Food I must try that I wouldn't get the same anywhere else... (Knoxville: appointed, live in)

[mattbward]

I will be arriving August 15th and I am all about strange/delicious/exotic/local type foods. I know in Carolina Beach, NC it's the local oysters that people insist you try. Anything like that in the Eastern TN area I should try? Obviously I don't mean oysters, just foods that are unique to this area almost exclusively?

Which brings me to another question. Is there a mushroom hunting season in Eastern TN? What type of mushrooms are edible etc... Morrell mushrooms were everywhere back in Ohio where I am from but were only available early spring.

[KnoxvilleMama]

Littons Red Velvet Cake.

[LilCabinGirl]

I nominate an appetizer at Puleos. It's fried green tomatoes and grits. Yummmm!!! I didn't even know what a grit was until I moved south. I actually don't really care for them unless it's from Puleos with fried green tomatoes! And this is coming from someone who's food choices can fit on a small Post-It...and I mean the small Post-It (sad, I know). I'm horribly picky.

Aside from that, Puleos has a great menu but you must start with that appetizer. You won't be disappointed.

LCG

[bballjunkie]

The pulled pork plate is really good but my favorite dish at Calhoun's is Corn Pudding. It is soooooo gooood!

[mattbward]

Any local game that you don't get anywhere like Bear or something weird?

[cwaticndo]

The Brewery in Gatlinburg has the BEST filet--ever. Also have great beer (it's brewed there)-Mountain Light is my favorite. The same people that own the Brewery also own Calhoons and the Cherokee Grill.I'll add Puleos also has GREAT food. Check into the local diners--I live in Cosby (just outside of Gatlinburg) and people drive from all around to eat at Carvers Applehouse and Shirleys Resturant...

[mbmouse]

Chow-chow.

[Servpro Will]

Hmmmmm...I don't think there's actually all that much around here that you can't find somewhere else. I would have to say some great local raised fried catfish, maybe some fresh local trout from the Smoky Mtn Trout House, apple butter on fried apple fritters from the Apple Barn in Sevierville is a must, if you want a good red velvet, of course Litton's. But.....my favorite cakes ever have to be from a little hole in the wall called Dream Cakes Bakery in Bristol, TN. If you're in or around the tri cities, definitely worth the visit. For great rotating cheese, hit Crown and Goose in the old city. Lastly, I'll say that any biscuits and gravy from any mom n' pop restaurant will be much better than anywhere else.

I'll second the "odd" game meat....I'd love to hear of any local game being cooked. I have heard of Demi's deli on Chapman Hwy that serves up boar, alligator, rabbit, etc. and I hear even kangaroo on periodic basis.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by bballjunkie

The pulled pork plate is really good but my favorite dish at Calhoun's is Corn Pudding. It is soooooo gooood!

Just curious, why did you say the Calhoun's at Turkey Creek? Is it better than the original Calhoun's on the river downtown?

[Kitties of Domination]

Originally Posted by mattbward

Any local game that you don't get anywhere like Bear or something weird?

OK I know what you're looking for. I love gourmet and exotic foods also. If you're interested in mushrooms, there's a store on Central in old north Knoxville that sells mushroom logs to grow your own gourmet mushrooms. Quite a bit of exotic meat can be purchased at the farmer's market in Sequoyah Hills. I've bought duck, rabbit, pheasant, etc. If you're lucky enough to know a hunter, there's a wild boar hunt in the Smoky Mountains. There's a local meadery that specializes in various meads (honey wine) from locally produced honeys (the sourwood is excellent). If you've never had a muscadine (native pungent wild grape), they're available fresh in August. They make excellent wine, too. Wild blackberries and biscuits are a must also. Oh, and you must try scrambled eggs and hog's brains. Its a TN treat!