Tag: comfort food

Uptown Girls Don’t Eat Well

When you want the good eats in Knoxville, Downtown is where you need to be. More specifically, Downtown Grill & Brewery, a staple in Knoxville’s Downtown dinning scene. Perched in the middle of South Gay Street, it is the spot to go after a movie at the Regal Cinemas, a show at the Tennessee Theater or before going to an event in Market Square, like Shakespeare plays or movies on Market Square. The menu boasts many different plates from burgers, pasta, appetizers, salads, and of course a wide variety of beer.

I have a favorite for every course from this restaurant as it has been across the street from the office I have been interning for. Their $5 lunch specials are not only amazing deals, but since they differ every day one can try many things! These lunch specials also include percentages off a meal for different downtown offices. Sundays include a brunch with waffles and mimosas.

My favorite items from this restaurant could be a long list but I’ll spare you and tell you my top two picks! For an appetizer, the beer cheese and pretzels are delicious. In the happy hour version, the pretzels come in mini bites, and when served at other hours, the appetizer comes with whole pretzels. For a main meal, the classic Dan’s Pasta is my absolute favorite meal every time I have it. Dan’s Pasta is a twist on chicken Alfredo, served with grilled chicken, mushrooms, and penne pasta.

If the draw of great food wasn’t enough DGB offers Poker Night ever Monday, Trivia every Tuesday, and a Jazz themed happy hour doing the previously mentioned brunch on Sundays. And to keep up with these events their Facebook is the place to go to stay informed, and see their cool pics like the one posted with this blog. Like them on Facebook to see what’s coming next! (https://www.facebook.com/downtowngrillandbrewery/?epa=SEARCH_BOX)

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!