Knoxville Takeout

The Best Takeout Restaurants in Knoxville (According to Us)

As people look to take a break from kitchen duties, feeding their families every night during social distancing, KaTom is suggesting some takeout restaurants for a handful of cities across the country. Some of these eateries were founded specifically for grab-and-go convenience, while others just got into the to-go business because of this new normal.

We're trying to limit this to establishments we believe always offer takeout, but we may miss the mark on a few, so we recommend you call to verify with the business before preparing your mouth for a specific cuisine. We hope these contributions to the pantheon of restaurant advice help hungry folks in these cities and give local businesses a boost. If we've left out your favorite eatery, please feel free to share it in the comments at the bottom or on social.

For the first post in this series, we turn the focus to a city close to our hearts and our homes – Knoxville, Tenn. Host of the 1982 World's Fair and home of the 1998 NCAA football champion Volunteers, Knoxville has seen more success in the culinary field than the football field in recent years, with some world-renowned eateries calling the city home. From a Food & Wine love letter to a 2010 visit from the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food", the Scruffy City is finally getting some respect in the food world.

Knoxville's best takeout restaurants (at least based on the opinions of the content teams at KaTom) are a diverse bunch that demonstrates both the city's humble side and its rising culinary star. From brunch to late-night drinks, we've got your socially distant meal plan covered.

Best Takeout in Knoxville


American Cuisine

This is a very broad category, we know. We're including everything from burger joints to steakhouses here, which made it a tough category to narrow down. The result is one of the largest groupings of best takeout restaurants in Knoxville in this listing.

City County Cafe

Knoxville City County Cafe

Located on the first floor of the City County Building, this grab-and-go establishment is a favorite not just among those who work in the building, but also many others who live and work downtown. Its list of daily specials includes a barbecue chicken melt and cheesy beef Mexican lasagna, while its regular features include southerner-loved biscuit sandwiches, hipster-loved avocado toast, and nearly everyone-loved burgers and sandwiches. The hot roast beef and cheddar and turkey bacon ranch wrap are worth visiting City County on their own.

City County Cafe, 400 Main Street, (865) 215-4890

It's All So Yummy Cafe

Knoxville It's All So Yummy Cafe
Image Courtesy of Flavory Studio

It's All So Yummy is a family-run, sandwich-centric joint in a strip mall just off Kingston Pike where the answer to the question, "Should we," has never met a "no." The offerings include a grilled cheese sandwich loaded with spaghetti and provolone, one with a Krispy Kreme doughnut in place of bread, and another stacked with macaroni and cheese topped with barbecue sauce. Sans cheese, you might opt for a grilled peanut butter and jelly, a similarly treated peanut butter and banana, or a croissant freighted with a healthy serving of special recipe chicken salad. You can cap the meal with ice cream crafted by a man who literally went to college (Penn State, specifically) to study the frozen treat.

It's All So Yummy Cafe, 120 S. Peters Road (plus a location at 2010 Highway 58, Suite 1004 in Oak Ridge), (865) 769-6539

Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar

If you're local, we're not telling you anything new in saying this Market Square eatery is amazing; it's earned nonstop plaudits since opening in 2014 in space once home to Watson's Department Store. Start with fried green tomatoes or Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, then take on favorites including chicken and waffles, chimichurri flat-iron steak, and a bacon cheeseburger layered with housemade pimento cheese. During the warm months, ingredients are sourced from the Market Square Farmers Market, just steps from the Not Watson's door.

Not Watson's Kitchen + Bar, 15 Market Square, (865) 766-4848

Sam & Andy's

This place lays claim to the title of "Knoxville's oldest restaurant" and offers classics on a menu so long you'll feel like it's infinite scroll. Persevere down the page to find the SEC Burger (bacon, smoked cheddar, and barbecue sauce), the Garbage Burger (grilled onions, bacon, grilled mushrooms, and American and provolone cheese), steamed corned beef and salami sandwiches, and even veal parmesan. There are also stone-baked, cracker-crust pizzas and desserts you don't want to miss. Just keep scrolling.

