Lots of geeky scientific details.... (Link...)

Some initial notes:

1. 1997 standard not adequate to protect public health, based on > 1700 studies. Clinical studies show evidence of adverse respiratory response in HEALTHY adults at old standard (80 ppb).
2. First evidence linking high ozone to mortality (deaths) in sensitive popultions
3. High ozone also reduces crop yields and increases susceptibility to disease and insects (e.g., threatens our food production)

I can! Our old Toastmaster toaster oven died after only four years (or more accurately it's computer got brain damaged or possessed or something) and I needed to replace it.

Link...

A story about an Iraqi veteran who is missing. Last seen in Georgia. He graduated from UT in 1998.

pgs

We went to Ruth's Chris for our anniversary celebration. Even though I didn't think we'd need one on a Wednesday night, I made a reservation. (You can make them online.) It's a good thing we did. They were packed. The bar was full, there were guests at every table, a banquet room in the back and the one downstairs both had parties.

The restaurant was slammed. Amid the controlled chaos, the staff stayed remarkably composed, but tensions were showing. It affected the service and the food, and not in a good way.

Just a note of thanks and a free plug for our web hosting service provider, Hosting Matters.

Because of the growth of this site and the complexity of the software, we were outgrowing our shared hosting account with them and decided to move our web empire to our own dedicated server.

010 Fine Dining/Special Occasion:

By the Tracks Bistro

Location: Kingston Pike, Bearden

Our favorite spot for special occasions. Great food (try the pecan crusted catfish, strawberry salad, or the creme brulee), impeccable service, quiet enough for pleasant conversation, but casual enough that it's not stuffy.

Copper Cellar

Location: Cumberland Ave and Kingston Pike

Wonderful Crab Bisque and the Prime Rib Is Excellent.

Foothills Milling Company

Location: Maryville, TN

Nice atmosphere, casual elegant, great menu, great food, great service. Moderate to expensive prices. Beer and wine, no liquor.

I personally love Ruth's Chris

Location: Knoxville

Ruth's Chris is a great new addition to Knoxville. I have eaten at Ruth's Chris at least once a week since it's opened, taking clients and the family out. The steaks melt in your mouth and the sides are absolutely delicious. One fellow blogger reports having a not-so great experience, but his meal was free because the manager comped him. Not everyone that goes to a movie likes it, and not everyone has the same experience at a restaurant or wherever they go. But I must say going to Ruth's Chris in Knoxville has been a great experience for me. Anyone who goes there and doesn't like the meal, I will personally pay for there next meal out wherever they choose. I'm serious.

Litton's

Location: Fountain City, Corner of Essary and Broadway

Great burgers, sandwiches, fresh cut fries and onion rings. Litton's also has some of the best desserts in Knoxville. Great 'community atmosphere'.

Naples

Location: Kingston Pike (Bearden, Homberg area)

Great italian food in a relaxed atmosphere. Check out the daily specials. Fabulous bread. Naples has been a Knoxville favorite for 25+ years (in a building which has been there since Kingston Pike was a two-lane road).

Regas Restaurant

Location: Gay Street

Roosters Bar and Grill

Location: Northshore Road

Probably the best bar in Knoxville and right in the heart of the 4th District. They have anything from pizza, to wings, to sandwhiches and the usual "bar food" items. To go along with this, they have all the tv's you could imagine to enjoy whatever sporting event you care to watch. So go down there, say hello to Bobby the GM, or one of the many nice people working there (Tabitha, Danielle, Cory, Megan, Jersey, etc etc). Cheers and Enjoy!

Ruth's Chris....A national chain...A local favorite

Location: Knoxville

The next time you dine at Ruth's Chris Steak House, you just might find yourself in the Regas Room. Craig Miller, CEO of the Florida-based fine-dining chain, was in town last week to dedicate the private room located on the main floor of the downtown waterfront restaurant to the Regas family. "We want people to embrace it and to consider it a special place. Now, we have an added tie-in with Regas," said Miller, who has long been friends with Bill Regas since their days working together at the National Restaurant Association. Bill and his cousin, Gus, are the sons of Frank and George Regas, who founded Regas Restaurant, 318 N. Gay St., in 1919. It is the oldest restaurant in Tennessee. More than a dozen members of the Regas family as well as friends, business and civic leaders celebrated the dedication with a private lunch and champagne toast. (The meal was under $25, Miller said.) But don't get your hopes up about lunch. There isn't any talk of opening for lunch any time soon. In fact, Miller said the company recently stopped serving lunch at its Manhattan location. For all the doubters who wondered whether Knoxville could support such a high-end restaurant, Miller points to the numbers, particularly at a time when the industry has been tight. Sales at the restaurant are 15 percent over original estimates, he said. He expects business to continue to grow, especially through private-event bookings. Part of the success, he said, has been the company's efforts to be a part of the community. Before the restaurant opened in October, Ruth's Chris sponsored the city's first race 15K run entirely on the Knoxville greenway system. "This location has exceeded our expectations. It's been outstanding, and we still have huge opportunities ahead of us," Miller said. A great story from Knoxnews!

Smoky's BBQ & Steak

Location: Dandridge downtown

The BBQ is above average, but the side dishes are the best ever. Try the sweet potato chips, sprinkled with brown sugar, and a honey dip.

Soccer Taco

Location: Kingston Pike, Bearden Hill

Good food in a nice, redecorated atmosphere. Lots of TV's for soccer, sports. I believe the owners also own the Agave Azul in Western Plaza. The location is probably best known as the original El Charro before it moved accross the street (where it has less atmosphere, but still good food).

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020 Steak:

Ye Old Steak House

Location: Chapman Highway

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030 Seafood:

Bayou Bay

Location: Chapman Highway

Louisiana-style seafood house. Have the meat and three at lunch or a straight seafood menu at night. Menu includes such New Orleans specialties as alligator, crawfish, and frog legs.

Chesapeakes

Location: Henley

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040 Casual:

2 Grannys Restaurant

Location: 327 Russell Rd Rockford Tn

2 Granny's Restaurant 327 Russell Rd Rockford, Tn 983-1008 8am - 3 pm Tues thru Sat Phyllis & Dottie Daily Specials 1 Meat & 2 sides $5.50 Check our Specials Board (w/roll or cornbread) Today Kraut & Wienies Home Fried Taters & slaw Pinto Beans Cornbread Hamburgers & Sandwiches (all served with let - tom - onion & pickle) Handpatted Hamburger $2.95 ----Plate $3.95 Cheeseburger $3.35 C. B. Plate $4.35 Hot dog w/chili onion & Slaw $1.25 Grilled Cheese $2.50 Bologna $2.50 Corn dog $1.25 Chicken Patty Sandwich $2.75 Chicken Tenders $3.50 - add 2 sides $5.50 Veggie Plate--w/bread --$3.50 Choice of 3, mashed 'taters, cole slaw, pinto beans, fries, or veg of the day Bowl of Pinto or White Beans w/cornbread $2.50 Chili w/crackers or cornbread $3.50 Breakfast served daily 8am to 11pm 2 eggs w/toast or bisquit $2.25 Bisquits & gravy $2.25 3 egg omelets w/toast or bisquit with cheese or ham $5.50 Western Omelet $5.95 (omelets include home fries & toast) 1 egg, 1meat & 1 bisquit/sandwich $3.00 Home made deserts cake or cobbler $1.75 - $2.25 w/Ice cream .50 cents extra All Drinks $1.00 Free refills on Coffee & Tea Hot Choc $1.00

Calhoun's on the River

Location: 400 Neyland Dr

We only get back to Knoxville, on average, about every two years with my octogenarian mother to visit the rapidly-shrinking family. Time is always limited on these trips, and this is where we usually end up for a special get-together with my favorite cousins. I had what may well have been the best steak of my life here last May. Great atmosphere, especially on the outdoor deck over the river.

