Hunka Hunka Wild Love

If sweets don’t make you happy, we can’t be friends.

I wholeheartedly think without sugar, mass chaos would ensue all over. Whether two packets in your coffee or served in apple tart form, your life is better from it affects. And if you need a place to satiate your sugar needs, Wild Love Bakehouse is THE place.

While I am partial to tea instead of coffee, Wild Love serves multiple cups and qualities. BUT in addition to the coffee that others enjoy, the pastries are where you will find me. Drool and all.

Drooling became such a problem I had to unfollow the bakery on Instagram (@wildlovebakehouse) because of all the delicious and INTICING photos they would post of their food. Cookies, petite cakes, and croissants galore fill their feed. And it was because I rolled across their account on this super busy midterm season, that I finally made the trip.

I picked up two apple turnovers (one for me and one for the bestie) to try later that night. It was super flakey, buttery, and sweet! I can honestly say I’ve never had anything like it. Obviously, everything tastes homemade from a bakery but I cannot stress enough how good it was. So go check it out on N. Central Street!

I love KBrew and I don’t care who knows

Before this blog even starts, I need my loving and loyal fans to know I am not a coffee drinker. I am a firm English tea and biscuits kind of girl. So before the “basic Starbucks drinking white girl” memes come at me, I am standing my ground that tea is the queen of the beverage world. But K Brew is not your average queen.

Alas, everything at K Brew tastes as if it was made with a purpose and for prime cramming for finals brain function. The best part of KBrew is the atmosphere. From the super friendly staff to the relaxing hammock chairs that you can swing your worries away in, everything about this establishment is A1.

I actually heard about KBrew from looking at all the stickers on everyone’s laptops on campus and figured it had to be good. After trying it today, on the most Monday of Mondays where everything I touched went wrong, I can confirm, it is, in fact, the queen of Knoxville coffee shops for this tea drinker.

KBrew has also has an amazing Instagram page you NEED to follow ( @knoxvillebrew) if only for their “doggos” highlight. The artsy photos truly fit their on-trend esthetic, so follow them for your Knoxville coffee loving feed.

(I would also like to give a special ‘thank you’ shout out to the barista that let me take this picture of him and was so kind when I asked. You’re coo.l)

BBQ & River Views

I don’t think I could write a blog about all of the places that make Knoxville special, and not talk about Calhoun’s on the River (arguably the best Calhoun’s location in the Knoxville area). If you’ve never been to Calhoun’s, you are not alone. I have been living in Knoxville for the past four years, and this past week I went for my first visit.

Now, being from North Carolina, I have come to the conclusion that everyone outside of Eastern North Carolina has no idea what good barbeque is, but being the bigger person, I digress and order it anyways.
Usually, when I order barbeque from restaurants west of Winston Salem, I’ll try the “barbeque sauce” bottled and set out on the table. More often than not I won’t love the given sauce, but it will be mediocre enough that I can manage the meal. So when I tell you Calhoun’s was the first restaurant I happily dumped sauce all over my plate, I mean it.

And not only was the meat delicious, but the mac and cheese deserves an award. It was the perfect combination of creamy and cheesy that I’m glad the portion was small. After sufficiently clogging my arteries, my dinner companion told me desert was coming.


If you would consider yourself a southern belle, then you already know the staple dessert that comes after eating a helping of barbeque is banana pudding. However, Calhoun’s puts a spin on this classic by serving the banana pudding with macadamia nuts and topping it with shaved white chocolate. Oh and in case you didn’t know, the mouth-watering dessert comes out in a glass, bigger than my face.

Calhoun’s on the River also boasts the coolest location. Being on the Tennessee River means customers enjoy scenic views of the water during the day and cool indoor bar lights at night. Calhoun’s also has TV’s everywhere, so you will never miss any University of Tennessee sporting event. This location also partakes in trivia with the locally famous Knox Trivia Guys, which I enjoyed playing, and sadly lost while on my first visit.

If you’re in need of a date night dining, Volunteer cheering, or trivia playing atmosphere, look no further than Calhoun’s on the River!

Long Live the King

If you enjoy the arts at all then you probably know the University of Tennessee is well endowed with talent. With master choir ensembles to the Oscar producing theater program, Tennessee has great entertainment options that, for a student, or even a seasoned arts lover, is very affordable for high-quality acts.

I recently went to the Clarence Brown Theater to see King Charles III. The play acted out a possible future scenario where if the current Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, died and her son Charles took the throne.

Full of drama, romance, ghosts and politics, the play did not disappoint. Being a history buff and person who is very much into theater, this play was perfect. The cast was also phenomenal. While Clarence Brown Theater is on UT’s campus, it still provides seasoned actors in its roles. Meaning students are not the majority of the cast but sometimes given minor roles.

For this particular play, it was AMAZING how hard the costume designer and makeup artists worked to make the actors look like the royal family. Everyone was the exact spitting image of their role, except for William (who in my opinion was always the better-looking brother).