Sam & Andy's, 2613 W. Adair Drive, (865) 281-9539

The Stock & Barrel

If you're familiar with this place, you know the "stock" means livestock, which means burgers, and the "barrel" refers to one of the largest bourbon offerings in Knoxville. When you dine in, you can get flights of the stuff, ranging from accessible to super-top shelf; however, we're here for takeout, so we'll move on. This place has incredible salads, but the word "burgers" is literally on the sign, so that's where we're headed. In this case, burger is a broad term that includes several types of less-expected meats (lamb and bison, anyone?) and a black-bean-and-quinoa patty, in addition to the expected beef, which comes from Mitchell Family Farms in Blaine. Those burgers can be topped with everything from pimento cheese to blueberry preserves to peanut butter and fried banana.

The Stock & Barrel, 35 Market Square, (865) 766-2075

Bar Food

What follows is a loose agglomeration of establishments that mostly focus on taps and traditional bar foods. That means menus heavy on apps such as spinach dip and wings, and entrées of burgers and fries.

BucketHead Tavern

OK, we know BucketHead can be a divisive topic in normal times. The fact it's one of the only places in the state that still allows smoking indoors leads to plenty of gripes from non-smokers on social media. Fortunately, takeout from BucketHead allows you to miss the smoke smell and enjoy some classic bar noms. From jalapeno poppers and onion rings to burgers and wings, they have everything you expect when you belly up to your home bar.

BucketHead Tavern, 8039 Ray Mears Boulevard, (865) 394-9936

Token Game Tavern

Knoxville Token Game Knoxville

If you've never been confident enough in your geek game to step inside Token, at least give its food a try. This is not your typical arcade-focused concept where reheated food is an afterthought; Token's menu delivers with some incredible offerings that challenge the concept of bar food. Start with some goat cheese and figs, move on to a burrito that wraps Frito pie – the ultimate comfort food – into a burrito, and conclude with an iced coffee with chocolate boba.

Token Game Tavern, 213 N. Seven Oaks Drive, (865) 770-3870

Union Jack's English Pub

One of a few places in the city where you can get British brews, Union Jack's brings the United Kingdom to East Tennessee. Its food menu marries the flavors of the American South with those found across the pond; pimento cheese neighbors Guinness beer cheese on the menu, which also features dishes named for famous and/or royal Brits. There's even a bit of the continent in the flavors, with one dish featuring grilled mettwurst atop chili and beans. Sauerkraut's on the side.

Union Jack's English Pub, 214 S. Northshore Drive, (865) 584-5161


Barbecue

A staple of the American South, whole cities are raved about or panned based solely on their barbecue offerings. Knoxville was long in the latter category for its dearth of respectable smoked-meat emporiums, with just a few outposts holding down the fort. That's all changing now, with an influx of purveyors turning the desert into a fountain.

Calhoun's

Knoxville Calhoun's

Obviously we have to include a place that calls itself "the taste of Tennessee," and claims to have the best ribs in the same territory, and has the awards to back that up. From its original location on Kingston Pike to newer spots throughout the region, Calhoun's offers barbecue classics including smoked pork shoulders, brisket, and those famous ribs. There are some surprises on its menu that help make it one of the best restaurants for takeout in Knoxville, including the best spinach maria you've ever tried and a seared ahi tuna salad.

Calhoun's, multiple locations

Dead End BBQ

Knoxville Dead End BBQ

The Dead End story is enough to make us love this place. It was started in a cul-de-sac by some guys who loved making barbecue for the neighborhood and ended up winning some competitions under the name "Dead End Society." Their barbecue, smoked over hickory and oak, is offered in dishes including the Burny Mac (macaroni and pimento cheese with burnt ends), Tennessee Grilled Beef and Cheddar Sandwich, and classic plates with ridiculously tasty sides.

Dead End Barbeque was born at the end of a dead-end street where neighbors gathered to barbeque. For more than a decade the Dead End Society honed their barbequing skills in the dead end, and in professional barbeque competitions where they achieved national recognition.

Dead End BBQ, 3621 Sutherland Avenue, (865) 212-5655

Sweet P's BBQ

If you watched the Knoxville episode of "Man vs. Food" or clicked that link from Inside of Knoxville at the top of the piece, you know the original Sweet P's on the lake was featured in the program. The eatery's Gigante Burrito Challenge also had a starring role, with then-host Adam Richman (spoiler) unable to finish the massive rollup. The challenge remains an option for visitors, but a smaller version of the burrito is just one of the delicious offerings on the menu, including smoked pork, beef, and chicken. Can't decide? Try the sampler, which includes a pork or chicken sandwich, a quarter-rack of ribs, brisket, and three sides.