Chandlers

Location: Magnolia

Best macaroni and cheese, turnip greens and hot cabbage you ever tasted.

Panera

Location: Alcoa

Rankin's on Central for down home breakfasts & lunches

Location: Central Ave across form Habitat store

It doesn't get more casual than this. Great gravy and biscuits, decent homefries, clean non-greasy eggs like from your mama's kitchen. Fast service by friendly local gals. It's been on the same corner a long time. Local people line up every day to get a seat there, and they just added more parking. Lunches are the usual tasty home cooking favorites and include --one meat, two sides, drink AND dessert. Usually around $6.00

The Bistro at the Bijou

Location: Gay St. "at the Bijou"

Great all around food, fine menu selections, and scrumptious specials. Consistently best service in town and they don't call everybody "guys"! NOT NOISY!! And often pretty quiet, even when the restaurant is pretty busy. And we've never had to wait to get a table. My favorite and standby: the Turkey Reuben sandwich w/onion rings subst. for fries. Mmmmm...

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050 Italian:

Altruda's

Location: Peter's Road

Italian Market & Grill

Location: Franklin Square

Great for standard Italian fare as well as special items; their seafood puttanesca is the best I've had, although it's an occasional special, not on the regular menu. They also have an outstanding Saturday breakfast buffet. It's one of Knoxville's best-kept secrets. Omelets and waffles to order, eggs benedict, and all the regular breakfast items, all of which maintain IMG's reputation for quality. Best omelets in town.

The Original Louis' Drive-In

Location: Old Broadway

One of the last remaining old-style Knoxville Greek-Italian restaurants. Now that Pero's old building has been bulldozed, I'm really feeling nostalgic for this staple of my youth. One of the few places left that serves liver (but not to me!). In the true Knoxville Greek-Italian tradition, it's at least two restaurants in one. It serves steak and seafood along with a full Italian menu (try the parmegiana), including pizza, and, of course, meat and three at lunch.

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060 Mexican:

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy

Location: Turkey Creek

High Quality Mexican Food. A little pricey for Mexican, but higher quality than the cheaper restaurants.

Chez Guevara

Location: Suburban Center Shopping Center on Kingson Pk, just west of West Town Mall

Chez Guevara (formerly known as La Paz - same owner, just a name change) has great food and drinks, plus a cool, funky, friendly atmosphere like nowhere else in Knoxville. This is a great "neighborhood place" and it is easy to become a regular. A very anti-chain establishment.

Los Amigos

Location: Maryville

Best Mexican restaurant in the Knoxville area.

Margaritas

Location: Downtown West

Although the location has not been very successful for other restaurants, Margaritas in Downtown West is the real deal. The food is very authentic, reasonably priced, and served in generous quantities. The Sunday brunch buffet is spectacular. Service is generally excellent; if you know a little Spanish, the staff will be especially attentive--as is the case in most Mexican restaurants.

Senor Taco

Location: 3325 N Broadway St

On Broadway in Arlington/Lincoln Park neighborhood. Great salsa! Great atmosphere, and friendly staff. Best Mexican I have found in Knoxville. 3325 N Broadway St Knoxville, TN 37917 Phone: (865) 688-0306

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080 Chinese:

M P Chinese / Japanese

Location: Opposite Midland Plaza, Alcoa

We love the Habachi menu. I don't know what the deal is with the squirt bottle of stuff but it is fun to watch everyone put it on everything!

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090 Japanese:

Lemon Grass

Location: Maryville

Great combination of Thai restaurant and Sushi bar, the Lemon Grass is a favorite here in Maryville. The spicy shrimp tempura sushi roll is different - and better - than most places because the chef actually crushes the shrimp and makes it edible. Other sushi regulars - eel, tuna, Cali roll - are also great. The Thai menu is also wonderful, and makes a really nice - if unusual - mix with the Sushi. Last night I went to Lemon Grass and had the Gyoza (fried Japanese pork dumplings), edemame (heavily salted green peas, shared with my wife), one spicy tempura roll (6 pieces), and shrimp pad thai. All for $20. And it was fantastic.

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110 Other Ethnic:

King Tut Egyptian/ regular American homecooking & best salad around

Location: 4132 Martin Mill Pike (573-6021) South Knoxville

You have to see this tiny place to believe it. Meet Mo who is sometimes seen wearing a pharoah hat, chatting with regular customers, or cracking jokes. His menu alone is worth the trip. Hundreds of witty little comments & jokes. I hear Karaoke night is a blast, but I'm afraid my mind might not be able to expand that far. The food is always freshly made and great,cooked of course by Mo's sweet wife. Middle Eastern & Egyptian dishes mix in with meatloaf and pork chop plates. When you first approach this tiny little place, you'll wonder if it's open or closed. It will most likely be open though, even on Sundays, park on the side. Once inside, Mo will slather you with his own brand of warmth and probably remember your name the next time you come in. It's dark in there and kind of bizarre, like you've just landed on another planet. By the time you leave however your endorphines will somehow be percolating faster and you'll swear to come back often. The prices are reasonable. Not dirt cheap, but definitly affordable. The salad Mo will urge you to order will be amazingly large and fresh. This a really fantastic place. I take all my out-of-town vistors there, just to bend their minds and fill their bellies.

Mirage

Location: Gay Street

Great middle Eastern food. Hookahs after 9 and belly dancers after 10.

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130 Barbecue:

Leo's Pulled Pig

Location: Lenoir City

Quite simply the best barbecue in East Tennessee, or so I've experienced. Incredible portions of meat - no fat - on ribs, and the honey-based sweet BBQ sauce is to die for. The sides, particularly the corn and baked beans, are also delicious. This is the sort of barbecue treasure that you find regularly in BBQ havens like West Tennessee and Alabama, but you can't usually get around here. In East Tennessee you can have mediocre Calhoun's or Buddy's. Or you can trek out to Lenoir City and have Leo's Pulled Pig. It's on Broadway right in downtown of the LC.

