Best Local Restaurants with Character

Best Local Restaurants with Character

Local Food

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST FROM THIS SHOW 

Thursday on Howell & Yarbrough we talked about the best local businesses. The conversation focused on food and the best local, sometimes little-known, gems. Here is the list we compiled from listener calls and social media posts:

Artistic Bean – 1328 N Broadway- all organic coffee house & espresso bar (also has Townsend location)

Asian Yummy – 11503 Chapman Hwy in Seymour

Bayou Bay Seafood House–  7117 Chapman Hwy

Big Ed’s Pizza– 101 Broadway Ave, Oak Ridge -nostalgic pizzeria in Jackson Square

Blackberry Farm- Walland – pricey, but renowned gourmet farm-to-table cuisine

Blue Chips Sports Bar- 7815 Montvue Rd NW- for St. James Gate sandwich is beef marinated in Guinness Beer

Bombay Palace – 10901 Parkside Dr #101- Great authentic Indian food

Bullfeathers– 10535 Kingston Pike- known for wings and karaoke

Cardin’s Drive-In -8529 Asheville Hwy- We’re told they have an incredible peanut butter milkshake

Chandler’s Deli -3101 E Magnolia Ave- known for great soul food

(The) Chow Hall- E. Emory Rd- listener says retired vet makes great burgers & fried bologna sandwiches

Coal Creek Smokehouse– 211 S Main St, Rocky Top- known for ribs, brisket, & buttermilk pie

(The) Diner550 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville- Retro 50’s diner with great milkshakes and vast menu options

Elidios Pizza– 6714 Central Avenue Pike # J- great pizza and Italian

Foothills Bakery 1420 E Broadway Ave, Maryville

Fountain City Diner– 3029 Tazewell Pike- quintessential diner that serves breakfast all day

Frank Alen’s Market & Grill –  930, Parkway, Sevierville- great burgers 

GruJo’s– 1420 E Emory Rd,- Fast German food – good kabob, gyros

Harby’s Pizza & Deli– 3718 Walker Blvd- order the “Wedgie” or the hummus

Holy Land Market – 3601 Sutherland Ave – best gyro & steak in a sack

Hoskins Drug Store– 111 N Main St, Clinton

Jackie’s Dream– 2223 McCalla Ave – great soul food, awesome fried chicken

K-Brew- 1138 N Broadway – great coffee place

King Tut’s – 4132 Martin Mill Pike- Serves authentic Egyptian & Greek cuisine, often with a fun atmosphere

Le Noir Restaurant – 123 E Broadway St, Lenoir City,- Great Belgian food – nice atmosphere (We were serenaded by violinist while we were there)

Little China725 Clinch Ave, Clinton

Little Nicky’s New York Pizza – 8917 Oak Ridge Highway (Solway)

Litton’s Market & Restaurant – 2803 Essary Dr – known for awesome cheeseburgers and red velvet cake

Long’s Drug Store-4604 Old Kingston Pike- great burgers & shakes

Mountain Lodge Restaurant– 913 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg- good casual eatery

Naples Italian Restaurant5500 Kingston Pike- good Italian, a place that feels nice but won’t break the bank

(The) Original Freezo– 1305 N Central St-We’re told the peanut butter milkshake is just as good or better than Cardin’s (you be the judge)

(The) Original Louis Drive-In Restaurant– 4661 Old Broadway, Knoxville- Drive in Italian (need we say more?)

Parton’s Deli- 332 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Pete’s Coffee Shop– 540 Union Ave, Knoxville,- great local breakfast spot and homemade biscuits

Philippine Connection Carry Out Food – 3225 E Magnolia Ave- call ahead because they’re busy

Pizza Palace- 3132 E Magnolia Ave- good pizza, portions, & prices

Rocky’s Jamaican Sunrise – 2162 East Broadway Ave. Maryville – Any place where you can get drive up Jamaican food with Bob Marley on the building is a win

Roland’s Bistro– 1805 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville – German gem

Roosters Bar and Grill–  7585 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville,- good hamburgers 

Round up Restaurant -3643 Sevierville Pike- large portions of country cooking and ice cream treats

Scotties of Powell- 7143 Clinton Hwy-  good breakfast and burgers

Seymour Grille– 11612 Chapman Hwy, Seymour

Smokin’ J’s BBQ– 5200 Rutledge Pike- Try the fried okra (and obviously the BBQ)

Smokin’ Joes– 7753 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend- Try the prime rib and lemonade

Sticky Rice Cafe– 120 Jack Dance St,- new cafe with Laotian cuisine

Sutherland Deli– 2608 Sutherland Ave # D-  great chili dogs (2 for about $1.50?)

Sweet P’s Barbecue – Maryville Pike & Jackson Ave – great bbq and live music

Taste of Thai-  8926 Town and Country Cir- great classic dishes like Pad Thai and Massaman Curry 

Tellico Grains Bakery – 105 Depot St, Tellico Plains- great local bakery and homemade sandwiches

Tomatohead –  7240 Kingston Pike & Market Square – pizza and good gluten free options

Tomo – 7315 Kingston Pike- great sushi- for an authentic experience take off your shoes and sit on cushions on the floor

Whitestone Country Inn – 200 Paint Rock Rd, Kingston – pricey, but lovely resort with gourmet food – Whitestone Delight dessert is fantastic

Ye Olde Steakhouse– 6838 Chapman Hwy- delicious steaks and woodshed potatoes

 

Headlines

What's happening

The 2nd Annual Dead End BBQ/Elm Hill Bologna Ultimate Bologna Showdown

The 2nd Annual Dead End BBQ/Elm Hill Bologna Ultimate Bologna Showdown

The 2nd Annual Dead End BBQ/Elm Hill Bologna Ultimate BolognaShowdown, sanctioned by Major League Eating, will take place May 10from 11 am –1 pm at the University of Tennessee intramural fields,3620 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN. #1 ranked Joey Chestnut will beback to defend his title. Twelve other professionals will compete aswell. The eating contest will…

Painting with a Purpose! (with McLain’s Painting Service)

Painting with a Purpose! (with McLain’s Painting Service)

Nominate your favorite Non-profit organization to get a fresh coat of paint up to $10,000 provided by Sherwin Williams! Nominations for Painting With A Purpose 2025 open on April 28th, 2025 and ends the first week of June. The winner will be announced in July.

Blount Memorial Downtown Dash for Breast Cancer- May 10th

Blount Memorial Downtown Dash for Breast Cancer- May 10th

Join Blount Memorial Saturday, May 10 as they host their Inaugural Downtown Dash for Breast Cancer to honor breast cancer survivors, remember those who have fought the battle, and raise money to expand access to life-saving breast cancer screening and diagnostic services right here in Blount County! Gather for this event at Blount Memorial Health Center at Springbrook – 220 Associates Blvd. Alcoa, TN.