Sweet P's BBQ; Downtown Dive: 410 W. Jackson Avenue, (865) 281-1738; Soul House: 3725 Maryville Pike, (865) 247-7748


Breweries & Distilleries

We'll admit it off the top: Including these operations for their ability to offer packaged booze seems like a bit of a cheat. Yet, Knoxville has an incredible collection of brewers and distillers, a fact that can't be ignored and is exemplified by the hooch hockers listed here.

Hi-Wire Brewing

Admittedly, Hi-Wire is native to Asheville, just over the mountains from Knoxville. It now has four locations, so it isn't exactly local, but it's quickly made itself at home in the Scruffy City and earned its place on our list of the best takeout in Knoxville with its choice brews and hip digs. Options for packaged beer here include S'mores Porter, The Gin Fizz (a juniper berry saison made with wild yeast), Hi-Pitch IPA, and variations on 10W-40, an oil-dark imperial stout that gets flavors from additions including lactose, chocolate, and coconut. Plus, to help foodservice workers left unemployed during the coronavirus crisis, Hi-Wire donated a portion of proceeds to organizations helping them from sales of a new session IPA called "Donate to service industry workers by drinking this beer."

Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville, 2020 Barber Street, (865) 935-9395

PostModern Spirits

Founded in 2016 by people with "a goal to shake things up and put Knoxville on the spirits' world map," PoMo has certainly done that. Located in a retired train warehouse in the Old City, this distillery is committed to "mindfully crafted spirits from the intersection of artistry + chemistry," as its labels proclaim. You'll find those labels on a long list of spirits crafted with natural ingredients, from Elderberry Gin Liqueur to a classic American single-malt whiskey to the corn-based Kore Vodka, which is filtered five times to produce a smooth-drinking liquor.

PostModern Spirits, 205 W. Jackson Avenue, (865) 437-3190


Brunch

We get it: Brunch is the kind of meal meant to be enjoyed with mimosas over an hour or two while you're out with friends, so takeout brunch may seem like a foreign concept. What if we told you some of the best brunch places in Knoxville are also some of the best takeout restaurants in Knoxville? This trio is dedicated to using fresh ingredients to prepare all your morning-meal favs.

Holly's Gourmet's Market & Cafe

Local celebrity Chef Holly Hambright has helmed several popular eateries in Knoxville over the years. This cozy spot serves up comfort foods with highbrow twists for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. It would be impossible to give a concept of the diverse menu here; suffice it to say, your takeout from Holly's will leave you happy and full. When you can sit and stay a while, cocktails – including the Kingston Spike and Smoky Mountain Sunrise – will have you saying, "Mimosa who?"

Holly's Gourmet's Market & Cafe, 5107 Kingston Pike, (865) 584-8739

OliBea

This beloved Old City eatery is at the cutting edge of Knoxville hip, with a rustic-chic vibe and new takes on classic dishes. For instance, the #BrunchGoals Salad starts with greens from Mountain Roots Farm in nearby Sevierville, which is topped with pickled red onions, mushroom "bacon," a 12-minute egg, Sea Island pea hummus, avocado, and a tahini dressing. The Geechie Boy Farm Burrito is stuffed with braised collard greens, Carolina Gold rice, white sweet potato chunks, and Sea Island red peas, topped with a cashew queso and tradition Oaxacan mole. They also offer traditional Southern breakfast staples, including fried potatoes and grits.

OliBea, 211 S. Central Street, (865) 200-5450

The Plaid Apron

Located at the corner of Kennesaw and Keowee avenues in the tony Sequoyah Hills area, The Plaid Apron offers a limited menu made with the ingredients of the moment. The menu is sandwich and salad heavy, including a grilled cheese made with double-sharp cheddar and buttered cornmeal sourdough, and a quinoa salad topped with local black-eyed peas and sourdough crumb croutons. We don't know for sure if they'll continue it, but during social distancing they're also offering family dinners daily from 5 to 6 p.m. That alone makes it one of the best Knoxville takeout restaurants for those trying to feed crowds.