Ridgewood Restaurant

Location: Bluff City/Piney Flats, TN on the old Elizabethton Hwy)

The 'Ridgewood' is almost a national landmark, boasting one of the best barbecue sandwiches in America. Check out the barbecue aficianado websites (you can also check out the review at Roadfood.com). People come from all over the country to sample Ms. Proffitt's secret recipe. They smoke all their own hams on site, make fresh cut fries and have great slaw and fabulous baked beans. It's worth the drive (about two hours from Knoxville) to say you've had it. From Johnson City, take the Volunteer Parkway (Hwy 25E, I think) north to the new 4-lane over to the Elizabethton (I think that's Hwy. 19). Turn right toward Elizabethton, go just a mile or so and turn right on the old Elizabethton Road. It's out there about a mile or so, in the middle of nothing else. You can also take the Blountville exit off I-81 (exit 69, I think), head south/east over toward the Bristol Motor Speedway, turn south/west onto Volunteer Parkway toward Johnson City (again, I think that's 25E, but you can't miss it), go about 3-4 miles, then left on the 4-lane toward Elizabethton, right on the old Elizabethton Road.

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140 Burgers:

Ruby Tuesday

Location: Any

They cook it how I like and customize it how I want (mushroom, swiss, avocado along with the lettuce and tomato).

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150 Pizza:

Big Ed's

Location: Oak Ridge

You just about can't beat Big Ed's. It is definately worth the drive. Pizza and a pitcher, a great combination. And you can buy your very own Big Ed's t-shirt.

Metro Pizza

Location: Alcoa - Next to Lowe's

Truly NY-style pizza. A New Jersey native, I have to confess my surprise in the number of passable pizzarias around here. Most places outside the NYC or Boston area - with the exception of Chicago - have truly awful pizza. But with Bella Roma and Gondolier, there are some pizza options more akin to those in the Northeast. But none competes with Metro Pizza. The oregano can be a bit heavy at times, but the grease quotient is just right (and that's a BIG part of what makes NY pizza what it is). Metro Pizza is closer to hole-in-the-wall pizza you see all over the New York area than anything else around.

Pizza Palace

Location: Magnolia Ave.

Best pizza in town. Locally owned for a long time. Drive up and order a beer in the car.

Snappy Tomato

Location: 4877 Broadway

FOUNTAIN CITY, TN 4877 Broadway Knoxville, TN 37922 (865) 689-1919 Awesome Pizza! Check out the Beast! a huge pie for parties! Good customer service, decent speed for delivery orders, a menu with good choices for veggies as well as the carnivores. What more can you ask for in a pizza joint? Oh yeah....right next door to Marble Slab Creamery! All the essential food groups in one convenient spot!

Tomatohead

Location: Market Square in Knoxville or on Broadway in downtown Maryville

I put this in pizza, although I'm as likely to get the signature Tomatohead sandwich or one of their outstanding salads. But they have the best gourmet-style pizzas in town.

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165 Coffee Shop:

Pete's Coffee Shop

Location: 540 Union Avenue, Knoxville

Great food. Awesome atmosphere. Staffed by some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They have daily lunch specials as well. All the cool people enjoy breakfast at Pete's every Saturday before heading to Market Square to buy their weeks worth of locally produced fruits, vegatables, baked goods, and crafts. P.S. Fried chicken is one of the Friday lunch specials. But you had better get there early to get a seat. http://www.petescoffeeshop.com/index.html

It's that time again for KnoxViews readers to recommend your favorite restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and more. Go here to view the categories and click the "Add Listing" button on each category page to add your own recommendations.

KnoxViews readers recommend their favorites in the categories of dining, entertainment, shopping, and more to create a dynamic and growing local guide by locals for locals and visitors to the area. View the listings and add your own by clicking the "Add Listing" button on each page.

Dining

Shopping

Entertainment

Recreation

A friend had one of these at a party, and it actually looked useful so we got one recently. After using it several times, I can recommend the Magic Bullet.

Read more...

"It was really more like some sort of Sea Monkey holocaust than a drunken shrimp party."

(From this review at MetroBlogging Nashville.)

Finally made it over to the new Tomato Head in Maryville yesterday. Our review is here. Bonus feature: Free Parking!

Is anyone using Adobe Lightroom 1.1? What do you think? I have the 30-day free trial installed, and I'm really liking it. If, like me, you tried one of the early beta versions and weren't convinced, you might want to take another look.

Lightroom combines the workflow features of Bridge, the developing/adjustment features of Adobe Camera Raw (both much improved in Photoshop CS3) and the nicer cataloging/organizing features of the consumer oriented Photoshop Elements 5 Organizer into a single application that does it all and does it faster and better in most cases.

Read more...

We finally made it back over to the Foothills Milling Company last night to see if it is still as good as we remember from the first review.

It is.

Read more...

We had been talking about getting a portable GPS for a while (we get lost a lot!). On long road trips we've used notebook PC based systems that you can get for around $100 with a GPS antenna and software (e.g. Microsoft Streets or DeLorme Street Atlas). They're OK (and great for trip planning) but not very convenient to use in the car.

Some friends who travel a lot got a portable touchscreen GPS a year or so ago, and it was pretty neat but I wasn't yet convinced.

Factory installed navigation systems were options on the last couple of cars we bought, but cost anywhere from $1500 on up and aren't portable. Plus in one vehicle you had to buy a package that included a backseat DVD player that we would never use and that I would never buy just on principle (look out the window or read a book if you're bored!).

After getting lost a couple of times recently (and saying "maybe we should have gotten the GPS navigator option"), even the Mrs. was enthusiastic about the idea. So I got to looking at the latest crop of handheld portable GPS systems.

The Garmin nüvi looks to be a breakthrough consumer GPS product, and fits the bill nicely for us.

Read more...

One of the advantages of having your CD library all ripped to a digital library is playing with cool toys like The Filter.

It works with Windows Media Player to analyze your library and create automatic playlists based on selected songs. (There are also Mac/iTunes and Nokia versions.) You launch The Filter, highlight a song or two you like in Windows Media Player, send them to The Filter, and it automagically creates a playlist of similar/related songs from your library.

It's like your own personal DJ bot and a whole new way to listen to your music in a "smarter" way than just putting your player on random play. The playlists it creates are pretty interesting and entertaining.

It also connects to their website and pops up a window with info about your selected artist and suggestions for other similar albums you might like, which of course you can purchase and download from the eMusic store. I'm not clear on what all it uploads to their site from your PC other than a list of songs in your library, but it looks mostly harmless.

It's a little confusing to get it all setup and working, but it's a fun toy to play with and helps you "rediscover" forgotten stuff in your music library.

(You can see some examples of what it generated for me after the jump. The first song on each is the one selected to generate the playlist. I have it set to put 99 songs on each playlist, the first 25 are shown. No snarky remarks on what an old geezer I am, please!)

We decided to dump our Charter Moxi HD DVR and go back to the familiar, user-friendly world of TiVo (which we grew to know and love by way of our previous DirecTV TiVo DVR.)

Read all about it after the jump...

Some fat Welshman heaps big praise on Budweiser.

His case appears earnest, but I suspect it's really an anti-American manifesto in disguise. But he'd deny that, of course. I hope it earns the crafty bugger a spot on the no-fly list.

