What is the best restaurant in Knoxville? (Kingston: garden, to move)

[BarbG]

Originally Posted by JMT

Up the Creek is another national chain. It was started by the guys who started Applebee's and has locations as far away as North Dakota.

Guess some of these just don't make it to the Gulf Coast region. Some restaurants up here that are chains, I've never heard of before moving here. And some of them are very good. Even though I frequent alot of local places, I have no problem eating at a chain that has excellent food. I know he asked for non-chain but he did ask about seafood, but realistically there just aren't that many seafood restaurants that are good here.

I stand by the recommendation. Especially with good seafood hard to find away from a coastline. Gotta get it where you can.

[hiknapster]

I'm from New England and really missed my seafood. Since I found Shrimp Dock, I am much happier. Personally, I am disgusted with grocery stores that sell farm-raised and seafood from China, Chile and Thailand, which I find disgusting and highly questionable.

Shrimp Dock is all American seafood and very fresh.

[gailli]

The Bass Pro Shop off of 40 on Hiwy 66 has Islamorada Fish Company, anyone from Florida is probably acquainted with them, they have a great restaurant and reasonable prices, Fried Shrimp Dinner(8 Shrimp, Large)is $12.95, we love it, hubby said fish and chips is good, Cocoanut Shrimp is too.

[ookla]

Originally Posted by creeksitter

Rankins on Central has a rep for a good greasy spoon.

Good, cause I've been missing good greasy spoon diner food for a while. Unhealthy food is the bestest.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by ookla

Good, cause I've been missing good greasy spoon diner food for a while. Unhealthy food is the bestest.

Time Out Deli on Woodland is great. It's a deli/Greek food/mom&pop convenience store. Lots of diner-style restaurants. I can't do taste-tests for you because I'm on this darn low-carb diet. Lost seven pounds, though!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Time Out Deli on Woodland is great. It's a deli/Greek food/mom&pop convenience store. Lots of diner-style restaurants. I can't do taste-tests for you because I'm on this darn low-carb diet. Lost seven pounds, though!

I don't know what took me so long, but I finally tried Time Out Deli on Woodland last week, and it was great!! I lived on gyros when I lived in Belgium--they're dirt cheap over there--and now I can have my gyro fix here. With baklava, too...

Hey hik, congrats on losing 7 pounds! I hope you'll be able to go off your diet long enough for some red velvet cake sometime soon.

[tntim]

Downtown is a NO CHAIN RESTAURANT ZONE. Other then four fast food joints, all restaurants downtown are locally owned. Market Square is like a “food court” of different eateries for any taste. Between the Old City and the river you can find just about anything you are looking for.

A good “meat and 3” would be Pete’s on Union Ave.

[ookla]

yeah...good greek food seems to be lacking (or hiding from me) here in Chatt

[JMT]

Originally Posted by tntim

Downtown is a NO CHAIN RESTAURANT ZONE. Other then four fast food joints, all restaurants downtown are locally owned. Market Square is like a “food court” of different eateries for any taste. Between the Old City and the river you can find just about anything you are looking for.

A good “meat and 3” would be Pete’s on Union Ave.

Excellent suggestion! I was at Market Square a couple of Fridays ago and couldn't believe how busy the place was. There must be a dozen restaurants on Market Square, and all of them were packed including their outdoor patios. I remember when Tomato Head was pretty much all by itself. And with free parking nights and weekends at that big parking garage next to Market Square, there's really no need NOT to go there and experience city life again.

[knoxgarden]

You'll find good Greek/Middle Eastern Food here.
Kalamata Cafe which is mentioned earlier is the latest incarnation of a long-time Greek restaurant. It was sold to Asians who have added their own style but kept the excellent Greek recipes. Odd combo but it works.
Smoky Mountain Deli is in a gas station just across the Henley Street bridge. Great homemade Greek food for takeout. And there's King Tut's in South Knoxville. Falafel Hut on the strip is under new ownership and said to be really good now.
And every year there's the Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church on Kingston Pike.
We also have really good Indian food, with Sitar on Kingston Pike in Bearden leading the way. They have an excellent lunch buffet 7 days a week.
My favorite food, hands down, is anything cooked by Bruce Bogartz. His original restaurant closed, but he has opened a new one. Haven't tried it yet but it's high on my list of things to do.
http://www.rouxbarbfood.com/