The Plaid Apron, 1210 Kenesaw Avenue, (865) 247-4640


East-Asian Cuisine

The quintessential carryout meal for people across the country, pan-Asian foods are also a favorite in Knoxville. While some people might expect a small southern city to be limited to fast food-style places and buffets (not that there's anything wrong with that), Knoxville has a great Asian cuisine scene. Highlighting it are chefs who grew up surrounded by the recipes they now offer to us all.

Fin-Two Japanese Ale House

Owner Raymond Yip was in the kitchen of his parents' popular Morristown Chinese restaurant just two days after he was born; some of his earliest memories are of making dumplings with his family. He's grown up with the food he now offers at this hip joint in the Old City, which also offers an extensive list of craft beers, as its name implies. From Ramen to yakitori, you'll find a variety of incredible takes on the classics here.

Fin-Two Japanese Ale House, 122 S. Central Avenue, (865) 437-3105

Kazoku Hibachi Express

This is the only eatery on the list without an address and – full disclosure – it may take some work to track it down. Keep an eye on Kazoku's Facebook page to know where they'll be when. The menu is limited, but features all your favorites, including hibachi meats and vegetables served with fried rice, vegetables, sweet carrots and, of course, shrimp sauce. Kazoku came to KaTom during our weekly Food Truck Friday and received rave reviews.

Kazoku Hibachi Express, food truck, (865) 297-2360

Sticky Rice Cafe

This little eatery tucked into a shopping strip – not even facing the road on busy Kingston Pike – may be Knoxville's greatest secret. However, if you follow our blog, you might already be familiar with Sticky Rice Cafe and its rainbow of bubble tea offerings. You may also know this little secret: We love this place. It's a little family-owned joint serving authentic Lao recipes proprietor Khan Sikarng and her family learned over generations in Laos. There is no wrong answer when they ask what you want from the menu. In summer, the spring rolls are a tasty, fresh starter, while the soups are a perfect winter meal. We also recommend the beef laab and panang curry.

Sticky Rice Cafe, 120 Jack Dance Street, (865) 249-6273

Vincent's Cafe's Pho House

Modern diners may be a little skeptical of a place without a website, but we'll let it slide because the taste says they're putting the effort into their food, which is what you want. Vincent's is one of those sometimes-rare outposts of a national trend that makes it to Knoxville while the trend is still hot; it serves up authentic Vietnamese soups, some of which count as American comfort food, including a chicken noodle version. Whether you like spice or can't tolerate it, be sure you let them know to get the dish you want.

Vincent's Cafe's Pho House, 815 Merchants Drive Suite E, (865) 688-5815


European Cuisine

Knoxville is home to some great joints that offer a taste of the continent, including Greek, Italian, and French food. Go for the specialties and stay for the atmosphere, including occasional live music. These places also offer beer, wine, and spirits menus that allow you to fully drink in the flavor.

French Market Creperie

Despite the limit implied by its name, this place specializes in a wide range of French dishes, from croissants to sandwiches made on fresh-baked baguettes. Go for the baked brie (with dried cranberries, almond pieces, and honey) or French onion soup to start, and then launch into the menu. The crêpe selection includes breakfast, savory, and sweet varieties that are sure to please. We recommend capping the meal with the blueberries and lemon curd crepe topped with whipped cream.

French Market Creperie; 412 Clinch Avenue, (865) 540-4372; 161 Brooklawn Street, (865) 288-7912

Kefi

A relatively recent addition to the Old City, Kefi has quickly earned a reputation as a great place for a romantic evening out, but that's not why you're here; you're looking for takeout and Kefi has it. The folks at Kefi say they're working to "bring [the] rich Mediterranean culture to the downtown streets of Knoxville" with their offerings of freshly made Greek favorites. The starters are too hard to choose among, so go for the Pikilia, a sampling of three spreads and a generous portion of housemade pita. The Tyropita, a filo dough pie filled with a trio of cheeses, will knock your socks off. If you're sharing, opt for a "for the table" entree, such as the pastitsio, the traditional terrine of buatini, beef ragu, and a topping of a bechamel with cheese that's fragrant with nutmeg and allspice.

Kefi, 120 E. Jackson Avenue, (865) 474-1492

Pero's on the Hill

Pero's has provided Knoxville a taste of authentic Greek and Italian foods for more than 30 years. It long ago left its original Kingston Pike location for one on Northshore just down from the Morrell Road intersection in Rocky Hill. We wouldn't blame you if you opt to grab a takeout box of the incredible pastries and sweet bread, but for a whole meal they offer a regular selection of favorites, as well as regular specials. In the last few months, the latter group has included pork osso buco, spinach manicotti, and fontina tortellini. There's also a seafood pizza we've been told is amazing.