The Roomba by iRobot is a way cool vacuuming robot that actually works. See a full review after the jump.

We recently purchased the HP Color LaserJet 2605dn for a print job. So far, I'm pretty happy with it.

For $499 list ($374 on sale right now at HP), you get a four-color laser printer rated for 12ppm black and 10ppm color that includes USB and Ethernet connections, Postscript and PCL support, plus duplex (two-sided) printing. The print quality is pretty good, making this printer a great value.

Read more for a full review...

If you'd like to know how it was in 1968, in the Vietnam era, prior to a different "surge" and the carpet-bombing of Cambodia and plans for "pacification" of villages and the "Vietnamization" of American occupying forces (should any of that sound familiar to you or not), check out the movie Bobby.

We had a most enjoyable evening downtown last night. Great to see Steve of Whitescreek and his lovely wife and their friends. And a special thanks to the Socialist with a Gold Card who whipped out his Gold Card to pick up the tab for the Mrs. and me. That was totally not necessary but sincerely appreciated. We also ran into Don Williams at the show and it was nice to see him again.

The show was great as expected. Opener Carrie Rodriguez was a pleasant surprise. Powerful voice, great singer songwriter, with some good pickers in her band. First time I think I've seen an electric mandolin. I thought she would be a tough act to follow, although her set might have been a little long for some folks.

Lucinda Williams has been down some rough roads since we saw her last, but she can still lift you up and smack you down and make you laugh while breaking your heart. She has some problems with lyrics apparently, referring frequently to a songbook (and a mighty fat song book it is, to her credit). She gave up on one song, a sort of country/Americana rap number, after two false starts. She brought it home at the end, though, with some loud electric rockers. It probably helped that we had moved down to some abandoned seats in the second row orchestra pit.

The big disappointment was the drunk and rowdy crowd. Drunks hollering out song demands and inappropriate "wooo-hooos" ruin the mood of a beautiful venue and beautiful singer/songwriter voices. I guess they think they're the main attraction that everyone including Lucinda came to see, the way they kept hollering over her any time she tried to talk to the crowd.

Lucinda Williams must be used to it, but she reacted at one point after introducing a song and getting more song demands from the drunks, saying "I guess y'all are getting anxious. Maybe we'll just skip this one." A song or two later, she delivered a rather enthusiastic rendition of "Come On", which seemed appropriate:

Dude, I'm so over you
You don't even have a clue
All you did was make me blue
You didn't even make me, come on!

You're so self involved
You're in some kind of fog
You're hung on on your hog
You didn't even make me, come on!

[..]

You weren't even worth it
I'm sorry I ever flirted
The effort wasn't even concerted
You didn't even make me, come on!

UPDATE: Another review.

It's possible that the best restaurant in Knoxville isn't in Knoxville. It may be in Maryville. In fact, it may be one of Blount County's best kept secrets.

Don't waste your money. There's some amazing race footage and a couple of scenes that are almost funny, and Sacha Baron Cohen (a/k/a Borat, Ali G, et. al.) as the gay French Formula One turned existentialist NASCAR driver, but otherwise it's a complete waste of time. Even the fake scripted "outtakes" are embarrassingly bad. Jane Lynch (Best in Show, Mighty Wind) is pretty good, but I feel sorry for her for getting mixed up in this mess.

I don't get the appeal of Will Farrell at all. He plays "Ricky Bobby". The movie explains that he's got two first names, in case you didn't get the hilarious irony of that. Or maybe pointing it out is supposed to be hip self-referential parody? This is is only one of many scenes where the movie explains obvious "jokes", making them even more not-funny.

My general policy had been that I wouldn't waste time on a Will Farrell movie, but I made an exception this time because of the enormous potential for hilarity that might ensue from poking fun at NASCAR and other Southern culture stereotypes. I guess you have to understand something to make proper fun of it. This movie reminds me why I had a No Will Ferrell policy in the first place.

If y'all are over in the Rockford/Alcoa/East Maryville area, check out Patty's Place Cafe for breakfast or lunch. But make sure you're hungry.

We stopped by for a late breakfast. I had...

A couple more movies from the recent Blockbuster stack: "Invincible", and "All the King's Men".

Read about them after the jump...

First and foremost I'd like to encourage y'all to drop by for pumpkin pie at the Greek Chevron on Chapman Highway. When hot out of the oven it is out of this world. Unlike the traditional pumpkin pie it is made with filo dough for crust and the filling has a chunky texture and great flavor. A slice is $1.50 and you can order a whole pie for $14.95. Limited time only.

As for the South Waterfront project I don't know what to report. It seems to have gone from "let's save the quaint neighborhoods" to "well we'll keep the form of the neighborhoods but new buildings can be 3 1/2 stories high but don't worry they'll fit in just fine because of all the street trees we'll plant after we squeeze a 50' road section into a 35' wide r.o.w...."

One thing I do know is that the Greek Chevron is slated to become a park. I hope that they can find a replacement location in the neighborhood.

KnoxViews surveyed our readers for their recommendations in the categories of dining, entertainment, shopping, and more to create a dynamic and growing local guide by locals for locals and visitors to the area.

KnoxViews Reader Recommendations represent some of the best our community has to offer according to our "in-the-know" readers. Following are their recommendations for each section of the survey.

Dining

Shopping

Leisure and entertainment

Recreation and outdoor activities

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Fine dining/special occasion restaurant

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Regas Restaurant
Where: Gay Street
Why: It's tradition, and it's damn good food.

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Pasta Trio
Where: Old City
Why: Its got that traditional italian atmosphere right in the heart of the Old City. Grab some pasta, a couple glasses of red wine, and a enjoy your evening in Knoxville "Farragut-Free."

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Regas
Where: Gay Street
Why: Classic fare, atmosphere, service

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By The Tracks Bistro
Where: Homberg
Why: Excellent food, exquisite preparation, great variety

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By the Tracks
Where: Kingston Pike at Homberg Place
Why: Food is always great; service impeccable.  The atmosphere is quiet and intimate.  And you can go dressed up or down - it's very comfortable.  Great value for the $$.

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Copper Cellar
Where: either Campus or West
Why: Very good food and service. Worth it.

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Regas
Where: Gay St.
Why: Great ambience, food and service.

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Riverside Tavern
Where: Volunteer Landing
Why: Menu, location, structure is interesting, outdoor seating, good food and service.

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Regas
Why: Great food. Great atmosphere. Just great!

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chops
Where: kingston pike west knoxville
Why: great menu selections, atmosphere.

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Regas
Where: Gay Street
Why: Excellent food, great staff, great atmosphere.

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By th Tracks Bistro
Where: Bearden
Why: Outstanding food, well-prepared and well-presented; excellent service; charming atmosphere

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Calhoun's
Where: On the River or Bearden Hill
Why: Tasty ribs, plus this is where my pal likes to go when he comes in from Atlanta. That's always a special occasion.

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Chesapeake's
Where: Henley Street
Why: Quality fresh seafood preparation, good service, very comfortable atmosphere.

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Sapphire
Where: Gay Street
Why: Excellent food, reasonable prices, non smoking in a cool environment.