Since I don’t want to tell too much about the production I will give away no more hints but still encourage you go see the show! This particular play lasts until February 26, before the next show, Detroit, starts.

If you are a student, tickets to any show at the Clarence Brown Theater is $5. If you are a staff or faculty member, shows are $28, and all other tickets range from $18-$35, a steal if you ask me! To purchase tickets just head to the Clarence Brown Theater website or give them a call to reserve them.

Nick & J’s Cafe (an infinite playlist of pancakes)

Breakfast food is the sweet holy grail of Saturday mornings, and as a college student cooking breakfast in the mornings, especially during the week is a rarity. If it happens on the weekend, I must really have my life together.

Instead of Saturday morning cartoons, I typically make a to-do list of ann the things I hope to accomplish by Sunday night. In reality, I start said to-do list on Sunday night and scramble to get it all done, and in my avoidance of completing tasks, is a quick drive to Nick & J’s Cafe.

Nick & J’s is very much a hometown place, as a tiny diner just off Pellissippi Parkway, over in the Hardin Valley area. Many employees proudly wear their Knoxville Catholic High School gear, and I even had the pleasure of overhearing the high school drama as some students sat behind my table. The hometown vibe also spreads to the menu as you find home-cooked favorites like grandma used to make.

While I did not meet Nick or J personally, I would like to thank them for the very affordable meal! Honestly, since starting this bucket list journey, I don’t think I’ve had such a good meal at a reasonable price. (Check out the prices for breakfast above!!)

Nick & J’s Cafe must be used to business too because while the service was slow, it was only because of how many people were trying to get in before breakfast stopped being served. While you wait, if you read the back wall the collection of humorous plaques will gladly distract you. They post even more funny quotes to their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nick-Js-Cafe-326172485829/

If you try out this Knoxville jem, be sure to leave a Facebook recommendation, Yelp or Trip Advisor review to support local business!

TBA (Total Boss Arena)

If there’s ever anything exciting happening in Knoxville, you can rest assured it’s happening at Thompson-Boling Arena.

As home to the University of Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball programs, TBA is packed at least four nights a week from November to March. However, the arena sees a lot more than just a basketball hoop.

Maroon 5, Brad Paisley, and recent show of the infamous James Taylor are only a handful of artist that has taken the stage while I have been at UT. However, my first concert was this past Friday, seeing Luke Combs and the Grammy-nominated artist did not disappoint.

But again while basketball and concerts are the bulk of TBA’s schedule, there are still are a wide range of events that it holds. Most notably, in my humble opinion, Graduation ceremonies in the spring and winter. But we will give Winter Jam, a youth-focused Christian conference, and Monster Jam, a “sport” of trucks driving around in piles of dirt, honorable mentions.

If you go to an event hosted at TBA, their Instagram is kept up to date with gate opening times, acts coming to the area and parking information which is super helpful when showing up an hour early or at the last minute. https://www.instagram.com/tbarena/?ref=badge

Whether you’re going to see the Vols or another source of entertainment, TBA is a great venue!

Burger Please

A perfect burger is an art form, and I will protest any other meat eater who disagrees. They can be simple and plain or so so extra when you pile on the toppings. Burgers might be a glorified sandwich, but I still think they are a valuable food group that should be praised.

While Knoxville has a plethora of great burger joints, my favorite is Copper Cellar on Cumberland Avenue (AKA the Strip beside the University of Tennessee’s campus that has horrible traffic). The first time I came to Knoxville my mother drug my family to Copper Cellar because she craved a burger the minute our tour was over. My mom, an alumnus of UTK, remembered her days of being a student and attending #BurgerDay. Copper Cellar still holds to this tradition every Wednesday, because nothing can get you through a hump day better than a $5 burger.

While the line can be super long but I promise it is well worth it. My favorite burger is a build your own with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and cheddar cheese. However, there are some honorable mentions to the Kickback burger with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and Copper Cellars special kickback sauce.  

Hello beautiful 🤤 ❤️ 🍔 #BurgerDay #Vols pic.twitter.com/PniijeEGB0— Copper Cellar (@CopperCellar) November 7, 2018

(view this tweet from Copper Cellar’s twitter, and tell me you mouth doesn’t water)

While burgers are on the menu, there are a lot of other great choices like the BTL sandwich, grilled chicken teriyaki, and the ale pork chop. Another weekly special is the Friday and Saturday night 12-ounce prime rib, served with a potato and additional side for $25. So whether you’re into fine dining or a casual burger, Copper Cellar is sure to have something to satisfy your taste buds.

(The super-high-quality picture up top actually isn’t mine. I got it from Copper Cellars own website https://coppercellar.com/cumberland-copper-cellar/ that you should check out!

I’ll Meet You by the Lakeshore

Lakeshore park has so much to offer the Knoxville community I don’t even know where to begin this blog post. From baseball, and soccer fields, the walking trails, and the old Lakeshore Mental Health Institute, there is plenty to talk about.