Pero's Bar & Grill, 7706 S. Northshore Drive, (865) 694-6900


Indian & Middle Eastern Cuisine

This is a broad swath to cover in one section, but given the amount of exchange between the cuisines, it seems to work. Browsing the menus of these highlighted eateries, you'll likely find a lot of crossover within the same establishment. Still, we recognize and celebrate the differences accented here by so many talented chefs.

Kib Kab Deli

The tiny building at the corner of Oak Ridge Highway and Beaver Ridge Road in Karns that is home to Kib Kab contains some of the biggest flavors in Knoxville. Owner Majid Mahdi passed the building every day in his past life as a mechanic and was inspired one day by the "for rent" sign in front. Now, he managers the family-owned restaurant offering shawarma cooked on rotating spits, crispy falafel, stuffed grape leaves, creamy hummus, and baklava. They also offer pita wraps that are a great choice if your takeout is eaten on the go.

Kib Kab Deli Facebook, 7780 Oak Ridge Highway, (865) 851-8090

Sitar

This place is a Knoxville institution and it works to highlight the distinctions between the foods common in the four subregions of the subcontinent – north, south, east, and west. Those who aren't as educated in Indian cuisine as the proprietors will see a menu loaded with all their Indian food favorites, from samosas to coconut soup to vindaloo, legendary for its blazing spice levels. You'll also find dishes cooked in the traditional tandoor clay oven, including panir tikka and boti kabab.

Sitar Knoxville, 6004 Kingston Pike, (865) 588-1828

Yassin's Falafel House

The unassuming shop Syrian refugee Yassin Terou opened to offer his family's recipes to Knoxville – right across from the downtown library – is now nationally famous. It's been named the nicest place in America by Reader's Digest and was featured in a series on the American dream from payment processor Square. With all that going on, it may be easy to forget there's also unbelievably good food here, but your first taste hits you in the face with that fact and you'll never forget it. Obviously, you have to try the falafel, which makes a great side for main dishes including shawarmas and gyros. By the way, there's now an outpost of Yassin's serving the folks in West Knoxville.

Yassin's Falafel House, 706 Walnut Street, (865) 219-1462; 159 N Peters Road, (865) 247-7567


Mexican Cuisine

Tennesseans love their Mexican food, as our blog post detailing every state's favorite takeout during social distancing in 2020 shows. Knoxville is studded end to end with great places to get it, from the quirky to the traditional, authentic to cutting edge. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Chez Guevara

This favorite of UT students and locals alike is tucked into the corner of a shopping center right on Kingston that can be a bit challenging to find. It's worth the effort, though. You walk by a full-service bar offering some of the best margaritas in town to get to the dining room, which is fully kitsch'd and bric-a-brac'd out with Elvis memorabilia. More importantly for this list of the best takeout restaurants in Knoxville is the food, and it's all good. Expect all the standards done to perfection, including mind-blowing tamales and plate-straining burritos.

Chez Guevara, 8025 Kingston Pike #A, (865) 690-5250

CJ's Tacos

Knoxville CJ's Tacos

Getting your hands on these legendary tacos used to mean tracking down the CJ's food truck, but now there's also a permanent outpost in the mezzanine of the Embassy Suites Knoxville Downtown hotel. You can't pigeonhole what these folks do with tacos; you'd do best to call it a fusion of tacos and other foods that are delicious. There are the Buffalo Chicken Tacos loaded with sauce-slathered chicken, the Holy Potato Tacos with potato hash topped by grilled veggies and chili, and the original with everything you'd expect. Beyond that, the Korean BBQ Pork Tacos, topped with slaw and Korean barbecue sauce, and the Asian Fusion Tacos, with grilled chicken and cabbage topped by a sweet-and-sour-sauce, bring the flavor.

We feel honored to be mentioned as one of the best in Knoxville! We take a lot of pride in what we do, and we are proud to be a part of the Knoxville food scene! WE LOVE YOU KNOXVILLE!