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Regas
Where: Downtown Knoxville on Gay Street
Why: Great food, great service, nice atmosphere, good menu, and a Knoxville tradition

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Pasta Trio
Where: Old City
Why: The only Knoxville restaurant that seems worth the money. Feels like a New York City restaurant. Wonderful food. I'm poor enough that this restaurant qualifies as special occasion.

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Le Parigo
Where: 5803 Kingston Pike
Why: High quality

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The Orangery
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Excellent food; lighter than Regas.

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Parkside/Lakeside/Riverside Tavern
Where: Any
Why: Food and service are usually great, menu selection is good, and drinks are strong. 2/3 have good views of water too. Really hot hostesses, especially downtown.

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The Orangery

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By the Tracks Bistro
Where: Kingston Pike

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The Orangery
Where: Homberg Place
Why: Inspired food and wine pairings and oh-so-elegant surroundings

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Bistro by the Tracks
Where: Kingston Pike / Homberg Place
Why: Best in town

---

Foothills Milling Company
Where: Maryville, TN
Why: Excellent Food, Unusual Menu, Nice Atmosphere, excellent service

---

Foothills Milling
Where: Maryville, TN

---

Casual dining restaurant

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: I'm a vegetarian...and it's good food.

---

Barley's Taproom
Where: Old City
Why: Pizza a beer... is there anything else you need to know?

---

Litton's
Where: Essary Road at Broadway
Why: Consistent moderately priced good food. There's nothing bad on the menu.

---

Cha Cha
Where: Homberg

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: One has to ask?

---

Calhoun's
Where: Downtown or Pellissippi
Why: Chase does good restaurants. Worth it.

---

Downtown Grill and Brewery
Where: Gay St.
Why: One word: the beer. We really like the microbrews (try the Nutbrown and IPA).

---

Stir Fry
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Great food and outdoor seating.

---

Calhoun's
Where: on the River
Why: Best ribs around!! And great view on the river.

---

Littons

---

Etcetra
Where: Rocky Hill
Why: The Chef at Etcetra has created a great menu that has a litlle of something for everyone. The ruby red decor really creates a great date night atmosphere

---

Tavern on the River
Where: Neyland Drive
Why: Good food, decent staff, love the river view.

---

Sullivan's
Where: Northshore
Why: local owned, AWESOME food and atmosphere with unbeatable service

---

La Paz, aka Che Gueverra
Where: Suburban Center
Why: Great margaritas, consistently good food at reasonable prices, great music; the owner, Kevin, is a truly good guy and treats his staff well, as evidenced by some who have been there nearly 20 years - a home away from home.

---

Tomato Head
Where: 12 Market Square
Why: Variety of entrees, healthy fare, fresh ingredients, fresh bread, friendly folks.

---

Calhoun's
Where: Knoxville Riverfront
Why: Good varied menu selections, and quality preparation with a great view of riverfront.

---

sunspot
Where: cumberland avenue
Why: good food, fun atmosphere, good service

---

Riverside Tavern
Where: Volunteer Landing
Why: Nice bar, outdoor seating, interesting menu, good food, and views of the river

---

Savelli's
Where: Sutherland Avenue
Why: Like the ambience and the food is pretty good/ though uneven. A great little place to meet friends with a bottle of wine.

---

Nolrthshore Brasserie
Where: Northshore Drive
Why: Vared menu, Mussels 5 ways, bread and overall quality

---

Pasta Trio
Where: Old City
Why: Good, reasonably priced food. I love their salad dressing.

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: Great food, service, atmosphere; also, I've found it to have the best vegetarian options in the city.

---

Texas Roadhouse
Where: Any
Why: Usually good and inexpensive, consistent food and service.

---

Creamery Park Grill
Where: Fountian City
Why: great food, wonderful service, close to where I live and great to bring the kiddies!

---

Calhouns
Where: Bearden Hill

---

Sunspot
Where: Cumberland Avenue
Why: Their beer selection is expansive, the food is always fresh and you can eat meat - or not.

---

Sullivans
Where: Maryville, TN
Why: Good food, great atmosphere, nice bar, great location, fun place

---

Calhoun's
Where: Multiple

---

Adagio's
Where: linksview drive
Why: amazing chicken parmessan- huge portions! comfortable bistro style decor and great parking.

---

Southern/home cooking restaurant

---

Kitts Cafe
Where: Greenway Road
Why: Just try it...you'll like it.

---

Ramsey's Restaurant
Where: Central Ave. Pike near Merchant
Why: Fried chicken and mashed potatoes can't be beat. Egg custard is outta sight. And it's all on a buffet.

---

Big Fatties

---

Ramsey's
Where: Merchant's and Central Ave. Pike
Why: What can I say. If you know Knoxville, you know Ramsey's

---

Lunch House
Where: Magnolia near Prosser
Why: good basic home cooking at affordable prices; clean; racially diverse customers; good service.

---

Big Fatty's
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Darn good vittles. Okra.

---

pete's
Where: union avenue
Why: great breakfast

---

Lunch House
Where: Holston Drive
Why: Close to home cooking, outstanding fried cornbread, tuesday is butterbean day

---

Pete's
Where: Downtown

---

Pete's
Where: Downtown

---

411 Restaurant
Where: 411 South, Maryville
Why: Their cheeseburger and fries combo will rock your world.

---

Gracie's
Where: Maryville, TN
Why: Excellent food, large menu choices, fun place, hidden from the crowd, but always packed

---

Big Fatty's
Where: Knoxville, TN

---

Italian restaurant

---

Louis' Original Drive-in
Where: Broadway
Why: If you have never eaten at Louis'...you ain't been livin' in Knoxville very long.

---

Pasta Trio
Where: Old City
Why: Its got that traditional italian atmosphere right in the heart of the Old City. Grab some pasta, a couple glasses of red wine, and a enjoy your evening in Knoxville "Farragut-Free."

---

Italian Market & Grill
Where: Franklin Square

---

Naples
Where: Bearden
Why: Good food fair price.

---

Altrudas
Where: N. Peters / The Commons Knoxville TN
Why: http://www.altrudas.com/  

---

Naples

---

Louis's Orignial
Where: Old Broadway - North Knoxville
Why: Spaghetti w/ mushroom sauce. nuff' said.

---

Saveli's
Where: Southerland Ave
Why: A brown bagger but solid dishes for us commoners

---

Bridge Street Cafe
Where: Bridge Street, Hot Springs, North Carolina
Why: Rich, delectable entrees, quaint ambience.

---

Naples
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Good italian food and atmosphere.

---

Naples
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Atmosphere,Wine list and eggplant Parma

---

Naples
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: In addition to being one of the oldest restaurants in the area, the food and atmosphere are great.

---

Italian Market & Grill
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Great food, strong drinks, hot hostesses.

---

Naples

---

Naples
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Naples
Where: Homberg
Why: Tradition, taste, service, atmosphere.

---

Naples
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: The people are the best

---

Altruda's
Where: West Knoxville
Why: Great food, romantic atmosphere, good service, not like a chain!

