Want to leave NJ and move to TN maybe? (Knoxville: restaurants, malls)

[El Passeaux]

Originally Posted by NY Annie

I guess I'm due for a different visit to Nashville to find this place. Maybe you can meet me there, Wmsn4Life.

Actually, I am planning a shopping trip to Nashville - specifically to find some of the products I have trouble getting here. I loaded up my car last trip north with cases of cans of tomatoes to make spaghetti sauce but I forgot the cheese! Kraft ricotta cheese doesn't taste quite as good as the brands I'm used to.

But at least I am learning to make some southern foods - I've got the sausage gravy and biscuits as good as any around here. And tonight I'm making fried chocolate pie. OMG, I'm a southern woman now!

Now if someone can just ship me some coffee ice cream.... (Brand name only, please)

Publix also sells Polly-O ricotta, my personal favorite.

Its all a matter of taste. I am sure you will get Chicago people saying theirs is the best as well. You are comparing local pizza places to chains like comparing some of these local bbq joints to TGI Fridays. I grew up in the northeast and prefer the local greek pizza places and actually like Jets Pizza down here.

Nashville does have several authentic NY Pizza places.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by El Passeaux

Publix also sells Polly-O ricotta, my personal favorite.

Its all a matter of taste. I am sure you will get Chicago people saying theirs is the best as well. You are comparing local pizza places to chains like comparing some of these local bbq joints to TGI Fridays. I grew up in the northeast and prefer the local greek pizza places and actually like Jets Pizza down here.

Nashville does have several authentic NY Pizza places.

This, this, this!

I grew up in the northeast where we were raised on pizza made by Greeks. It took awhile for people on the Knoxville forum to understand what I meant. I don't mean Greek pizza but pizza made by Greeks. I have no idea what makes their pizza so distinctive but it will always be my favorite and no matter where I go (there's a Greek restaurant down the street from me, in Knoxville, and even though they have big pizza ovens, the pizza doesn't taste like the stuff up in Mass!)

Anyway, Jet's is amazing. I had a manger down here that's from Rhode Island and he loves Jet's, too. God, it is so GOOD. Amazing crust!

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by NY Annie

First, there's no such thing as pizza (as we from NJ know it) in TN. There's Pizza Hut but it sure as heck isn't NJ pizza. First thing I do on a return trip to NJ/NY is go to one of my favorite pizza places! I crave NJ pizza.

Second thing is, hehe - and this was told to me repeatedly before moving here - drop the NJ attitude. Since you are not a NJ native, and did at least grow up in the south (is Texas south or west?); it should be easier for you. And don't **** off Pam&Bill, she was trying to help you - don't look for someone else's ulterior motive and just take them straight on.

Remember this: there are no pizzerias. There are Dominoes and PizzaHut. There is no place to order a family portion of baked ziti or a large ham & cheese Calzone or garlic knots. Can't find a good cannoli either. Now, I can't tell you if it's that bad in/about Nashville or even Knoxville, but there's no such thing west of there. I can't even make good bread dough here! It's the water, bring some Jersey water with you, preferably from Hudson or Monmouth County.

I have 2 friends from Jersey who live in Knoxville - they also go nuts when going back home for pizza - same with my friend near Nashville.

So knowing that there aren't a plethora of pizza joints might also lead you to that there is no demand. I don't know - I do know that down here, the restaurant choice seems to be buffet. Everything is buffet; including 2 pizza chains that have pizza buffets - names escape me because I found them lacking.

Good luck.

I have heard of Cannoli but don't know what it is, never heard of garlic knots, never heard of calzone, never heard of baked ziti. I bet the northeast is quite the place for a foodie to visit, sounds like there is a lot of food up there that the rest of the country really does not have access too.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by danielj72

I have heard of Cannoli but don't know what it is, never heard of garlic knots, never heard of calzone, never heard of baked ziti. I bet the northeast is quite the place for a foodie to visit, sounds like there is a lot of food up there that the rest of the country really does not have access too.

Oh, you whacky Midwesterners!

Still, we have those items here in Knoxville, Daniel.

She makes a great cannoli, an Italian-American from Chicago (see, Midwesterners know how to eat, too).

Gelato, Panini , Italian Pastry and Espresso

Check the thread for some of the links I put up on where to get the other items. By the way, I make a mean baked ziti. So didn't my ex who is from Chicago.

Daniel, you've got to get out more.

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Oh, you whacky Midwesterners!

Still, we have those items here in Knoxville, Daniel.

She makes a great cannoli, an Italian-American from Chicago (see, Midwesterners know how to eat, too).

Gelato, Panini , Italian Pastry and Espresso

Check the thread for some of the links I put up on where to get the other items. By the way, I make a mean baked ziti. So didn't my ex who is from Chicago.

Daniel, you've got to get out more.

I have spent most of my life in some very rural areas, so I guess im a bit sheltered in that way. Knoxville is by far the biggest place Ive ever lived.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by danielj72

I have spent most of my life in some very rural areas, so I guess im a bit sheltered in that way. Knoxville is by far the biggest place Ive ever lived.

Well, we've got to get you out more often.

You know, it occurs to me that even at the West Town Mall you can get calzones in the food court.

You can try here for garlic knots.

Personally, I've never been a fan of true New York pizza or garlic knots. I prefer the pizza in New England, as I mentioned. I also like Chicago Pizza. Hard Knox makes very good pizza. They are in Bearden.

But I feel compelled to bring you some homemade baked ziti.

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Well, we've got to get you out more often.

You know, it occurs to me that even at the West Town Mall you can get calzones in the food court.

You can try here for garlic knots.

Personally, I've never been a fan of true New York pizza or garlic knots. I prefer the pizza in New England, as I mentioned. I also like Chicago Pizza. Hard Knox makes very good pizza. They are in Bearden.

But I feel compelled to bring you some homemade baked ziti.

Chicago style pizza I know, and like it. Your right I probably need to get out more, I should try some of that Italian food that I have never had. Best Pizza ive had around here is Big Eds in Oak Ridge. I have not tried Hard Knox but have heard lots of good things about it.

[Weichert]

Ummm, baked ziti. I'll take some of that.

I wish that I could find a place in Tenn (Chattanooga area) that made a good tomato pie. I ran across a couple of places in NJ that made those (when I was in the Army) years ago. Just wonderful.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by El Passeaux

Publix also sells Polly-O ricotta, my personal favorite.

In Knox the question is more like "where can you NOT get fresh mozz?"

[artemis]

Midwesterners know what baked ziti is, and calzone too.