, while she has been invited by the city of Knoxville to go to Dead End BBQ and Sweet P's, they are not expecting free food at the other places, she just really wants to write a good well rounded article because she loves doing it).

So when I think "well rounded" I think of not just going to restaurants with a single location. Dead End and Sweet P's are of course givens when talking about Knoxville BBQ.

Calhoun's started in West Knoxville on Kingston Pike and has grown into a local chain spot, I'd say it's worth a visit if you want to give some comparison between it and other local spots that are single location places. They have a total of 9 locations now and have expanded out of Knoxville to Oak Ridge, Maryville, Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.

Also as crazy as it sounds I'd say Buddy's BBQ a fast food BBQ joint with over 19 locations, but the original started in Bearden in 1972. Stretching from Bristol all the way to Chattanooga there are plenty of locations to pick from and their Smoky wings are my favorite fast food wing around. It's going to be the best value BBQ as well, most their dinners are less than $12 even after adding a drink.

Lastly I'll mention a not in Knoxville, but local to me spot called Johnboy's BBQ which actually appeared on the first season of Moonshiners: Smoke Ring. It's a single location and they run a food truck, best to call ahead or reach out on Facebook to make sure they are open or find where their food truck is setup. I really like his smoked deviled eggs and the brisket.

 

[TheRain]

 

[Enki_Amenra]

What was that massive tree you posted with the crazy colors. It was taken care of by monks or something I think. I would normally know, but can't think of it. I remember looking it up and learning more about it after you posted it. . . can't believe Ive forgotten.

The Bodhi tree? I don't think that's it, it had crazy colors on it. The Ginkgo Boloba tree?

Edit;
Yes, the ginkgo boloba tree in china.
A 1,400-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree In A Chinese Monastery Paints The Internet - The Planet Voice

 

[utkevdawg1]

So when I think "well rounded" I think of not just going to restaurants with a single location. Dead End and Sweet P's are of course givens when talking about Knoxville BBQ.

Calhoun's started in West Knoxville on Kingston Pike and has grown into a local chain spot, I'd say it's worth a visit if you want to give some comparison between it and other local spots that are single location places. They have a total of 9 locations now and have expanded out of Knoxville to Oak Ridge, Maryville, Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.

Also as crazy as it sounds I'd say Buddy's BBQ a fast food BBQ joint with over 19 locations, but the original started in Bearden in 1972. Stretching from Bristol all the way to Chattanooga there are plenty of locations to pick from and their Smoky wings are my favorite fast food wing around. It's going to be the best value BBQ as well, most their dinners are less than $12 even after adding a drink.

Lastly I'll mention a not in Knoxville, but local to me spot called Johnboy's BBQ which actually appeared on the first season of Moonshiners: Smoke Ring. It's a single location and they run a food truck, best to call ahead or reach out on Facebook to make sure they are open or find where their food truck is setup. I really like his smoked deviled eggs and the brisket.

We lived in Knoxville 80-89 (I came in 81) and she still talks about Buddy's. It was her first Southern BBQ.

 

[volbeast33]

 

[SoilVol]

Maybe It's a new thread in the Pub. The positive/negative reviews of restaurants. I have been working on the road quite a bit and have these criticisms for quite a few restaurants. The chain restaurants Olive Garden, Applebee's and Houlihans are all dead to me. They are microwaved at best. I still recall the best chain style food to me is Audrey's.

@utvols88 your move

 

[TheRain]

What was that massive tree you posted with the crazy colors. It was taken care of by monks or something I think. I would normally know, but can't think of it. I remember looking it up and learning more about it after you posted it. . . can't believe Ive forgotten.

The Bodhi tree? I don't think that's it, it had crazy colors on it. The Ginkgo Boloba tree?

Edit;
Yes, the ginkgo boloba tree in china.
A 1,400-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree In A Chinese Monastery Paints The Internet - The Planet Voice
View attachment 537292

Good job. Love that tree.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

We lived in Knoxville 80-89 (I came in 81) and she still talks about Buddy's. It was her first Southern BBQ.

Some folks hate on it and say it's not "real" BBQ, I guess because it's fast food. But if I'm wanting good BBQ fast and craving wings or pulled pork it's pretty hard to beat imo. I've had better elsewhere, but not at that price.

 

[SoilVol]

Translation: College Football Leaders are frightened by the advantage and performance of Josh Heupel's offense and want to change the rules to limit him.

Also - Heupel's offense can't put together a sensational 1 minute halftime or game winning drive without using timeouts if we make the clock run and level the playing field.

 

[VolGee4]

How about cutting halftime down like the NFL? Instead of changing game rules.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I guess Ye Old changed ownership at some point? I agree though. Not what it used to be.

I think the lady that owned/ran it has either passed away or I know she was losing her sight so she may have been unable to continue working. We used to refer to her as "the steak nazi". I feel guilty now.

 

[Jimmy Football]

How about cutting halftime down like the NFL? Instead of changing game rules.

No! Hour-long halftimes are a college football tradition.

I mean, if you can’t go make a beer run two counties over and get back before the second half kicks, what’s even the point?

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Good job. Love that tree.

I'm proud of my conversation with myself,

 

[Orangeburst]

How about less tv timeouts