---

Italian Market & Grille
Where: West Knoxville

---

Mexican/Southwest restaurant

---

Senor Taco
Where: North Broadway
Why: Muy Excellente! Killer salsas for appetizers!

---

Cancun
Where: Broadway in Fountain City

---

Los Amigoes
Where: Maryville TN

---

Monterrey
Where: Merchants/Cedar Lane
Why: Great authentic Mexican food. The enchiladas rancheras (with pork and grilled veggies) are fantastic.

---

Senor Taco
Where: Broadway
Why: I had heard the recommendations for years, but just got around to vising recently. I was blown away with every aspect of the experience. Great service. Great food. Great prices. Great specials. Cool salsa bar. And a bowling alley next door. What more do you need? I ordered a seafood enchilada and the fish was nice and tender. It's so easy to overcook shrimp, but this was just perfect.

---

Pelancho's

---

El Charro
Where: Bearden Hill

---

El Sazon
Where: Alcoa
Why: Good food, authentic staff, great bartender.

---

La Paz, aka ChezGueverra; second choice La Costa
Where: see question 2 answers
Why: see question 2 answers

---

El Charro
Where: Cumberland Strip
Why: Good, quick Mexican food

---

la paz aka. chez gueverva
Where: suburban center
Why: great food, great service, fun atmosphere

---

El Sazon
Where: Alcoa Highway across from the airport
Why: Great food, great margaritas, great bartender, and fun decor and atmosphere.

---

El Charro
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: the cheese enchiladas. They have a good sauce.

---

Senor Taco
Where: Broadway
Why: Salsa bar and overall quality and price

---

Are you kidding me?
Why: There aren't any good Mexican or Southwestern restaurants here, though Senor Taco is close. I am from the Southwest, I know!

---

Senor Taco
Where: N. Broadway
Why: I realize that this is a chain, but every time that I've visited the place, it seems like a local establishment. And for the price and quality, it can't be beat.

---

Monterrey
Where: Kingston Pike -- Farragut
Why: Cheap, fast, and good.

---

El Charro
Where: Bearden Hill

---

Los Amigos
Where: Maryville
Why: Try Hector's Special Enchiladas (Shrimp is my favorite) with a Margarita... Mas bueno!

---

Agave Zul (sp?)
Where: Western Plaza - Kingston Pike
Why: The only fish tacos in town

---

El sazon
Where: Alcoa Highway-Alcoa
Why: Great atmosphere, great food, great service, big Vol fans!

---

Pancho's
Where: Maryville and South Knoxville

---

Chinese restaurant

---

Dynasty Express
Where: Broadway in Ftn. City
Why: Crab Rangoon (Mom's favorites), Veggie entrees, great veggie eggrolls, great people.

---

China Jiang
Where: Emory Road near I-75
Why: Huge portions, well cooked and seasoned, plentiful fresh veggies. And the owners (and their 3 kids) are super folks.

---

Plum Tree
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Plum Tree isn't a place that you would consider taking a first, or second date, there is absolutely nothing fancy about the settings, but their food is quite good. Plum Tree isn't a Buffet, but when you leave, you won't be leaving hungry. The sauces that the meals are served in, are thick and full of flavor, not watered down as I have experienced in other restaurants. Their meals are served with rice literaly covering one end of the elongated plates integrated into the main course which almost covers the opposite end. Even if you are not a big rice fan, the food portions are more than adequate to fill you up. If you like spicy I recommend the Kanshaw Beef. Kanshaw Beef is thinly sliced strips of Beef served with sliced Bell Peppers and Celery, they together are covered in a dark rich spicy sauce. You'll enjoy the flavor so much you will find yourself digging through the rice searching for every escaped morsel of food. I'd also recommend the Cashew Chicken

---

Ming Tree
Where: Alcoa
Why: It's one of the few non-buffets we've discovered. Pretty good garlic chicken and hot & sour soup.

---

Hong Kong House

---

China Jiang
Where: Powell
Why: Great takeout at a great price. The owners provide great customer service

---

China Pearl
Where: Bearden Hill or Farragut
Why: Something better about the sauce at China Pearl. Above average ingredients.

---

MP Hibachi Grill
Where: Calderwood across from Midland shopping center in Maryville
Why: Nice decor, good service, decent Chinese, great prices, and a Japanese steak/seafood hibachi menu (which I haven't tried.)

---

Dragon Den
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Because it's the only Chinese restaurant near my office. It's usually good too.

---

P.F Changs
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Taste of Thai
Where: Peters Road, Cedar Bluff area
Why: It's not really Chinese, but it is the best Asian influenced restaurant I've found. You can do super spicy or tame... the offerings are authentic and tasty! The Tom Ka (sp.?) soup is outrageous.

---

T-Ho's
Where: Merchants Drive
Why: OK - its not Chinese. It Vietmanese and really good

---

Ming Tree
Where: Alcoa Highway-Alcoa
Why: Have been there for years, thus great food, great service, great prices, nice-quiet atmosphere-Chinese and Thai dishes. I know one of the employees and he has been serving me Chinese food for 20 years.

---

P.F. Chang's
Where: Knoxville, TN

---

Japanese/Sushi restaurant

---

Wasabi
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Ginza
Where: Downtown West
Why: Most creative and freshest sushi in town. Sushi chef will make custom creations on request

---

Tomo

---

Kobe
Where: Halls
Why: White Sauce!

---

Nama
Where: downtown
Why: outstanding food

---

Nama
Where: Gay Street
Why: Secret Garden, bubble tea.

---

nama
Where: gay street
Why: awesome food, great service, fun mood, gregg white

---

Nama
Where: Gay ST
Why: Quality, meade on tap

---

Tomo
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Great service and sushi. Also, it seems more authentic or trendy than other places I've been.

---

Fuji
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Fast, cheap, consistent, good, and near my office!

---

Wasabi
Where: Bearden Hill

---

Soho Cafe
Where: Western Plaza
Why: I like the music and atmosphere there... the basil beef and shrimp is excellent.

---

Nama's
Where: Gay Street
Why: Great atmoshere and great sushi

---

Thai or other Asian restaurant

---

Stir Fry Cafe
Why: Lemon grass soup rocks

---

Taste of Thai
Where: Peters Road
Why: Great place. Best Thai in Ktown

---

Lemon Grass
Where: Maryville
Why: The food is great, particularly the curries and the pad thai. And the basil spring rolls are yummy.

---

Taste of Thai

---

Tast of Thai

---

Taste of Thai
Where: Cedar Bluff
Why: Even the soup appetizer is delicious

---

Taste of Thai
Where: The Commons, North Peters Road
Why: Pad thai is yummy, also the Phoenix (?) soup and ginger ice cream.

---

stir fry
Where: galleria
Why: good food

---

T Ho
Where: Merchants Dr.
Why: Vietamese, the Crepe is the best dish in Knoxville

---

Soho
Where: Western Plaza

---

Taste of Thai
Where: Peters Road
Why: Great food.

---

Stir Fry Cafe
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Taste of Thai
Why: Oops, see above.