My favorite thing about this park has to be the walking trail. As a disclaimer, I will tell all of those who are not very active, like myself, this walking trail has some serious hills to put your heart, calves, and breathing to work. However, the park has some pretty sweet views, from the Tennessee River to the beautiful building that is the old Mental Health Institute (rumored to have lots of paranormal activity #spooky), to Marble Hall or any of the Pavilions around the park.

The history of the park within the city is pretty lengthy with the control of land switching between owners before the city obtained 60 acres in 1993 as a lease from the State of Tennessee. In recent years multiple, big-name donors like Pilot Flying J, the Haslam Family, and Scripps Networks Interactive, have given money to sponsor new facilities, landscaping, and other improvements to the park.

I have visited this park often in my last year in Knoxville and it has quickly come to be my favorite outdoor adventure in town. The photo attached is one I took this past fall and is my favorite little nook in the park to hang out. This nook is equipped with a park bench for when my calves are crying or maybe that’s just me.

It also provides numerous #instagramworthy picture opportunities that would spruce up your profile. Following @lakeshorepark on Instagram will also offer great scenic pictures to your feed compared to selfies your mom posts because she thinks that’s what Instagram is for… #relatable

Merchants of Beer (and Good Times)

Merchants of Beer is quite possibly THE COOLEST building in Knoxville, located at 137 S. Central Street. This retro 1950’s dinner on the outside turned sleek modern bar on the inside, has over 50 taps of wine, cocktails, and beers. The unique venue also is a local hot spot for cigar lovers to enjoy!

Merchants of Beer, or MoB as locals call it, is welcoming from the moment you walk in. The retro bar is still there but has been updated with a glossed wood bar top that I imagine a skilled bartender has slid a pint across. As you sit at the bar, your choices await as all 50 taps are listed on the chalkboard above the massive line of taps that take up the wall behind the bar.

If you are like me and STRUGGLE to find a beer you like, then this is the place to go for experimentation. From lagers, IPAs, stouts, pilsners, and ciders (my favorite), the list of 43 brews MoB offers is not only listed on the chalkboard but on a menu that goes a little more in depth about the products. But if you are as uneducated on beer as I am, then the staff could be your new best friend.

 The MoB staff assisted me in finding an adult apple juice the Tailgate Sweet Cider – 9, but also let me sample some local brews like the Shield Series: Imperial Stout- 38, the Tessellation IPA – 24, and the Dunkel lager – 36. With they have a plethora of 38 unique beers as well as a few staples MoB also offers a few select wines and craft cocktails which make up 1-6 on the 50 taps numbered.

Another cool feature to this Knoxville only joint is its market! If you find your new favorite IPA or ale, MoB keeps a walk-in fridge stocked with 6-packs and singles that you can purchase. The walk-in has three walls, with five shelves each, full of the local and staple beers offered.

MoB is active on Facebook, and Instagram rarely going two days without posting about their variety of events, the cool exterior, google reviews, or their amazing customers. They are hot on the hashtag trend and have created one of their own #mobknox. Hosting a weekly Wednesday Wine and Cheese Party, and multiple watch parties from sports like soccer to the currently #1 ranked University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball team, the bar shows their support.

This local spot is soon to be one of my favorite places in Knoxville, and I cannot wait to go back!

Getting into Whiskey Business

The biggest thing that surprised me in my move to Knoxville was how much this town enjoys a good time. Whether that be in the form of sports or beer Knoxville always puts a new spin on things.

This week I headed into the Old City district of Downtown and stumbled upon Knox Whiskey Works. Just off Jackson Avenue, Knox Whiskey Works offers a cheap and educational buzz on the small batch, craft distillery process. For only $10 per person over the age of 21, the Knox Whiskey Works team will take you into their back room, where the magic happens.

On this tour of the facilities, my fantastic tour guide Colin dived into the chemistry of the whiskey making process. While I cannot regurgitate this information, it was fascinating to hear someone passionate about their job explain the process. If you needed any more incentive to support this local business, know that they do too. As they receive all of their corn from Riverplains Farm in Strawberry Plains that sends over about 250 pounds of heirloom corn a week while in season! #businesssupportingbusinesss

After your short chemistry lesson, the fun begins as each tour includes a taste testing of all 12 spirits offered. Typical of taste testings the highest proof comes first, and if you find your self to be a lightweight like me, please call an Uber or designated driver as 12 half shots of straight liquor, in under an hour can be dangerous to your equilibrium.

The 12 spirits range from Heirloom Corn Whiskey, an orange flavored vodka named Tennessee Tailgate Orange, Marble City Gin, the hint of heat DragonTail Whiskey, a Bourbon Whiskey and the favorite of my taste testing group, the Coffee Liqueur that is made from real coffee from Old City Brew just down the street.

If you haven’t been charmed enough head on over to @knoxwhiskey on Instagram. Here they post artsy photos of their beautiful bottles, along with crafty and humorous sign displays.