CJ's Tacos, 507 S. Gay Street (in the mezzanine of the Embassy Suites) and on the road in the food truck, (865) 770-5999

Señor Taco

The establishment is part of a trinity of Mexican favorites in Knoxville, part of the same group that operates two Cancun Mexican Grill locations (you probably know it as Cancun's, if you're local). From fajitas to burritos and everything in between, it earns its place in the pantheon of great eateries with a rotation of daily specials that keeps people coming back. When you aren't carrying out, they offer can't-miss margaritas one of our writers describes as "mostly tequila," so you know you'll get your money's worth. Plus, the Señor offered free taco combo meals for all out-of-work service industry workers, which we think is pretty top shelf.

Señor Taco, 3325 N. Broadway, (865) 688-0306


Pizza

Pizza is so much an eat-at-home food at this point that many people don't even think of it as takeout anymore. The ability to feed the whole family easily and conveniently with a universally liked meal is an attractive option for weeknight dinners and quick eats on weekends. From thick crusts to traditional thin crusts, Knoxville pizzerias offer the versions people seek out.

Elidios Pizza

The thin-crust pies Elidios offers are topped with a well-balanced, sweet tomato sauce and a variety of toppings from pepperoni to artichoke hearts. The menu also includes some great stromboli and calzones, including a spinach calzone with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses in a thin, light shell.

Elidios Pizza, 6714 Central Avenue Pike # J, (865) 687-1002

Red Onion

Red Onion has the most diverse menu in this class, offering everything from traditional pizzas to subs and Indian food, including curries and saag paneer. While it may seem like an odd combination, many Mediterranean cuisines traditionally were cooked in the same ovens, so they actually fit together perfectly. Red Onion pays attention to each type, ensuring it isn't a mere gimmick but is some of the best in class in the area.

Red Onion Pizza, 3625 Sutherland Avenue, (865) 584-7445

Stefanos Pizza

Plenty of K-Town residents first got to know Stefanos during evening study breaks at the University of Tennessee. Its location on the Cumberland Avenue strip is a mainstay that's kept many a college student going with its thick-crust pies. We recommend the Lady Vol, a tribute to the school's legendary women's basketball team, and the Lazy "K," with pulled pork and cheddar cheese. Alternatively, go for a sampling during the buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Stefanos Pizza; 1937 Cumberland Avenue, (865) 522-4151; 10573 Hardin Valley Road, (865) 249-6709


Southern Food

Finding the best takeout restaurant in Knoxville for southern food is as much a challenge as identifying the city's best American restaurants. In this area, American is southern and vice-versa. Here are a few of our top picks, though.

Farmacy

Knoxville Farmacy

We've long suspected southern food can heal and imbue the body with new vigor, a belief apparently shared by this eatery owned by Chef Bettina Hamblin. Start with the Hot Mess, kettle chip nachos topped with pulled pork layered with standard nacho toppings; then, move to a main dish such as hot chicken or shrimp and grits, or opt for stellar tacos with a variety of proteins. If you're around on the weekend, check out the brunch, which casually makes neighbors of churro waffles, biscuits and gravy, and chicken tinga as though those divergent dishes were always meant to be together.

Farmacy, 9430 S. Northshore Drive #104, (865) 247-4678

Jackie's Dream

Staffed by the "Dream Team" and helmed by Ms. Jackie (Jackie Booker-Griffin), this is the place your family's most-treasured recipes would be if they suddenly turned into a restaurant. This destination for "food with soul" moved to Old North Knoxville in late 2018. It's there you'll find hot chicken, meatloaf, and fried catfish, along with daily specials including baked spaghetti and ribs. The real stars of the menu, though, might just be the sides, including fried okra, collard greens, pinto beans, and macaroni and cheese, all made using recipes handed down to Ms. Jackie by her grandparents.

Jackie's Dream, 1008 E. Woodland Avenue, (865) 219-5789

Southern Grit

This place hits the whole South, from a pasta-fied take on jambalaya from Louisiana's Creole culture to the South Carolina Lowcountry's shrimp and grits, and a whole section dedicated to fried chicken. The mains are great, but this place really gets us with the apps and sides. Its online menu is fronted by a fried-green-tomato-stack drum major that leads a parade of buttermilk biscuits, pimento cheese dip, cheddar grits, fried okra, creamy collards, and sweet potato casserole. One of everything, please; it's none of your business how many people are eating.

Southern Grit, 126 S. Central Street, (865) 240-4275