---

T-Ho's
Where: Merchants Drive

---

Lemon Grass
Where: Maryville
Why: I never even ask what the lunch special is anymore...I just order it.

---

Stir Fry Cafe
Where: Knoxville-The Gallery
Why: They have been in town for around 15 years, great food, nice atmosphere-much different menu-really good Thai food

---

Taste of Thai
Where: Knoxville, TN

---

Other ethnic restaurant

---

Sitar Indian restaurant
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: I love Indian food and haven't had a chance to try Kashmir yet...but this one is pretty damn good.

---

Sitar
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: Quality Indian food. The pan is delicious. Indian beer, too.

---

Sitar

---

Alex's Havana Cafe
Where: Homberg
Why: Great Cuban sandwich.

---

Sitar
Where: Bearden
Why: consistently good food, good service - yummy

---

Falafel Hut
Where: Clinch Avenue at james Agee Street
Why: Just an old favorite.

---

El Quetzal
Where: Chapman Hwy
Why: most authenic food

---

Falafel Hut and Sitar
Where: Fort Sanders and Bearden
Why: Both have excellent and authentic ethnic food. I have a lot of Palestinian aunties and cousins, and eating at Falafel Hut brings me a taste of home.

---

Nama
Where: Old City

---

Agave Azul
Where: Western Plaza
Why: Great food, awesome Sunday Buffet, great prices, fun place to eat, service is great, indoor-outdoor eating, great menu, great bar

---

Steak restaurant

---

Chophouse
Where: Fountain City

---

Chophouse
Where: West
Why: Mike Connor does a great job.

---

Riverside Tavern
Where: Knoxville TN

---

Regas

---

Regas
Where: Gay Street
Why: Steaks cooked to order.

---

Northshore Brassiere
Where: Northshore at Pellissippi Parkway

---

Ye Olde Steak House
Where: Chapman Highway in South Knoxville
Why: Sides could be better, service can be variable, but always a great steak.

---

Copper Cellar
Where: Cumberland- Downstairs

---

Edison Steak House
Where: Farragut
Why: Their seasoned beef is incredibly tender and flavorful and their wine list is outstanding. The service is typically exceptional.

---

Copper Cellar
Where: Cumberland Ave

---

Ye Olde Steak House
Where: South Knoxville
Why: No explanation necessary

---

Edison Park
Where: Knoxville, TN

---

Seafood restaurant

---

Chesapeake's
Where: Henley Street
Why: Great variety, always well prepared, quiet decor.

---

Chesapeake's
Where: Downtown
Why: Freshest, best prepared seafood in any landlocked state of the Union

---

Nothing
Where: all over
Why: they are all mediocre.

---

Shrimip Dock
Why: ...not a restaurant..but damn good sea food selectections.

---

Bayou Bay
Where: Chapman Highway
Why: Great home-cooked seafood with a cajun touch. Not exactly a classy atmosphere, but who needs to dress up to eat well? The clam chowder is the best I've ever had. And they serve alligator.

---

Chesapeakes

---

Chesapeake's
Where: Henley Street
Why: Variety, preparation

---

Chesapeake's
Where: Henley Street
Why: See special event restaurant

---

Chesapeake's
Where: Downtown Henley St.
Why: Not a big fan of seafood, but I like theirs. Nice restaurant, good key lime pie.

---

Bonefish Grill

---

Please don't pick Chesapeake's
Where: Downtown
Why: Their food is tasteless, bland, overcooked, and greasy.

---

Chesapeakes
Where: Downtown

---

Captain D's
Where: all over
Why: 'cause I haven't tried Bonefish. I'll go to Cap'n D's for some throw down fried shrimp...

---

Bone Fish
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Breakfast

---

Cracker Barrel
Where: They're everywhere
Why: Great value and enough food to hold you until dinner.

---

Italian Market & Grill
Where: Franklin Square
Why: Awesome buffet, fantastic omelets

---

Cracker Barrel
Where: various
Why: can't be beat.

---

Green Hills Grill
Where: Knoxville TN
Why: Yeah...its a chain, but they have really kick ass omlettes.

---

Market Square Kitchen
Where: Union and Market
Why: Great omelets and really reasonable prices.

---

Rankin's
Where: Central St.
Why: If you like Red Eye Gravy this is the place.

---

Pancake Pantry
Where: Parkway, Gatlinburg
Why: Fine selection of pancakes.

---

McDonald's
Where: Everywhere
Why: Don't laugh. This is the best kept breakfast value secret. Order the Deluxe Breakfast and you get scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuit, hashbrowns, AND pancakes. Add a side of gravy (which is better than Cracker Barrel's, by the way) and you're all set for about $5. (Not recommended as a daily part of your diet, with an artery clogging 1200 calories 61 grams of fat, and 136 grams of carbs. Without the gravy.)

---

Petes
Where: Downtown

---

Long's
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Cracker Barrel
Where: all over
Why: I've got to admit it, since K-ville doesn't have a great place like the City Cafe (Murfreesboro), CB serves up a breakfast that will last you all day - if you can stand the wait.

---

Round-Up
Where: Young High Pike

---

Shoney's

---

Burgers

---

Cumberland Grill
Where: UT Campus
Why: 3 dollar burger and fries on Sundays... a poor man's dream.

---

Litton's
Where: Essary
Why: The bakery fresh bread makes this burger hum.

---

Littons
Where: Fountain City
Why: Love me one of them greasy big ass burgers.

---

Downtown Grill and Brewery
Where: Gay St.
Why: Great burgers, cooked to order.

---

Litton's

---

Littons

---

Freezo
Where: Central St. across from Oklahoma/ Old Merita Bread Factory
Why: Hamburger and a nilla' cone on the picnic table at the Freezo will make any day.

---

Chilis
Where: Alcoa
Why: Guacamole on the burger as ordered, Convenience

---

Bob's Burgers
Where: Hwy 70 Midtown (I 40 exit 350)

---

Bistro at the Bijou
Where: 803 S. Gay Street
Why: Juicy, flavorful meat; an array of good cheeses.

---

Regis
Where: Gay Street
Why: Big burger, quality beef.

---

Little River Village Campground Store
Where: Townsend, near the Park entrance
Why: Great burgers, fresh ingredients. Their broasted chicken is good, too. Their fudge is as good as you will find anywhere. Stop by to get a picnic lunch to take with you on you way to the mountains.

---

Pizza Palace
Where: Magnolia
Why: old fashion cheeseburger and onion rings

---

Litton's
Where: Fountain City

---

Sam & Andy's
Where: Farragut
Why: Nothing can beat the Vol Burger!

---

Litton's
Where: Fountain City

---

411 Highway Restaurant
Where: 411 Highway, Maryville
Why: Old grill, seasoned meat, grilled onions.... Damn, I'm getting hungry.

---

Hooters

---

Pizza

---

Barley's Taproom
Where: Old City

---

Pizza Hut
Where: All around
Why: It's a national chain, but doggone their stuff is good.

---

Barley's
Where: Old City
Why: Pretty good pizza but even better calzones.

---

Tomato Head

---

Stefanos

---

Harby's
Where: North Knoxville
Why: If you've ever eaten a pizza at Harby's you know what I'm talking about. A true hole in the wall if you've ever seen one but the best dang pizza hands down. The Greek Salad is excellente' as well.

---

Pizza Palace
Where: Magnolia
Why: Thin (but not too thin) crust, good consistency, good cheese, beer delivered to car while waiting.

---

Tomato Head
Where: downtown
Why: How can you ask why? Great food...

---

Tomato Head / I Love NY Pizza
Where: Market Square/Chapman Ford Center
Why: Tomato Head for "gourmet" varieties; I Love NY Pizza for New ork traditional

---

Eulidio'
Where: Callahan Dr.

---

Pizza Palace
Where: Magnolia Ave.
Why: This is a tough one. There are lots of good pizza places. This one has been around forever and they serve my favorite style. Bonus: you can order a beer curbside while you wait.

---

Barleys
Where: Jackson Ave
Why: Tender crust

---

Harby's
Where: North Knoxville

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: This is by far the best pizza I've had in Knoxville.

---

Stefano's
Where: Campus

---

Adagio
Where: Ebenezer Road, West Knoxville
Why: Because the new guys need a plug. Ya'll should visit. And their pizza is quite yummy as well.

---

The Pizza Kitchen
Where: Knoxville, Northshore Drive
Why: Great food, great drinks, fun atmosphere, super staff, great variety, indoor-outdoor eating, great prices, Sunday Buffet!

---

Mangia
Where: Turkey Creek

---

Snappy Tomato Pizza
Where: Broadway in Ftn. City
Why: Just tried it and its pretty darn good. I still miss the old Godfather's Pizza that used to be in the shopping center between Tazewell Pike and Broadway in Ftn. City. That pizza was the food of the gods. But the Snappy Tomato comes pretty close.

---

Deli/sandwiches

---

Nixon's Deli
Where: Broadway in Ftn. City
Why: Good sandwiches, nice people, yummy desserts.

---

Leni's

---

Subway
Why: Cheap, quick, not greasy

---

Paul's Oasis
Where: Kingston Pike
Why: This is more a local bar & grill, but there's a great hoagie on the menu. Served hot with Italian dressing.

---

Nixon's
Where: any location

---

Lenny's
Where: Powell, Ftn Cty
Why: Lot a meat, great bread, good price

---

Frussy's
Where: Moody Road at Chapman Highway
Why: Great sandwiches put together by a true sandwich artist.

---

Jersey Mike's
Where: Cumberland Avenue.

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: As a vegetarian, it's hard to find restaurants where I can eat out with friends who are not, and this is the best place to find common ground.

---

Firehouse Subs
Where: Peters Road
Why: Great sandwiches, new restaurant.

---

Nixon's
Where: Kingston Pike

---

Lenny's
Where: all over knoxville
Why: Custom made. Locally owned. Decent sandwiches.

---

Lakeview Market (aka Victor's)
Where: Alcoa Hwy & Topside Road

---

Subs-n-such
Where: Maryville, TN
Why: Great Sandwiches, good prices, great sweet tea, good cookies

---

Subs-n-Such
Where: Maryville, TN

---

Desserts

---

Litton's
Why: Can't beat that Baby Jane (available every other weekend)

---

Magpies
Where: Old City
Why: Nobody makes desserts like Peggy.  Sadly, she's only doing wedding cakes these days.  I'm hoping for holiday pies - try the three nut cranberry, or the cherry.

---

Copper Cellar
Where: Cumberland
Why: The strawberry shortcake rocks.

---

Naples
Why: I LOVE tiramisu

---

Littons

---

Litton's
Where: Ftn Cty
Why: Can you say Red Velvet Cake?

---

Tomato Head
Where: 12 Market Square
Why: Cookies, pies and those great cobblers

---

Mag-pies
Where: S. Central
Why: Super quality , without equal in Knox area

---

Regas
Where: Downtown
Why: Their strawberry shortcake is fabulous. And they use real shortcake, not that crappy storebought sponge stuff!

---

Litton's
Where: Fountain City

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: You wouldn't ask why if you ate their peanut butter pie...

---

Blount County Library
Where: Maryville, TN
Why: Never seen anything like it! Coffee, cakes, cookies, smoothies, in a beautiful library, for a great price!

---

Vegetarian/health food restaurant

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: See casual dining entry...

---

Sunspot
Where: UT Campus

---

Sunspot
Where: Cumberland Ave
Why: It's legendary, and the reputation is well-deserved

---

Sunspot
Where: Cumberland
Why: Great sandwiches and entrees. My favorite is the enchilada with black beans and goat cheese.

---

Sunspot
Where: Cumberland
Why: Great menu. Great atomosphere. And with the new bar annex, there's now a smoking option. One of the only vegetarian menu's I've encountered in which I have trouble deciding what to order because it's all so good.

---

Sunspot

---

Sunspot
Where: Cumberland
Why: Consistently good food, nice atmosphere

---

Tomato Head
Where: 12 Market Square
Why: Fresh ingredients.

---

Sunspot
Where: Cumberland Ave.

---

Falafel hut
Where: James Agee St.
Why: Falafel and mid-east salads

---

Sunspot
Where: The Strip

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: As a vegetarian, it's hard to find restaurants where I can eat out with friends who are not, and this is the best place to find common ground. Plus, you could eat there every day of the week and have something different each time. Not a lot of other restaurants in Knoxville can boast that.

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square

---

Tomato Head
Where: Market Square
Why: They really strive to serve the veggie community. If only they could do something about the noise...

---

Do we have one? Probably Sunspot
Where: Knoxville-Cumberland Ave.
Why: Great chips and salsa, good food, unique menu, fun atmosphere, one of the nicer places to eat on the Strip-also considering opening in Maryville

---

Other restaurant, category not listed

---

Wishbone's - Chicken Tenders
Where: Clinton Hwy, Maynardville Hwy, Magnolia
Why: I eat a lot of chicken tenders. Zaxby's, Ruby's, Sawyer's, you get the picture. I drive miles out of my way to get Wishbone's tenders. They have got the be the meatiest tenders you can get the and the batter is to die for. Try em', you'll love em'.

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The Lunch Box
Where: Baum Drive
Why: local owned, all foods prepared fresh and on location (or out of the catering location on Cross Park) the manager (Chris) at Baum Dr. will make special/personable deliveries to many of his customers; and, he knows them all by name!

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Ridgewood Barbecue
Where: Bluff City, TN (near Roane Mt. Park)
Why: Could be worth the drive itself, definitely worth a stop if you're in the area visiting Roane Mt. State Park. Possibly the best barbecue you will ever have.

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Kashmir Indian
Where: 17th St.

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Wright's Cafeteria
Where: Middlebrook Pike
Why: Best Cafeteria Category

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Tomato Head
Where: Downtown Knoxville
Why: All around one of the best restaurants in Knoxville. Serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare Opening soon in Maryville!! yeah